How To: Installing an MPI voltage regulator

[EeePee]

I certainly did remove the red wire from the Mamba's RX plug. I even tried removing the ground from the same plug. My regulator has three wires on it's plugs, I even tried removing it's "signal" wire from it's plug.

My on & off switch doesn't work anymore. Damn.

 

[Grizzly4x4]

I certainly did remove the red wire from the Mamba's RX plug. I even tried removing the ground from the same plug. My regulator has three wires on it's plugs, I even tried removing it's "signal" wire from it's plug.

My on & off switch doesn't work anymore. Damn.

Hmmmm, that's interesting. I don't unnerstand why that would be or why yours has 3 wires. :?

 

[EeePee]

Not sure either, but in JRH's picture in post #31, that one has three wires also.

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

The white wires pass right through the reg without a change. I just took one apart to see.

So when you plug in the ESC it is always on now EP? I hardwire mine on anyway. The battery plug is my On/Off

 

[Grizzly4x4]

Not sure either, but in JRH's picture in post #31, that one has three wires also.

I am dumbfounded.:sad:

 

[EeePee]

Yep, always on. Thankfully. :lol:

I took my Super Rooster's on/off switch off, I'm used to it. But it was nice to be able to turn the thing off with just the switch.

And the good (more steering power) slightly outweighs the bad (switch don't work).

"thumbsup"

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

make sure the switch is in the Off position. It sounds like your voltage reg is powering your RX and ESC now too. If both the Reg and BEC are turned on, one is probably gonna get burned out.

 

[EeePee]

I wonder if it's another one of these Spektrum things...

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

Post a pic of it if you can.


Here is another simple diagram of how I wire my harness's. All servos are routed in parallel with each other for power. I prefer to seperate my RX power and servo power COMPLETELY for a few reasons. #1 I can overdrive (overvolt) my servos without causing interference or problems to the RX. #2 When the main pack gets low, I dont have to worry about a runaway vehicle since the motor wont have enough power to runaway. If an RX pack is powering my RX, runaway's are common. #3 The black lead is actually the direction that current flows from. Might as well cut both black and red to be sure that no voltage can seep, and to decrease the likelyhood of shorts. Microgoat learned this when he tapped 5 cells from his main pack for servo power. He created a short in the system that traveled through the black wire and caused some melted wires.

 

[EeePee]

I went with a different hookup technique. I guess I like that on/off switch enough to want to keep it. :lol:

Before JRH posted just above me here, I got to thinking about how I used to power a servo directly off a 5 cell main pack. That servo was missing some pins, so I didn't need to cut or mod another expensive servo wire harness.

So now the servo gets it's power directly from the regulator, and only a signal from the reciever. I put the Mamba plug back to the way it was (after cutting the stupid thing practically in half accidently - hate that).

Switch on the Mamba works, and I'm a happy crawler.

 

[run2jeepn]

Just got mine in the Mail today...I'll try to get my Dual ESC's and this installed these next couple of days.

 

[RCCrawlerTT]

I can't decide if this should be posted in the Newbie Forums or here, as it certainly pertains to this post, and this post is one of the primary reasons for the harness that JRH made me for my setup.

I just ordered all of the electronics and such for my super clod I am building, and now need a little help with the setup. Post #31 has (what I believe) to be the actual cable made for me, with a couple of ends on it where there was bare wire in that picture.

Anyway, here is the setup and some pics I have taken to get assistance with, and to help out others if they are in the same situation:

2x Hyperion z3013's
2x Mamba 25's
2x Hitec 5955TG servos
1x DX6 radio (AR6000 RX)
1x Voltage Regulator (the same HD one that was the beginning of this thread)

The questions I have first, then I'll just post the pics below for informational purposes, please let me know if you need any more, as I can take'em.

1. I have read posts about needing a Y-harness to connect both ESC's to the RX, do I need to make that with what I have here, or should I be able to plug both ESC's into separate plugs?
2. I want to run 1 6 cell NiMH battery pack, do I need to make another cable to attach to the two Mamba 25's to do that?
3. From my understanding, I need to plug in the VR to the harness and then into the (batt) port of the AR6000, is that right? If so, it doesn't have the right end, so I'll need to go pick that up...which brings me to my next question
4. Am I wired correctly thus far?

Once I see what it is to get it all setup it'll help me learn it all for the future, its just that one hurdle or trying to NOT fry all these parts and pieces.

Pics to follow:

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

I pretended to make one for you. I think it took longer than the real thing. :lol:

 

[RCCrawlerTT]

haha, so do I need to make another one, as shown in your diagram to finish it off then, or are you showing me where I messed up and need to rewire it?

Thanks for your help, you have been invaluable so far. Everyone spend your money with JRH!

I pretended to make one for you. I think it took longer than the real thing. :lol:

 

[RCCrawlerTT]

Nevermind, I answered my own question, thinking is fundamental!

 

[RCCrawlerTT]

One more question before I go out to get the parts and pieces to "try" to make my own cable.

I still need to make the Y-Harness to connect my ESC's to the RX, right?

 

[Grizzly4x4]

One more question before I go out to get the parts and pieces to "try" to make my own cable.

I still need to make the Y-Harness to connect my ESC's to the RX, right?

Yes, you still need a Y-harness for the ESC's. You can make one or buy one like this.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUR75&P=ML

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

Are you keeping your throttles on the same channel, or having individual throttle control?

I never really realized how many harnesses my rigs run.

 

[Grizzly4x4]

Are you keeping your throttles on the same channel, or having individual throttle control?

Good point, I didn't think of that when I answered.

 

[RCCrawlerTT]

My primary goal was to have it setup on my DX6 like Cloak has in this video:

Cloaks DX6 Setup