Sea King ESC.

To date I have been very pleased with the power delivery of my various types of Sea King ESC.

The power delivery is very smooth and strong, right from when I first set off, until when it "shuts down" to protect the LiPo battery.

The "get you home" feature of returning enough power to allow me to slowly creep the boat back to shore safely after a few seconds following the low power shut-down works perfectly too.

Other ESC that I have (and still use) are not as good at either delivering the power as smoothly (with no "cogging")
or at running with full power right until the LiPo protecting "shut down" is activated.

None of various types and sizes of Sea King "Forwards Only" ESC that I have can be connected to any of my many different types of Hobby Wing programme cards, but now I have discovered how to add the reverse function to my 120amp Sea King, I will see if I can use the same method to activate a reverse on all my others.

A reverse function added to my Sea King "Forwards Only" ESC further enhances their use, but I need to make sure that I can reduce the power delivery when I reverse as a full-blooded power delivery when could cause some serious problems!

I should be able to achieve this easily enough with a restricted movement of the throttle "end point" in the reverse direction that can be easily programmed into the transmitter without affecting the superb forwards power delivery in any way.

With this in mind, I may well be removing my 120amp Surpass fan cooled ESC from my Kopy Kommander and replace it with a Sea King of similar power rating...although I do have a SHARK water-cooled ESC that I also want to test first to see if it can match the power delivery of the Sea Kings.

Bob.

I now have a REVERSE on my "Forwards Only" ESC.

Thanks JB.

I am pretty sure that my Turnigy Marine ESC is a re-badged Sea King as it is identical to some that I have with a Sea King label on them.

One thing they do have in common is that no program card that I have will connect to them.

I remember back in the days of the iconic Post Office Red Telephone Box that it was possible to tap the spring loaded rest that held the hand set to dial a number without having to put any coins into it ........(or so I have been told...!).

This gave me the idea of trying a mechanical connection to access a digital sequence - strange logic - but nothing else has worked...................

When these marine ESC are first fitted they are "programmed" to work with the radio when they are first connected together by using various positions of the throttle.

My ESC has been "paired" to the same radio since my Rapier 1 was first restored during the Covid lock-down.

I experimented by moving the throttle stick to the full forward position and holding it there as the ESC was connected to the LiPo , and then moving it between full throttle and neutral until the motor gave a strange tone (instead of the usual continuous beep-beep).

This is a similar sound that can sometimes be generated when an ESC enters the programming stage when the continuous beeping stops.

By experimenting with this idea I found a position that has given me a forward/reverse operation!

Getting out of this sequence and retaining the new reversing function did not work at first, but eventually I was able to get out without losing this new function.

I have returned to Rapier 1 a few times and powered it up and it has retained the reverse function!

I will not be able to get to drive this boat for another fortnight or so, but I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that this new found function will remain as a permanent (and very welcome) addition without having to change what has been an excellent ESC.

Table 3 on the back of the program card (pictured here) shows all the functions that should have been available to adjust if I were able to find a way of connecting to my marine ESC.

I will not give up just yet, but for now I am happy to have gained a reverse function without being able to use the program card.

Bob. 👍.

Hi Bob, find this page on Ali Exp (find seller) and see if any of the info for Hobbywing might help. Yours might not be a Hobbywing ESC, might might be a Flycolour which has another programming method. common types like Red Brick ESCs etc use this type of programming, with side menus using a series of beeps. see pic.

Also, a lot of high amp marine ESCs only have forward (no reverse mode) HK don't sell these any more, so it may be one of those.

JB

Turnigy 150amp Marine Speed Controller.

This ESC is basically a 150amp Sea King with a Turnigy sticker on it when it is sold by HobbyKing.

Today I made some time to try to programme this ESC again to see if I could persuade it to run forwards and reverse, rather than forwards only (its delivery setting).

I am aware that many of the programming cards that I have acquired over the years (mainly for model car racing) need to be updated to work with different ESC's as new versions are released - so I bought yet another new Hobbywing programming card to see if I could get it to talk with my SeaKing Marine ESC as all my others have failed to connect with it.

The new Hobbywing programe card arrived this afternoon so I checked the instructions to see if anything had changed in its operating method (none) and connected it to this ESC that has been running (forwards only) ever since the boat (Rapier 1) was restored during the Covid lock-down.

This program card can be used with a Hobbywing ESC that has a common lead for the receiver and the program card (like the SeaKing/Turnigy 150amp type I have). It does not have to be used with those ESC types that have a separate programming lead - it can work with both types.

One of the small sequence charts that come's glued onto the back of the ESC case are for use with Marine ESC and show the options that can be adjusted. (including forward only or forwards /reverse).

With the program card connected in the correct sequence it failed to register with this ESC.

The advice to reconnect after a few seconds break was tried several times, but the program card would not connect to the ESC and the motor just continue to "beep" at regular intervals waiting to respond to any programming signal........but there was none.

