SkyRC MC3000 sparks when first plugged into wall outlet.

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
1

Not the first charger to do this but is there a way to stop this? The little spark comes from the two pronged brick plug when inserted into the wall outlet.

2

It is not a problem, it comes from the inrush current from the power supply. the condensers inside the power supply charge and it pull a lot of current.
Robert

3

I would have thought there would be some type of electronic device inside that would stop that and let it fill progressively. I often plug it into my power bar and then turn it on with the power bar button to avoid the minor sparks.

4

I have this… controls each device plugged into it individually…https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Individually-Controlled-TLP76MSG/dp/B0068LACFI

5

I like the power buttons on each outlet, that is much better than the one I am using

6

I like those as well. Used to have those ones in Japan.. In Holland we don't have them for a "normal" price. But my MC3000 is always giving sparks as well.

7

I have the same with Liitokala 500. Here is HKJ’s answer,

8

So would it be better to leave the plug inside the wall outlet and just plug the cable into the SKYRC charger whenever you want to use it?
That's what I am currently doing...

9

Since the MC3000 power bricks cause significant interference, I always shut them off using a Nexa remote controlled power outlet. It’s impossible to do any electric noise or low current clamp measurements while they’re plugged in and powered.

10

I got a power button switch for the MC3000 (someone else mentioned it here before) I bought one from this store for my MC3000:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Power-On-Off-Button-Switch-Adapter-For-PS3-Playstation-3-Slim-Video-Games-G-Switch/32505230191.html

11

d_t_a that power button is just perfect, going to order two of them today.

12

That would work but would annoy my wife seeing the cable always there lol

13

I have a new Toshiba brick that never sparks but it's 19V and the MC3000 takes 12v to 18V input otherwise I would use that one instead.

14

This is a non problem, unless you have combustible fumes hanging around in your room.

15

You're right, it's not a problem, but it just seems like they could have designed a better brick for the money they charge.

My toshiba brick has a 3 prong grounded plug, that's probably why it doesn't spark.

16

It has nothing to do with the sparking. As I have written before a “inrush current limiter” or NTC will reduce the sparking. Small power supplies will also have less sparks, because they use smaller capacitors.

There are some rules, when you get up in power you have to add circuit to reduce the sparking.

The idea about adding an extra switch to avoid the sparking is not perfect, the inrush current will probably slowly damage the switch (The plugs will probably never be damage serious from sparking). There is no absolute in the previous sentence because everything depends on the actual quality/design of the items.

17

Thanks for the info HKJ. I did some searching for the price of a NTC and they seem to be around $1.00 give or take. If that is so, I'm surprised a manufacturer would feel the need not to include it in their product at a certain price point.

18

I would guess around $0.01 to $0.10, but when mass producing items that is very significant.

The power supply is a separate item, this probably means the cheapest offer that fulfilled the specifications got the order.