I set up all of my components for my build to load my settings onto my VESCs and do a bench test. After having everything connected and ready to go, I pressed the button on my switch and there was a large spark. I couldn’t tell where the spark occurred. I immediately turned off the switch, unplugged everything, and inspected the VESCs. I did not notice any black sut or blown components.
I would like to ask for some advice moving forward to diagnose what happened and the best thing to do to make sure I don’t make a pair of $100 paper weights if I haven’t already blown my VESCs.
My components and build info are as follows.
Carvon Dual v2.5
2x VESC
2x Zippy compact 25c, 4000 mAh 6 cell wired in series.
Mini remote
Batteries connected in series via a Y-splitter, into an electric on/off switch, into a parallel xt90 connector, into the the VESCs.
Everything purchased from torque boards except the Carvon and batteries.
Things that may have potentially contributed to the spark/Other stuff I did when I tried to power the system:
-I soldered together custom adapters from 5.5mm to 4mm bullet for the motor wires.(Red heat shrink) I plan to test the resistance of these connectors with a DMM to see if they were soldered poorly.
-A small amount of solder/flux residue was in one VESC female 5.5mm connector from an attempt to solder female 4mm plugs into the 5.5mm connectors causing one of the male connectors to not sit as snug as the others.
-I did have the can bus connected between the VESCs, the transmitter connected, and one VESC connected to my computer via USB when I powered on the system
-The batteries were at the storage capacity of ~30% and sat for awhile at that capacity.
Any advice is much appreciated! I’m hesitant to try another test before getting some input.
You guys help out with one of the most challenging aspects of this hobby; just wanted to let you know that you’re all appreciated greatly!
So then are these leads the wrong way then? I noticed the color of the shrink wrap did not follow the colors from the switch but I assumed the leads were correct since I bought both of these from torque boards.
Have you had any issues with them? I’ve always been hesitant to use them cause of the lower amp rating but it would definitely be nice to use smaller connectors.
On the topic of connectors:
Working on this project without wanting to desolder anything has made me hate the size of some of these connectors. Once I ride this board for a month or so, I plan to update it by at least removing all of the unnecessary wire and connectors, and replacing connectors with Deans or xt60s.
Oh, and I can’t forget about how annoying it is to have the motor wires and power wires running the same direction on the vescs. That is making mounting into my enclosure much more tedious than it should be.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that was thinking those cables on diyelectricskateboards.com parts were a bit long especially for the power switch. I haven’t used mine yet, but I’m glad yours was able to save your vescs.
