Mistakenly got OPTO ESC for my scratch build foamie. Is it trash?

[Votey]

Or can I do something to make this ESC useful for my applications (fixed wing single engine)? This ESC only has a twisted pair of wires where normally there would be three going to the receiver.

I'm pretty new to all this, so I don't know much about power systems yet.

Thanks!

 

[ViperTech]

You can use it, you just need a bec to run the Rx and servos.
like this http://www.headsuphobby.com/3-Amp-Universal-Battery-Elimination-Circuit-UBEC_p_1726.html

 

[F106DeltaDart]

Or can I do something to make this ESC useful for my applications (fixed wing single engine)? This ESC only has a twisted pair of wires where normally there would be three going to the receiver.

I'm pretty new to all this, so I don't know much about power systems yet.

Thanks!

Yes, it can certainly be made useful. The difference between an opto and a normal ESC, is that a normal ESC provides power to the receiver and servos. An Opto ESC just powers the motor from the flight battery and does not backfeed any power. In order to power the servos/receiver, you have 2 options. You can use a separate receiver battery, or use a UBEC like this one: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-5a-8-26v-sbec-for-lipo.html. You simply solder the power leads to where your flight battery plugs in, and then the other plug goes into an open port on your reciever. It will then feed power to the rest of your airplane.

 

[Gazoo]

Or can I do something to make this ESC useful for my applications (fixed wing single engine)? This ESC only has a twisted pair of wires where normally there would be three going to the receiver.

I'm pretty new to all this, so I don't know much about power systems yet.

Thanks!

If you can find another ESC of the same spec with a BEC, you could use both to make a twin. A mini-guinea or mini-cruiser perhaps. Just a thought.

 

[Votey]

Thank you all for the helpful replies! I feel much better about my mistake now.