Diodes & Capacitors

[ChazMan]

Could someone give me a little explanation to what all the diffrent ones do or are suppose to do, such as Scotty Diodes, and the capacitors that you solder on your motor, and such like that, and also where the best place to install all of them is.

Thanks a lot!
ChazMan

[SmokeyNDBandit]

The Shottky diode, from what I understand, prevents excess current from returning to the ESC and possibly damaging it. It's greatest benefit is with mod motors.

The motor capacitors absorb electrical noise eliminating radio glitches and such. On some ESCs, (Novaks), there is an additional power capacitor that you solder onto the controller's positive and negative leads, it acts as a buffer for excess current and makes the ESC operate cooler and with more efficiency.

The best place for a Shottky diode is on the motor's positive and negative tabs. I splice and solder onto my ESC wires and not had any problems. Another reason for this is I save a ton of money by not having to buy a Shottky for every one of my mod motors. Also this way, you have a Shottky, basically, installed for every motor, including stocks.

The little motor capacitors go from (+) to ground tab, (-) to ground tab and (+) to (-). The ground tab is usually a metal tab on one of the endbell screws. If there is none, solder directly onto the motor can. For more info check out Novak's website - http://www.teamnovak.com and go to downloads and download one of their speed control manuals. It has pictures and easy to understand.

[WhoKnowsWho]

And also, schottky didodes are not to be used with reversing speed controls.