This is the same result that I have experienced many times since I first fitted this ESC to my Rapier, and just like the previous times, I then connected the same program card to various other ESC where it worked normally without any problem.


With this check repeated, I am certain that all of the program cards that I have connected to this marine ESC are working correctly, but none of them will connect to the Sea King Marine spec controllers that I use.

......but I do have one other idea to try.........🤔

Bob.

Something that I have noticed when using a programme card at our car racing club every week is the vastly different amount of information that can be displayed on the same program card when it is connected to different ESC’s.

I was programming a full spec (eye wateringly expensive) racing ESC at the club on Thursday night (not mine) and I have never seen so many adjustable parameters come up on the display of the same Hobbywing programme card that I was using on other cars ECS that night.

Being fascinated by this experience, I connected the same card to several other quite expensive (but not so silly priced) racing ESC, but they only displayed a fraction of the adjustable options that were so clearly visible on the “very top” of the range ESC.

To double check and confirm this, I connected up again to this very top-end ESC, and it opened up the same amount of mind-boggling options as I worked my way through the programme card.

What this does prove, is that the parameters that can be accessed is not necessarily dependent on the type of programming card used, although different cards will be needed for different ESC, the ESC itself is made with a limited range of adjustments (that can be accessed) depending on the model and the type.

I will still be working my way through all of my Sea King ESC and try them with any of the program cards that I have - just in case I can extract any more information using a different combination of card and ESC.

My programming cards are also updated online occasionally to give me the best chance to access any available information that each type of ESC being used is able to share.

Bob.

If you want to keep the (aircraft) Esc set up a reverse switch relay dpdt and switch on transmitter. It’s a channel control mechanical relay but make sure it can handle current. Other way is a servo to throw a mechanical slide switch. Used in old days to turn electric glider motor on/ off . On other thing I found is the motor control on two stick RC transmitters is they aren’t centered. I used aileron stick for motor n rudder fir rudder on my DX6 when using as ship control. If you use relay then normal motor stick is fine as low is low then flip switch n its low reverse.

I guess I’m still old school at 83. Working on multiple ships and my uncles ships to sell. See pics n on eBay. Good winter projects.

Simple schematic for engine reverse n pic of module with relays (10a 30v) takes one channel forward or reverse then motor stick used to move from stop to full in direction.

Eric's ESC may not be faulty Chris - it may simply be a forwards only speed controller that does not have the facility to add reverse to it when programmed.

I will be working my way through all my SeaKing ESC's using various Hobbywing program cards over the next couple of weeks to see if any of them will be able to get a reverse function to work.

I like my SeaKing ESC as they deliver a lot of power smoothly - far better than the air cooled Surpass 120amp ESC that I have in my Sea Commander.(shown here).

The second picture shows my 150amp SeaKing (branded Turnigy) ESC in my Rapier that has performed flawlessly since the boat was restored during the Covid lockdown-down - but has no reverse!

As a matter of interest I set-up two different Hobbywing ESC at our car club last night with no problems.

The car ESC have a lot more complex options available for adjustment than a water-cooled boat ESC does, and it is not too unusual to make small adjustments during the evening between races to our various types of ESC as the track conditions change or a new car set-up is needed.

I am confident that if any of the Sea King ESC that I have can have the reverse function programmed into it, I already have the program cards to do it with - so I really am hoping that my previous failed attempts can also be "reversed" 🤣.

Bob.

Thanks Chris/all, for a very informative discussion around my ‘small’ 😳 reversing problem! As it happens, I’ve got a programming card and that I tried and it didn’t work that way either - conclusion - it’s forward only! Thank you gentleman.. it’s been a pleasure. Eric 👍

Hi Eric

Sorry, we've gone off at a tangent, no change there! 😂

You've probably ordered a new ESC now, which is probably the best course of action. I'm confident that you would be able to program your HobbyWing Seaking ESC with the HobbyWing LED card but given the age of your ESC it might be defective and not worth getting the card for?

Chris

I appreciate this honest modern/ reality post!
Wow. Programming. I have a lot to learn after sort of stepping out of the hobby with 5 unfinished hulls designed and built scale scratch 20 years ago. Programming? OMG!🙄
yup ... getting older! Still willing ( able? ) to learn !

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your ongoing efforts to help me get any of my Sea King ESC working with a reverse function.

I will drag out my collection of programs cards and give it another go.

I am petty sure that my Sea King 90 (all three of them) are genuine HobbyWing as they are a standard fitting on the Inception and Alpha 1000.

Bob.

Hi Chris,

I have just checked some of my Sea King ESC - some of them come with different name stickers on them (not unusual) - but they are all the same as each other.

Hi Chris,

The 180, 150 and 120 amp ESC all look like the first picture, and the 90 amp 70 amp versions look like the second picture.

Some have the Sea King label on them, and those that I bought from Hobbyking have a Turnigy label on them, but other than the label they look to be exactly the same as each other.

