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Bec reverse polarity 😕

Posted: Thu 05. Mar 2026 19:30:30
by ianboom
Hi.

I have a Hobbywing Platinum V4 120a ESC on an SAB Kraken helicopter.
It connects to a spirit2 flybarless unit.

I accidentally connected the BEC output reverse polarity into the flybarless. The throttle connection and the optiguard backup were connected correctly.

Am I likely to have damaged anything or will the spirit prevent reverse polarity going back out to other connections?

Thanks, Ian.

Re: Bec reverse polarity 😕

Posted: Tue 10. Mar 2026 9:31:36
by ZeXx86
Hi,

it depends how exactly BEC cable was connected. If it was only reversed servo connector, nothing wrong will happen.

Re: Bec reverse polarity 😕

Posted: Tue 10. Mar 2026 13:48:27
by ianboom
Hi.

I had positive and ground reversed.

I only had 2 wires in the connector (signal wire was for governor and not connected) and wired them backwards at the extension I made.

Re: Bec reverse polarity 😕

Posted: Thu 12. Mar 2026 12:15:50
by Mona
Remember the positive wire is in the center of the connector exactly to prevent this scenario. If you connected positive to signal it would have likely destroyed the MCU. If connected to ground the ESC might have saved you if it has startup current/short circuit protection.

Re: Bec reverse polarity 😕

Posted: Thu 12. Mar 2026 12:19:10
by ZeXx86
If there was a smoke or smell during this event, then I am afraid it is burned. In the most cases we are able to repair it, in some cases the cost could be just 5 USD.

Re: Bec reverse polarity 😕

Posted: Thu 12. Mar 2026 18:13:16
by ianboom
I'm sure there was no smell, but I'm obviously a bit tentative about flying it.

If I did damage anything internal In the flybarless unit, would it stop anything from working? Would it be obvious it's damaged?

I've had it cable tied to a picnic table to set and test the head speeds and everything seems ok.

Thanks.

Re: Bec reverse polarity 😕

Posted: Thu 12. Mar 2026 18:14:24
by ianboom
Mona wrote: Thu 12. Mar 2026 12:15:50 Remember the positive wire is in the center of the connector exactly to prevent this scenario. If you connected positive to signal it would have likely destroyed the MCU. If connected to ground the ESC might have saved you if it has startup current/short circuit protection.
I have contacted Hobbywing asking them this but had no reply.

Ian.