What's this? (ESC Questions..)

Ok, I got this ESC from Infinite at OKhobby, but there is no on/off switch, just a light at what seems to be the on/off wires. What's that?

And all those batteries on the ESC itself, is that for a BEC system? Or something else?

And there's also a wire sticking out from the red battery connector?

http://okhobby.com/product.php?id_product=1136

[simplechamp]

Those are capacitors on the ESC, not batteries. All ESCs have them, but sometimes they are hidden inside the case (Like Castle MMP and MMM).

The light may just be an on/off indicator, and you turn the ESC on by plugging in the batteries.

As far as the wire sticking out of the + battery lead, I'd say it's for connecting a BEC, but it seems like there should be one for the - lead also.

Yea, there's only one.

Guess I'll just order a BEC to be on the safe side with this.. but what happens if there's an internal BEC as well?

[BrianG]

Just remove the red wire from the connector plug. Lift the little tab on the plug holding the connector in place, slide out the wire/connector, flod it back over the cable, and heatshrink it to the cable. That way, you can easily reverse the procedure if you want to.

[simplechamp]

Originally Posted by Dj_Sparky

Yea, there's only one.

Guess I'll just order a BEC to be on the safe side with this.. but what happens if there's an internal BEC as well?

There's no internal BEC, if you look at the specs on the page all the BEC sections are blank with a / as a placeholder. And it makes sense given this is a HV 5-10S controller.

"flod it back over the cable, and heatshrink it to the cable. That way, you can easily reverse the procedure if you want to." Not sure what you mean by flod?

[brainanator]

he meant fold

[simplechamp]

You guys don't know what flodding is?!?! I'd try to explain, but this is a forum for all ages, and kids might read...

Does anyone know what the red wire from the battery main is for?

[simplechamp]

Have you tried contacting OK Hobby?

[What's_nitro?]

Originally Posted by Dj_Sparky

Does anyone know what the red wire from the battery main is for?

I think it's a sacrificial contact used to charge the capacitors before plugging in the main bullet connector. Plug in the negative bullet, touch the little plug to the positive bullet where the spark won't hurt the mating surface, then plug in the positive bullet while still holding the little plug against it.

Thanks all. I haven't installed a BEC yet, but I read up on it and a CC manual said that if there's an onboard BEC, the red wire needs to be cut from the ESC wire going to the rx, or something to that effect. What will happen if you forget to cut the red wire?

[What's_nitro?]

The two BECs might have a domestic dispute, someone knocks over a candle, and before you know it the house burns down. Basically...

Hehe, what should I do then? I'm not sure if there is an internal BEC on this ESC.

[What's_nitro?]

Well normally if an ESC doesn't have a BEC circuit to power servos and such it will be labeled "Opto-isolated". This is usually found on high voltage ESCs. I have never come across an ESC that was NOT opto-isolated AND had no BEC...except for those mechanical ones with the resistors.

If you are going to use an external BEC, use a pick/paper clip/razor blade to lift the plastic tab that locks the red wire into the Rx plug of the ESC. Pull the red wire out of the plug, bend it back, and use electrical tape to secure it to the other wires. Make sure the metal connector is insulated by the tape.