Ultima buggy - wrong esc???

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bigcity111

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Hello. I just bought an ultima buggy. I think I bought the wrong ESC though. I bought spectrum 4000kv w firma smart 85.

It won’t fit correct?

Can you kindly suggest a esc that will fit?

08EAE427-C2EB-487F-B5FE-337D10B226AC.jpeg
 
A Castle SW3 should fit in there just fine. Or you can just modify the top plate. I haven't taken our Ultima out of the box yet to test ESC fitment in it, but the SW3 is pretty small. You can get it with a 4600kv motor too, which is what we'll be running in ours.
 
why such a high kv ? id run way less a kv and make your own bracket to fit the esc you have in its correct place up on esc mount at front or rear shock tower. going way to high a kv will bring nothing but blown up tires and bench time repairing crashes..
 
Hello. I just bought an ultima buggy. I think I bought the wrong ESC though. I bought spectrum 4000kv w firma smart 85.

It won’t fit correct?

Can you kindly suggest a esc that will fit?

View attachment 145147
What makes you think that ESC wont fit? Take the hold downs off it, and it will fit in there perfectly. The hold downs are the only reason it wont slide back in the chassis enough, and would be the only thing in the way of the battery, and arent really needed for the Ultima anyway. The 4600KV though is way too much motor for it. You would be better off with a 3900KV motor.
 
Thanks all, I appreciate the feedback. This ultima was my ride back in 1988? I think I upgraded the motor to a red Trinity? Anyway, it’s been a long time.

So I bought the motor and esc together so if the engine is too much I may as well return both a better a esc with a slimmer profile and a more appropriate motor.

I saw this on Amazon:

Castle Creations Sidewinder 3 Waterproof ESC, Scale 1:10​


Welcome a compatible motor recommend or combo (esc + motor(
Plus, I don’t my skills are crafty enough to jerry rig my current esc into this car
 
Thanks all, I appreciate the feedback. This ultima was my ride back in 1988? I think I upgraded the motor to a red Trinity? Anyway, it’s been a long time.

So I bought the motor and esc together so if the engine is too much I may as well return both a better a esc with a slimmer profile and a more appropriate motor.

I saw this on Amazon:

Castle Creations Sidewinder 3 Waterproof ESC, Scale 1:10​


Welcome a compatible motor recommend or combo (esc + motor(
Plus, I don’t my skills are crafty enough to jerry rig my current esc into this car
It depends on what motor that Sidewinder comes with. I had a Sidewinder SCT combo (Sidewinder SCT and 3800 KV 1410 motor, which is the lowest KV motor they offer) in a 2WD short course truck, and it was way too much for it. Another issue with a lot of the Castle stuff is you have to do some soldering, such as soldering the motor wires to the ESC This isnt a combo per say, but is the stock motor and ESC for most of Arrma's 2S-3S stuff. The ESC: https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...-granite-ar102696?_pos=1&_sid=451d82986&_ss=r The motor: https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...-granite-ar102668?_pos=1&_sid=0a33c7182&_ss=r

This would be a better Spektrum combo: https://www.horizonhobby.com/produc...75UWWhFd4wEZJPzc9Jc_SjkZCS-HJUcRoCooIQAvD_BwE

I would also look into just getting the ESC and motor separate. It opens up a ton more options. For example, you can get the ESC i linked above from Jenny's, and then source a 3300KV, 3500KV or 3900KV 3650 motor on eBay or Amazon, or even at a local shop. These are the motors i typically use. 3900KV: https://www.ebay.com/itm/325078817301?hash=item4bb0351a15:g:5ywAAOSwVsViHpTX&LH_BIN=1 3500KV: https://www.amazon.com/Surpass-Hobby-Waterproof-Sensorless-Brushless/dp/B098XHMWQH/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1AKT6DYQIRAA0&keywords=3650+3500kv&qid=1649481859&refinements=p_85:2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sprefix=3650+3500kv,aps,84&sr=8-6&th=1 3300KV: https://www.amazon.com/Original-GoolRC-3300KV-Brushless-Sensorless/dp/B07BGVR9RP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R98GUUE7RSED&keywords=3650+3300kv&qid=1649481920&refinements=p_85:2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sprefix=3650+3300kv,aps,74&sr=8-1

As for "modifying" the ESC to fit, if you look at the pic, where i circled in blue, all you would have to do is take a pair of pliers and gently break those tabs off, and then use 2 sided tape to hold the ESC into the car. I do it to every ESC i use, because the Arrma BLX100 has those same tabs, and most of the vehicles i put them on, the tabs are in the way.

spmxsemc02.jpg
 
What makes you think that ESC wont fit? Take the hold downs off it, and it will fit in there perfectly. The hold downs are the only reason it wont slide back in the chassis enough, and would be the only thing in the way of the battery, and arent really needed for the Ultima anyway. The 4600KV though is way too much motor for it. You would be better off with a 3900KV motor.
There’s a cover that goes over the esc. This esc is too tall.
It depends on what motor that Sidewinder comes with. I had a Sidewinder SCT combo (Sidewinder SCT and 3800 KV 1410 motor, which is the lowest KV motor they offer) in a 2WD short course truck, and it was way too much for it. Another issue with a lot of the Castle stuff is you have to do some soldering, such as soldering the motor wires to the ESC This isnt a combo per say, but is the stock motor and ESC for most of Arrma's 2S-3S stuff. The ESC: https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...-granite-ar102696?_pos=1&_sid=451d82986&_ss=r The motor: https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...-granite-ar102668?_pos=1&_sid=0a33c7182&_ss=r

