Newb Mistake when ordering electronics, want to share.

[Bacon8tor]

Hello all since finding flite test about a month ago I have built 3 designs the FT Delta, FT Mini Scout, FT Spitfire. all successful built but had to buy electronics. after buying a tx/rx it was time to place an order. Here is what i set out to get
- battery
- esc
- motor
- propellers
-charger
- some more servos
This was my first time i spent countless hours on Hobbyking trying to figure out what I needed, with some help from BanditJacksRC I found a motor ,esc, battery, and charger. . Let me take a step back. I had contemplated buying the electronics from FliteTest, I had purchased the spitfire kit, but Since i needed other things like a charger i wanted to only pay shipping once other wise my budget was cut so short that i couldnt afford to buy the electronics pack fromt FT and the charger from hobbyking. So these are the items I bought and what i missed and newbs should watch out for,

NTM Motor - this motor comes with the plugs already soldered on(not sure if this is normal) , but does not come with accessories No Motor Mount or connector from prop, this is my own fault it does clearly say no accessories but i missed it,

ESC esc comes with no connectors, this does not say this on the product description. also not sure if this is normal for esc's to come with out plugs to solder onto.

battery no complaints here, its a battery, lol

so what i learned is make sure you have the adapters or accessories needed when you order something. Unfortunately i learned this the hard way. So that is why I wanted to share this, now waiting to get paid again to get the other stuff i need, thought I'd at least be able to center the servos on the planes but cant do that now until i can get connections for esc to battery and motor.

 

[Snarls]

Sorry to hear that Bacon8tor, I think a lot of us have made that mistake. There's always something you forget, and a lot of times it's the little things. The NTM motor is a nice motor, but you do have to know beforehand that an accessory pack exists that you have to get and that unfortunately gets a lot of people. In the future it is also good to assume that every ESC and motor you look at does not come with connectors unless stated otherwise. Most ESCs do not come with the connectors, and motors have them occasionally. Hopefully you get paid soon and finally get a chance to get in the air!

 

[BankNYank!]

That's some good information everyone just starting out should know. Thanks for sharing!

On a side note: If you have some heat shrink you could desolder the connectors on the motor and solder the esc directly to the motor wires. This would get you flying until you can order connectors.

 

[Bacon8tor]

Sorry to hear that Bacon8tor, I think a lot of us have made that mistake. There's always something you forget, and a lot of times it's the little things. The NTM motor is a nice motor, but you do have to know beforehand that an accessory pack exists that you have to get and that unfortunately gets a lot of people. In the future it is also good to assume that every ESC and motor you look at does not come with connectors unless stated otherwise. Most ESCs do not come with the connectors, and motors have them occasionally. Hopefully you get paid soon and finally get a chance to get in the air!

Thanks, Its ok Its all a learning process, and i can guarantee that Ill be sure to never make that again and pay attention to product descriptions. Are the connectors something I should be able to pick up at a local hobby store at a reasonable price, everything seems to be a little bit more are the hobby stores, but i cant see these being alot more than i can get online.

 

[Bacon8tor]

also im looking at the connections i would need . . i can tell from the battery to the esc i need an xt60 female. but I do not see a female connection for motor to esc whats on the motor looks like these bullet connetors,. am i seeing this right that this is what i need from motor to esc .

 

[BridgeInspector]

also im looking at the connections i would need . . i can tell from the battery to the esc i need an xt60 female. but I do not see a female connection for motor to esc whats on the motor looks like these bullet connetors,. am i seeing this right that this is what i need from motor to esc .

You will need 3.5mm Bullet-connectors for that motor. like these


Is that NTM the only motor you have purchased so far? I ask because it is only suitable for the Spitfire that you listed in your first post.

The 2200 battery may be a bit large for the spitfire and is definetly too large for the Delta and the Mini Scout.

 

[TEAJR66]

You need bullet connectors for the ESC that mate up with the bullet connectors on the motor. Then you need the connector for the ESC to the battery.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__68__PolyMax_3_5mm_Gold_Connectors_10_PAIRS_20PC_.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10414__Male_XT60_connectors_5pcs_bag_GENUINE.html

Make sure you have heat shrink tube or electrical tape to cover the connections and prevent shorts.

 

[Moneymakerspy]

If there is not one already, there should be a sticky post with images explaining all of the connections and compatibility regarding the powertrain and Rx/Tx. I am in the same boat as you were before you ordered, going to sites over and over trying to figure this out.

I guess the best way to learn is just do it like you did.

As you recommended, I will pay close attention to details when ordering my first round of electronics.

I will be using a lot of "hand-me-down" equip to get all 3 of my kids flying so I expect the comparability thing and the need for extra connectors etc to be on the extreme end.

This is the most intimidating part for me so far...Can't wait to get building!!!

We appreciate all the help we get here on the FliteTest Forums - we would not be able to even think about doing this without everyone on here and their selfless extra efforts.

PS - Thanks to Dan "Sponz" for sending us the plans we needed (we do not have a printer atm). You're awesome Dan!

 

[joshuabardwell]

Make sure you have heat shrink tube or electrical tape to cover the connections and prevent shorts.

Heat shrink is really the best choice. Electrical tape will quickly get dirty and come loose under flight conditions. If you can't use heat shrink, or don't want to, liquid electrical tape is an okay alternative, although it's terrible to clean off if you have to do any rework. I commonly use liquid electrical tape on my XT60 connectors because it seems I'm constantly running out of the size of heat shrink needed for them. I'll put a couple coats of liquid electrical tape on the joints and then put a bigger piece of heat shrink over the whole thing after it dries. Liquid electrical tape is also great for covering the back of circuit boards that you don't want to heat shrink because you need to get at something on the front.

 

[Bacon8tor]

Yea these electronics are not for the mini scout.. . . and yes this is the first set of electronics I have bought. but i prolly will spend around 50 bucks a paycheck on electronics. so my electronic collection will grow fairly quickly. . as it stands now i have to put another order so why not a 500mah battery and esc/motor for the delta. . this time ill make sure i have all accessories and connectors.

 

[Bacon8tor]

If there is not one already, there should be a sticky post with images explaining all of the connections and compatibility regarding the powertrain and Rx/Tx. I am in the same boat as you were before you ordered, going to sites over and over trying to figure this out.

I guess the best way to learn is just do it like you did.

As you recommended, I will pay close attention to details when ordering my first round of electronics.

I will be using a lot of "hand-me-down" equip to get all 3 of my kids flying so I expect the comparability thing and the need for extra connectors etc to be on the extreme end.

This is the most intimidating part for me so far...Can't wait to get building!!!

We appreciate all the help we get here on the FliteTest Forums - we would not be able to even think about doing this without everyone on here and their selfless extra efforts.

PS - Thanks to Dan "Sponz" for sending us the plans we needed (we do not have a printer atm). You're awesome Dan!

Its nice to know your not alone and crazy. Thanks MoneyMakerSPy. . I have read some of your post before. Glad to see your keeping along with the projects. I have truly had a great time building and Im sure you and your kids will create great memories.



if someone asked me what i would do differently ordering, is read, read,read and if your not sure at least on hobby king the chat is pretty helpful at times, sometimes not. If you really want a no hassle, I would go with the FT electronics, maybe even the lazertoys packs since they come with a battery, then all you need is a charger.

everything i ordered came to 100$ i didn't necessarily go for the cheapest options i spent a little more on a better charger as recommended because this is something you will use over and over.