Is this a required item? I was wondering if I could just get rid of the on/off switch by connecting wires/joining those terminals and have it where connecting the battery is just your on/off.

On some ESCs, you have to hold a button when powering up to enter program or calibration mode. You can still do this without a switch as long as you have a buddy help you (or as long as you very limber ). The switch isn't required, but does make it easier.

Many have removed the switch on their ESCs and twisted/soldered the wires together. If you do this, ALWAYS remember to disconnect your battery when done racing though! I left a $135 battery plugged in one week that had a motor fan wired direct

Actually, you should always disconnect your battery even with a switch when not racing...but its imperative without one.

Ok thanks. I wasn't sure if there was possibly a roar rule about it or something. I will just go with the short pieces of "always on" wire and control power with the battery.

I have actually used a servo and a switch AS an esc.

Sounds like some drag racing...... smooooth throttle action.

Oval actually. Way back in the day when I was a broke kid with a fried esc but a spare servo. Funny thing was one time the servo horn fell off half way through the race but I didn't notice until the end when I couldn't stop the car.

That is funny. Well, at least you wouldn't have to discharge the pack.

It is imperative to disconnect your battery from the ESC when not running, with or without a switch. The switch simply turns off the ESC. It does not break the circuit between the battery and ESC. The ESC will still drain the battery, even with the switch off.

+1 kcobra, always worth a reminder. Have heard of several lipos lost that way.

Tip for anyone having odd switch shutoff issues: Mount the switch with on either to the front or down, or sideways. Don’t have off to the front or down, that’s where most of the hard impacts happen, and can cause it to switch off. Not an uncommon issue.

I removed the switch on my son's Sidewinder. I opened the case, desoldered the wires, and created a nice solder bridge across the two solder pads the wires were soldered too. Works great and no wire pigtail sticking out. The best part is it forces him to remember to unplug the battery because the ESC beeps every few seconds if left idle.