Utilizing linear voltage regulators cause power dissipation which is converted into heat. Voltage control works like a “valve”. High voltage enters the controller (e.g. 7.4V), low voltage leaves it (e.g. 5.6V). The difference between the input and output voltage (1.8V in this case) has “to go somewhere” (a valve’s overflow). In case of a voltage regulator, the difference is converted into heat.

Therefore, all DPSI RV systems have a generously dimensioned heat sink which gets warm at high loads. We thoroughly calculated the dimensions of our heat sinks. All products of EMCOTEC are therefore optimized as far as heat dissipation is concerned. Elaborated test equipment (e.g. a thermal imaging camera) and year long experience guarantee for best possible quality and functionality.

The maximum possible continuous current, announced for our products is the current which can be actually driven. A value of  e.g. 8 amps (DPSI RV) or 4 amps (DPSI RV Mini) seems to be pretty low at first. But we consider real data more reasonable than to boast about fantasy values. 4 amps are sufficient in any case for a model using 10 digital servos of high actuating force. Additional measurements revealed about 4.5 amps average current (=>continuous current) for a model of 3 meter wingspan using 16 digital servos flying an aggressive 3D aerobatic program.

Continuing with this example: using LiPo batteries at 8 amps current (e.g. DPSI RV), 15 watts of heat is produced! This means, the energy converted to heat corresponds to the heating power of a 15 watts light bulb! A DPSI system distributes this heat effectively over the total heat sink and is therefore optimally deflected. Because there is a doubled amount of semiconductors as is in competitors systems, heat is distributed more evenly and the heat stress of the individual electronically parts is considerably reduced (see the following pictures).

DPSI RV products have a very good heat dissipation which was thoroughly calculated and tested in elaborated testing. Even if these systems appear big and heavy, this has a good reason: optimal heat dissipation at highest loads. Evenly distributed heat is important,  in order to avoid overheating of electronically parts and thermal stress to supporting material. Here, DPSI products offer the optimum. The infra red image shows the heat distribution of a DPSI RV after 10 minutes continuous load at 8 amps. Input voltage was 7.4 volts (2S LiPo battery), output voltage was set to 5.9 volts. Pink areas depict cold spots (environmental temperature). The higher the temperature, the color changes from blue to red (see bar on right side of picture). Maximum temperature at the voltage regulator is only 67,7 °C, the temperature is uniformly distributed, there are no “hotspots”.

Here, the back side (heat sink) of a DPSI RV after 10 minutes of  8 amps continuous load. Important is the evenly distributed heat pattern. The temperature delta (from the coldest to the hottest temperature), is only 7°C over the diagonal of the device. This can also be seen at the extremely evenly distributed temperature bar at the lower part of the picture. This is an outstanding value. Due to the small temperature changes in the heat sink (and  therefore on the PCB), no mechanical stress is produced which could lead to capillary cracks in the worst case.

In this picture, a competitors product can be seen, which was driven with the same parameters (8 amps continuous current for 10 minutes, 7.4 volts input and 5.9 volts output voltage). Here, a disadvantageous heat distribution can be observed. Cold spots can be seen at the edge of the PCB, while the semiconductors (voltage regulators) are extremely hot. Although 8 mps are far low of the manufacturers specified maximum allowable continuous current, the maximum temperature already reached 137.2 °C (see cross hair at right hand voltage regulator). Besides this disadvantageous heat distribution, hotspots constitute big risks. Due to these temperature differences, thermal stress endanger the supporting material. With even higher loads and therefore more heat, parts could be literally soldered out.