Sidewinder in Rally, WHY???

[Bigken]

Maybe this is a silly question but why would you do this? It seems to me that the Rally on VXL is already crazy. I'm assuming some people want to try to go faster?

Or are sidewinder esc used to be easier on motor, battery, esc temps.

[pavmentsurfer]

I did it because I found even on 2S geared so the motor stayed cool, the ESC would still get hot... too hot for my tastes. I like that the Sidewinder is also very adjustable, but its a 1/10 ESC so its not working as hard to run the 1/16 motor and will hopefully stay cooler. It will also hopefully allow me to run 3S without overheating the ESC (which was happening when id run 3S with the 3M ESC)

When I bought my Sidewinder I paid $75 shipped for it, then got a mail in rebate from castle for $30... so I paid $45 for the Sidewinder... I then sold the stock VXL 3M ESC on e-bay for $50... so I made $5 back by upgrading... why wouldnt I right.

Those were my reasons.

[RC-Fan]

I would say the sidewinder works smoother, cooler, and faster.

[MaxxWrecker07]

I run the Mamba Max for the adjustability. Also, the heat issues are non-existent... yeah the esc gets warm, but that's it.

[filmmaker]

I did it because I found even on 2S geared so the motor stayed cool, the ESC would still get hot... too hot for my tastes. I like that the Sidewinder is also very adjustable, but its a 1/10 ESC so its not working as hard to run the 1/16 motor and will hopefully stay cooler. It will also hopefully allow me to run 3S without overheating the ESC (which was happening when id run 3S with the 3M ESC)

When I bought my Sidewinder I paid $75 shipped for it, then got a mail in rebate from castle for $30... so I paid $45 for the Sidewinder... I then sold the stock VXL 3M ESC on e-bay for $50... so I made $5 back by upgrading... why wouldnt I right.

Those were my reasons.

that's awesome man!

[justfasstenuff]

Maybe this is a silly question but why would you do this? It seems to me that the Rally on VXL is already crazy. I'm assuming some people want to try to go faster?

Or are sidewinder esc used to be easier on motor, battery, esc temps.

I don't know why people think a ESC will make their car faster, because it doesn't.


I would say the sidewinder works smoother, cooler, and faster.

I agree. The VXL is more of an on/of switch, while the Sidewinder is a smoother operating ESC. The VXL is great because it's waterproof, but that's about it. The Castle is a superior speed control.

[jolynsbass]

I don't know why people think a ESC will make their car faster, because it doesn't.
*Without* an ESC, it won't go very fast at all!

And I do have to disagree slightly, because an ESC *can* open up the possibilities of making your car faster, sometimes by programming to find just the right amount of "advance timing", or by providing higher voltage tolerance to use more cells. Try adjusting the timing on a VXL ESC. yeah, just try. And try running it on 4S lipo. Ain't happening. So, an ESC upgrade can indeed make your car go faster.

[justfasstenuff]

*Without* an ESC, it won't go very fast at all!

And I do have to disagree slightly, because an ESC *can* open up the possibilities of making your car faster, sometimes by programming to find just the right amount of "advance timing", or by providing higher voltage tolerance to use more cells. Try adjusting the timing on a VXL ESC. yeah, just try. And try running it on 4S lipo. Ain't happening. So, an ESC upgrade can indeed make your car go faster.

We aren't talking about a high dollar, advanced setting availability ESC like a Tekin RS Pro, that cost well over $200, we were talking about a sport level ESC like the Sidewinder. And these cars can't reasonably handle 3S power, let alone 4S.

How about keeping things in perspective, and on-topic.

[Dadx2mj]

We aren't talking about a high dollar, advanced setting availability ESC like a Tekin RS Pro, that cost well over $200, we were talking about a sport level ESC like the Sidewinder. And these cars can't reasonably handle 3S power, let alone 4S.

How about keeping things in perspective, and on-topic.

Yes but a Sidewinder can adjust timing, start up power, punch control, and throttle and brake curves. Whether the Rally can handle 3s or 4s is really a matter of opinion, I think 3s is very doable 4s starts getting iffy.

