savage flux ESC fire

[bscpanther]

Simply posting this for the record. I'm a huge HPI fan but the way my flux went up in flames, I can't help but think we are going to be seeing more of it. I was skeptical when the flux came out with the Monster ESC to begin with. My Flux was brand new, I had ran it mild and successfully one time the previous day. All stock, ESC punch control set to 40%. Running Elite 4800 3s 25c packs. The event happened on the second run the following day. I went to run on a large, grass soccer field for the most pampered driving environment. No jumps, drops, water, nothing. I was simply trying to get a better feel for this thing. I had been driving successfully for no more than 5 min. The truck was at a stop, I touched the throttle and instead of motion I get white smoke pouring out of the truck. My brother and I pulled off the body in seconds, the truck was already in flames. Yes, this was dangerous/stupid on our part but it was more the reaction of $600 burning than anything else. Both batteries had balloned twice their size and were smoking in the trays, one was in flames. The deans plugs were melted together so all we could do was try to put out the flames. I contacted HPI and they were surprisingly helpful (other than replacing my $200 in lipo's). They offered to send out the replacement ESC and parts without question. They asked if I would ship them the ESC and pictures of the damage. Above all I expressed my concerns of such a random catastrophy happening again but they could offer no anwers other than they have had "a few" other reports of this happening. They said they were sending the ESC's to CC for analysis. This is simply a record of events. As for my personal opinion, I do not think this ESC is ready for the recommended set up. As far as Lipo's are concerned, this expereince gives me serious second thoughts about using them. I don't believe this was a lipo triggered problem by any means, but anytime "bursting into flames" is a possibility, it really makes me worry. Thanks for reading.

[fastbaja5b]

People gearing up on 6s Lipo cos the manual told them too, end up pulling too many amps the Lipos balloon and the ESC gets a truck load of ripple current and the two fry.

when going from 4s to 6s you should always go to a SMALLER pinion, yet the manual tells you to go UP 5 teeth or stay the same.

The result is pretty obvious.

[patolin]

Lipos are a hugh energy source for any application, not only for RC, so they must be used carefuly. Those batteries can give all the amps you want!! Im afraid of them lol, but i will order some sooner or later.

I dont think that ESCs will burn because of a failure in their circuits. If you design a circuit to handle 150A and your batteries can give 200A, of course that you will overheat the ESC, and burn after a few seconds.

[Joey]

People gearing up on 6s Lipo cos the manual told them too, end up pulling too many amps the Lipos balloon and the ESC gets a truck load of ripple current and the two fry.

when going from 4s to 6s you should always go to a SMALLER pinion, yet the manual tells you to go UP 5 teeth or stay the same.

The result is pretty obvious.

Doesnt increasing voltage result in a reduction of current? P = V*I... to keep the same power current must drop when voltage is increased. So going from 4S to 6S should actually lower amp draw. Right?

[fastbaja5b]

It only decreases the load if you gear appropriately, ie if you gear for 45mph on 4 cell you will pull more amps than if you gear for 45mph on 6 cell.

[lilredmachine]

Going to 6s helps control amp spikes, hence why a higher voltage setup is always a cooler running, more efficient setup. You should be able to gear up on 6s with phaltline tires onroad, but NOT with the stock GT2 tires during offroad use. If you are offroad, use those and 4s with the 20t pinion.

A lot of problems have been caused by the escs blowing caps and then themselves on the next throttle hit, as you describe. I have no doubt that this is what is happening, and we'll see what Castle/HPI do about it. This is not a manufacturing defect, this is what happens, and will happen every time.

I'm especially glad to have not bought a Flux now, these power systems are being absolutley stretched to the max in them.

[strada916]

we need to ensure that when we are running 6s lipo on the flux savage you need to have quality batteries that have minimium of 30c and that you run the 25T pinion yes the bigger one.

in my experence brushless motors and controllers do not like under reving and over reving. you'll quickly let the smoke out if you do.

[fastbaja5b]

This is where the manual catches people, it says "use at least 25c batteries"

fine, and you have just said use 30C, sure, better to be safe right?

so Cheap ass Charlie goes and buys a 3s 2000mah transmitter pack as it says it's 2000 mah 30C

Technically he's done what he should

But we all know it's going to puff like a balloon!

We need to be clearer ie 5000mah 30C MINIMUM

[generis]

lets see:rolleyes:
lipos,
huge motor
electronic switch to connect the 2
one is weak for any possible reason
=
fire.
that makes sense. I had a slight ballooning of a lipo once by running it too far down and it was unbalanced. Hot, and puffy. Now I have big respect for the whole affair. I guess 6s is possible, but not here. Too much respect for the switch. Sometimes I wonder how basic lay people like us can even be trusted with that much tech and current flow. Do something wrong or unmatched and you have a R/C tazer.

[Wavesport]

Rc TAZER - haha

Summer project anyone?

[strada916]

This is where the manual catches people, it says "use at least 25c batteries"

fine, and you have just said use 30C, sure, better to be safe right?

so Cheap ass Charlie goes and buys a 3s 2000mah transmitter pack as it says it's 2000 mah 30C

Technically he's done what he should

But we all know it's going to puff like a balloon!

We need to be clearer ie 5000mah 30C MINIMUM


I agree with you fastbaja5b.

However the bigger pinion is the better option for the flux as stated in the manual. They are getting you to use the bigger pinion to tame the beast abit. ie less torque, and hopefully less or better no smoke. Brushless motors thrive on geared up, it keeps them from over reving, how ever there is a fine line as to how bigger pinion to go to. I think HPI have the right pinion size for 6s. It may be some other variables that have made the smoke come out. who knows. good thing is HPI have stepped upto the plate and taken on board and replaced the ESC and motor for him.

[strada916]

......................a R/C tazer.

ROFL

I can read the headlines now. "RCer tazzed by own RC car, for not respecting the technology"


:D

[D505]

5000mah at 25C = 125A
does it mean that 3800mah at 35C = 133A is even better and more safety for ESC then 5000mah @ 25C?

> We need to be clearer ie 5000mah 30C MINIMUM

another words: more then 120A (motor and ESC ability) of constant current?

BTW, just wonder: manufacturers write on lipos: 120A, 130A, 150A of constant current, but this lipos should be equipped with 150/10A=15 (mm2) copper wires (20 mm2 alloy wires) for manufacturer`s words to be true, am I right? Or 12 gauge wires are able to let 150A of const current go through themselves?

WBR, D505

[Bartek]

too much thinking for me,why electric can't be just plug and play?

[generis]

it can if you have the right batteries.
Like the right gas in your car..