My New Summit VXL died after 3 runs

[TOR]

Hi Guys, I am new to the world of RC, so please bear with me for my shallow knowledge.

I am in Asia and ordered my 1/16 Summit from Tower Hobbies. So I can only get support via Traxxas support online and this forum, so here goes:

Yesterday, my summit ESC shuts down after running my 2nd set of batteries ( I ran 2X 1200mah stock in parallel) At first , it blinked between green and red,... then it just shuts off and no lights at all. This morning, when I tried switch on again, it came back and the ESC lights stays at red, which is correct since I am running on NiMh batteries. But then the Receiver box shows constant red light! And any trigger on the transmitter have no response at all.

Does this means that the receiver is spoilt? Please advise.

Cheers!

[Ige_santos]

Try unplugging the servo and try the throttle. Most of the time its the servo.

[Jimmie Neutron]

I second the trying without the servo plugged in.
These servos are known to cause electrical issues...

Here is a list of servos... keep in mind not all of them are an upgrade:
http://www.servodatabase.com/compare...1677,2119,2130

I chose the *******/Blue Bird 390

If you decide to get the 390, here is how to set it up:
390 Set Up

All stock hardware is used.
NONE of the hardware included is needed!


There are tab braces that do not allow the servo gaurd to sit flush.
IT IS OPTIONAL TO REMOVE THEM.
I have done this both ways without any adverse reactions.
Here is a picture of the braces:

The only reason this may need to be done is because of the small gap between the chassis and the servo gaurd.


You will also need to reverse the servo direction.
These are the steps to follow to do so:
(Traxxas LINK)

Hold MENU
Green Blinks

Press MENU
2 Green Blinks

Press SET
Green Blinks

Press SET
Red Blinks

Press SET
8 Green Blinks

Hold MENU
Setup Complete

[TOR]

Hi Jimmie, Thanks for your recommendation, I googled the ******* 390 and ordered one online.

But is your '390 setup' suppose to link to somewhere? Cos I can't see any links at all.

About reserving the servo direction, are those steps done on the transmitter ? Sorry for this stupid question.

Traxxas has a strict language policy. A word filter operates to change inappropriate words (and filtered websites - that was one of them) to *s. When you see these in your post, you MUST edit them out.
-ksb51rl

[TOR]

Just an update,.. this morning, I tried turning on the truck again , without doing anything to it, and it all worked again! Why?

I cannot run my car in peace if this inconsistency carries on without a reason. Does anyone also faces such problem with this 1/16 Summit? Btw, mine is the latest 2.4GHz TQi version, so the receiver is a different one , not sure if there are bugs in it.

[Jimmie Neutron]

My underlined "390 Set Up" does not link anywhere.
Where ever you found it is probably the only on line retailer.

Yes, you reverse servo direction with the transmitter.

I still believe it is the servo.

[TOR]

Jimmie, may I know how do you waterproof the ******* 390? Or is it already waterproofed?

[Jimmie Neutron]

I have not waterproofed it.
But if I were to, I would pack the top with grease and use silicone sealant around the case seams.

[Piper]

Mine went out again this weekend, luckily I had another stock one on hand. Got Traxxas sending me another back up. I will go ahead and pick up the aftermarket servo since this is #4 in 60 days.

[TOR]

Wow,.. didn't know the stock servo can be that unreliable.

[Redsawacs]

just that servo has known issues, call Traxxas tech support, you might get a new one free...


....here's to a great warranty program...

[TOR]

I experienced another problem... when I throttle the car, it 'stuttered', or is it called clogging? jerk a couple of times and refuse to move. What's the problem?

[Makg]

That sounds like cogging and it's normal.

[xrcris]

just that servo has known issues, call Traxxas tech support, you might get a new one free...


....here's to a great warranty program...

What are you telling tech support to get them to replace the servo? I called and they told me "don't turn all the way"....not too impressed, since the other time I called, TS told me not to run two Lipo's in parallel.

[krallopian]

Yeah they told me not to run in parallel either! I was confused, they sell parallel connectors, the chassis has room for two batteries, and all that parallel does is provide longer run times, and the amps if needed by the motor that they sell.

The guy said to me, "just run singles.. when one dies, bring it in and replace the battery.. I mean it's going to last at least 20 minutes anyway!" and I said, "yeah I guess....."

Strange that they're telling people not to. CONSPIRACY I SAY! =D

[Redsawacs]

I suppose their way of saving money on a crappy servo design is tell you its your fault it broke. I would think if they had enough complaints someone in marketing would say...."we need to fix this, our Customer Support/warranty is going to take a hit...if we are going to expand our market by sponsoring a race car, we need to fix our known products so we dont lose customers".

You would think anyway

[Piper]

I have another one on the way, they asked me to call as soon as I get it so they can help me adjust the endpoints from the remote. I give that a shot and when this one fails, I have one stock back up left, I will then order the aftermarket servo.

[Makg]

It's very sad when they have a known poorly designed/manufactured servo and are doing nothing (as far as I know) about it. Hopefully somebody with some influence on Traxxas R&D reads this.