Course: Castle R/C Continuing Education
Date: August 30, 2007
Teacher: Lee Estingoy
Summary: Learn to differentiate between a speedo and an ESC and why this is important

I have overheard modelers out there referring to their speed controls as "Speedos." This troubles me deeply for a number of reasons, the chief reason being that it brings images such as the one shown here to mind.

Let me explain.

Speed controls are very sophisticated electronic devices that pack far more computing power than the poor old Apollo system (not the ice skater). You really need to pay attention to size them correctly. You always want to keep everything scaled such that no particular part is too large, or perhaps in some cases, too small for the others. Contrary to prevailing wisdom, keep everything inside its envelope and you will have a better chance of having a successful flight. Always size the controller and the batteries such that they are happy pulsing along at the maximum throttle.

Don't take chances and try to run at half throttle, because you are only fooling yourself. Half throttle is really full throttle; it is just pulsed thousands of times a second so that the motor rpm is effectively raised or lowered. You can try this with your ceiling fan at home (this is really a lot of fun, especially if you don't bother to explain to your wife why you are flicking the lights on and off like a disco refugee).

Finally, be assured that all Castle employees are proud to take advantage of our right to not wear speedos and sneakers at the flying field. That is simply not done in Kansas.

Keep 'em flyin!

Lee

Photo used with the kind permission of Mr. Jürgen Heilig.