-
Welcome to RCTalk! 🚀
Join the #1 RC community where hobbyists connect, share, and get expert advice on RC cars, trucks, boats, drones, and more!
- ✓ Friendly & passionate RC enthusiasts
- ✓ RC tips & troubleshooting
- ✓ Buy, sell & trade RC gear
- ✓ Share builds & upgrades
MERV on 4s/2p question
- Thread starter StrechM
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
- Messages
- 14,626
- Reaction score
- 1,195
- Points
- 1,130
- Location
- In a padded cell
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
Yes, the ESC can be fried by a pair of 2s in series. You can run it with a pair of 6-cell NiMH in series, but the LiPos just have too much juice. If you need the extra speed, just run a 3s pack or or a pair of 3s packs in parallel.
StrechM
Hardcore RCTalk User
- Messages
- 2,143
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 176
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
- Racing
- Thread starter
- #3
I get the official Traxxas statement about the esc's rating of 14.4v. I also read the unofficial statement (interview) about the the Mini Revo not being able to handle 22.2v. It's easy enough with a good fan and air control to keep it out of themal shutdown with shorter runs.
What I'm really looking for is info from someone that's tried it.
What I'm really looking for is info from someone that's tried it.
StrechM
Hardcore RCTalk User
- Messages
- 2,143
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 176
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
- Racing
- Thread starter
- #4
I'll take the chance and change the esc's settings to nimh and see if it works. In the process I built a series Y connector easily enough. If it works a pair of 2s lvc's or a single 4s lvc should protect the lipos.
Metalhead Matt
RCTalk VIP
That esc is only designed to handle 3s. Don't be surprised when it fails. Lipo's deliver a lot more juice than nimhs.
StrechM
Hardcore RCTalk User
- Messages
- 2,143
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 176
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
- Racing
- Thread starter
- #6
hamz9561 & Metalhead Matt
You guys really didn't think I would listen to you did you? lol
Just took it out on the street for a test run. There are no words to explain how much power 4s delivers. I can remember sayings like "didn't your mother tell you not to that!!!!" and "just how stupid are you!!!"
Seriously . . .
The fist pass was at about 20% throttle just to get a feel for it and it was moving right along.
The second pass was closer to half throttle and it was clearly pulling wheelies with ease. From a stop or slow roll 1/3 to 1/2 throttle flips it upside down.
On the third pass... I tested full throttle.
At a speed easily equal to its top speed on 2s in parallel it flipped onto its lid when I hammered the trigger then it slid about 40 feet. The wheelie bars were no help.
One missing antenna cap and 2 missing body clips is the worst of it.
After 2-3 minutes of run time esc and motor temps were still less than 100 degrees.
It is a lot of fun on 2s. 4s is wicked.
You guys really didn't think I would listen to you did you? lol
Just took it out on the street for a test run. There are no words to explain how much power 4s delivers. I can remember sayings like "didn't your mother tell you not to that!!!!" and "just how stupid are you!!!"
Seriously . . .
The fist pass was at about 20% throttle just to get a feel for it and it was moving right along.
The second pass was closer to half throttle and it was clearly pulling wheelies with ease. From a stop or slow roll 1/3 to 1/2 throttle flips it upside down.
On the third pass... I tested full throttle.
At a speed easily equal to its top speed on 2s in parallel it flipped onto its lid when I hammered the trigger then it slid about 40 feet. The wheelie bars were no help.
One missing antenna cap and 2 missing body clips is the worst of it.
After 2-3 minutes of run time esc and motor temps were still less than 100 degrees.
It is a lot of fun on 2s. 4s is wicked.
Last edited by a moderator:
Good to see you back on the boards Greg.
Nice way to work around the 3S limitation of the ESC. Time for some suspension mods to make it not flip so easily on 4S.
Nice way to work around the 3S limitation of the ESC. Time for some suspension mods to make it not flip so easily on 4S.
StrechM
Hardcore RCTalk User
- Messages
- 2,143
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 176
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
- Racing
- Thread starter
- #8
Hey Rob! Its been a long time since I've heard from you. Even longer since we've gotten together.
The 4s trick was something for fun. I got merv in a trade a few days ago and had to find out for myself. The funny part is the lipos are only Tenergy 20c's that we've been using in our 18R's.
Good to hear from you.
Metalhead Matt
RCTalk VIP
You need to post a video. I wouldn't be surprised if that thing went back in time wide open.
- Messages
- 14,626
- Reaction score
- 1,195
- Points
- 1,130
- Location
- In a padded cell
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
Hopefully you won't over-discharge your which can ruin your LiPos (best case) or cause a fire (worst case) when turn off the LiPo low voltage cut off. I may not have been around this board as long as you but that doesn't mean that I haven't learned something from others' experiences as well as my own. If ESC melts or the batteries fry, don't complain to us.
adeezy9183
RCTalk Talkaholic
- Messages
- 287
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 0
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
I personally have fried an esc running 2 2s lipos in series. it wasn't until the 3rd or 4th run that it fried though. It's only a matter of time until you fry yours.
