GTB with NO powercap
 

Guys,
I cannot stand this huge powercap, its rediculous, its almost as big as the ESC itself. There is little to no space in my TC and i cannot stand its ugliness anymore. I've run novak ESC's without a powercap and it was fine.

Can I just unsolder it?

from the user manual: The factory-installed GTB Racing Power Trans-Cap Module MUST BE USED for proper operation.

and from the warranty section in the bottom right:

...Warranty does not cover incorrect installation, components worn by use... not using or incorrect installation of a Power Capacitor on the ESC or from using a damaged Power Capacitor, using a Schottky diode in Brushless-Mode....

I would recommend leaving it soldered in.

ya but my warranty is out of date anyways...they do not specify what it will do all they say is proper operation. I want some real info thanks.

They probably don't specify because it was not designed to work without the cap. During testing, I'm sure they saw a variety of issues without the cap installed, which is why it is sold that way. You could always ask Steve Weiss on his thread. but i'd think the response might involve melted orange plastic, among other things...

is there anyone at your track that runs the GTB in the same car? Or, you could ask on one of the chassis threads, i'm sure there are guys running it as well, someone should be able to show you a picture of how theirs is installed...

so far the only info i have read about running without the cap will increase ESC operating temp and possibly thermal shutdown but Im running a team much more fan on it and it never exceeds 120 F with the fan on after a race.

If all the current brushless ESCs on the market didn't need a power cap, it wouldn't be sold with one. ;)

Here is some info on Novak's TransCap module:

NOVAK ELECTRONICS POWER CAPACITOR

From NovakTwo's link...

NovakTwo,

1/ Can you confirm that Novak recommend the use of two of their Novak Power Caps, and possibly supply a wiring diagram explaining how to wire these in parellel? (I suck at not remembering series and parellel!)

2/ Do you have a real name? Or are you like 'The Stig' from the UK's Top Gear? lol

From Charlie:

For some applications using "dual Power caps" can be beneficial. Very
high temps and very high loads can put stress on the power cap. Having
two of them helps lessen the strain on the single cap.

You very simply wire them in parallel. Positive to Positive, and
Negative to Negative.

Send my props to Charlie please, hes a good man :)


Stig ;) :batman:

...what are you two guys talking about? Why does it seem like alot of people know each other on a personal level? I thought this was an internet forum where people talk about r/c stuff...


Anybody run the GTB without a cap?

Hey, bite me.
Novak have been VERY good to me with events ive organised here in the UK..so im entitled to 'show some love'

NovakTwo has answered your question by stating that they recommend you run with the cap on and I would imagine that there is a good reason behind this.

Either take their advice, or take the cap off and see what happens.

We have said running a brushless ESC without the cap is dangerous, voids the warranty in most cases and it will probably Cheech and Chong on you, aka Up In Smoke.