Returning to flying, need some current product knowledge
 

Hey folks. Been out of hobbies since middle 2000’s, went looking at ESCs and there are way more choices these days. I recently acquired a NIB Hangar 9 40 Cub with the included Power 46 out runner. It calls for a 60A speed control and I also got a NIP Common Sense RC 60A ESC. I looked them up and while CSRC is still in business, I didn’t see any ESCs offered.
my question is what about the ESC I have, would you trust it? If not what should I be looking at? would an 80A esc be a better choice, and what brand. When I was active, Castle Creations were the only real game in town.
I don’t plan to do much with a cub but fly around the pattern on nice days so I don’t need a high zoot or hot setup, just reliable equipment with a reasonable expectation of getting my plane up and back down should do it.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice, experiences, or opinions.

The age of the ESC is not too important if the wiring is still good, i.e., not dried out or cracked. I would be more concerned about the ESC having a battery eliminator circuit (BEC) with sufficient amperage capacity to preclude brownouts, especially if using modern digital servos. Older ESC's often had linear (straight resistance) BEC's of questionable capacity. I would recommend an ESC with a switch-mode BEC capable of at least 6 amps for your purposes. Modern digital servos may have low average running amperages but they pull very brief but high peak instantaneous starting amps (essentially locked-rotor "stalled" current) which can damage the BEC over time, or cause low-voltage brown-outs (see attachment). Castle is known for high-end ESC's and are high priced... way over-priced for my needs. I have used several sizes of Hobbywing ESC's over the years and enjoyed good service from them... never had one cause a crash. The Hobbywing inventory includes some nice 60 and 80 amp ESC's. Here is a link to a suitable 60 amp ESC with an 8/20 amp (continuous/peak) switch-mode BEC which should serve you well.
https://www.altitudehobbies.com/coll...series-60a-esc

No problem, at all.
Power system derating
It is a wise practice to have some headroom built in. Motors and controllers run cooler, slightly more efficient too, and it gives some leeway should things go south a bit.

About derating motors, controllers, batteries, electronics in general:

• Derating, starting at ... Then there is the 75% rule of thumb ...
  Questions and Answers.... - Page 928 - RCG
  
• About de-rating controllers and motors, starting at for everyone else:
  Questions and Answers.... - Page 290 - RCG
  
• Motorcurrent is proportional to voltage squared, and proportional to Kv cubed.
  A 10% change in battery voltage will give a 20% change in current, a 10% change in Kv will give a 30% increase. Not quite, because battery voltage will sag more due to higher current, but you'll get the idea.
  
• extra current with one or two cells added, simple table
  A.k.a. "Why did my motor and/or controller and/or battery go up in smoke Attachment 2274778 ??? ¨.
  In depth discussion
  www.theampeer.org/ampeer/ampnov15/ampnov15.htm#ADD