ESC Kill Switch
 

I have an ESC from Castle Creations with a kill switch. Some folks don't like them but it works fine for me. I purchased another Castle Creations ESC (Talon 90) that does not have a kill switch. I want to instal a kill switch for the Talon 90. Should I install the kill switch on the signal wire, the positive lead or the negative lead from the ESC to the receiver?
Thanks,
Vic

I don't think thats a good idea, all you are doing is killing the power to the RX you still have a live esc and motor with no means of control.
You would want to kill the power on the battery side so there is no power at all to the esc.
The couple of switched escs I have all kill the power on the board somehow for the whole esc, they don't just power down the rx.

I have a Dualsky 80 ESC that came with a factory install kill switch. I'm not sure, but it probably kills power to the board like you said since there is NO power drain with the switch off. I suppose it is internal to the ESC?
Thanks for the response.
Vic

You can set up a 'kill switch' on most programmable radios. Set the switch you want to use such that it puts throttle to -100% (or whatever number you need, 0 etc) when activated. It will leave power on to the plane but make it so you can't start the prop unless the switch is off.

What exactly are you looking to accomplish? Shutting off power in the entire plane, or just a safety so you don't accidentally start the prop?

There is some good information in a few of your other posts:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2036832
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2036866
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72535

I am designing a Slide-Out POD for my WACO 60 glow-to-electric conversion. The design requires that the battery is connected prior to inserting the POD into the plane so I will be handling a "live" motor if the ESC is not disabled until the plane is ready to be flown. So, my quest is to setup a method to "kill" the ESC until the POD is inserted and locked into the plane. The kill switch provided on my Dualsky ESC does exactly that. I would normal just use a plug type safety switch like I use in other planes. However, that will be awkward to install on the POD. Therefore, I will replace the Talon 90 with a Dualsky (with a switch) or incorporate a plug switch in the design of the POD.

BTW - I started ALL of the posts you referred to so I am aware of the information posted in those threads.

What radio do you have? Is it programmable? The route I would take (having a programmable radio) is programming a throttle cut. My propeller won't spin if I have the throttle cut switch activated, which lowers the throttle signal to something below what the ESC registers.

I have a Futaba 9C which does have the ability to program a throttle cut. I am also considering using it.
Thanks...