Flash
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I had notice that the first model of the Command Controller allowed for external battery hookup from outside the controller with a mini jack, but my guess is they just had to much trouble with this setup and dropped it on later models. So I asked them for recommendations on how to hook mine up to external batteries and here is a copy of what they sent me. It is good info on Controller max volts and how to use the charging jacks too.
Estes Command Control External Power Conversion Instructions
If you wish to modify the Command Control for external battery power, or have questions regarding charging the batteries, the following should be of assistance.
1: Do not modify the internal electronic circuitry or printed circuit in any way, or alter the wiring in any way. First, it is simply not necessary, and secondly, any circuitry modifications will void the warranty.
2: Estes Industries will not offer any physical or electronic repair services for any damage to the Command Control caused by the customer in the process of making any modification.
3: Estes Industries will not review or check for approval any customer made modifications done to the Command Control schematic diagram.
4: Never apply more than 18 volts DC to the Command Control. The electronics will fail above 18 volts. Never apply household 110 volt AC current to the controller as this will destroy it as well as create the risk of serious personal injury.
Battery Charging Instructions
5: The external charge jacks on the back of the controller are for charging the batteries without removing them from the controller. These jacks and their associated wiring are for low charge currents only, usually termed ‘overnight’ charging currents. The jacks and wiring are not designed for the high current ‘fast’ chargers. To use the ‘fast’ type chargers, the batteries must be removed from the controller.
The preferred method to charge the 7.2 volt Nicad batteries is to use an AC plug in wall mounted charger with a 5 millimeter diameter plug to match those in the controller. The preferred charge rate shuld be on the order of 120 to 140 milliamps for about 18 hours. Both batteries may be charged at the same time but if the charger has only one cord and plug, then only one battery can be charged at a time. (Radio Shack makes a charger like this which is ideal for use with the Command Control).
6: Never connect a high capacity external battery to the Command Control while the internal batteries are in place.
7: Never connect a high capacity external battery to the Command Control through the charging jacks. The jacks and the wiring cannot withstand the high current levels associated with igniter ignition.
External Battery Hook up and use
8: External batteries of any kind should only be connected to the Command Control using the internal plastic Tamiya battery connector #1 (The connector numbers are clearly marked on the interior of the battery compartment). No other method is recommended. Use of another type of connector will require cutting the cables inside the controller. This should not be done and will void the warranty.
9: Matching Tamiya connectors of the type used in the Command Control are the accepted standard for use with the radio control car battery packs, and can be found at most hobby shops handling radio control cars and accessories. They are usually sold in male and female pairs complete with connector pins.
10: Always use #18 twin lead cable (lamp cord) for all external Command Control battery applications. To connect to the Tamiya connector pins, first strip about 1/8 inch of insulation from the ends of the wire and pre-tin with solder. Solder these ends to the connector pins, crimp, and then insert into the plastic connector body until they snap in place. WATCH BATTERY POLARITY, and use the connectors inside the controller for reference. The (red color wire). The semi-circular opening is always negative (black color wire).
11: Connections to car batteries should only be made using the cigarette lighter adapter receptacle inside the car. Avoid connecting directly to the car battery itself.
12: The suggested external battery connection method is to make a cable approximately 10 feet in length from #18 twin lead cable with a Tamiya connector on one end and a cigarette lighter adapter plug on the other
(lighter adapters can also be found at Radio Shack). Be sure to check for proper battery polarity of the cigarette lighter in the car, but usually, the center connection is positive and the outside rim is negative. The cable is wired positive to positive, and negative to negative. This means that the positive Tamiya side of the connector (square side) will be wired to the central connector of the cigarette lighter adapter on the opposite end of the cable. The negative side of the Tamiya connector will be wired to the outside, or rim connection of the cigarette lighter connector.
13: This cable is then plugged into the #1 battery connector inside the Command Control and the slide switch is set to the 7.2V position for use. All controller functions and instructions for use remain the same in this mode of operation.
