ESC Limits?

[GilBeQuick]

Ok, if an ESC is rated to handle 18 turns, would it really hurt it to take a 17 turn motor? Would it run ok or just fry the thing?

 

[robriguez]

I would not run a lower turn motor than what the ESC is rated for. It has to do with the amperage output required by the motor. If you do run a lower turn motor you do run the risk of frying it.

 

[kwong2001]

You know, I run a Novak Dually ESC. It's a little bulky, but it can run any motor, mod or stock at any turn. I dunno why anyone wouldn't just get an ESC that can handle anything. It's a lot easier that way.

 

[GilBeQuick]

What it comes down to my friend is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

 

[militarymaxx]

You might get away with a few short runs but the Heat God will bring forth the wrath of meltdown. Even running a motor at the allowable extremes, say an 18 turn motor with an ESC that is rated at 18 turns and up, will get hot. The ESC will get hot, the motor and the battery will all get hot. My son has this 13 turn speed gems motor with an LRP ESC rated to go down to 12 turns in his stampede and I've gotten it hot enough to melt the solder connections on the motor. It's like kwong2001 said, I should have just gone with something like a super rooster that can handle anything.

 

[GilBeQuick]

I see said the ignorant one.
The question came about because I read somewhere about someone running a couple of turns lower than what it was rated at and no problems came about. But, I don't know a whole lot about electric motors and I'm not trying to melt anything, especially because this is for a boat and I don't want the melting to happen in the middle of the lake if ya know what I mean.
So what it really comes down to is: if you're trying to be a tightwad, don't be suprised if when you push the limits it breaks.

 

[militarymaxx]

I'm not familiar with boats but I'm guessing most, if not all, of the electronics are secured within the hull. If this is true then you get little to no air flow across the heat sinks and or the hot surfaces of the battery packs, motor can, etc. On the buggies/trucks, most of this is exposed to some sort of air flow, subsequentially aiding in the cooling process.

 

[GilBeQuick]

NO air flow at all. 100% in a rubber sealed radio box. But I haven't gotten a single of drop of water in the hull yet and I sling it around pretty good, so I'm thinking of a way to maybe add a tiny bit of air flow to it. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[militarymaxx]

Radio shack has these small 9V fans and I think many computer stores also have them or ones that might fit you particular application. Lots of E-Maxx guys have added fans to their setup with great success.

 

[GilBeQuick]

Hey that's a great idea...small and runs on a 9v battery which is also very small. Do you have any idea of the approx. footprint of the fan?

 

[militarymaxx]

I'm looking right now but I think I've seen them as small as 1 square inch, which might be too small. The hi-tec way of cooling is this aqua-ram system which used plumbing to cycle water around the commutators of the motors and then dis-charges it overboard.
Real neat stuff.

EDIT: Here's one that runs on 12V and shouldn't draw hardly anything from your battery pack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=273-240

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

As for the ESC input.....

You dont have to purchase a 'no limit' ESC. Especially if you have no plans of dropping in some 8 turn can. At stock, I run 24 turn and bought an ESC that will run as low as a 13 turn. And to date, I still have dropped below the 24, since its all that I can run at the track (unless I want to swap cans in between classes - NOT!).

For the bash this year I may brop in an 18 turn. Just to have a snappier and faster ride. Too bad my run times will drop horribly.

 

[GilBeQuick]

Originally posted by militarymaxx
EDIT: Here's one that runs on 12V and shouldn't draw hardly anything from your battery pack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=273-240

Ok, here's something I don't understand. That's a 12v fan, but my battery pack is only 7.2 volts. Does that mean the fan won't work, or the fan will just turn slower?

 

[Wardo]

Originally posted by militarymaxx
Radio shack has these small 9V fans and I think many computer stores also have them or ones that might fit you particular application. Lots of E-Maxx guys have added fans to their setup with great success.

Alot of touring car racers are starting to use them again on the motors. I played with the idea and used it for awhile in 10th scale oval racing but as equipment got better, it wasn't as needed.


I don't think there is enough air to move around in the box to make a huge difference anyway.

I'd safely go down to about a 15 turn with an 18 turn ESC in a boat. The more you keep the boat moving, the better off the ESC will be. The load to start an electric motor and what it draws from bogging it down is what kills ESC's by creating heat.

 

[militarymaxx]

Sorry, forgot you are only using 1 stick pack. I was still in the E-Maxx frame of mind where they use 2. I know they make a 9V micro fan but couldn't find a good link. With the 9V you can simply run it off of a standard 9V battery and not worry about wiring it in with you ESC/stick pack.