This is a companion topic for our recent blog post on blog.unmanned.tech
In our latest jaunt through the electrifying world of drones, we’ve tackled the rather alarming issue of voltage spikes in ESCs (that’s Electronic Speed Controllers for those not in the know). It turns out these little gremlins can double your battery voltage and ignite a fire during disarming or crashes, which is definitely not the kind of drama we want. Chris Rosser’s tests reveal that adding capacitors across battery leads significantly reduces these pesky spikes, while TVS diodes can help but are more like the backup singers in this electrifying opera.
The tests involved a standard FPV setup—nothing too fancy, just your average motor, ESC, and oscilloscope—because who doesn’t enjoy a bit of voltage monitoring? The results showed that a low ESR 470µF capacitor with short legs was the true champion, dramatically cutting spike sizes. Just a word to the wise: longer capacitor legs might slightly decrease effectiveness, but we’re not talking about a total write-off here—think of it as wearing socks with sandals; not ideal, but not cataclysmic either.
While TVS diodes are lovely to have on hand for additional protection, they don’t quite replace the need for capacitors. They’re like a comforting cup of tea after a long day, but the proper spike suppression is better achieved with good old capacitors. For those with high-RPM setups, consider both for robust protection—a bit like carrying an umbrella and a raincoat, just in case.
For those keen on a deeper dive, you can watch the full testing video here:
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