f1larry

iTrader: (22)

Nerobro

iTrader: (2)

You are right, but have something confused there. The ESC supplies the power, and should have the hidden, inside, or protected contacts. That's the female end. CanAM is saying the MALE end (the end with the spring on it) should be on the ESC side. If you're in a situation where the plugs come off the motor, having powered male contacts floating around my chassis makes me very uncomfortable.

I can see several scenarios where it's a bad idea. First is that "wire came off in a crash" scenario. "a wire" sucks. Multiple wires, puts you in a position to either fry the ESC, or set fire to the car. Being "at a distance" and unable to see what's going on inside the car, with a driver hopped up on Adrenalin... smashing that throttle hoping for it to work. You could short a motor wind to ground through the motor frame, battery contact, or even a carbon chassis. Not... a good thing.

Another scenario, is similar. Racer gets handed his handout motor, and is messing around setting up his car. His motor leads are dangling in his car, and he powers up the car to make sure the radio is ok. He pulls the trigger on his radio.. and poof, there goes the ESC.

With female ends on the ESC wires, those scenarios are much less likely.

That's why I brought it up here.

That's the "other place" I saw this discussed.

Edit: going through the facebook thread.....

Destiny RC says: "Opposite means people won't mistake motors".
Can AM says: "So the racer can maintain their own connector springs" They also say "All metal connectors will ultimately be exposed"

Seems... weak. And puts everyone's ESCs at risk. There's already enough BS from the transition to banana plug connectors on the packs. But.. they'll do what they'll do.

Kevin Marcy

OOPS! I meant male on the ESC would be bad. Should've read my own post before I hit send.
I saw the discussion on FaceTwit, sounds like it's already carved in stone...

Racermac73

iTrader: (3)

Probably already been answered but what's the purpose of the 3.5 plugs as opposed to soldering as usual ?

thisguy2849

iTrader: (4)

Its to lessen the risk of damage to the motors when being soldered in a car

Billy Kelly

iTrader: (9)

Racermac73

iTrader: (3)

Makes sense..... Gives me a reason to order something from TQ anyhow

miller tyme

iTrader: (5)

Ralph is awesome, what more reason do you need

jlfx car audio

iTrader: (37)

Would you rather ;
the motor has female plug (as can am does )
Racer supplies there own 3.5mm installed on esc
Really bad wreck .... Connectors dont come appart ...
Or
The motor has the male plugs
Racer supplies 3.5mm (female) installed on esc
Races and motor glitches or randomly comes unplugged during runs at some point .?

Bottom line is stupid can't be prevented ...
But this season being the alpha yr of can am somethings just couldn't be avoided . manufacturers and racers alike preferred to hand solder female connectors to motor vs male connector due to the female having more contact area to the traditional A/B/C pads

hanulec

iTrader: (28)

This covers most of the reason for change

The racer receiving a handout motor is responsible to ensure the male plug is tight enough so the connection doesn't become unconnected during racing.

At 360v2, the disconnection of motor plug has been a minor issue. The Can-Am position on the male vs female swap is attempting to fix this.

The one thing I can say is I have not seen an ESC blow up due to motor plug removal. 99% of the motor plugs we're not insulated.

hanulec

iTrader: (28)

1/12 roll out calc as a way of pre race tech is NOT possible. Be honest with yourself and everyone. Post tech roll out call doesn't make sense either due to varied tire wear.

In stock 1/12 gearing will be open and motor was selected cross 5 brands to enure the over and under gearing did not drive excessive heat (nor did it improve laptimes, even hot lap)

In super stock 1/12 the motor is very powerful. Anyone who thinks they can run huge rear tires and get a lap time advantage -- I wish you good luck. I don't think you'll make it thru the sweeper, and if you do, you'll be eaten alive in the infield. The selected motor and gearing has already been run on large and small tracks. Like all Can-Am classes with fixed FDR or gearing, the motor combo will be going thru a multi-track verification of FDR/gearing to ensure both temperature control and drivablity.

The fdr and pinion/spur gear limits will be released in the next few weeks as this testing is still underway.

Nerobro

iTrader: (2)

Hey, look, reasons. "I" am satisfied. I insulate my motor plugs. I'd be expecting to see heatshrink on the terminals of any handout motor I was given, too.

That said, inline banana plugs are a really poor choice for high stress installations. Banana plugs are .. bad... as connectors go. Especially for high current.

You can stop reading here.... if the decision is set in stone, the rest of this doesn't matter much. :-)

Why not chose a connector with more positive retention. Was that discussed?

Anderson Power Poles have a spring loaded lip that is crazy effective. And are available color coded! I suppose its to late now, but something tells me they'd be on board with doing special pricing for a group like Can-Am. Why not? Even "we love you" pricing is still gonna be 10-50 times more than the 4mm brass tube you could be using as sockets. :-)

While we're on connectors, there's also the MT30 and MT60 plug which is, like the molex plug used by tamiya and kyosho, is fully insulated even when unplugged. That's also an open source connector, so doesn't have manufacturer tie in, meaning you could have it made for you if the manufacturer supply dried up.

Another reasonable option would have been "custom" connectors made of 4mm brass rod. Having screw retention would prevent the whole "my connector came undone" scenario, though wouldn't be ESC safe. This is how "non-connectorized" contacts are made in industry. I have dozens of DC powered devices that have bolted tabs on them.

Good luck! Connectors have always been a tricky subject, the fact you "made a decision" is better than a lot of companies.

jlfx car audio

iTrader: (37)

You guys do know them make a 3.5mm just like our fav 4/5mm battery plugs . pucked up some yesterday . no cage on them

hanulec

iTrader: (28)

on a bright side -- at our local track last night we had a visit from a long time racer who stepped away for a few years. he noted how Can-Am had gotten him interested in coming back out to race as handouts greatly simplify his racing program and he wont get discouraged by everyone chasing the motor of the week. happy to see some old friends come back out to have fun. filling the pits IS the key motivator here.

Johnny Carey

iTrader: (10)