Speed Controller fried first run out

[FFHamilton]

I just got my new toy... and couldn't wait for the grass and road to dry. I took the new Brushless e-revo out for two sets of batteries worth of fun. Charged up the batteries and dropped them back in. Did a couple jobs and 30min later when I came back -
it wouldn't turn on... changed the batteries as I thought they might be the issue... and the new batteries made the speed controller smoke. I shut it off and called the hobby store.

after looking closer both batteries that were in it (stock ones) the wires were melted and they were showing large amounts of heat.

the guys in the shop said i let too much water get in and that could have caused it.

Now I'm looking at $180 for a new speed controller and $80 for a new set of batteries. This is getting to be pretty pricey for one run!!!

anyone else have this sort of issue?

[SlotterHouse]

Not me yet, but your gonna get many replys in the near future from those who have..

But I doubt it was the water.....

[ksb51rl]

Water is not a friend of the Mamba Monster. That said, the flat rate for a non-warranty repair is $70, NOT $180. And there's a decent chance that CC will replace it under warranty anyway

@SlotterHouse: you know many members who drenched their Monster? I know only one. The result was predictable. It was replaced under warranty, but being a year-old V1 had something to do with that.

[RobWilJas]

Don't let the hobby shop talk you into buying a new ESC and batts. I highly doubt it was from water, according to Castle the MMM is water resistant. Send the ESC in to Castle, they'll fix it for free under warranty. Also contact Traxxas about the batts.

[Foxprogt]

something iv wondered....

even if the esc and batterys where 100% water proof.... what about where the 2 connect to each other? water could short out that connection. i believe it would hurt the battery more but could hurt the esc too.

[slowenuff]

Nah it wasn't water. If you've followed the many threads about dead Monster Mambas the OP probably just became another unforunate statistic. Meaning there still is no clear rhyme or reason as to what really killed it.

[roadrunner6903]

Nah it wasn't water. If you've followed the many threads about dead Monster Mambas the OP probably just became another unforunate statistic. Meaning there still is no clear rhyme or reason as to what really killed it.

so very true. i have been through 2 already. im waiting for my new one from castle as we speak. but just call castle and tell them what happened. they will take care of you. their customer is, just like traxxas, superb!

[FFHamilton]

The Hobby store said that they might cover it... and the batteries would be warranty... but I don't want to wait for the warranty to come in (going out with friends tomorrow)... This is why they gave me the option of buying the new controller. If they warranty it in a couple weeks - they'll refund my money.

I hope this isn't an ongoing thing... I notice after more research that the brushless is NOT a friend of water which is misleading on the site as when you watch the videos they don't make it clear enough in the H2o video that the brushless model can't do the same things. Now that said I didn't run it in a river.. but wet grass should be fine.

I still think that a "LITTLE WATER" shouldn't cause this problem.

[Cultivate]

That black smoke is most definitely not from a little water. Mine blew up as soon as I plugged in the batteries BEFORE THE FIRST RUN I EVER MADE. Call CC they will set it right, but don't email them as they have terrible response time.

[87 GN]

Did you read the paper that has a BIG STOP at the top of the page. Telling you it is not water proof & if you do not wish to keep it, return it unused for a refund. Some thing like that. I read that parer, not saying I read the manual before I started playing either. Read the manual, & Welcome. As for the ESC if you did get it wet not good. If you didn't, you have some bad luck, & it happens.

[freeagent]

Not me yet, but your gonna get many replys in the near future from those who have..

But I doubt it was the water.....

Not from me you wont. I run 5k 20c 3s lipos and have never had a problem with mine. Even when I ran 61 amp lipos I still didnt have any problems. People said I was going to kill my esc, and Im sure a couple have waited for me to post a thread mouning a loss of one, but it hasnt happend yet heheh. Ive splashed thru puddles by accident as well. Ive also had a blur esc, and same thing, no problems, and I have been pretty hard on both of them. Its gotta be luck of the draw, because ther are lots of guys out there who havent had any problems. I did manage to break a solder joint on my RX8 tho. Not thats a reflection on them, just was useing crappy solder I like the RX8 alot, Im not sure if I like it better, but its a really good esc.

