A way to eliminate spiking?

Spiking is when you connect the plugs together and then a pretty big spark pops out. This is very very harmfull for your controller...longer wires serve as a larger vector for spiking as well.
So what would happen if I install an on/off switch in one of the wires? This means that even though i connect the wires, the circut is not completed because the switch is in the 'off' position. And then, when you are ready, you flip the switch to the 'on' position and the circut is completed without any spikes! This should save the life of your controller by ALOT.
Any views on this idea?

[ryanvm777]

not sure. but it seams like that it would be more wire. or the switch might not allow as much current to go threw when your truck is on.

[Serum]

It will not harm your controller, and i am curious who told you that? Or did you presumed?

That spiking is the result of the low 0 volt-resistance of the capacitors that are on the controller. It will NOT harm your controller in ANY way. The only thing that is hurt buy this spiking are the plugs.. those CAN hurt your controller when they are in bad shape. (ask Schulze :D ) The peak voltage from the spikes are buffered by the capacitors enough, to save your speedo

An on-off switch does the same as the wires connecting to each other. it would also spark, but you would not see it, because it's inside the switch. Like Ryan says, you do need a very solid switch. Don't go there.

If you want to spare the connectors from the damage of the sparks, connect a crappy and easy to replace connector OVER one of the battery connectors, so that that 'easy-to-replace-throw-away-connector' will take the damage from the sparks.

With brushless you need the to shorten the cables to a minimum too

Originally posted by ryanvm777
the switch might not allow as much current to go threw when your truck is on.

Depends on which switch you buy...like most things some are better than others.

Originally posted by Serum
It will not harm your controller....With brushless you need the to shorten the cables to a minimum too

Read here

Trust me, when i post pics i will probably have the shortest wire length on the forum.

Part of the reason why spikes are more harmful is because they are exposed. This happens because you don't have a solid connection (shaky hand, not enough metal to metal contact), once the plugs are connected, then you turn on the switch, you should not get a spike.

[lipomax]

You should see the size of the sparks when I hook up 8s lipos - it's at 32 volts when its charged... it even makes a large sound (well, not that loud, but pretty loud for a small spark).

it sounds like a little "pop" right?
Me to, probably not as big as yours though.

[Serum]

You will get a spark with a mechanical switch no matter what switch you use. period.

ANY switch will have extra resistance too.

The sparks produced by plugging it in; They do not harm your controller. What is ment with that story you are refering to are the peaks in Amperage and voltage, not the plugging in sparks. (the result of that is bad connectors on the long run, that could harm the controller like i said before) When you brake, and the plugs are not good (higher ressistance) they are not able to put back the energy in the battery, so the voltage will peak in your controller. That will kill your controller.

About your 'shortest wires around' what do you mean with that? I was only giving you a hint, not trying to get on to you? I can show you pics of my savage with the shortest wires possible. I still burned my controller on that thing.

If you are afraid of those sparks i have got a supertip for you there is a type of diode (can’t recall the name right now, it midnight here and I am not in the brightest mood) this diode will shorten any voltage above a certain level. Lets say 25-30 volts. These little friends can help you protect your controller if you think it is needed. (placed parallel over the controller) (you can also use them on the side of the motor.)

hmmm, maybe i'm thinking of arcs, not spikes.

[Serum]

can you give a more detailed description what you mean with arc? from my point of view, that arc is the exact same thing as the thing you are first calling spikes? The spark that is the result of plugging in the batteries to the allmost 0 ohm capacitors?