Align super starters

[Eckchaz]

I've just had my super starter delivered today and the deans connector is a pain\awkward and really stiff! I run EC3 connectors on everything else and wondered if it's possible to open up the starter and change the deans to a EC3?

Has anyone done this?

[trillian]

Yeah it's tucked right under the inside where the lid goes. I'm sure you could open it up and change it but I'd be inclined to just make up a short adaptor cable. I have thought about making up an extension with another deans just to make it a bit easier to change LiPos.

[Eckchaz]

Getting ahead of myself there... Wanting a tidy and neat connections. Didn't think about making a adapter link! I think I'll do that instead but leave it permantley connected, saves anything going wrong with the starter, with the luck I've been having recently!

Thanks trillian!

[serpent887]

Yes I have no affinity for Deans connectors...at all..!

For this reason I charge mine in-situ using a parallel charge tail so it is uneccesary to ever frustrate myself with the horrible Deans.

[Ayrobat]

Yeah it's tucked right under the inside where the lid goes. I'm sure you could open it up and change it but I'd be inclined to just make up a short adaptor cable. I have thought about making up an extension with another deans just to make it a bit easier to change LiPos.

It's possible to move the fitted deans connector a little to the side, use a small screwdriver or similar and gently lever the connector away from the left edge and closer to the centre. It only has to move a few mm and it makes changing batteries _much_ easier.

The health and safety stazzies would insist that I add that it is a good idea to remove the lipo before trying this.

HTH

Pete

[Janek]

Na, we all love to see a good blaze ......make sure you have a witness with a camera

[Eckchaz]

Well, I've made a deans to EC3 adaptor this evening. It's good enough but would prefer the original deans to be replaced! I did take a few screws off the starter but got a little scared about taking all apart, as it came flush together and the metal bottom by the adaptor for the wrenchs went over the plastic casing like a shroud... And didn't want to break or dislodge anything!

Ayrobat. I did notice how the deans was just wedged in the gap but I left it there in the end after I made the adaptor. But I think I'll move it like you suggested as it'll make things even easier!

[serpent887]

Further to my previous post I have taken to using one of these Mystery 7.4v & 11.1v LI-PO Battery Balance Charger on eBay (end time 03-May-10 18:29:57 BST) which charges through the balance connector thereby removing the need to connect to the main leads at all.
This way (assuming you are happy to charge the lipo in-situ) there is no need to detach the Deans, no need for charge harnessess or parallel tails...a great solution.

[J-S-Q]

I'm pretty sure I've seen a post on Helifreak.com about someone replacing the Deans in an Align starter -might be worth a search.

[J-S-Q]

Here it is, although it was a replacement with Power Poles so not sure how relevant it is:

Align Starter Mod to Power Poles.... - HeliFreak

[Eckchaz]

Thanks J-S-Q, but Im now thinking I'll stick with my extension, as it's already made and working good... Also saving on the warranty aswell!

Just another quicky, what lipo's are you guys using in the starter. the spare turnigys I'm using are very tight and will jam if I forced it in. Dipite the lipo size is smaller than what's stated in the starter manual!

[kungpo]

I got one of these to use in mine:

Overlander 2200mh 11.1v - Customer Order - Align-Trex.co.uk, Specialist supplier of kits and spares for R/C Align Helicopters