Overheating ESC - help!

[Bryan Archambeault]

I have an HPI RS4 MT with a DuraTrax IntelliSpeed 16T Mild-Modified
Reverse ESC and a Trinity Chameleon 2 Pro 19T motor. This setup works
great - for a while. Then, the ESC overheats and shuts down. If I
let it sit for a few minutes, it runs great again for a while, then
shuts down again.

Any ideas on how I can keep the thing running cooler so I can race
until the battery is fully discharged without having to take breaks?
Do I need a different ESC or motor? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[dingo]

go 2 a 3 thoot down on the pinion gear.
or check to see that everthing is running smooth no dirt in the gearbox.
or a blocked bearing etc....
could also be a engine problem like a shorted windingif you got a spare try
that one.
TM




"Bryan Archambeault" <bryan@arshambo.com> wrote in message
news:4459bfbc.0411292214.7bf403d4@posting.google.c om...
> I have an HPI RS4 MT with a DuraTrax IntelliSpeed 16T Mild-Modified
> Reverse ESC and a Trinity Chameleon 2 Pro 19T motor. This setup works
> great - for a while. Then, the ESC overheats and shuts down. If I
> let it sit for a few minutes, it runs great again for a while, then
> shuts down again.
>
> Any ideas on how I can keep the thing running cooler so I can race
> until the battery is fully discharged without having to take breaks?
> Do I need a different ESC or motor? Any ideas would be appreciated.
> Thanks!

[Frater Mus]

On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 at 06:14 GMT, <bryan@arshambo.com> wrote:

> I have an HPI RS4 MT with a DuraTrax IntelliSpeed 16T Mild-Modified
> Reverse ESC and a Trinity Chameleon 2 Pro 19T motor. This setup works
> great - for a while. Then, the ESC overheats and shuts down. If I
> let it sit for a few minutes, it runs great again for a while, then
> shuts down again.
>
> Any ideas on how I can keep the thing running cooler so I can race
> until the battery is fully discharged without having to take breaks?
> Do I need a different ESC or motor? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Gear the model down?

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CBSRMT uploads each day in <news:alt.binaries.sounds.radio.cbsrmt>
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[M78Ultra]

May sound silly, but make sure the ESC is running forward when you go
forward. If the ESC is running in reverse while the car is going forward, it
will shut down after a period.
Also, as mentioned, checked your gearing, motor, wiring, wiring plugs, and
make sure nothing is restricting or binding up the drivetrain.
If you are using reverse alot, set the ESC to maximum delay ( I think .08
for intellispeed) before it switches.

"Bryan Archambeault" <bryan@arshambo.com> wrote in message
news:4459bfbc.0411292214.7bf403d4@posting.google.c om...
> I have an HPI RS4 MT with a DuraTrax IntelliSpeed 16T Mild-Modified
> Reverse ESC and a Trinity Chameleon 2 Pro 19T motor. This setup works
> great - for a while. Then, the ESC overheats and shuts down. If I
> let it sit for a few minutes, it runs great again for a while, then
> shuts down again.
>
> Any ideas on how I can keep the thing running cooler so I can race
> until the battery is fully discharged without having to take breaks?
> Do I need a different ESC or motor? Any ideas would be appreciated.
> Thanks!

[Bryan Archambeault]

Frater Mus <FraterMus2004@mousetrap.net> wrote in message news:<41ac826d$0$27772$8b463f8a@news.nationwide.net>...
> On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 at 06:14 GMT, <bryan@arshambo.com> wrote:
>
> > I have an HPI RS4 MT with a DuraTrax IntelliSpeed 16T Mild-Modified
> > Reverse ESC and a Trinity Chameleon 2 Pro 19T motor. This setup works
> > great - for a while. Then, the ESC overheats and shuts down. If I
> > let it sit for a few minutes, it runs great again for a while, then
> > shuts down again.
> >
> > Any ideas on how I can keep the thing running cooler so I can race
> > until the battery is fully discharged without having to take breaks?
> > Do I need a different ESC or motor? Any ideas would be appreciated.
>
> Gear the model down?

How do I gear it down? It comes with a 96T Spur Gear (48 pitch) and a
22T Pinion Gear (48 pitch). Do I get a different Spur or Pinion Gear?
Do I get a higher or lower tooth count? Thanks!

[kenji]

In article <4459bfbc.0411301755.50141869@posting.google.com>,
bryan@arshambo.com (Bryan Archambeault) wrote:

> > > Any ideas on how I can keep the thing running cooler so I can race
> > > until the battery is fully discharged without having to take breaks?
> > > Do I need a different ESC or motor? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Are you sure the pinion and spur are meshing correctly? If you hold the
pinion so it doesn't move and move the spur against the pinion there
should be some play between the two sets of gear teeth. If your spur and
pinion are so close together there isn't any play you'll cause the ESC
to heat up and shut down. Also do you have bearings? If you take the
pinion off and try to roll the vehicle with a push will it go very far?
Make sure nothing is binding or is caught up in the drive train/axles.

