Thanks so much! The links help a lot.joey_zrl wrote:Here is an 'example' of a lipo battery with 4mm inboard +/- connections:howaboutme wrote:Thank you! This is very helpful.RC10th wrote:Here's an example of the bullets...... top pic is bad, bottom is good.
I've been trying to figure out the nomenclature when reading the description to the following battery (link as an example only):
http://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=67_97&product_id=397
When they state "5mm inboard", are they referring to exactly what you're talking about (though they are using 5mm)? Is there a distinction between 4mm and 5mm for ESC/Battery connection or is 5mm more typical for esc/battery? Otherwise, an adapter might be needed...And to clarify, for the battery connector, it would be a male?
For motor to ESC, the ESC gets the female while the motor gets the male? These are all the same connectors?
http://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=67_92&product_id=121
You would need an adapter with 4mm male end plugs, to connect into the 4mm female plugs on the battery.
Like this one: http://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=66&product_id=106
EC5 plugs for your esc/battery connection:
Female: http://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=66&product_id=165
Male: http://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=66&product_id=164
As for which plugs go where on the esc and battery... the battery always uses the female plug, and the esc uses the male plug. Using a female plug on the battery is a safeguard against dead shorting the leads together accidentally, since the connector leads are enclosed inside of the connector plug case on a female plug, the leads are non-exposed.
The esc motor wires.... there are three motor lead wires on a brushless esc, labeled A, B, and C. One for each phase winding of a three-phase brushless motor. Racers usually solder the motor wires straight to the motor's phase tabs to prevent resistance (heat) caused by using plugs. However it is possible to solder on bullet connectors between the esc and motor if you want to be able to do a quick motor swap. Racers want all the power they can get, so that's why you don't see them using plugs in that area.
I also visited one of my local tracks today and spoke with some of the racers. A good point was made about the various nuances on setups, electronics, etc available. Point is, driving is key. Spend time on practicing and less on buying every hopup. Being new, I should stick w/ as close to stock as possible and learn how to drive. Then, when I am more experienced as a driver, I will eventually know I am being limited by my setup or equipment. That said..I am not too worried about what "racers" prefer but hope to get to that point where I will care.
So..Looking in person at some of the way electronics are connected, I have more of an understanding and the reasoning behind it. Crazy how you just can't get the same comprehension (info yes) from the internet as you can in person.
My preliminary plan is to have the following connection types:
ESC to Battery:
One of the "easier", hard to mess up connectors such as EC3 or EC5.
With this, I don't need any of the adapters, right? Since SMC (as an example) provide direct EC5 connectors from their batteries, I am all set in terms of batteries. I just need to solder on the same connector from the ESC?
ESC to motor:
direct solder onto each 4mm bullets as you and everyone else have described. This will allow plug and play easier. What I am not understanding is some of the risks involved w/ the bullets. As described above (for battery connections), do I have to worry about connecting the wrong wires to each other for ESC/Motor? It should be pretty obvious the 3 wires. Do I have to worry about making sure they don't touch each other by providing some protection on each wire?
I know the above may seem like a messy set up but I think for a newbie, it's much less intimidating, initial solder aside (which I may have someone else do anyways).
Any thoughts welcomed. Thanks! (Unbelievable how much information there is learn...)