Capacitors

[Car_Head12]

I just got a Duratrax Blast esc, and it says I need to install two capaciters?***? :confused: please help, do i need to do this??? :confused:

Car Head

[gacjr0]

It's referring to two capacitors that ususally come with the speed control or the motor or both. They are little brown or green thingies with two small wires coming out of them. They go on the motor tabs. Solder one leg of one capacitor to the + motor tab, and one leg of one capacitor to the - tab, and solder the left over legs from both capacitors to the endbell screw tab (if there is one) or the can of the motor.
You do not have to do this if you have a P2K,GM3,Spirfire, or Chrome Stock motor, they already have capacitors. Some Trinity, Peak, and Orion handwound and machine wound motors are this way too.

Heres a link showing three caps, and I prefer to solder the caps so they're up by the endbell, but it hey it shows it. http://www.teamnovak.com/How_to/mot_cap/Mot_cap.htm

[ 04-13-2001: Message edited by: gacjr0 ]

[Car_Head12]

oh. ok their little yellowish thingies, im running the stock Tamiya king blackfoot motor do i need to install them??(the capacitors)??

Car Head

[gacjr0]

well that depends I have seen Mabuchis come with capacitors on them already. If you do have to install them, the motor tabs are so far apart you just have to solder the capacitors to the tabs/can separately.

[Car_Head12]

sry but, how do i know if i have to install them?? thanks

Car Head

[jrob440]

See how it runs without them. If the steering and throttle starting acting erratically (doing things that you did not intend or expect them to) then you need the capacitors. They absorb the electrical "noise" coming off of the motor which can disturb the radio signals.

[Car_Head12]

oh, yeah i think it is kinda acting weird, whenever i turn the esc on or off the car jolts forward, i guess i should put them on.....(???)

Car Head

[jboyce13]

put them on, better safe than sorry ;)

novak speed controllers say
+ to -
+ to ground
- to ground

[Car_Head12]

ahhh, ok i just did a run and its was a little out of control. so im gonna put them on, the only problem is that i dont have the stuff solder them on (soldering iron etc.) what things should i buy as far as an iron and what should i use as a solder???

any info on where to buy (will radioshack have the stuff???) and what would be awesome...

Car Head :confused: :confused:

[jrob440]

Radio Shack has everything you need. Get the 60/40 or 63/37 solder FOR ELECTRICAL USE. It's important to make sure it is electrical solder, it'll say so on the roll. Also, look for the thinnest strand available, it's easier to solder. Any soldering iron will work for this job, but the more powerful soldering guns can be used for other projects later on, if you get into soldering.

[TA03 DRIVE HARD]

The capacitors reduce electrical "noise" that is emitted through the electronics... it also regulates the power... when your car was a little crazy is not the problem... your esc still needs adjusting and/or your radio trimmings need to be adjusted. :cool:

[Car_Head12]

ok, i got the stuff from home depot. and i soldered them on, and it still messed up! i did everything in the instructions for the esc! does anybody have any idea about what is going on???????

Car Head

[TA03 Drive Hard]

Somewhere along the line your getting to much interference and/or esc is not set up right... have you tried another esc? cause maybe there's something wrong with the one you have... maybe your best choice for an esc is either Novak or LRP...