Wiring Components

 

Why creating even a topic on this ? Because I do remember my first hours, where alone, I had no clue about nothing and could not find any help, anywhere on such a topic.

The fact is that it is so simple, after you learned it, that this is maybe why nothing exists. The problem I faced, what the "after you learned it" ...
So, I'll try to share some of the points I've learned, hoping to make this stage, easier for anyone starting.

  1. What components are needed & who does what and identifications

  2. How to connect them

  3. Should all components have plugs

  4. Which plugs to use

  5. How to identify the + from the , and Does it matter

  6. What if the motor is a pusher or a puller

  7. How and when to test the full configuration

 

  1. What components are needed & who does what with their identifications
    Most electronic components needed, are listed in the "Start in Electronic Flying" Section with their function

  1. How to connect there components

    They are rules and standards commonly accepted by all. If you decide to break them, it will create some possible headaches or even serious malfunctions. 
    Also, common rules are convenient, as they enable you and others, to eventually share parts, when needed.

    Some rules:

  • Make sure to think about the final results you should expect, before soldering anything

  • Adds plugs to all needed components

  • Female plug on the battery (Female as to minimize the risks of shortcuts)

  • Male plug on the ESC BEC side, going to the battery

  • Female plug on the ESC BEC going to the motor

  • Male plug on the motor


  1. Should all components have plugs
         Some people prefer to solder directly the motor to the ESC BEC, without any plug in between. The reason is usually to minimize weight, and increase the quality of the connection, between the components. The downside is that you won't be able to easily remove the ESC to put it on a different plane, if needed, or try different ESC, whenever you'd like.
    Don't forget the insert the shrinking tube, before you'll solder the plugs.

  2. Which plugs to use ?

    Among this past 2 year, I've seen mainly 3 school of thinking in this regards.

Sermos Ultra Deans Multiplex


And there are many others



For each plug, there is a "+" and a "-" pin. You should follow this ALL the time. If you are not sure, ask. the Ezone or your local hobby shop where you bought them. There are also ways to solder the wires on the plugs, some better than others. Same here, ask, or learn yourself, at the risk of wasting few plugs.

  1. How to identify the + from the , and Does it matter

    YES, it matters a lot !!!! Not paying attention to this could damage or destroy some of your components, make even your battery explode if left connected, without attention.

    On Ultra Deans, this is how it goes. As regards to plugs, ALWAYS follow the rules, never invert polarities on plugs. If you need to reverse a motor, then reverse the wires on the motors, NEVER on the plugs.


As for the connection wires, the RED wire on is the "+", and the black one is the "-". Some components, like the ESC for a brushed motor, come with 4 big wires and 1 small one
. The small one connects to the receiver.
. 2 are going to the battery
. 2 are going to the motor

For most ESC BEC, you have on one side, the red and black wires, to connect to the battery side, and the whatever color, on the other side. The manufacturer will usually indicate in the manual which is who, or even write it directly on the ESC. See few examples below:



On the ESC above, you can see that the left wires, go to the battery, and should get a MALE plug. RED wire will be the (+) and BLACK Wire, the (-). Again, THAT  is always the case.

As for the motor side, on the ESC BEC, you should see written who is (+) and who is (-), and just then attach it to the correct pole of the female Plug to solder on this side.

  1. What if the motor is a pusher or a puller

  • Motor to be used as a pusher like Zagis, Wingo, soarstars, Twinjets, Projeti, TwinSpeedy

You need to wire the "+" red cable, on the "-" plug of the motor. And of course, the "-" black cable to the "+" of the motor.

  • Motor to be used as a puller like Diablotin, Vermont, Pico Cub, etc

You need to wire the "+" red cable, on the "+" plug of the motor. And the "-" black cable to the "-" of the motor.

Don't solder yet the wires on your motor, just use some clamp to tie the wires on the plugs, as we first need to test that everything works as intended.

EXCEPTION: If you use a Gearbox, some of them by their design, reverse the direction of the motor, so find out which Gearbox you use, before soldering the wires to the motor.

  1. How and when to test the full configuration

    Just to make sure you are not doing anything wrong, connect the set, battery, ESC, motor, receiver, and test the direction of the shaft, at very low speed., imagining the prop on it. If it turns clockwise, it is a puller, counterclockwise, a pusher.

    If this is fine, you can start finishing to solder

 

If you were to use a Brushless motor/ESC, it is a little different on the side of the motor. You have 3 wires going between the ESC and the motor. Plug them in the motor, and do a test, with very low throttle. If the direction is not suitable to your needs, just switch 2 cables, out of the 3, and you'll get the direction reversed.