Cap banks - the pre-emptive answer

[TRUCKPULL]

What would be the best setup for extra Caps for 4S to 6S
The ESC has 4 built in 35v - 390uf already.

I have in the past added 4 extra 35v - 470uf caps.

I need to know if this is good, or is there a better way.

Larry

[dmitry100]

Up to 5000uf additional caps wouldn't hurt ... to be on safe side and all. If you think thats a lot they are 470uf caps after all... but more of smaller caps are better (more efficient) than less of large ones.

A lot of people add (more or less) caps based on ESC though. Just make sure they are new and decent quality caps (Rubycon ZLH or ZL) and not the old/dodgy rubycon stock from Ebay... :P
What kind of ESC are you running?

[TRUCKPULL]

I run CC 240 Hydra's mostly on 2 & 4S thinking about a 6S setup also.

The ESC has 4 built in 35v - 390uf already.

I have in the past added 4 extra 35v - 470uf caps.
I have not had any problems this way in years.

Is this good enough or is there a better way?????

Larry

[kfxguy]

Larry, the 470uf caps would do just fine. Better than nothing should I say. I think 4 or 6 1000uf 35v would be better. That's what I use on most everything unless it's hv then I go up to 50v caps. I have actually picked up speed going from 6 1000uf caps to 10 1000uf caps on one of my saw boats. Not saying more is always better, but it was in this instance. I'm no expert as I learned about caps because of this thread, but this is what's been working for me.

[Jamey]

I like 6+ of the 1000uf as well. Where do you guys get your HV caps? I would love to find some of the RUBYCON 63V 1000u RX 30 like what Etti uses in there high voltage bank, 50V would be fine too. Not having any luck.

[TRUCKPULL]

Larry, the 470uf caps would do just fine. Better than nothing should I say. I think 4 or 6 1000uf 35v would be better. That's what I use on most everything unless it's hv then I go up to 50v caps. I have actually picked up speed going from 6 1000uf caps to 10 1000uf caps on one of my saw boats. Not saying more is always better, but it was in this instance. I'm no expert as I learned about caps because of this thread, but this is what's been working for me.

Do you connect 6 - 1000's in Parallel or do you put any in series??

Larry

[kfxguy]

Do you connect 6 - 1000's in Parallel or do you put any in series??

Larry

I run all mine in parallel

[kfxguy]

I like 6+ of the 1000uf as well. Where do you guys get your HV caps? I would love to find some of the RUBYCON 63V 1000u RX 30 like what Etti uses in there high voltage bank, 50V would be fine too. Not having any luck.

I get mine from some electronics place on eBay. I use rubycon or nichicon

[Brushless55]

Larry, the 470uf caps would do just fine. Better than nothing should I say. I think 4 or 6 1000uf 35v would be better. That's what I use on most everything unless it's hv then I go up to 50v caps. I have actually picked up speed going from 6 1000uf caps to 10 1000uf caps on one of my saw boats. Not saying more is always better, but it was in this instance. I'm no expert as I learned about caps because of this thread, but this is what's been working for me.

That is good news..
does your esc run cooler with this setup ?

[kfxguy]

That is good news..
does your esc run cooler with this setup ?

Well to be honest I've never checked before and after. I've always just added the cap bank on my builds and my customers builds. The only boat I have that doesn't have an added cap bank is my zelos. But that won't be long before I add one. Likely 4 1000uf per esc I'll add.

[dmitry100]

Well, castle esc's are known to blow up without extra cap banks... so probably a good idea to go overkill in that area.

[kfxguy]

Well, castle esc's are known to blow up without extra cap banks... so probably a good idea to go overkill in that area.

Do you know this from experience? I've run several castle escs without cap banks and they never failed. Brushless55 has one in the rigger I sold him. No extra caps. Works just fine. They are very sensitive to water. I epoxy coat every esc I run. Including the castle in his rigger.

[dmitry100]

Nah, just from the numerous reports and articles I've come across. I believe they have even started putting extra cap banks on their newer esc's.

[kfxguy]

Nah, just from the numerous reports and articles I've come across. I believe they have even started putting extra cap banks on their newer esc's.

Maybe they are, because I think it does help. The major issue with castle escs was being very sensitive to water and on the 240 hydra ice they put 35v caps on the board. When you have an 8s capable esc the caps should be higher voltage than that.

[Brushless55]

Well to be honest I've never checked before and after. I've always just added the cap bank on my builds and my customers builds. The only boat I have that doesn't have an added cap bank is my zelos. But that won't be long before I add one. Likely 4 1000uf per esc I'll add.

curious to know how it runs after you do that