Xcelorin Cap

[Danny McGee]

Here's one for you all.

What role does this cap actually play? I can see some sort of board under the heat shrink. Am just wondering whats gonna happen if i remove the whole thing?

Ta

[Dagger Thrasher]

The cap is there to smooth-out the voltage that the ESC is getting from the battery. When a battery is under load, the voltage it supplies will "ripple", and this can cause the driver FETs in an ESC to run hotter than they usually would. An electrolytic cap, like the one that's on your Xcelorin, basically helps to smooth-out the voltage going into the ESC and lets it run cooler. Think of it as the way plaster works on a wall that isn't quite smooth.

You could remove it and the ESC would still run, but quite a bit hotter...and it'll shorten the life of the ESC's FETs. I wouldn't recommend removing it, as it's there for a reason.

[Danny McGee]

Originally Posted by Dagger Thrasher

The cap is there to smooth-out the voltage that the ESC is getting from the battery. When a battery is under load, the voltage it supplies will "ripple", and this can cause the driver FETs in an ESC to run hotter than they usually would. An electrolytic cap, like the one that's on your Xcelorin, basically helps to smooth-out the voltage going into the ESC and lets it run cooler. Think of it as the way plaster works on a wall that isn't quite smooth.

You could remove it and the ESC would still run, but quite a bit hotter...and it'll shorten the life of the ESC's FETs. I wouldn't recommend removing it, as it's there for a reason.

I just wondered what the pcb board was there for? and whats attached to it. if thats important then i wont get rid

Think im gonna try it without ... Its only gonna happen when i get my lipos through. Im moving things about to move the weight further forward in the xx4. I'll give it a go and let everyone know the outcome.

[Southwell]

Where have you got it mounted at the moment Danny? Mines next to the servo with the wires extended over the tunnel, although i was thinking about running them through the chassis tunnel to make it neater.

[Danny McGee]

Originally Posted by Southwell

Where have you got it mounted at the moment Danny? Mines next to the servo with the wires extended over the tunnel, although i was thinking about running them through the chassis tunnel to make it neater.

well, i've got the lil ko 2.4 reciever on top but right at the back. Ive also taken off the aireal mount. The speedo is at the back right with the cap next to it. Im getting a low profile servo sent up and im going to mount that a little higher to try and slip the cells under that somehow. Its just to try to start with as i want to move the weight more to the middle then i can play with moulded lead weights that im gonna make in certain places to get a good balance! If that doesnt work then im going to put the weight in the space next the to spur viewing window bit and have the lipos right up against the motor. I'll show you with pics when its done and if its any good

kinda went off on one there lol

[glypo]

Right okay, so for the sake of a few tiny grammes or a little space you think it will be a good idea to remove the cap?

Not only that, but you are going to wait until you have a battery which can supply a lot more current to do it... what a fantastic idea.

I think I might take the airbag out of my car, as I probably won't need it. I will just worry about the consequences of it being removed after I crash...

Dagger Thrashers vast RC electronics knowledge does seem wasted here.

[Danny McGee]

I think I might take the airbag out of my car, as I probably won't need it. I will just worry about the consequences of it being removed after I crash...

I'd not thought about that. what about the seat belts and everything else whilst ur at it. do a proper job!

Im fully aware of what a cap does! i just wanted to know if there was anything special about it. Having it makes it akward to have it wired looking cool and its alll about the looks. I'll figure something out so no need to get all shirty :P

[Dagger Thrasher]

Danny McGee, the small PCB on the bottom of the cap is just a means of mounting the cap's metal leads to the short bit of flexible wire that allows you to easily position it.

I really, *really* wouldn't suggest removing the cap though. It's not an optional part. You'll notice that basically every brushless ESC out there has input caps - be they internal, or external - and they're part of the ESC's design. Sometimes it can be beneficial to add additional caps, but it's never wise to remove those that are already there.

It's like buying a new PC and removing the CPU fan because it's too noisy. Might be quieter for a short while, but you're soon going to kill your CPU. For the sake of neater wiring, it really isn't worth it. Like I say, it'll make the thing run hotter, wasting power, and it could cause the death of your ESC someday down the line. And you're not going to be very happy when you're winning a race, and your speedo gives up the ghost, are you?

[Danny McGee]

Originally Posted by Dagger Thrasher

Danny McGee, the small PCB on the bottom of the cap is just a means of mounting the cap's metal leads to the short bit of flexible wire that allows you to easily position it.

I really, *really* wouldn't suggest removing the cap though. It's not an optional part. You'll notice that basically every brushless ESC out there has input caps - be they internal, or external - and they're part of the ESC's design. Sometimes it can be beneficial to add additional caps, but it's never wise to remove those that are already there.

It's like buying a new PC and removing the CPU fan because it's too noisy. Might be quieter for a short while, but you're soon going to kill your CPU. For the sake of neater wiring, it really isn't worth it. Like I say, it'll make the thing run hotter, wasting power, and it could cause the death of your ESC someday down the line. And you're not going to be very happy when you're winning a race, and your speedo gives up the ghost, are you?

okey dokey, I shall leave it there

Had a re shuffle last night with bits and pieces and decided that its going to stay. Thanks for the info though!

Danny