A battery eliminator circuit (BEC)

A battery eliminator circuit (BEC) is an electronic circuit designed to deliver electrical

power to other circuitry without the need for a battery. Historically the expression was
sometimes used to describe devices used to power battery-driven equipment from mains
electricity.
Radio Controlled (R/C) Models
In an electric powered radio controlled model, the BEC is typically part of the electronic speed
control (ESC). BEC allows such a model to carry only one battery (the motive power battery)
instead of two (motive power, and a separate battery to operate the R/C equipment). A BEC-
equipped ESC meant for airplane use often incorporates a low-voltage-cutoff (LVC) circuit
which can sense the voltage drop caused when the battery has little charge left in it. It then cuts
the power to the 'drive' motor in order to provide the 'steering' servo(s) with enough power to be
able to bring the model safely back to the operator. The power to the propeller would be cut but
the operation of the control surfaces would be maintained in order to perform a 'dead-stick'
landing. Without this feature, all control would be lost when the battery expired, probably
resulting in the destruction of the model. In some cases, the BEC is part of the radio control
receiver, instead of being part of the ESC.
R/C BECs in their simplest form use a linear fixed voltage regulator with its standard circuit
suggested in the manufacturers datasheet - usually the power supply of the receiver needs 5 V.
Low drop types are preferred - especially for batteries with only a few cells. For small models
1.5 to 2 A are enough, for mid-size models a 3A type needs to be considered. BEC's for large
models have to provide current of 5A or more. Here a more complicated switched mode
regulator should be used, as the BEC has to deal with losses. These Losses are proportional to the
difference of the target voltage of 5 volts and the voltage of the main battery, as well as they are
proportional to the provided current. For example a 10 cell (NiMh) accumulator with a normal
voltage of 12 volts. With a peak current of 5A the BEC will have losses of (12V-5V)*5A = 35W.
With a linear regulator these 35W will be converted to heat and so require a large heat sink. In all
cases it is a good idea to mount some large capacitors to buffer the regulated output. In large
plane or ship models another possibility is to buffer the power supply with a further capacitor
near the actuators (Servos).

“Light on” (DAVID COOK)

Never really said too much

Afraid it wouldn't be enough
Just try to keep my spirits up
When there's no point in grieving
Doesn't matter anyway
Words could never make me stay
Words will never take my place
When you know I'm leaving

Try to leave a light on when I'm gone

Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone

You know we've been down that road

What seems a thousand times before
My back to a closing door and my eyes to the seasons
That roll out underneath my heels
And you don't know how bad it feels
To leave the only one that I have ever believed in

Try to leave a light on when I'm gone

Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone

Sometimes it feels like we've run out of luck

When the signal keeps on breaking up
When the wires cross in my brain
You'll start my heart again
When I come along

Try to leave a light on when I'm gone

Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone