ESC Excess Wire to Motor

[PlaneHazza]

Hey all,

I have more cable than is needed on the motor side of the ESC, but for obvious reasons I don't want to shorten them. Can anyone tell me if this is OK to do? A friend told me it wasn't safe, but I can't see why not and I can't see anything in the manual advising against it.

Thanks!

[Bob O]

Is there no other way to route the wires? Like maybe mount the motor so they come out the back?

Sent from my phone

[mkovalcson]

Assuming the soldering is good, the only danger I'm aware of is that after shortening the wires you would want to use the ESC on another Helicopter and need the extra length.

I've shortened wires with no ill effects, but you are making a commitment when you do that!

Some people have soldered their ESC's directly to their motors.

My Kosmik currently has no additional wires on the ESC side going to the motor and the motor's wires directly screw to the Kosmik's leads.

[SeanM]

I see no problem with that arrangement as long as there's no chance that the wires can make contact with the motor. I would just secure the wires so they can't flop around.

As for shortening wires between the motor and ESC, I would not try it. I have no idea why it matters, but I do know that there's a very good chance that you will ruin you ESC/motor if you try it.

[Slyster]

Its if fine to shorten ESC wires.. I always have shortened them when needed and one of my Jives (goblin 500) is shortened to only around 1.5 inches.. Never shorten motor wires as the copper has varnish on them below the insulation and you won't be able to solder bullets back on.

[Wh1teAfr1can]

Originally Posted by SeanM

I see no problem with that arrangement as long as there's no chance that the wires can make contact with the motor. I would just secure the wires so they can't flop around.

As for shortening wires between the motor and ESC, I would not try it. I have no idea why it matters, but I do know that there's a very good chance that you will ruin you ESC/motor if you try it.

There is no issue shortening the leads from the esc side. The ONLY issue is that you will have permanently shorter leads on that esc so if you ever use it on another setup you would have to make that length work.

I would not recommend shortening the motor side wires as they often use strand wire which is coated in a resin that will not take solder. The ends have it stripped away and therefore will solder.

I actually did the exact same thing with a Rush 750 and a helijive the wires from the esc were about 1.5 inches long and then plugged into motor bullets.

Your other option is to flip the esc around and run the motor wires under the esc tray. you then take the 2 power leads and strap them to the side and back towards the front. or drop them straight down and back.

[SeanM]

Originally Posted by Slyster

Its if fine to shorten ESC wires.. I always have shortened them when needed and one of my Jives (goblin 500) is shortened to only around 1.5 inches.. Never shorten motor wires as the copper has varnish on them below the insulation and you won't be able to solder bullets back on.

Oh ok, thanks for clarifying that. Somehow I had myself convinced that I would turn my electronics into paperweights if I did that.

[Wh1teAfr1can]

Originally Posted by SeanM

Oh ok, thanks for clarifying that. Somehow I had myself convinced that I would turn my electronics into paperweights if I did that.

No worries!

[SeanM]

[pcskyhi]

you all have forgotten that you are not dealing with the traditional esc where the wires are soldered to the esc itself. Remember the Kosmik's are attached by screws and bolts, therefore allowing you to custom size the esc wires to your bird. If you decide to move the Kosmik from one bird to another one you simply unbolt the esc wires from the esc and purchase another wire set for your new bird and custom fit the wires as you see fit.

http://www.readyheli.com/9080-Kontro...t_p_41143.html.

Cut you esc wires without worry for future builds.

[Wh1teAfr1can]

Originally Posted by pcskyhi

you all have forgotten that you are not dealing with the traditional esc where the wires are soldered to the esc itself. Remember the Kosmik's are attached by screws and bolts, therefore allowing you to custom size the esc wires to your bird. If you decide to move the Kosmik from one bird to another one you simply unbolt the esc wires from the esc and purchase another wire set for your new bird and custom fit the wires as you see fit.

http://www.readyheli.com/9080-Kontro...t_p_41143.html.

Cut you esc wires without worry for future builds.

The esc in question was a helijive.

[PlaneHazza]

Yeah mines a powerjive, so once cut, they're cut so I'd rather not do that if I'm honest. I know you must never shorten motor wires. As well as the resin, I believe the length of the strands also has an effect on the timing etc of the motor? Could be wrong about that though.

They cannot touch the motor, as there is not enough slack to move. I've tried pulling them (carefully of course) towards the motor can and they won't reach.

The main reason I asked is a club member told me that the kontronik manual states not to cross over or loop these wires but I can't find it anywhere? I know with cat5/6 network leads it's bad to have coils piled up but this is just one loop. Can't imagine this causing any EMF issues, even with senstive phase sensing for governing?

[SoftShell]

Originally Posted by PlaneHazza

Yeah mines a powerjive, so once cut, they're cut so I'd rather not do that if I'm honest. I know you must never shorten motor wires. As well as the resin, I believe the length of the strands also has an effect on the timing etc of the motor? Could be wrong about that though.

Your motor timing is affected if the 3 leads to the motor have different lengths.
This restriction includes the contribution of the ESC's wires.
Make sure you cut your ESC wires to the same length.

[mkovalcson]

For the Kosmik, I bolted the motor straight to the ESC, saved a bit of weight and have more space around the motor so it can breath better.

[Dylwad]

Is there enough length on the esc wire to mount it with the motor leads facing forward?

[PlaneHazza]

That's really nice and neat! Unfortunately, no - the battery wires have been shortened to about 3" so having it facing the other way wouldn't work. As long as what I'm doing is valid and safe I'll leave it with the 270 degree loop.

Originally Posted by SoftShell

Your motor timing is affected if the 3 leads to the motor have different lengths.
This restriction includes the contribution of the ESC's wires.
Make sure you cut your ESC wires to the same length.

Thanks, they're all the same length

[GimpyGolden]

It's likely your Guy at the field is referring to this from K's site.


As long as your PJ initializes and wires are safe from mechanical damage I'd say your good to go.