Wires spark when I plug the battery in to the Tekin ESC

[70duncan]

Does any one else have this problem? Every time I plug in my battery to the ESC, it sparks. Everything seems to run fine. I am using the Tekin FXR and a 3c Lipo. I would still get a spark when I was using Nimh batteries.

I have noticed that both my FXRs spark when pluged in, but only one of them is getting a little warm just sitting there ( on second temp light ).

Like I said, every thing seems to be working good. They don't overheat at all during runs.

 

[IDnewcrwlr]

are you using a bec?

 

[yarddog35]

It is "sparking" because your esc is on when you plug the battery in. If you switch the esc off then plug your battery in it will not arc because the esc is not trying to draw power.

 

[cato]

Does any one else have this problem? Every time I plug in my battery to the ESC, it sparks. Everything seems to run fine. I am using the Tekin FXR and a 3c Lipo. I would still get a spark when I was using Nimh batteries.

I have noticed that both my FXRs spark when pluged in, but only one of them is getting a little warm just sitting there ( on second temp light ).

Like I said, every thing seems to be working good. They don't overheat at all during runs.

All is good:!:

 

[70duncan]

Yes I am using a CC BEC with a switch. I make sure that the BEC switch and ECS switches are off when I plug the battery in.

 

[70duncan]

All is good:!:

Hey cato, how are things on the eastern slope? I'm sorry, but I don't understand your post. I am new to the forum thing still. Are you saying that the spark is not going to destroy my stuff?

 

[IDnewcrwlr]

i have same issue when using my sidewinder w/bec, from what i hear when you have a bec it is going to continuously pull power from the battery to power the servo when plugged in to the esc. and from what i have been told it will not ruin your stuff. .. . i have been doin it for about 2-4 battery charges and everything seems fine.. . .. or so i hope :shock:

 

[ohmyCLOD!]

No. It will not ruin your stuff. You are seeing electrons pass from a source to a load. It is normal..."thumbsup"

 

[70duncan]

OK, Thanks guys. I just didn't want to see my money go up in smoke.

Thank you for all the replys.

 

[Old Sloppy]

The spark is your friend.
A sign of good health from your ESC caps.
You need to watch out for a lack of spark, this means your caps are weak and needs replaced.

I have a 12s 7400 mah setup and WOW you should see the spark !!!
ti is a giant spark indeed...

Harry

 

[BigSki]

same thing happens to me with my FXR and 3s. Nothing to worry about, you can have some fun with it.. if there is someone in your group who is still afraid of LiPos, have them stand around you when you plug in the battery, and when it sparks, yell: 'RUN, it's gonna blow!' and watch how fast they run away! :mrgreen:

 

[Lonewolf]

The more the juice the bigger the snap... I run 16 cell nihm or 5s2p in my boats now theres a snap. Some of the boat guys use a (correct me if im wrong) a shunt that is wired in paralelle with the poser leads. these smaller wires are plugged in prior to the main leads thus eliminateing the snap. I am no elec gura and hope to get this better explained.

I can get a diagram of the shunt if needed..

 

[EGRESSor]

the cap needs to be loaded , thats why you see the spark , for a short time the cap acts like a short-circuit :mrgreen:

some guys use resistors to reduce the sparks
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=759403

but it will not work with every esc if you use a low voltage cutoff

some esc´s , like the new Kontroniks , have a built in anti spark circuit"thumbsup"

 

[life_livin]

my goat does the same thing
i have had no problems with it and i just try to plug it in as quick as possibe

 

[clod driver]

what kind of plugs r u running spark means u have a lose connection means u lose power beacuse the power has to jump a gap making a spark

 

[Arct1k]

It has nothing to do with leads - As previously stated it is perfectly normal it is just the capacitors charging up...

The size of the spark is dependent on the size of the caps and the input voltage...

You can use in a resistor in parallel which slows down the charging of the cap - once cap is charged you then plug in your main power lead and disconnect the resistor.

CAUTION: Newer CC controllers, such as MMM, DO NOT LIKE THIS and will FAIL!!!

 

[70duncan]

A BIG THANK YOU to all those that replied "thumbsup". I was wondering if it was the cap that was making the circuit spark. And now I know.