Hi John,
    I started ECL with the Castle ice/fm-9 set up and did'nt quite understand the programming BS and promptly burned the ESC($100.00) to a crisp after a buckhorn incident.I started using the KR stuff almost right away and I love the way it operates.No computers!!!!When I set my RPM I just tack it until desired RPM is reached and fly it.If you need a little more/less RPM adjust it.When you are happy leave it alone and fly....and fly.........and fly.Its quick and very easy to change any setting with a simple +/- programmer stick.I think you'll like it.
                                                                                                Trax

I, too, started using KR timer/governors last year after a very expensive tangle with tall grass (destroyed esc and motor). The advantages have already been explained by others, but I can add that Keith provides very quick and detailed support. I thought I had an issue with one of mine last fall when I was setting it up, but a quick email to Keith remedied things in short order (problem was on my end....between ears). I contacted Castle asking if they could program their esc's to shut off in the manner of the KR timer, but was told I was the only person who had ever asked and that (contrary to empirical evidence) they didn't believe their esc's would self destruct if accidentally run through tall grass.  I was also told that their high current shut off worked fine....ha! Although I own 5 of the much more expensive Castle esc's, I now use KR timers and inexpensive Turnigy "Trust" esc's in my CLPA planes. So far no prop in the turf problems, but I no longer worry about destroying my entire system as a result of doing so. (I fly off my own rather rough circle with grass that likes to reach out and grab lines and props.)

Bob

Thanks everyone for your help. Robert, does the turnigy trust esc have to be programed, or do you just run it out of the box. Thanks

Hi John,

Most esc's need to have the brake function set to ON, so it's nice to have a simple programming card for them. This is usually done once, so if you have a buddy with one of these cards, then just ask them to do it for you. If you happen to have an R/C system then you can set most functions with a series of beeps and the throttle stick, but that is a bit of a pain in the butt. The one calibration that often needs setting is the throttle range and I allowed for this on the timer itself. You simply put the slide switch from the timer into the ON position without the battery connected. Then connect the battery and mostly (depending on the particular esc) you will hear 2 quick beeps. This sends full throttle, or a 2 milli-second pulse width, to the esc. Now switch the slide switch OFF (low throttle) and the throttle range of the esc is calibrated to the timer.

Please remember when flying in thick grass to get someone to hold the model, or use a stooge until the rpm has built up to flying rpm. While it is winding up for a short slow rpm take-off, the low rpm detection program is not working. This only takes a few seconds. The short circuit protection claimed by CC and other manufacturers is usually not fast enough to stop them burning out. You are asking these tiny circuits to handle 40 amps and more when running and then suddenly you need a little bit more to shut down, and at the same time you don't want this to happen when you hit those hard corners. It's a big ask and this is why I developed the low rpm detection in my system. I hope that you will enjoy the governor timer.

Keith R

You are correct Dennis but I guess I just think of that as a given.  What I mean is there are many systems that give the user a well governed motor run.  What sets the KR governor/timer apart from the rest are cost savings, ease of use, and hardware protection.  Oh and by the way it's a very good governor as well.  For people like me who fly allot off grass, the prop strike protections is very important.  I lost my brand new Take Apart Ringmaster on the second flight and would have lost the entire power system if not for the strike protection.  The ESC, battery, and motor are all ready for use on the new Take Apart Ringmaster.  I just finished putting together an ARF Flite Streak for slow combat, I would not even consider doing electric combat without the prop strike feature of the KR timer, given my skill level in combat the chances of me going in are very high.

Andy

Is there a list of which ESC work and which don't.
I understood that the real cheap ones have a to low resolution to work properly.
But which ESC has a high and which a low resolution?

Sadly the timer won't work with a 10 pole motor.
Guess how many poles my motor has 

Greetings Robert-Jan