Electronic Ignition

When the controller is not in use it needs to be deactivated. The electronic ignition circuitry (fitted to all controllers) does this, so the controller draws no current and the throttle input will have no effect.

Note that ‘electronic ignition’ does not disconnect the battery so should not be relied upon for long periods of storage. You may also like to fit a battery isolator switch for emergencies – although modern MOSFETs are very reliable.

– Pot

In the simpler controllers the ignition is switched on by connecting and off by disconnecting the potentiometer.

– Auto

Some controllers (e.g. Uni series) switch themselves off automatically when the pot is turned to zero speed.

– Separate

These controllers (4QD series) have a separate ignition switch circuit. The electronics are disabled, the motor output goes open-circuit.

– Active

On some controllers (Pro, DNO, VTX, Porter and Uni series) the ignition is ‘active’ – when switched off the controller will ramp down to zero and only then will it switch itself off.

Auto-switch off at pot zero

Fitted on Uni series controllers, this is similar to Pot operated ignition in that the controller switches on when the pot is advanced from zero. The Uni has adjustable ramps, so the ignition switches off when the output speed has ramped down to zero, which is some time after the pot has been turned to zero.