The instruction sets that comes with them are fairly basic "get you going" when the ESC is connected to the radio for the first time.

I am more than happy to attempt to program any of these again to change the running sequence to forward and reverse, but all previous attempts have failed and the instruction included with each of them does not suggest that they have this function.

The direction of motor travel can be reversed - but this can also be easily done by reversing the two outer wires that connect to the motor, so that is not particularly helpful.

All off my Sea King ESC have a hard case with a heatsink. None of them have the shrink covering instead of a case.

The larger ESC have 10AWG input wires from the power source and have 14AWG wires to connect to the motor, so they are quite "heavy duty", but the two smaller sizes of ESC (70 amp and 90amp) have 14AWG input and output wires.

Bob

Hi Chris,

The label on Eric's ESC does say that it is a Version 2.

It is printed on the label on the bottom left hand side - next to the negative symbol.

Bob.

This is the picture that Eric shared with us of his ESC.

I have shown it here alongside the advert you pictured of a different type of 60amp ESC - both branded HobbyWing and both 60 amp.

They are not the same ESC, but maybe the model that Eric has can be programmed to use a reverse function if he can find the correct program card to pair with it?

Bob.

Hi Chris,

I have several different Sea King water-cooled ESC.

They range in size from 180amp down to 70 amp to cover all the different sizes of power boat that I have used or that I am building or restoring at the moment.

All of the packaging and instructions have been retained, so I can double check - but I am sure that none of them have a reverse function and it is not something that can be added with a program card (I have tried!).

When I have time I will take pictures of some of the different sizes for you to see.

There is a possibility that the ESC model that Eric has does not have the same reverse function as the one you have shared here, but the instruction sheet that would have come with it will specify this if it is available - and also specify the exact model and type of matching program card that will be needed to be able to dial in this function.

Bob.

No, that's an old Version 2 going back a few years, just like Erics. The latest being V3.1 looks completely different.

Are yours 60amp?

I have never seen that model of the Sea King before Chris - it has a reverse function! It is also shrink-wrapped, and that is different to every other Sea King ESC that I have.

None of my Sea King ESC have this reverse facility - so I am guessing it is a new model type?

I have been racing electric cars for so many years, and during that time I have acquired a large amount of programming cards to be able to adjust all of the different types of ESC that I have used (or set-up for others), and it is a very simple intuitive process.

Most of these different cards (not all) are for Hobbywing ESC.

It is surprising how many slightly different variants of these cards exist and how many of them can be updated online to accommodate small software changes that exist between seemingly similar or same looking ESC.

A specific program card for the model of ESC that Eric has will save him having to buy a Shark ESC (and matching program card).

It will be important to order the exact type of programming card that is specific to his particular ESC due to the huge variation of types made by HobbyWing.

Bob.

No problem Eric,

I have also just bought a couple of the Shark ESC to try for the first time later this year.

Other users of this type of ESC in our local club are quite happy with theirs, so we may have made a good choice 🤞

You can also buy a program card from ZTW to work with all Shark ESC.

Bob.

Thank you Zooma and ChrisF for your insight, I hadn’t lost the plot then! Back to Ali Express for a new Shark reversible ESC then! Thanks again.. Eric

Hi Eric,

I have used Sea King ESC on all my Classic Model Power Boats for many years.

You may not need a program card - all of my Sea King ESC are performance units for forward use only - they do not have a reverse function.

I have 10 - 12 of them in various sizes and none of them have a reverse function.

They are strong, powerful and reliable, and highly suitable for racing and fast running, but they do not have any reverse function so a program card may not help you.

Running on a small model boating lake has recently caused me to consider the use of alternative ESC that do have a reverse function, although most of my favourite power boats run with a "forwards only" Sea King ESC - including my Rapier 1 that has now clocked-up over 100 running hours - exclusively with a Sea King ESC.

Those of us that used to run with glow plug, diesel or petrol engines have no problems with running a forwards only ESC, because our IC engines never had a reverse option.

Most of the 100 hours of running Rapier 1 has been on our small model boat club lake, and it has never caused me any problems whatsoever. I have never needed to reverse because I have driven the boat being fully aware that I did not have that function.

If you were to buy any of the RTR fast powerboats, the chances are that it would not have a reverse either - none of mine have ever had a reverse function - even the most expensive types!

Scale boats such as a tug do have a use for a reverse (my TID Tug had a reverse and I made good use of it) but for running a model power boat you can certainly learn to live without it.

If after running your boat you find that you cannot live without a reverse function then you may prefer to change your ESC for one that does come with a reverse function.

Some ESC these can be programmed for "forwards only" or "forwards and reverse" and is why it may have been suggested that a program card may be helpful, but some performance ESC (such as the Sea King models that I have) do not come with this function as an option and it is not something that can be influenced by the use of a program card.

Bob.