Powering a MultiWii from a LiPo battery

[shiznatix]

I just received my MultiWii 328P and I am trying to get everything connected for the initial configuration / tests.

My question is, how do you power it from a 3S Lipo battery? On an Arduino, I just connect the + to Vcc and - to Gnd, directly from the battery, but I don't see any such pins on the MultiWii.

Can you power it from a LiPo or do I need a 5V regulator and connect from that to the + / - lines that are on the row with the radio receiver pins?

[brandon3055]

The easiest way is with your bec via the the servo outputs same way you would power your receiver. You can also power it via usb for configuration.

[brewski]

If you want total reliability use a switching UBec to power the flight controller. For less than $5 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Hobbywin ... 2c78f7ee95 it is the cheapest insurance you can buy

[shiznatix]

Ok, I never heard of a UBEC / BEC before but from the looks of it, it is just a 5V regulator that doesn't heat up as much as a stand alone regulator does (plus a few extra features). Is this correct?

So, I would just connect the 3 pins from the BEC to the AUX 2 (for example) row on the MultiWii and all should be fine, yes?

[brandon3055]

Correct. UBEC stands for "Universal Battery Eliminator Circuit" Most speed controllers have one built in to power your receiver and servos BEC is just "Battery Eliminator Circuit" im not sure what the difference is.

[brewski]

The switchmode UBec is a standalone power supply that is vastly superior to the Bec in an ESC. The ESC Bec is an analog regulator (read very inefficient & creates even greater heat & losses with higher voltage) & will shutdown if the ESC gets too hot. Sometimes this is because you are using the Bec so the output FETS & Microcontroller get too hot!
The Switchmode UBec is at least 90% efficient so uses less power & being separate to ESC will not shutdown. For <$5 why would you use inferior Bec that could crash your multi?

[shiznatix]

I was able to find locally a 5v BEC which seams to just be a 5V regulator & ESC combo. The additional ESC is a bit redundant since I don't need it but the 5V regulator should be good for powering the MultiWii & radio receiver. It does have an auto-shutdown if it gets too hot / overloaded but I can't see how those 2 connected components could possilby go over its limits (6A)

[kilby]

Shuznatix, so what you are saying is that you have bought an escape with a built in BEC

[shiznatix]

Shuznatix, so what you are saying is that you have bought an escape with a built in BEC

Exactly. It was the only thing I could get from my local shop, they didn't have standard BECs

[kilby]

Ok just wanted to be sure