Need help with ESC switch

[Canada Goose]

I have a Castle Creations Sprite 25 ESC. There is no power switch and the battery has to be removed/installed in order to act as a switch so to speak. I would like to install a small on /off switch which would make things a lot easier. The ESC is connected to the receiver with the normal three wire lead and I am thinking that I can tap into the RED power feed wire and install a simple two pole micro switch...is this the right way to go about it?
Thanks for your time
Mike

[Lenny970]

Mike,
Yes, that would switch off power to the radio, but with the power battery connected you still have a dangerous situation, so what have you accomplished?

Don't think it's safe because you shut off the radio switch. I personally hate controllers with switches and prefer the K.I.S.S. method.

The motor is safe ONLY with the battery unplugged. When you're ready to fly, plug in the battery and go fly.

Just my 2 cents,
Lenny

[Andy W]

What he said. Some ESC's will refuse to power the motor if they have no clean signal, which is what you'd be doing, but I personally don't trust any piece of commercial electronics with my digits, limbs or eyesight! When the battery is in the model, it's live and dangerous regardless of any switch. The switch will give you a very dangerous, false sense of security. I advise against it. Don't plug in until you're ready to fly, remove the battery as soon as you land.
..a

[vario]

what they said,,

[Bruce Abbott]

There is nothing wrong with switching the power to the receiver. The ESC will not arm until it receives a signal. I have several planes using this system and have never had a problem.

The only accidents I have seen were caused by the pilot bumping the transmitter stick, and a shorted ESC. In the first case, using a switch would have avoided an accident.

This is the procedure I follow:-
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Make sure the receiver switch is OFF
Plug in the battery (treat model as live from this point)
Close battery hatch
Carry model to the runway
Turn on transmitter
Receiver switch ON
Check control surface operation
Do ESC arming/calibration procedure
Fly!
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Remember to switch off the receiver immediately after landing (before switching of the transmitter). Disconnect the battery as soon as practicable. Do not leave the battery connected for a long time, as it will slowly discharge through the ESC.

Don't attempt to use a damaged ESC. Always assume the worst when plugging in the battery, your ESC could take this moment to short out and the motor might instantly go to full power!

For reliability, use a double pole switch with both contacts wired in parallel.