E-Revo runaway!!

[memphis2857]

So just got my (used) ERBE today. Came home plugged in the batteries and flipped the switch (before turning on the radio) and across the yard it went until it drove up a tree and flipped on its back. Doesnt the traxxas link have a built in failsafe and why isnt it working? Is there something I can do to fix this. I am affraid if my controller batteries go dead or something this giant could hurt someone

[humayrayakongkinaon]

always turn on the radio first.

[memphis2857]

I am aware of that, BUT is it going to runaway like that if the batteries get weak or it looses its link?

[mike-susieq1]

it shouldnt once the connection is set when you turn the tx on first then the car its set even if the batts get low, it does have a fail safe built in from what i was told and heard.

[Brewers74]

That is strange both of our Traxxas models have never done that only have nitro models run off due to reciever battery battery draining and throttle being wide open never has ended well something always breaks

[mike-susieq1]

yeah i thought the same thing until my electric took off burning my hand while i was holding it then dropped it like 4feet and grabed the remote to turn it on once i did that it stopped right away. man i can be hazard to your hands and people around you and objects.

[eryl57]

once when i turned the radio off first i heard the beast heading off the car park and then i noticed it going straight towards the duck pond!!! Literally millimeters away from the edge i jamp on the controller and switched it back on and she was dry!!! LUCKY OR WHAT!!!
SO IT'S NOT JUST ALWAYS TURN THE RADIO ON FIRST... ALWAYS TURN THE RADIO OFF LAST!!!!

[87 GN]

you guys have turned off the fail safe..

TQ 2.4 Transmitter Fail-Safe Operation
http://traxxas.com/sites/default/fil...9_090826_0.pdf

If the LED glows red, the Fail Safe mode has been deactivated. Use these steps to reactivate the Fail Safe system:
1. Switch the transmitter and receiver on.
2. Press and hold the receiver’s SET button. The LED will flash once, then turn
off. Continue to hold the SET button. After about three seconds, the LED
will flash on and off. It will continue flashing as long as you hold the SET
button.
3. Release the SET button. The LED will now light green and glow
steadily, indicating Fail Safe mode is active.
Should you ever wish to deactivate the Fail Safe mode (for example, when
using a speed control that has its own Fail Safe circuitry), simply repeat the
steps above.

[steveski4]

It was probably just the throttle adjustment that caused it to run away. the adjustment on the transmitter.

[87 GN]

It was probably just the throttle adjustment that caused it to run away. the adjustment on the transmitter.

how could it be a throttle adjustment if the radio is turned off??

If the LED glows red, the Fail Safe mode has been deactivated. Use these steps to reactivate the Fail Safe system:The reciever should be green & fail~safe is on...idb

[zonda95]

hmmm for me is you turn on the MMM first it doesnt work until after you turn it off and turn on the tx first

[erevoguy101]

That happend to me. I just plugged the esc into the receiver backwards. So when I turned on my car it went flying.

[Killer Kawi 450]

If the LED glows red, the Fail Safe mode has been deactivated. Use these steps to reactivate the Fail Safe system:The reciever should be green & fail~safe is on...idb

Good to know 87 GN. I was not aware that you could even turn it off. I will have to check mine to make sure mine is still on.
I will have to check about my nitro as well.
I would hate to have one of these beasts running loose in the urban jungle.

[memphis2857]

My light on my radio is green. So thats not the problem. The other day I was running and decided to turn the transmiter off and see what happened. Was running half throttle and turned it off and it took off like it had been posessed by the devil himself. On another note. Just how far are these 2.4 ghz radios good for. I have gone 4 or 500 feet away but scared to go any further.

[87 GN]

My light on my radio is green. So thats not the problem. The other day I was running and decided to turn the transmiter off and see what happened. Was running half throttle and turned it off and it took off like it had been posessed by the devil himself. On another note. Just how far are these 2.4 ghz radios good for. I have gone 4 or 500 feet away but scared to go any further.

Not the radio the Rx..
(Rx)
pug in the batts = radio off solid red light on the Rx..
turn on radio it turns solid green
turn off the radio = flashing red.. no run away.. fail~safe is working...

[memphis2857]

Not the radio the Rx..
(Rx)
pug in the batts = radio off solid red light on the Rx..
turn on radio it turns solid green
turn off the radio = flashing red.. no run away.. fail~safe is working...

OHHH!!! I swear I know how to read.....I just choose not to! Will check this in the morning. Thanx

[87 GN]

all good just part of the learing curve, & learing what everything is called, takes time.

[memphis2857]

Well green light was already on. Called traxxas and they assured me it would not run away if batteries went dead or I lost communication. Guess time will tell. Seems like a ticking time bomb to me.

[cameronjp]

Just how far are these 2.4 ghz radios good for. I have gone 4 or 500 feet away but scared to go any further.

2.4Ghz will go a mile or more if its a good system.. 500 feet is barely scratching the surface!!

[candy76man]

2.4Ghz will go a mile or more if its a good system.. 500 feet is barely scratching the surface!!

yep, most good 2.4ghz systems have range farther than you could see to drive.

[lubecakes]

A low battery can still cause a runaway. My nitro rx pack died last night and stuck with the throttle wide open. The servo was still energized but there was no extra power for the radio signal. You need either an electric truck or optidrive to prevent this with traxxas parts.
Obviously I should just keep my rx batteries charged.

[memphis2857]

Well I have found it is something with the transmitter. If I use my new TQi radio and turn the controller off it wont run away. Only when I use the original radio that came with it. Oh well just learned to remember radio=first on, last off

[revomikey]

Very informative 87 GN. I just checked and as you say, green when tx is on and red when it's off. I didn't even know this system had or needed a failsafe, I have never had a non nitro run away but as I run mostly on beach I never want to see my erbe hurtling towards the ocean. Scary thought.

I feel even more confident in my tx now.