Hi guys. I have a 12v battery to power my tower hobbies panel in my field box. The panel comes with a black plastic cover underneath where the circuit board is located. Two questions. Should I remove the plastic cover on the bottom or is it ok to leave on? And what is the best way to fix the battery with the panel given the alligator clips that come with the panel is not the most secure and would cause a fire if they should come loose? Any thoughts? Thanks.

you could cut the croc clips off and crimp/solder a new connector on (forget what they are called, they are flat, circular and have a hole in the middle)

depending on your battery type, you may need the flat ones with the hole in or the "spade" type ones which slide over the terminal

i left the plastic cover on mine, it protects it a bit better if you have something leak or have something that could short out the board in the flight box

I guess the question is :WHY do you want to remove the cover. You certainly can but it does protect the board.

If you have a gel cell battery, you can get connectors for it at a good auto parts place or just solder the wires direct. Careful of too much heat though. They use this type of connector in the fuse boxes of older cars and for other things. Take the battery with you for test fitting.

Edit: Foamy was trying to say: Ring terminal, could be used on a lead-acid type battery (motorcycle).

Most hobby Gel batteries use a male spade connector, which requires a female spade connector for attaching to it. walmart auto section has them and the ringed ones also.

I didnt know whether to remove the cover or not. I think I know which connectors you all are talking about and thats what I was thinking. When using this setup does the battery drane any power and do I charge it straight from the terminals on the battery themselves or disconnect the connectors and charge the battery seperately?

If you put banana plugs on your charger you charge through the starter jacks. The panel does not draw power from the battery if nothing is turned on.

I charge my battery from the panel through the 12V starter positive and negative connections using banana connectors from the charger.

I use banana connectors for everything that plugs into the panel, alligator clips can easily short by touching the metal faceplate of the panel.

Thanks so much guys

personally I have fused my battery connection in case some how the system gets shorted and I can not get to the battery soon enough to prevent a meltdown

I never thought about the fuse setup and I am no newbie to this hobby. I like it and will be doing it. I have never had a problem with a short out situation but there is always a first time. Thanks for the idea.

Gibbs