Spark suppression for big electrics

[Highway 101]

Apologies in advance if this question has been done to death before but I couldn't find an exact answer in searching the forums:
I am finishing an 88" electric Yak. Neu 1527 on 12s. The spark is impressive! I have made a safety bypass consisting of 6mm bullet connectors (female) flush mounted on the fuselage. A u-shaped length of 8G wire with male bullet connectors completes the circuit after the batteries and ESC are connected and the canopy closed. Is there any reason I cannot run my spark-suppressor resistor between the two sides of this "final switch"? I would have to have an on-off swith in the resistor circuit but since it is a low current system I do not see that as a problem. If this makes sense, any suggestions as to the appropriate Ohms and watt rating for the resistor? I will try to upload pictures of the safety switch later. Thanks in advance,

Mike

[Highway 101]

Here goes my attempt to upload the pictures. Mike

[Highway 101]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w185/M4800/IMG_1482.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w185/M4800/IMG_1494.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w185/M4800/IMG_1495.jpg

[Mike Palko]

This thread may help. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=759403

If I understand you correctly you want to put the resistor in series with a light weight switch. When the switch is turned ON it will charge the capacitor(s). Then you plug in your 8G arming switch to take the load. Should work fine.

Mike

[Highway 101]

Dear Mike,
That was exactly what I had in mind - a on/off switch on the fuselage to charge the capacitor followed by the bridge wire to power up the system. Thanks,

Mike

[mpope1]

Is the spark a bad thing?

[Mike Palko]

Is the spark a bad thing?

Some ESC manufacturers don't recommend using a anti-spark plug because the spark tells you the capacitors are still working. Others say not to use it because it may confuse the auto lipo (LVC) built into the ESC. With the correct resistor there is a good chance the auto lipo feature will still work.

The only damage the spark actually does is to the connectors over time.

Mike

[drstillpatient]

Some ESC manufacturers don't recommend using a anti-spark plug because the spark tells you the capacitors are still working. Others say not to use it because it may confuse the auto lipo (LVC) built into the ESC. With the correct resistor there is a good chance the auto lipo feature will still work.

The only damage the spark actually does is to the connectors over time.

Mike

I just built myself a spark suppressor with a 20 Ohm resistor. My deans connectors has no more gold left in the connection area. Someone said something about the newer Jeti Spin ESCs having a built in spark suppressor but i am not sure about that. and reading from another thread, the spark also shortens the life of the capacitor. again just from what i heard.
BTW, isnt it a bad idea to be using auto-lipo detect in anything more than 3S?

[jfetter]

Some ESC manufacturers don't recommend using a anti-spark plug because the spark tells you the capacitors are still working. Others say not to use it because it may confuse the auto lipo (LVC) built into the ESC. With the correct resistor there is a good chance the auto lipo feature will still work.

The only damage the spark actually does is to the connectors over time.

Mike

I pretty much operate under the idea that if it were absoutely necessary, the manufacturer would have built it in (like Jeti did with the Spin 200 and 300 series ESC's). I have been running 12S for some time on 2 different planes and the "zap!" is just normal operating procedure to me...

Jack