Problems with zx-5 stopping up - Any ideas?

[supah_rc]

I need some help figuring out why my Lazer zx-5 sometimes just stops up.

Suddenly its acting really weird, never been like this before - been running perfectly for a long time, then suddenly it has started to stop every now and then. Nothing happens when I squeeze the speed trigger, it just stands there. If I wait for a few seconds it will run again, but then stop not long after. Steering works while it stops, but throttle not responding at all.

Anyone got any ideas of what might be wrong? The motor wasn't especially hot, nor was the battery or the ESC. It ran without any sort of problem last time, but today it was acting all up after I had been driving it for like 10ish minutes. Runs perfect, stops up, runs again, stops ect.

This is my setup:
LRP 5.5T Brushless
LRP Sphere Comp. 2007 ed. ESC
3600 and 4200 Nimh batteries used while having problems.
Spektrum DX2 radio, Spektrum SR3000 reciever.

 

[robmob]

Sounds like you are experiencing thermal shutdown of your ESC.

When it gets too hot, it will shut itself off to protect itself.

You can either install a cooling fan on your ESC, or drop down a tooth or 2 on your pinion.

 

[HeartBreak]

Could also be a low voltage cutoff is set?

 

[robmob]

If you noticed a drop in performance before it shut down, then more than likely it is your low voltage cutoff like Heartbreak suggested.

 

[supah_rc]

Hmm, that might just be it. I am not that "into" electric cars, so I am a bit clueless. Anyway, I played around with the ESC the other day, and changed the mode to "Lipo/Nimh Automatic". I have been considering getting a Lipo battery, so I thought id prepare the ESC. I did however not think this would affect the Nimh batteries, but ... I guess it does? So now the ESC will "cut off" for a few seconds to tell me theres low voltage on the battery, no matter what type of battery I run?

 

[robmob]

Low voltage cut-off will engage no matter what type of batteries you are using if you have programmed your ESC to do so.

I would think that once it cuts off due to low voltage, it would stay that way until you turn the esc off and then back on. I don’t really know since I haven’t ever experienced it.

Only during thermal shutdown which I have experienced a lot has the ESC started working again after a few seconds.

 

[HeartBreak]

I would put it back to Nimh for now until you put a lipo into it, and see if it still cuts off.