Why solder ESC's instead of plug-n-fly?

J Cubed · Jun 28, 2001, 09:33 AM

Why do instructions say to solder ESCs directly to the motors instead of simply attach the motor side to a plug and be able to swap ESCs between aircraft?

And, if you do this, shouldn't you be able to solder the capacitors and/or diodes to the ESC side of the plug set up and take them with the swappable ESC?

Has anyone tried this?

cwatters · Jun 28, 2001, 09:54 AM

>Why do instructions say to solder ESCs directly to the motors ..snip..

No particular reason. One less thing to hook up the wrong way around perhaps.

>And, if you do this, shouldn't you be able to solder the capacitors and/or diodes to the ESC side of the plug set up and take them with the swappable ESC?

Well the capacitors work best when connected as close to the brushes as possible. Inside the motor might be the best place for them. Also the best suppression network has two capacitors - one capacitor soldered between each brush and the can of the motor.

[This message has been edited by cwatters (edited 06-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by cwatters (edited 06-28-2001).]

steve lewin · Jun 28, 2001, 11:12 AM

Yeah, what cwatters said

Connectors are things that go wrong and can be connected up wrong and will always have more resistance than just wire. But there's nothing stopping you from using them if you want.

But leave the capacitors on the motor. You really do not want long wires on things intended to suppress interference

Very few modern ESCs still need a Schottky diode but that can be on the ESC if it is needed.

Steve

fisher · Jun 28, 2001, 07:43 PM

I usually solder a 1" section of 14 ga. wire and add a Dean's ultra male connector to my motors. I use 3 caps instead of 2. 1 in between the leads also. I don't know if this is really better it's just the way I read to do it in S&E modeler.
-fish

DaveW · Jun 28, 2001, 11:13 PM

I use the " 3 cap " supression also. I forgot the contact to contact one and after adding it got a noticable increase in " antenna down" range in the ground check.

I also put the Deans Ultra with a little wire on the motor ( unless there is no room in the model)

Bill Glover · Jun 29, 2001, 06:06 AM

If space/weight is an issue (4 models) then I solder directly to the motor, otherwise (2 models) I use connectors.

Jun 28, 2001, 09:33 AM	#1
J Cubed Registered User Bloomington, MN Joined May 2001 111 Posts	Why solder ESC's instead of plug-n-fly? Why do instructions say to solder ESCs directly to the motors instead of simply attach the motor side to a plug and be able to swap ESCs between aircraft? And, if you do this, shouldn't you be able to solder the capacitors and/or diodes to the ESC side of the plug set up and take them with the swappable ESC? Has anyone tried this?

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Jun 28, 2001, 09:54 AM	#2
cwatters Registered User Somewhere in England Joined Apr 2001 207 Posts	>Why do instructions say to solder ESCs directly to the motors ..snip.. No particular reason. One less thing to hook up the wrong way around perhaps. >And, if you do this, shouldn't you be able to solder the capacitors and/or diodes to the ESC side of the plug set up and take them with the swappable ESC? Well the capacitors work best when connected as close to the brushes as possible. Inside the motor might be the best place for them. Also the best suppression network has two capacitors - one capacitor soldered between each brush and the can of the motor. [This message has been edited by cwatters (edited 06-28-2001).] [This message has been edited by cwatters (edited 06-28-2001).]

Jun 28, 2001, 11:12 AM	#3
steve lewin Registered User N. Staffs, UK Joined Jan 1997 5,654 Posts	Yeah, what cwatters said Connectors are things that go wrong and can be connected up wrong and will always have more resistance than just wire. But there's nothing stopping you from using them if you want. But leave the capacitors on the motor. You really do not want long wires on things intended to suppress interference Very few modern ESCs still need a Schottky diode but that can be on the ESC if it is needed. Steve

Jun 28, 2001, 07:43 PM	#4
fisher Registered User Joined Apr 2001 284 Posts	I usually solder a 1" section of 14 ga. wire and add a Dean's ultra male connector to my motors. I use 3 caps instead of 2. 1 in between the leads also. I don't know if this is really better it's just the way I read to do it in S&E modeler. -fish

Jun 28, 2001, 11:13 PM	#5
DaveW Registered User Folsom,Ca,USA Joined Apr 2001 993 Posts	I use the " 3 cap " supression also. I forgot the contact to contact one and after adding it got a noticable increase in " antenna down" range in the ground check. I also put the Deans Ultra with a little wire on the motor ( unless there is no room in the model)

Jun 29, 2001, 06:06 AM	#6
Bill Glover Registered User Bracknell, Berks, UK Joined Nov 2000 10,260 Posts	If space/weight is an issue (4 models) then I solder directly to the motor, otherwise (2 models) I use connectors.