How to hook up 4s pack

[d.a.v.e]

I would like to be able to run my boat in two configurations.

1. 2 x 4s in parallel
2. 2 x 2s in series

What do I need to accommodate both of these? Today I plugged in my shinny new 4s pack and noticed the esc did not power up. Guessing its because the other deans plug was not terminated? Can I make an end to put on the plug for when I'm only running the 4s pack? If so what does it need to look like?

[lectriglide]

For the parallel, you need to get / make connectors like this.
http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...light=parallel

For series, just connect the + batt #1 to + esc, - batt #2 to - esc, and the remaining + from one batt to the - of the other batt.

Just saw you still have Deans - ditch the deans!!!

[d.a.v.e]

Problem is what do I plug the other connector coming from the ESC to when I'm doing parallel? The stock ESC does not want to power up unless it has the two connections?

I ordered some EC5 ends I'm planing to replace the deans with. But for another week or so I have to make due with the deans.

[d.a.v.e]

Just wondering if this is even possible with the stock ESC?

[JackBlack26]

For a parallel connection, you need to make a Y adapter for each ESC power lead so that both packs become 1 at the connection point. I don't have 1 made up right now but what you will basically need to do is solder up something like this. One with 1 male and 2 females, and one with 1 female and 2 males. This mock up below would be a negative lead with the male end plugging in to the ESC and 1 negative lead of each pack plugging in to each female.


The stock ESC will handle it just fine. Hope that makes sense.

[MTboat]

one of these http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPTT6&P=7
and one of these http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXYVB5&P=7

[d.a.v.e]

Thanks, was just wondering if there was a way to terminate the open end I would have now when I try to run my 4s pack. Guess not. I'll put an EC5 on it and buy the adapters.

[JackBlack26]

I'm not following what you mean by open end. Do you mean you only want to run 1 4S pack? If so, the boat will perform much better with 2, 4S packs than 2, 2S packs anyways. Get some cheap 5000mah 20C Hobby King packs for around $30 a piece. The boat will handle awesome, run twice as long, and have more power on tap that you can ever use up, so things will run cooler.

[lectriglide]

Thanks, was just wondering if there was a way to terminate the open end I would have now when I try to run my 4s pack. Guess not. I'll put an EC5 on it and buy the adapters.

You can make a "jumper" deans connector by just soldering wire from the + to the - pin. Use one 4s battery on one stock connection and the jumper on the other. Not sure why you would want to do this as the balance would be way off to one side (unless you put the other battery in just for weight and just did not connect it). Using 2 2s in series gets you the same thing.