[Bokdoos]

Im always afraid of this,mostly from reading the horror stories on this forum.I also run 6s all the time and knock on wood its still purring like a kitten,Ive hit a few puddles by accident and nothing either,i wouldnt have run it on wet grass though,but thats just me.

Sorry for your loss at least its not that much$$$

[slowenuff]

Wet grass didn't do it. Its a common known unfortunate issue, and it could happen to anyone.

[FFHamilton]

It gets worse... just got it back repaired... Now the motor is making a wizzing or winning noise after I ran my first set of batteries through it. Is there a clutch on it (sorry if that's a dumb Question) sounds like it's slipping and for a while it wouldn't move at all.

What happens if you over heat it? 2 sets of batteries back 2 back shouldn't cause problems.... should it

[crf450ish]

Well this makes me a little nervous. Crap! I'm thinking low voltage or something! How many of you out there put the lipos in it Right away and had ZERO issues?

[SlotterHouse]

Well this makes me a little nervous. Crap! I'm thinking low voltage or something! How many of you out there put the lipos in it Right away and had ZERO issues?

Me. And never nothing lower than 150 amps, and usually over 250...

[MfizzleS62]

During a conversation with Castle the rep told me that the MM is water resistant and just don't drive it on heavily salted roads(salt water) and stay clear of puddles and rivers LOL.... im gonna drive it in the snow next season...

[ksb51rl]

Well this makes me a little nervous. Crap! I'm thinking low voltage or something! How many of you out there put the lipos in it Right away and had ZERO issues?

+1 with SlotterHouse. Mine didn't come with the NiMH packs - it was right before Traxxas started adding them and the charger.

[87 GN]

It gets worse... just got it back repaired... Now the motor is making a wizzing or winning noise after I ran my first set of batteries through it. Is there a clutch on it (sorry if that's a dumb Question) sounds like it's slipping and for a while it wouldn't move at all.

What happens if you over heat it? 2 sets of batteries back 2 back shouldn't cause problems.... should it

Did you adjust the slipper clutch?? It is in the manual. Keep motor temps in the 140's *F. You hit 180 to 200 way to hot, you will kill the motor. Read the manual. Read old posts on here, there is a load of info you need to know.

[FFHamilton]

Did you adjust the slipper clutch?? It is in the manual. Keep motor temps in the 140's *F. You hit 180 to 200 way to hot, you will kill the motor. Read the manual. Read old posts on here, there is a load of info you need to know.

Yes I did get to the Adjuster on the clutch but the motor and controler are making a squelch noise as well.... and should there be metal fragments around the clutch? There's no way it got that hot. I have a thermal imaging camera at work, maybe I'll take it for a couple runs and then do a heat check.

I have read a great deal of the manual - but the manual they gave me isn't for the 5608... it's for the 5603 which is a totally different truck when it comes to speed controller and motor - hard to read a manually that is only partially relevant

[87 GN]

I agree on the manual, kind of hard to read, but that is the correct manual. ( the 08 is the Brushless )If you have metal around the clutch, it might be smoked. When the truck would not move it was spinning the slipper clutch, wearing it down. Try to take it a part & check the pads. The other posters are better at helping you, than I am. You might have worn the pads off. You want the slipper just tight enough to wheelie. If you tight it up & it won't pull the front wheels I would have to say you need a new slipper clutch. These are "toys" very high maintenance toys.

[FangsCPO]

I'm curious were you running 4S or 6S. If you read enough threads on this forum you'll see that most of the issues are when using 6S. Also, even though Traxxas gives you the free NiMHs, throw those aways. All they do is cause trouble and unnecessary delays in your the consumer having fun. The ERBE is a very tough R/C. I've recently posted a few videos in the videos section. I've had mine for well over a year now and I've never fried an ESC or burnt out a motor on 4S. I've broken a few parts here and there but I've always been able to have fun on just 4S for power. Just my .02.

[FFHamilton]

I'm curious were you running 4S or 6S. If you read enough threads on this forum you'll see that most of the issues are when using 6S. Also, even though Traxxas gives you the free NiMHs, throw those aways. All they do is cause trouble and unnecessary delays in your the consumer having fun. The ERBE is a very tough R/C. I've recently posted a few videos in the videos section. I've had mine for well over a year now and I've never fried an ESC or burnt out a motor on 4S. I've broken a few parts here and there but I've always been able to have fun on just 4S for power. Just my .02.