This would be a better Spektrum combo: https://www.horizonhobby.com/produc...75UWWhFd4wEZJPzc9Jc_SjkZCS-HJUcRoCooIQAvD_BwE

I would also look into just getting the ESC and motor separate. It opens up a ton more options. For example, you can get the ESC i linked above from Jenny's, and then source a 3300KV, 3500KV or 3900KV 3650 motor on eBay or Amazon, or even at a local shop. These are the motors i typically use. 3900KV: https://www.ebay.com/itm/325078817301?hash=item4bb0351a15:g:5ywAAOSwVsViHpTX&LH_BIN=1 3500KV: https://www.amazon.com/Surpass-Hobby-Waterproof-Sensorless-Brushless/dp/B098XHMWQH/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1AKT6DYQIRAA0&keywords=3650+3500kv&qid=1649481859&refinements=p_85:2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sprefix=3650+3500kv,aps,84&sr=8-6&th=1 3300KV: https://www.amazon.com/Original-GoolRC-3300KV-Brushless-Sensorless/dp/B07BGVR9RP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R98GUUE7RSED&keywords=3650+3300kv&qid=1649481920&refinements=p_85:2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sprefix=3650+3300kv,aps,74&sr=8-1

As for "modifying" the ESC to fit, if you look at the pic, where i circled in blue, all you would have to do is take a pair of pliers and gently break those tabs off, and then use 2 sided tape to hold the ESC into the car. I do it to every ESC i use, because the Arrma BLX100 has those same tabs, and most of the vehicles i put them on, the tabs are in the way.

View attachment 145150
The issue is that there’s a cover that goes over the esc. The esc is too tall.
 
There’s a cover that goes over the esc. This esc is too tall.

The issue is that there’s a cover that goes over the esc. The esc is too tall.
You can cut that top plate. There are other top plates on ebay as well.
 
Last edited:
Ugh. Help?

OK, so I bought the....

Spektrum Firma 85A Brushless Smart ESC / 3300Kv Sensorless Motor Combo, SPMXSEMC01, Black​


I'll probably cut the top plate to fit inside my Ultima. BUT NOW....

I bought....

Spektrum DX3 Smart 3-Channel Transmitter with SR315 Receiver, SPM2340​


And I'm guessing it's not compatible with the above ESC OR the servo I bought:

Spektrum S614 Waterproof Metal Gear Surface Servo, 23T, SPMS614​


I f*&%'d up again, didn't I?
 
Ugh. Help?

OK, so I bought the....

Spektrum Firma 85A Brushless Smart ESC / 3300Kv Sensorless Motor Combo, SPMXSEMC01, Black​


I'll probably cut the top plate to fit inside my Ultima. BUT NOW....

I bought....

Spektrum DX3 Smart 3-Channel Transmitter with SR315 Receiver, SPM2340​


And I'm guessing it's not compatible with the above ESC OR the servo I bought:

Spektrum S614 Waterproof Metal Gear Surface Servo, 23T, SPMS614​


I f*&%'d up again, didn't I?
ESC's and servos are compatible with all receivers.
 
Ok. I’ll try again. It felt like the male/female connectors for the servo and esc didn’t hit in the receiver……….
 
Ugh. Help?

OK, so I bought the....

Spektrum Firma 85A Brushless Smart ESC / 3300Kv Sensorless Motor Combo, SPMXSEMC01, Black​


I'll probably cut the top plate to fit inside my Ultima. BUT NOW....

I bought....

Spektrum DX3 Smart 3-Channel Transmitter with SR315 Receiver, SPM2340​


And I'm guessing it's not compatible with the above ESC OR the servo I bought:

Spektrum S614 Waterproof Metal Gear Surface Servo, 23T, SPMS614​


I f*&%'d up again, didn't I?
That is stock for certain Arrma and Axial vehicles, so i dont see why it wouldnt work together.
 
We’ll then, it appears I got the wrong battery, right?

What battery should I get instead?
 

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cut off tamiya plug solder on the one you need .i personally would not use a nimh for a brushless motor ,, a 2 cell lipo would be better option also need a charger to charge it up...you can buy a adapter also but not a good idea that tamiya plug can only handle 15 amps
 
I’m not the soldering type. I’m the lazy buying type.

Can you share a link to an Amazon battery and charger you’d recommend with my esc and motor?
 
I wouldn't buy a battery off Amazon personally, but a lot of folks use the Zeee brand. I am not recommending you buy these, but check the dimensions, and make sure these fit. These have an EC5 connector, and yours is an IC5. They are compatible.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086BZ1XSQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_i_JKNHRM80QQX00M7RBENJ

This is the charger I use and I love it. But shipping looks like it will take forever. If you buy it from www.racedayquads.com, you will get it much faster.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D3RSC64/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_i_QFXD6DXD6Z9W8Q7PVF2R
 
Thx. Yeah, if your position is to support local independent stores (that don’t have to pay a “tax” to amazon) I can respect that, and get on board.
 
Thx. Yeah, if your position is to support local independent stores (that don’t have to pay a “tax” to amazon) I can respect that, and get on board.
I buy a lot of stuff off Amazon. There are just much better batteries for about the same money. CNHL is a great battery for the price. SMC makes good batteries, but not worth the cost for them in my opinion. Liperior is another decent battery.
 
I have no qualms with Zeee LiPo batteries. I've been using them since they first came onto the RC scene. If you dig far enough, you'll find the good and the bad on any brand of battery. Treat 'em with respect and they should last a long time.
1650194634616.png
 
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