proper connecting of batteries, ESC and motor

[nichismo]

Hey guys,

I am currently building my first boat and im just about to get it on the water. I was finalizing all the connections and doing a test fit of everything, and when I went to connect the batteries to the ESC, there was a very large spark with the last connection...

Did I potentially ruin anything??

[SD Eracer]

Need some more description. What kind of ESC, Motor, Batteries, type of connectors you are using?

Do you have a pic of your setup as well?

[tlandauer]

Need some more description. What kind of ESC, Motor, Batteries, type of connectors you are using?

Do you have a pic of your setup as well?

Agreed!
However, assuming you are referring to your 1/8 hydro, and again assuming you are running at least 6s, the spark is normal. That is the capacitors being charged up. In fact, it indicates the capacitors are working. It is when you have no spark the worry should kick in, meaning it's time to replace your capacitors.
There are spark eliminators you can build or buy, I run 4s mostly and I just learn to live with it, but starting from 6s set up the spark can be annoying and down right frightening.

http://www.kintecracing.com/

Count from the bottom of the page back the third item.

[capnswanny]

Looked at your build thread..nice looking hydro!
If this is 8s or 10s like your build thread shows, with capbank on the ESC, that "crack" at the last connection that almost makes you fill your pants is normal...as long as it wasn't followed by smoke pouring out somewhere!
You can add a temporary resistor in parallel with the lead to eliminate the spark.

[capnswanny]

Wow I type too slow, Tim beat me to it!!

[nichismo]

wow, thats a huge relief! thanks for the answers..... and compliments guys, means alot.

Im definately going to look into these spark eliminators/resistors you guys speak of, as this was FREAKING TERRIFYING! lol.... I was burned pretty badly all over my face and ear in a housefire about 7 years ago when I was in my junior year of high school. Spent a couple nights in the hospital, got really lucky that everything healed up just fine. Needless to say im not a pyro like I used to be anymore.... haha

For the first few runs, at least until I get some driving experience under my belt, ill be running 8s1p, 5500mah packs from Revolectrix. All the connectors on the ESC and motor are 6.5mm Castle. The lipos are using 6mm sized. The motor is a Hyperion 4035-800kv outrunner, and the controller is a Castle Hydra Ice 200HV. I have a 10s setup as well, ill run it later when im comfortable. Heres some pictures of the mock setup. The first couple of pictures were taken a little while ago, I have since glued in some small nylon brackets that I can run wire ties or zipties through to keep any cables from getting near the motor.

20151114_194817.jpg20151114_194953.jpg20151114_195022.jpginside.jpginside2.jpg

[nichismo]

and heres a couple pics of the hydro currently :)

(ignore the boneheaded sharpie marks that bled through the primer!!)

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