RC10Talk - The Net's Largest Vintage R/C Community

So I ordered a new Tekin RS for my Optima Mid before leaving the US. Tonight I decided to pull the esc out of the package and get it installed in the car. After taking my time and getting everything soldered in, it was time to turn the car on and program the esc. No sooner than I plugged the battery in, POOF, there goes the esc in a cloud of white smoke.

I start looking at my wiring job everything was correct, look at the battery leads going into the lipo, had them backwards .

I just ruined a brand new Tekin RS because I wasn't paying attention, what a moron . I cannot believe I just did that.

Guys make sure you triple check your stuff before pluggin in, it might save your wallet $175.

Jake

I've seen that happen a lot at the track, sorry it had to be you this time. While you're overseas at least you can pick up a cheap replacement easily. What's the hobby shop situation like there? I'd love to see some pics of a typical shop. Not sure how easy that is to do where you're at. RIP little Tekin.

i did that once, back when i got my first lipo/bl setup and it used bullet connectors.
now when i wire cars i make sure that the battery leads are just long enough to fit in the proper spot.

it's a frustrating and costly mistake.

I would think by now modern esc's would have some reverse voltage protection. I would take a close look inside and at the manaul, maybe all you did was pop an internal fuse?

I have not gotten the chance to explore much yet but I plan on getting out and visiting some of the shops.

Stupid bullet connectors on my lipo saddle pack is what did it.

Joe I wish that was the case but the ESC is toast, a complete loss. Got so hot it melted the deans connectors, unsoldered most of my connections, completely deformed the case, etc.

Due to the mids lack of room, I need a super small esc which the RS fits the bill plus it has some really great programming options. I am going to place an order soon for another two ESCs, one for the Mid and a new RC10 I am building. This time I will double check my bullet connectors on the battery.

At least I am not the only one this has happened to, but it still sucks donkey balls.

Jake

I always double & triple check my wiring before pluging the battery.

The wiring is very basic maybe that's why it happens.

Seen lots of esc fryied at the track. I lost a good brushed esc & 2.4 rx a few months ago due to trying to cut corners and using the original servo that it came with. The servo was dead and therefore blew my Cyclone and rx up.

It happens to the best of us at times Jake.

man that sucks....sorry to hear that then....I think we've all done that at one time or another. I know I've mangled quite a few things in my time.

Happens to the best of us... I've done that exact same thing to a soldering-challenged FRIEND'S speedo trying to help him solder it...

Poof! Brand new Tamiya Volac (rebadged KO VFS1) in smoke.

Friend says "er... looks like something went wrong"
me "no no don't worry it's ok I'm sure there's a voltage reverse protection built in this thing"
friend "mmmmkay, let's try"
me "er... no. crap"
friend "okay, so no running tonight then I guess"
me "mmmh I'm afraid not... sorry ... let me order you a new one "

Happens

Paul

Sounds like a delete post/warranty issue to me

I plugged my Speed Passion GT2.1 in to my lipo the wrong way once (corally connectors ) Suprisingly it survived no problem, it was only a split second though, the cracking spark made me pull the connector back fast

Paul.

I did that once when I first got into RC and installed a Futaba ESC in my original Optima. So far, I haven't repeated the mis-deed. I'm paranoid about any electrical wiring, soldering & connections nowadays. It's also one of the reasons why I went with EC3 connectors on all my battery packs & ESC's, as it's not possible to accidentally reverse-connect them. With bullets it's all too easy, and even with Deans connectors, it's possible to fit the 2 connector ends in the wrong way enough to cause a short circuit.

I know the feeling you had, Jake...the one where you ask yourself, "Did I just f---ing do what I THINK I did?!?" usually followed by a period of throwing or breaking something nearby, self-loathing, and finally settling into a state of shame.

You have my deepest sympathies. Measure once, cut twice...wait...

On a side note, there are some battery manufacturers (Orion for eg.) that have fusible links inside there hard case. If you plug them into the speedo backwards they blow. Saves the speedo, but you lost the battery. And no I don't kow how the battery knows it was plugged in backwards . -Jeff

it can certainly happen, been there done that. real sorry to hear man

I managed to do exactly the same thing friday night, puff of smoke and it unsoldered the bullet connector on my losi xcelorin esc.
I was very lucky though, I resoldered the connector and it ran perfectly! Worth remembering if you are as accident prone as me!

I miss my old novak 410, when I connected that up the wrong way it was designed to just run the motor slowly backwards!