Got a set of RG20A ESC for my next mini quad build from David, Rotorgeeks. This ESC weights about 13 grams with some 11cm long 18AWG wires. Bare ESC without cables and wires claims to be 4g only. Compared to the DYS SN20A ESCs, 7.4g with wires and 2g without.
Get your RG20A ESC from Rotorgeeks.
The 12A version of Rotorgeeks ESCs (RG12A) were a great success, in their torture tests video where he shown how tough those ESC‘s were, amazed many people. I am looking forward to his torture tests with these 20A ESCs.
I have yet tested these ESCs, and I will put them straight onto my next quadcopter build. I was thinking to do some torture tests myself, but I was only sent four, if I damage one then I would have to build a tricopter instead :D Maybe in the near future.
Bad DYS SN20A ESC
Recently There has been lots and lots of report of the DYS SN20A ESC blow-up. It’s now just as infamous for prone to fire as the KISS ESCs. Some blame it’s a particluar bad batch. I personally have not had one exploded yet, but I recently bought 8, and 2 of them were faulty, so clearly there is a quality control issue.
Here are some pictures of the burnt ESC from our Multicopter group.
I personally will stop buying the SN20A ESCs for now. I would rather use the Blue Series 20A, although they are heavy (20g each), at least I know they are very very reliable and unlikely to fail mid flight.
My Rotorgeeks RG20A ESCs
I believe Rotorgeeks actually sent me the “RotorGeeks RG20A Starter Pack“, which has 4 x RG20A ESC, a programmer and a UBEC.
Anyway you can buy these items separately as well.
If you don’t know about Arduino and can’t be bothered to learn it, this programmer is really handy.
And as you know these are Opto ESC and has no BEC (no 5V), so you will need a 5V voltage regulator for your FC and RX. The UBEC that comes with this package is great as you don’t have to worry about it.
11 comments
Hi Oscar,
Sorry for bothering you with my stuff but we have a black hawk down situation here.
A friend of mine asked for help on his build. Sunnysky x2204 with DYS BLHeli 20a / 45-90 nanotechs.
Quad keeps falling out of sky with no reason after 2-3 mins of flight.
Motor 1 is very hot upon check. Replaced ESC + Motor. Still the same…
Lipo is brand new with sufficient amps & capacity, no heat.
I verified that FC and Radio is stable.
What would you suggest me to look for ?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Enis, please use our forum for help :) troubleshooting problems can get long winded for blog comments :)
intofpv.com
Hi,
Super-quick guess here…check you motor screws, specifically are they too long? Even though I am quite careful, I have had issues. It crops up when soft mounting motors or adding motor guards because sometimes longer screws are needed etc…even though the screws farthest from the wires exiting the motor, the screws closest to where the wire exits the base are much closer to the base plate where the screws goiinto the motor housing.
Good luck! :)
Hi Oscar,
Does the Rotorgeeks USB programmer get recognized by your computer before you connect to the ESC? Or only after you power the ESC?
yes, it does. in BLHeliSuite, it’s recognised as “FVT” in the COM ports. (before i connect to ESC)
Hi Oscar,
I wanted to buy the dys sn20 but because of the bad qc I’m searching for an alternative. These RG20A don’t seem to be a good package. They are on the expensive and heavier side. I’m very interestend in the new hobbyking opto afro 20A, wich seem to weight less and cost 5 bucks less.
Hi Oscar
I’m tired of burning up my KISS 18’s – I had a great run with them not having any issues at all, then all of a sudden i’ve lost 4 in the last week. Anyway, I was wondering if you had any recommendations for something that is close to as small and as powerful. I’ve read your post on the DYS20’s and a few others, but would love your honest opinion on what you think holds up as powerful and responsive at the KISS18s.
Thanks
Hi Jason
to be honest, tiny ESCs cannot take beating or torture like larger ESC can, so don’t expect them to be 100% reliable.
I have not run Rotorgeek ESC long enough to comment on their reliability, but if you are desperate for some new ESCs, give them a try :)
I would also recommend Hobbyking blue series 12A or 20A :D a bit heavier but defintely reliable. For the last 12 months, I only burnt 1 out of 30 that I have used. I run them all without heatsink to reduce weight.
Hi Oscar,
Thanks for your reply. Today I bought 2 pairs of Sunnysky X2207S 2100KV Brushless Motor CW/CCW. I hope it was the right decision :-).
Hi Oscar,
i recently bought a zmr250 V2 Frame and a flip32 from banggood. Futhermore I own a 8xr receiver and a turnigy 9xr radio (components from bixler build)
Now i need to buy the ESCs for my new copter build, and i was willing to buy the dys 20a ESCs. In your article you describe that they catch often fire, so i have changed my mind. Your recommended rotorgeeks are too expensive incl. shipping costs to europe, have you another recommendation? The ESCs should have low weight.
Furthermore i need an advice for suitable motors and props. I want to use 4s Lipos and i am a beginner :-)
Thanks
goofy
Hobbyking has released new version 20A Afro ESC, maybe check them out… i have not tried them myself though…
I would also recommend Blue Series 20A, they are a bit heavy, but if you remove the heatsink, they are not too bad. (runs fine without heatsink if your max current less than 17A i think)
most 2000kv motors are good for 4S, and you can step up prop size to increase speed/power as you progress (begin with 5030/5040… then 5045, and then 6045)… of course check datasheet first if the motor supports 4S…