I'm running 2 7s NiMHs... It sounds like the clutch and yes I'm having bad luck.

[FreakyT333]

The erbe is a very noisey truck, makes all kinds of noises.. Have you watched and listened to a few videos to get a feel for the normal sounds? It does sound like your slipper is not hooking up though, you said you adjusted it- did you tighten the nut all the way down then back it off in about an 1/8-1/4 turn incriments till it slips under full throttle for about a foot or two? It should not slip much if any backed off 1/4 turn I have even been able to loosen my slipper about 3/4 turn before it slips too much with certain tires. If it just slips and whistles then you most likely burnt it up trying to run it set too loose. Another possibility is that you set the pinion/spur gear mesh too tight, did you remove the motor or adjust anything there?

[trek_b]

I just got my new toy... and couldn't wait for the grass and road to dry. I took the new Brushless e-revo out for two sets of batteries worth of fun. Charged up the batteries and dropped them back in. Did a couple jobs and 30min later when I came back -
it wouldn't turn on... changed the batteries as I thought they might be the issue... and the new batteries made the speed controller smoke. I shut it off and called the hobby store.

after looking closer both batteries that were in it (stock ones) the wires were melted and they were showing large amounts of heat.

Same happened here:

Brand new E-Revo Brushless, charge batteries, power on transmitter, power on truck, calibrate transmitter, test it (forward/backwards), everything ok, disconnect truck on the ESC switch (not the batteries), leave the truck for a few minutes and when came back, the room was full of smoke... Burned ESC and batteries.

The guys on the hobby store were great and replaced the ESC.
Now is working perfectly (6S). Amazing truck

[FFHamilton]

The erbe is a very noisey truck, makes all kinds of noises.. Have you watched and listened to a few videos to get a feel for the normal sounds? It does sound like your slipper is not hooking up though, you said you adjusted it- did you tighten the nut all the way down then back it off in about an 1/8-1/4 turn incriments till it slips under full throttle for about a foot or two? It should not slip much if any backed off 1/4 turn I have even been able to loosen my slipper about 3/4 turn before it slips too much with certain tires. If it just slips and whistles then you most likely burnt it up trying to run it set too loose. Another possibility is that you set the pinion/spur gear mesh too tight, did you remove the motor or adjust anything there?

I removed the motor and made the adjustment... also adjusted the clutch and things are working well right now.... but for some reason batteries that are less that 4600 mha melt in the body. anything over is fine though.

pulled a buddies 5000 venoms out and they were melted...

[wirgej38]

pulled a buddies 5000 venoms out and they were melted...

sort of obvious...they r venoms venom NIMH SUCK you may burn up your esc on nimh castle does not recomend that u run nimh on the MMM. i see lipo in your near future LOL

[crf450ish]

Me. And never nothing lower than 150 amps, and usually over 250...

yeah well from everything ive learned through months of research its best to run these ERBEs at high amps. At first it sounded backwards to me figuring that more juice pushes the limits of electronics but i guess its the other way around. more juice=better.

[crf450ish]

sort of obvious...they r venoms venom NIMH SUCK you may burn up your esc on nimh castle does not recomend that u run nimh on the MMM. i see lipo in your near future LOL

Then why does traxxas send NiMh batts with it?????

[SlotterHouse]

yeah well from everything ive learned through months of research its best to run these ERBEs at high amps. At first it sounded backwards to me figuring that more juice pushes the limits of electronics but i guess its the other way around. more juice=better.

↑↑↑Bingo↑↑↑

[crf450ish]

↑↑↑Bingo↑↑↑

To add to this topic, for all of you newbies out there(like myself) its better off to order up 2 lipos before even getting you ERBE. I recommend 30C 5000 2S (2 of them) and a good charger (thunder AC6). Get those babies charged up and ready to go before your ERBE comes in the mail or you buy it...therefore when you do get your ERBE you can ditch the NiMh batts and go straight to LiPo directly after unboxing. Its REALLY tempting to "try" it out first thing with the stock batteries if you dont have Lipos...DONT DO IT! Traxxas makes excellent batteries, but if Castle doesnt recommend unsing NiMh with the ERBE, then save yourself a potential headache and DONT!