On/Off Switch question
05-14-2011 | 05:23 AM
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From: Cohoes,
NY
On/Off Switch question
I want to install an on/off switch so I can hook up my battery to my esc, and then install my canopy etc, and not have to worry about everything being powered up while i'm prepping for flight. I just wanna be able to flip the switch, check range, etc., then fly. Where would I put the switch in the system? I can only assume between the esc and rx plug, but I would like some definite reassurance. Thanks in advance.
05-14-2011 | 05:47 AM
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RE: On/Off Switch question
With electrics, this can be confusing. You cannot put a switch between the battery and ESC unless it is one which can carry the high current. This would be a switch as large as the ESC with corresponding heavy gage wire. Now, some ESC's come with an arming switch which just enables/disables the ESC and this only switches a very small current but does not isolate the battery from the system; i.e. your battery will run down if you leave it plugged into the ESC with the switch in the "disable" position for a long time, not a problem if you are just using it to keep things safe while you are getting the plane to the flight line.
05-14-2011 | 05:55 AM
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RE: On/Off Switch question
Rodney is right. What you want is called an arming switch. This is what you are looking for
http://www.rcaccessory.com/armingswi...aircraft-.aspx
Ken
http://www.rcaccessory.com/armingswi...aircraft-.aspx
Ken
05-14-2011 | 06:00 AM
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From: Cohoes,
NY
RE: On/Off Switch question
ORIGINAL: Rodney
With electrics, this can be confusing. You cannot put a switch between the battery and ESC unless it is one which can carry the high current. This would be a switch as large as the ESC with corresponding heavy gage wire. Now, some ESC's come with an arming switch which just enables/disables the ESC and this only switches a very small current but does not isolate the battery from the system; i.e. your battery will run down if you leave it plugged into the ESC with the switch in the "disable" position for a long time, not a problem if you are just using it to keep things safe while you are getting the plane to the flight line.
With electrics, this can be confusing. You cannot put a switch between the battery and ESC unless it is one which can carry the high current. This would be a switch as large as the ESC with corresponding heavy gage wire. Now, some ESC's come with an arming switch which just enables/disables the ESC and this only switches a very small current but does not isolate the battery from the system; i.e. your battery will run down if you leave it plugged into the ESC with the switch in the "disable" position for a long time, not a problem if you are just using it to keep things safe while you are getting the plane to the flight line.
Im not looking to isolate the battery from the system, just looking for the esc and servos to be inactive until im ready to fly. Prob only be for a minute or so, like you said, til I get to the flight line, then i flip the switch, test, and fly away. Thanks for the suggestions. I kinda like the battery isolation idea as well though. Prob just as easy, just need to buy a couple extra connectors, and solder it up.
05-14-2011 | 09:23 AM
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RE: On/Off Switch question
ORIGINAL: djensen623
Im not looking to isolate the battery from the system, just looking for the esc and servos to be inactive until im ready to fly. Prob only be for a minute or so, like you said, til I get to the flight line, then i flip the switch, test, and fly away. Thanks for the suggestions. I kinda like the battery isolation idea as well though. Prob just as easy, just need to buy a couple extra connectors, and solder it up.
ORIGINAL: Rodney
With electrics, this can be confusing. You cannot put a switch between the battery and ESC unless it is one which can carry the high current. This would be a switch as large as the ESC with corresponding heavy gage wire. Now, some ESC's come with an arming switch which just enables/disables the ESC and this only switches a very small current but does not isolate the battery from the system; i.e. your battery will run down if you leave it plugged into the ESC with the switch in the ''disable'' position for a long time, not a problem if you are just using it to keep things safe while you are getting the plane to the flight line.
With electrics, this can be confusing. You cannot put a switch between the battery and ESC unless it is one which can carry the high current. This would be a switch as large as the ESC with corresponding heavy gage wire. Now, some ESC's come with an arming switch which just enables/disables the ESC and this only switches a very small current but does not isolate the battery from the system; i.e. your battery will run down if you leave it plugged into the ESC with the switch in the ''disable'' position for a long time, not a problem if you are just using it to keep things safe while you are getting the plane to the flight line.
Im not looking to isolate the battery from the system, just looking for the esc and servos to be inactive until im ready to fly. Prob only be for a minute or so, like you said, til I get to the flight line, then i flip the switch, test, and fly away. Thanks for the suggestions. I kinda like the battery isolation idea as well though. Prob just as easy, just need to buy a couple extra connectors, and solder it up.
now if you want your servos active, just not the motor, put the switch on one of the motor wires and that will keep your servos free to move, just not the motor
05-14-2011 | 10:28 AM
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From: Poolesville, MD
RE: On/Off Switch question
Some ESC's come with a "arming" switch that only controls power from the BEC to the electronics.
If your ESC doesn't come with one, you could always disable the on-board BEC, then hook up a separate BEC via a switch.
That way your ESC is powered up when you hook up the battery, but the TX remains off and inactive until you flip the switch.
IMHO this is more grief than it is worth ( I'd go with an arming switch first )...
Your ESC probably already has it's own software "arming" proceedure. That is what I typically rely on.
Remember the Arming switch and BEC switch both introduce "points of failure".... heh...
If your ESC doesn't come with one, you could always disable the on-board BEC, then hook up a separate BEC via a switch.
That way your ESC is powered up when you hook up the battery, but the TX remains off and inactive until you flip the switch.
IMHO this is more grief than it is worth ( I'd go with an arming switch first )...
Your ESC probably already has it's own software "arming" proceedure. That is what I typically rely on.
Remember the Arming switch and BEC switch both introduce "points of failure".... heh...
05-15-2011 | 07:12 PM
#9
RE: On/Off Switch question
ORIGINAL: jimmyjames213
what you are asking for is a battery isolation, their is no way to power the esc and servos but not have them do anything, you could have your reciever off but i dont recommend that at all.
now if you want your servos active, just not the motor, put the switch on one of the motor wires and that will keep your servos free to move, just not the motor
what you are asking for is a battery isolation, their is no way to power the esc and servos but not have them do anything, you could have your reciever off but i dont recommend that at all.
now if you want your servos active, just not the motor, put the switch on one of the motor wires and that will keep your servos free to move, just not the motor
05-16-2011 | 03:55 AM
#10
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RE: On/Off Switch question
now if you want your servos active, just not the motor, put the switch on one of the motor wires and that will keep your servos free to move, just not the motor
CGr.
