Using battery Plugs on esc wires

[vintage AE]

Okay, since I almost made the same mistake twice, but for different reasons, I thought I would talk about this.

I have two builds now that use Lipo packs that do not have leads, just female banana plugs in them and I use these exclusively with both of them.

The first build I made the + and - esc's battery leads the same length. Soon after the build I go to test it out and not thinking I plug the effers into the wrong ports A few hundred dollars later I shorten the lead closest to the esc so it doesn't reach the wrong port.

The second build I do the same thing with shortening the closest wire. Everything is great now, right? NOPE, I end up go to run one the battery packs from one build to another to get more run time and this is what I discover. OH WHAT, yes, there is no consistency to which side various brands put there + and - leads. Luckily my first experience will never leave my mind so there was only one small spark before I noticed.

So to those out there who have read this, please be marter than me and look at what you are sticking you thing into

[slotcarrod]

Oh boy! Did you hurt the ESC again?

[tim.sanderson]

I did it once, although it wasn't as costly of a mistake...
During an M-Chassis 1000 lap race we were using lipos that use bananas... For a split second I hastily plugged the leads into the wrong plugs on the battery during a pit stop. It fried the Tamiya esc, but those are only worth $50 or so. Still, it makes you feel like an idiot!

[vintage AE]

does it ever make ya feel dumb

I didn't fry anything I took it out again and it works perfect...although I tore up the spoiler during a roll over I usually cant get them to stay in, but this one apparently is solid

[Coelacanth]

Back in the day, I used to put Tamiya connectors between my ESC & motor leads, figuring that made a lot of sense. All it really did was make it a righteous pain-in-the-a$$ whenever the motor rotation was reversed.

Between motors & ESCs, I now find it more logical to use bullet connectors that can easily be switched if necessary, and where switching something won't cause any damage.

Between the battery & ESC, that's another story. I think it's a bad idea to use bullets between those components because it's so easy to accidentally reverse them--and cause major damage. For those, it's Deans connectors, without question. Unfortunately I don't think that would've entirely prevented the situation you experienced, because one way or another, that LiPo battery only has holes for bullet connectors, and it's still possible to reverse them by accident.

[vintage AE]

here are some photos of the damage that occurred...I'm sittin happy with a broken wing that a bit of CA glue will fix

[Coelacanth]

here are some photos of the damage that occurred...I'm sittin happy with a broken wing that a bit of CA glue will fix

DSCN7219.JPG

I think I have that exact wing, if you're interested. I don't plan on using it, but I received it painted green, and I'll need to keep the wing wire & buttons. PM me for pics if you're interested. You could remove the paint with DOT4 brake fluid or nitro fuel and paint it like your current wing.