The above suggested method to use an external battery source will not harm the controller in any way, and will retain the warranty. Any other modifications, however, will not be reviewed, approved, or repaired by Estes Industries and will void all warranty.
Enjoy!!!
Estes Command Control External Power Conversion Instructions
If you wish to modify the Command Control for external battery power, or have questions regarding charging the batteries, the following should be of assistance.
1: Do not modify the internal electronic circuitry or printed circuit in any way, or alter the wiring in any way. First, it is simply not necessary, and secondly, any circuitry modifications will void the warranty.
2: Estes Industries will not offer any physical or electronic repair services for any damage to the Command Control caused by the customer in the process of making any modification.
3: Estes Industries will not review or check for approval any customer made modifications done to the Command Control schematic diagram.
4: Never apply more than 18 volts DC to the Command Control. The electronics will fail above 18 volts. Never apply household 110 volt AC current to the controller as this will destroy it as well as create the risk of serious personal injury.
Battery Charging Instructions
5: The external charge jacks on the back of the controller are for charging the batteries without removing them from the controller. These jacks and their associated wiring are for low charge currents only, usually termed ‘overnight’ charging currents. The jacks and wiring are not designed for the high current ‘fast’ chargers. To use the ‘fast’ type chargers, the batteries must be removed from the controller.
The preferred method to charge the 7.2 volt Nicad batteries is to use an AC plug in wall mounted charger with a 5 millimeter diameter plug to match those in the controller. The preferred charge rate shuld be on the order of 120 to 140 milliamps for about 18 hours. Both batteries may be charged at the same time but if the charger has only one cord and plug, then only one battery can be charged at a time. (Radio Shack makes a charger like this which is ideal for use with the Command Control).
6: Never connect a high capacity external battery to the Command Control while the internal batteries are in place.
7: Never connect a high capacity external battery to the Command Control through the charging jacks. The jacks and the wiring cannot withstand the high current levels associated with igniter ignition.
External Battery Hook up and use
8: External batteries of any kind should only be connected to the Command Control using the internal plastic Tamiya battery connector #1 (The connector numbers are clearly marked on the interior of the battery compartment). No other method is recommended. Use of another type of connector will require cutting the cables inside the controller. This should not be done and will void the warranty.
9: Matching Tamiya connectors of the type used in the Command Control are the accepted standard for use with the radio control car battery packs, and can be found at most hobby shops handling radio control cars and accessories. They are usually sold in male and female pairs complete with connector pins.
10: Always use #18 twin lead cable (lamp cord) for all external Command Control battery applications. To connect to the Tamiya connector pins, first strip about 1/8 inch of insulation from the ends of the wire and pre-tin with solder. Solder these ends to the connector pins, crimp, and then insert into the plastic connector body until they snap in place. WATCH BATTERY POLARITY, and use the connectors inside the controller for reference. The (red color wire). The semi-circular opening is always negative (black color wire).
11: Connections to car batteries should only be made using the cigarette lighter adapter receptacle inside the car. Avoid connecting directly to the car battery itself.
12: The suggested external battery connection method is to make a cable approximately 10 feet in length from #18 twin lead cable with a Tamiya connector on one end and a cigarette lighter adapter plug on the other
(lighter adapters can also be found at Radio Shack). Be sure to check for proper battery polarity of the cigarette lighter in the car, but usually, the center connection is positive and the outside rim is negative. The cable is wired positive to positive, and negative to negative. This means that the positive Tamiya side of the connector (square side) will be wired to the central connector of the cigarette lighter adapter on the opposite end of the cable. The negative side of the Tamiya connector will be wired to the outside, or rim connection of the cigarette lighter connector.
13: This cable is then plugged into the #1 battery connector inside the Command Control and the slide switch is set to the 7.2V position for use. All controller functions and instructions for use remain the same in this mode of operation.
The above suggested method to use an external battery source will not harm the controller in any way, and will retain the warranty. Any other modifications, however, will not be reviewed, approved, or repaired by Estes Industries and will void all warranty.
Enjoy!!!
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