StrechM
Hardcore RCTalk User
- Messages
- 2,143
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 176
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
- Racing
- Thread starter
- #14
Thanks adeezy9183
I stopped off late yesterday to pick up a few parts; carriers, pivot balls with inserts, bearings to replace the bushings in the steering and rocker arms. Also to look at building a custom set pushrods/toe links in the traditional turnbuckle style. There's too much slop and friction in this trucks stock form for my taste.
The shop owner is a friend that also owns a Slash VXL. It was nice to get some detailed feedback from he and his shop techs on the issues they see with these 1/16 scale models.
The VXL-3m esc is already pushed to its limit on 3s when used for extended run times without good air flow. The usual symptom they see is thermal shutdown after 10-15 minutes, sometimes less than that depending on ambient temps and driving conditions.
Those that have had success with 4s are using heat sink/fans and swapping out the bodies like the PL Slipstream or modifying the JConcepts or stock body and using external bec’s to cut the esc’s temp by 20-25 degrees. Then the obvious, external LVC(s) and change out the pinion/spur. Even with the few with the mods don't run them for more than a few minutes at a time on 4s.
. . . and then they asked me if I had my tx in the car : )
My opinion for the record; this truck was not built to handle 4s without doing a few driveline/suspension mods and changing the esc/motor combo.
It’s all for fun and back to 2s for now.
I stopped off late yesterday to pick up a few parts; carriers, pivot balls with inserts, bearings to replace the bushings in the steering and rocker arms. Also to look at building a custom set pushrods/toe links in the traditional turnbuckle style. There's too much slop and friction in this trucks stock form for my taste.
The shop owner is a friend that also owns a Slash VXL. It was nice to get some detailed feedback from he and his shop techs on the issues they see with these 1/16 scale models.
The VXL-3m esc is already pushed to its limit on 3s when used for extended run times without good air flow. The usual symptom they see is thermal shutdown after 10-15 minutes, sometimes less than that depending on ambient temps and driving conditions.
Those that have had success with 4s are using heat sink/fans and swapping out the bodies like the PL Slipstream or modifying the JConcepts or stock body and using external bec’s to cut the esc’s temp by 20-25 degrees. Then the obvious, external LVC(s) and change out the pinion/spur. Even with the few with the mods don't run them for more than a few minutes at a time on 4s.
. . . and then they asked me if I had my tx in the car : )
My opinion for the record; this truck was not built to handle 4s without doing a few driveline/suspension mods and changing the esc/motor combo.
It’s all for fun and back to 2s for now.
Last edited by a moderator:
its always fun to overpower something. (i'll be running 6S on a scaler) We had a guy on here (adeezy) smoke his stock esc while running 4S. The trucks are plenty fast on 2 and 3S so i never saw the need for 4. You start to cross the driveability line IMO.
Speed passes are only fun for so long.
Speed passes are only fun for so long.
lol, thats true about the battery packs. i had a brand new stock one. i think its either in the trash somewhere or lost in my rc bag.
Metalhead Matt
RCTalk VIP
+1. I run 2 in parallel. Over 30 minutes of run time on grass, and only 15 minutes to charge them back up. That charge time is at 1 amp. I couldn't be happier. Well, except for maybe having 4 more packs. I'll grab some Duratrax or Orion 1600's next time around.
StrechM
Hardcore RCTalk User
- Messages
- 2,143
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 176
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
- Racing
- Thread starter
- #19
I agree with you guys about batteries.
Way off topic.... sorta.
Here is one of my all time favorites that we run on custom IB 1600's, Reedy 1500's or 20C 2s.
It hauls. Brushed Reedy SP 19, carbide diffs, front cvds, LRP esc, 12/60 . For some reason this handles better than the one with FT turnbuckes, and the DP steering link. The best part about it is was only a fraction of the cost of some of my others and I get to use my fm synth since nobody uses fm now.
Here's my assembled stable. There are more in boxes and bags unassembled. I've test all except for the Mini Revo on nimh with good results. Gotta love my daughters pink mobile.
Way off topic.... sorta.
Here is one of my all time favorites that we run on custom IB 1600's, Reedy 1500's or 20C 2s.
It hauls. Brushed Reedy SP 19, carbide diffs, front cvds, LRP esc, 12/60 . For some reason this handles better than the one with FT turnbuckes, and the DP steering link. The best part about it is was only a fraction of the cost of some of my others and I get to use my fm synth since nobody uses fm now.
Here's my assembled stable. There are more in boxes and bags unassembled. I've test all except for the Mini Revo on nimh with good results. Gotta love my daughters pink mobile.