[pavmentsurfer]

I completely agree... 3S is absolutely doable. And fun under the right circumstances. I also agree that an ESC can make your car faster... simply for the exact reasons jolynsbass pointed out and the point dad makes about the Sidewinder. The sidewinder costs to buy the same money as a VXL 3M so they do reside in the same price category. The Sidewinder has the capability of pushing the Rally to faster speeds through timing advance and other adjustable settings for the same money... Thats certainly not why I bought mine though. 3S with no timing advance is MORE than enough for me... too much for %90 of the running I do.

[justfasstenuff]

Yes but a Sidewinder can adjust timing, start up power, punch control, and throttle and brake curves.

But it still doesn't really have much if any effect on speed, like Boost control or something. End of the day two things effect speed, voltage and motor selection. WOT throttle is still WOT throttle, regardless what ESC. You guys are just going to confuse the newbies, that will be bewildered when their new ESC doesn't make their cars any faster than the stock one.

[Dadx2mj]

But it still doesn't really have much if any effect on speed, like Boost control or something. End of the day two things effect speed, voltage and motor selection. WOT throttle is still WOT throttle, regardless what ESC. You guys are just going to confuse the newbies, that will be bewildered when their new ESC doesn't make their cars any faster than the stock one.

I'll give you that if you are looking for a big boost in speed and ESC is not the best place to look unless you combine it with bigger motor or battery power. That being said some of those setting mentioned do have SOME effect on top speed. I have seen it argued that a VXL-3 was faster than a Mamba Max because it had larger wires on it. I think to say there is NO speed differences between different ESC is wrong just as I think to think you will see major difference is misleading as well.

[TitanWarrior]

Because the Sidewinder is more reliable.

[Hv_rc]

Uh, maybe I've been gone for too long, but the vxl3m has a 50,000 rev limiter (or so) build in as to where the sidewinderdoesnt have one at all. That right there will make it faster on 3s right? I know 3s runs at around 44,400 rpms, but when I had a merv and msv it still would hit that limiter.

The capability of running 4s with the mini vxl motor is within grasp without losing lvc also.
So pro's and con's

Pro;
Runs cooler
Handles more voltage
Close to tag of vxl3s
Adjustable

Cons;
Not waterproof
Not covered by traxxas' awesome warranties/customer service
Need adapters or resolder motor connectors
Breaking more parts from added speed.
Mounting may be an issue


It's up to the driver. I found that the vxl3m was great and practical for my bashing use (skipping puddles and making it swim) but when my friends got competitive I used the sidewinder

[JatoTheRipper]

I did it because I found even on 2S geared so the motor stayed cool, the ESC would still get hot... too hot for my tastes. I like that the Sidewinder is also very adjustable, but its a 1/10 ESC so its not working as hard to run the 1/16 motor and will hopefully stay cooler. It will also hopefully allow me to run 3S without overheating the ESC (which was happening when id run 3S with the 3M ESC)

When I bought my Sidewinder I paid $75 shipped for it, then got a mail in rebate from castle for $30... so I paid $45 for the Sidewinder... I then sold the stock VXL 3M ESC on e-bay for $50... so I made $5 back by upgrading... why wouldnt I right.

Those were my reasons.
Do you mind sharing where you got the Sidewinder for $75?

[dblrnut]

got mine from here for like 80 shipped
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/Castle-Creations-Sidewinder-Electronic-Speed-Control-4900-p-16790.html

out of stock at the moment.

[SNIPR806]

You can find them cheap @ rctech/rccrawler

Sent from HTC EVO - Tapatalk Pro

[madkawi650]

This is a Canadian price at Great Hobbies. $76.99 plus shipping

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=CCRSDW

[pavmentsurfer]

I got mine for $75 at liquidrc.com with 99cent shipping, even to canada. Didnt get charged duty at the border either (yay)... then I got a $30 rebate from Castle (cheque came in the mail this week) so I really only paid $45 for the sidewinder... I sold my 3M ESC for $50 shipped... Basically I upgraded to a Sidewinder for free... I wont ever run my rally when its wet... so no need for waterproof. I dont need more speed so no need for higher voltage. I dont mind the adjustability but it wasent a huge concern for me. All I wanted was a cooler running ESC and I got it with this setup.