SIMON CRAGG Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Does any body know where I can find a simple diagram of how to connect up a separate RX battery to the RX, whilst disconnecting the red wire from the ESC?. Thus keeping the two power sources separate, and keeping power to the RX should the ESC fail. I have tried searching for "Dual battery system" etc. but it started to get very confusing. I know how / why it works, but would like to find a diagram to put on our club web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert whitaker Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 i've recently done this. plug in the radio receiver, servos, battery and esc as normal, but just physically cut the red wire that goes from Rx to ESC, leaving the other 2 cores (black and white) intact. thats it really. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Robert is spot on, but rather than cut the ESC power wire (red), just release it from the plug and tape up, that way you can reinstate it later. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON CRAGG Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 Thanks chaps. I always fold the red wire back as it needs to be in place should you need to programme the ESC again. Still trying to get my brain round it though, hence the request for a simple diagram!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 (edited) https://www.4-max.co.uk/pdf/How2wireupaUBEC.pdf The above is for a ubec, which is basically the same. Just omit the connections to the lipo. D.D. Edited May 5, 2021 by Dwain Dibley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 (edited) Simon. I have taken the liberty of modifying the diagram from DD's link to suit your purposes. Edited May 5, 2021 by Gary Manuel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON CRAGG Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 Many thanks Dwain and Gary, a picture speaks a thousand words! Safe flying all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Simon, you can also plug the Rx battery into any spare slot in your Rx. It does not need to be plugged into the battery port which is also the Bind port usually. If you have telemetry that needs to go into the Bind port as well as the battery and be able to insert a bind plug easily, use a pair of Y leads one plugged into one of the Ys in the lead plugged into Rx. Alternatively, there are 4 way, and more, connectors made for the multi rotor guys which plug into the Bind/Battery port and provide 4 plug points. Useful for Bind plug, battery, sensor and one other if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Simon, a word of warning in case you are not aware of it. If you switch the Rx battery off but leave the flight battery connected the ESC will still be drawing a small current. I've known of a couple of people who have done this at the end of a days flying, stored the model only to discover their lipo was dead as a Norwegian Blue parrot next time they intended to use it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Good tip Patmac, I always use an arming plug with this type of setup. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 9 hours ago, PatMc said: Simon, a word of warning in case you are not aware of it. If you switch the Rx battery off but leave the flight battery connected the ESC will still be drawing a small current. I've known of a couple of people who have done this at the end of a days flying, stored the model only to discover their lipo was dead as a Norwegian Blue parrot next time they intended to use it. It's not just about the risk of the flight battery draining if left connected. There is a real risk that the motor could burst into life at any time! It only takes a lapse in concentration or an ESC fault. The motor should be considered as live whenever a flight battery is connected. I suspect that this is the reason why the battery connections are shown on the diagram. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Gary, I think this is a much overstated danger that in fact doesn't really exist so long as the Rx is definitely unpowered. I can't think of any scenario that can cause the motor to burst into life with no signal reaching the ESC but I'm willing to listen to any explanation that proves me wrong. BTW I'm not advocating that it's OK to leave the flight battery connected as there is the danger that the Rx switch could be accidently or forgetfully be left switched on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 7 minutes ago, PatMc said: ...... there is the danger that the Rx switch could be accidently or forgetfully be left switched on. Yes, that's the lapse of concentration I was talking about. I'm not sure about the ESC fault either, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. As Philip H Sheridan, the famous 19th century RC modeller once said "The only good engine is a dead engine". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 That's why the arming plug is the last thing you put in before a flight, and the first thing you take out after a flight. ? You can do this on the strip. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 4 minutes ago, Dwain Dibley. said: That's why the arming plug is the last thing you put in before a flight, and the first thing you take out after a flight. ? You can do this on the strip. D.D. Yes, that's good practice too DD, but let me ask you this. Where do you store the arming plug when you have finished flying for the day and ready to go home? Presumably, if you store it in the arming socket, you disconnect / remove the flight battery first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Always remove the flight battery after flight that way you are safe regardless of arming plugs. BTW, my arming plugs are connected to the planes and are left dangling when not flying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 (edited) I keep it in my box of tricks, and all flight batteries are removed from the models after flight for charging. Thinking about it, I make a plug for every set up, when I only need one. LOL I think what you are saying Gary, and I agree, is that we must be vigilant at all times, as there is no failsafe way of getting rid of Human Error. D.D. Edited May 6, 2021 by Dwain Dibley. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Yes DD. Most accidents come down to human error at some point. I've not mentioned it yet, but I also use a "sticky" motor arm / disarm on my tranny - just another step to avoid the inevitable error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Hanging it on your tranny Good idea Mate, I have 3 Tyranny's, so all those arming plugs weren't a waste. ?? D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 LOL. Three Tyranny's ?? I need Coffee. I have tried setting a motor cut on my Tx, it's in the programming for Helis but not Aero. I managed it once with a mix, but can't remember how ??? LOL D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 I can't remember how I did mine now, but I don't need to remember. It's in my model Template, which I copy to add new models. Needs the throttle stick at minimum plus my spring loaded switch pressed for 3 seconds to toggle motor on/off (OpenTX). This prevents me accidentally cutting the engine mid flight, or accidentally arming as I'm moving model to/from pits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON CRAGG Posted May 6, 2021 Author Share Posted May 6, 2021 All good safety info chaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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