If all of that is fine, try going to a 20T pinion.

[Frater Mus]

On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 at 01:55 GMT, <bryan@arshambo.com> wrote:

> How do I gear it down? It comes with a 96T Spur Gear (48 pitch) and a
> 22T Pinion Gear (48 pitch). Do I get a different Spur or Pinion Gear?
> Do I get a higher or lower tooth count? Thanks!

Fewer teeth on the pinion and more teeth on the spur.


--
http://cbsrmt.mousetrap.net/RMTdb/ CBS Radio Mystery Theater database
CBSRMT uploads each day in <news:alt.binaries.sounds.radio.cbsrmt>
http://greyhound.mousetrap.net/altus/ our ex-racer greyhound
http://www.mousetrap.net/~mouse/cs.html How to get good phone support

[Frater Mus]

On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 at 02:29 GMT, <kenji@ripco.com> wrote:

> If your spur and
> pinion are so close together there isn't any play you'll cause the ESC
> to heat up and shut down. Also do you have bearings? If you take the
> pinion off and try to roll the vehicle with a push will it go very far?
> Make sure nothing is binding or is caught up in the drive train/axles.

This is excellent advice. Gearing down a high-drag model only masks
the problem.

--
http://cbsrmt.mousetrap.net/RMTdb/ CBS Radio Mystery Theater database
CBSRMT uploads each day in <news:alt.binaries.sounds.radio.cbsrmt>
http://greyhound.mousetrap.net/altus/ our ex-racer greyhound
http://www.mousetrap.net/~mouse/cs.html How to get good phone support

[BBA]

answers inline
"Bryan Archambeault" <bryan@arshambo.com> wrote in message
news:4459bfbc.0411292214.7bf403d4@posting.google.c om...
> I have an HPI RS4 MT with a DuraTrax IntelliSpeed 16T Mild-Modified
> Reverse ESC and a Trinity Chameleon 2 Pro 19T motor. This setup works
> great - for a while. Then, the ESC overheats and shuts down. If I
> let it sit for a few minutes, it runs great again for a while, then
> shuts down again.

1st thing is to check your wires/connections any corrosion
will act like a resister. in turn will cause your exc to overheat
also check for obstructions at or around your cooling fins.

you esc should be placed in a well ventilated area
shouldn't be close to the motor or batteries

how about your slipper clutch. is it properly set up
what pinon are you using?

Bill

>
> Any ideas on how I can keep the thing running cooler so I can race
> until the battery is fully discharged without having to take breaks?
> Do I need a different ESC or motor? Any ideas would be appreciated.
> Thanks!

[Techpriest]

Sorry for being so late to chime in, but I have an RS4 MT and know what your
going through. The vehicle has an inner shell that keeps the air out and
the heat in. You might try leaving the inner shell off and just running the
body. You could try that and bump your gearing back to get back your speed
and see how it does. If you can run it with shell off but not shell on, you
might try and figure out how best to vent the electronics. Poke some holes
over the ESC, cut the shell and mount the ESC so the heat sinks stick out,
etc.

I just got a new ESC because my old one could not handle the heat or the
motors I wanted to run and so far all has been well.

"Bryan Archambeault" <bryan@arshambo.com> wrote in message
news:4459bfbc.0411292214.7bf403d4@posting.google.c om...
>I have an HPI RS4 MT with a DuraTrax IntelliSpeed 16T Mild-Modified
> Reverse ESC and a Trinity Chameleon 2 Pro 19T motor. This setup works
> great - for a while. Then, the ESC overheats and shuts down. If I
> let it sit for a few minutes, it runs great again for a while, then
> shuts down again.
>
> Any ideas on how I can keep the thing running cooler so I can race
> until the battery is fully discharged without having to take breaks?
> Do I need a different ESC or motor? Any ideas would be appreciated.
> Thanks!

[Jonathan Hodgson]

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 21:23:10 -0600, Techpriest wrote:

<snip>
> If you can run it with shell off but not shell on, you
> might try and figure out how best to vent the electronics. Poke some holes
> over the ESC, cut the shell and mount the ESC so the heat sinks stick out,
> etc.
<snip>

Good advice. When I got my Yokomo BC-Special I found that it ran pretty
hot - probably not helped by the space for the ESC being right next to
the motor can.

I eventually found an arrangement and wiring layout that put the FETs
next to the side of the bodyshell, where I cut an exhaust vent*, as well
as opening an air scoop further forwards to push as much airflow over
the ESC as possible.

* To make an exhaust in the side of the shell, I cut a line along the
top and rear of a triangle, then folded the lexan outwards (about 30°)
along the third side. That way I figure it'll create a low pressure
over the opening, as well as not scooping grass and dirt into it.

If you're making air scoops and vents, drilling a small hole at the end
of each cut will help to avoid splits and cracks in the shell.

Jonny