LiPO Battery Nomenclature and Radio Control Systems

What is the difference between a servo and a motor?

Motors rotate continuously and do not change directions whereas servos move to specific positions between 0° and 180° and can change directions.

What does ESC stand for and what is its purpose?

Electronic Speed Controller. It is powered by the LiPo battery and controls the vehicle's electronics and motor speed.

What is the difference between an RC transmitter and a receiver?

Transmitter sends radio signals and commands from the controller Receiver receives those signals and passes them to the vehicle's components.

What does a receiver pinout/port assignment diagram show?

It shows exactly where each wire or component plugs into the receiver and what function each pin performs.

Define Voltage (technical concept and water analogy).

Voltage is the pressure that pushes electric charge through a circuit in the water analogy it is water pressure.

Define Current (technical concept and water analogy).

Current is the rate of electrical flow (how many charges pass a point) in the water analogy it is the amount of water flowing.

Define Resistance (technical concept and water analogy). -

Resistance is how much a material opposes electrical flow in the water analogy it is a kink or narrow hose section.

What happens when there is zero resistance in an active electrical circuit? -

The circuit short circuits.

Fill in the standard units for Voltage

Voltage is V

Fill in the standard units for Current

Current is Amperes (A)

Fill in the standard units for Resistance

Resistance is Ohms (Ω).

Fill in the standard battery units for Capacity

Capacity is mAH

Fill in the standard battery units for Cell Count

Cell Count is S (e.g. 3S)

Fill in the standard battery units for C-rating

C-rating is C.

How do you convert mAh to Amps?

Divide the mAh value by 1000.

What is Ohm's Law and its variations? -

Ohm's Law describes the relationship between Voltage (V), Current (I), and Resistance (R); V = I × R; I = V ÷ R; R = V ÷ I.;

What formula is used to calculate max safe current from a LiPo battery? -

Max current (A) = (Capacity in mAh ÷ 1000) × C-rating.

How do batteries behave in a series circuit? -

Positive connects to negative voltages add together capacity stays the same.

What do capacity and C-rating determine?

Capacity determines how long the battery lasts C-rating determines safe charge/discharge rate