What causes a esc to catch on fire in mud

[jemelumadu2]

Hey guys are just got done building my outdoor mud section of my outdoor trail course and in the mud my esc com fire any reasons why?

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[HumboldtEF]

Any more info? What ESC? Was there a battery involved in the fire?

Did it actually catch fire or just release a puff of smoke?

[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

Any more info? What ESC? Was there a battery involved in the fire?

Did it actually catch fire or just release a puff of smoke?

Castle mamba x and maxamps 6s 2000mah

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[HumboldtEF]

And then.....can you answer the other 2 questions. Its hard to help without details.

[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

And then.....can you answer the other 2 questions. Its hard to help without details.

The esc is the castle mamba x and the battery is a maxamps 6s 2000mah lipo am I reading your question wrong?

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[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

And then.....can you answer the other 2 questions. Its hard to help without details.

It puffed out smoke sorry

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[HumboldtEF]

Okay a puff of smoke is a little less of a failure, a failure none the less but going up in flames would be hard to explain.

Since you're running 6S the motor is a huge factor here, what motor is it and what KV is it? on 4S they recommend 1800KV or less, they dont list anything for 6S but it should be even less like 1200KV or less.

Another factor is waterproofing, 99.99% of all "waterproof" products have a note saying they're not intended to be submerged so think of it as splash proof.
From the Mamba X product page:

*Although Mamba X is waterproof, it is not intended for operation while completely submerged in liquid. Always rinse the ESC and motor with clean water after exposure to corrosives or dirt. While the motor and controller may be waterproof, we suggest users confirm that the rest of their vehicle, including the batteries, servos, radio and chassis are also waterproof before exposing them to liquids of any kind.

**The cooling fan must be removed prior to driving in wet conditions. It is not waterproof.

MAMBA X, 25.2V WP ESC, 8A PEAK BEC, DATALOGGING

I believe mud is more conductive than straight water due to the minerals present.

[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

Okay a puff of smoke is a little less of a failure, a failure none the less but going up in flames would be hard to explain.

Since you're running 6S the motor is a huge factor here, what motor is it and what KV is it? on 4S they recommend 1800KV or less, they dont list anything for 6S but it should be even less like 1200KV or less.

Another factor is waterproofing, 99.99% of all "waterproof" products have a note saying they're not intended to be submerged so think of it as splash proof.
From the Mamba X product page:

*Although Mamba X is waterproof, it is not intended for operation while completely submerged in liquid. Always rinse the ESC and motor with clean water after exposure to corrosives or dirt. While the motor and controller may be waterproof, we suggest users confirm that the rest of their vehicle, including the batteries, servos, radio and chassis are also waterproof before exposing them to liquids of any kind.

**The cooling fan must be removed prior to driving in wet conditions. It is not waterproof.

MAMBA X, 25.2V WP ESC, 8A PEAK BEC, DATALOGGING

I have the holmes hobbies PULLER PRO V2 ROCK CRAWLER MOTOR - STANDARD - 2200KV also sorry for how inexperienced I am I'm new to rc

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[HumboldtEF]

No dont feel bad, everyone gets their start somewhere.

I will say most get their start in RC running 2S. Running 6S just means you'll be close to the components limits of what they can handle (drivetrain and electronics).

If you want to get to the bottom of this you could contact Castle Creations directly and ask them what the KV limit is for the Mamba X on 6S.
They're usually very helpful, Robert from CC may even chime in here as he is an active member.

https://home.castlecreations.com/contact-us

If your motor is over that rating (which I think it is) thats probably the culprit but it will be hard to rule out the mud/water doing it as well. If the motor is under the limit its a good chance it was the mud/water.

You can take further measures to waterproof components using conformal coating though this only applies to things that aren't potted (sealed up with epoxy) like the Mamba X. I do this to all of my receivers to be safe (I dont run through mud/water).

[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

No dont feel bad, everyone gets their start somewhere.

I will say most get their start in RC running 2S. Running 6S just means you'll be close to the components limits of what they can handle (drivetrain and electronics).

If you want to get to the bottom of this you could contact Castle Creations directly and ask them what the KV limit is for the Mamba X on 6S.
They're usually very helpful, Robert from CC may even chime in here as he is an active member.

https://home.castlecreations.com/contact-us

If your motor is over that rating thats probably the culprit but it will be hard to rule out the mud/water doing it as well. If the motor is under the limit its a good chance it was the mud/water.

Okay thanks Humboldtef

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[lonleycreeper]

Welcome to the forum...

Letting the smoke out of the esc, that the factory put in is commonly caused by to many amps passing through it. The cause of too many amps is often a stalled motor( load ) or in other words, the motor is pulling more amps than the esc can provide, or as mentioned, water hits stuff it shouldn't. To prevent this we gear the rigs down, put a slower motor in, or use lower voltage, and add water proofing.

I bet the truck you ran, was an absolute blast until it smoked. 6s in a mud truck would sling mud sky high I am sure. More info on your truck would help us help you in a proper long lasting setup.

[HumboldtEF]

I'd be curious to know more too.

[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

I'd be curious to know more too.

About what?

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[HumboldtEF]

Originally Posted by jemelumadu2

About what?

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Just about your truck, what model is it? pictures? it just sound interesting.

And as lonelycreeper said we can better help guide you if we knew what rig we were talking about.


I'm guessing TRX-4

[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

Just about your truck, what model is it? pictures? it just sound interesting.

And as lonelycreeper said we can better help guide you if we knew what rig we were talking about.


I'm guessing TRX-4

Traxxas trx6 with capo air suspension,castle mamba x, maxamps 6s 2000mah battery, holmes hobbies servo with 4s battery, holmes hobby puller pro 2200kv, transmission oil mobile1 ,metal gear box Housing, mudslingers 2.2, longer arm lift kit, all electronics waterproofed, yeah Racing heat sink, yeah Racing steel drive shafts, metal traxxas trx4 chassis brace, BowHouse high clearance skid v2 ripple killer cap pack

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[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

Just about your truck, what model is it? pictures? it just sound interesting.

And as lonelycreeper said we can better help guide you if we knew what rig we were talking about.


I'm guessing TRX-4

Also trying to move batteries to the 2 rear axles and install 6 wheel steer

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[jemelumadu2]

.

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[HumboldtEF]

Well that is pretty damn interesting

How's the air suspension to play around with?

I'll say the 2.2" tires and being a 6x6 are another big factor here, these put a bigger load on the ESC.

Its best practice when "volting up" to also gear down, when balanced right this creates a more efficient setup.
I think the TRX's can only gear down to a 9T pinion which isn't a lot lower than stock so you may need to back down the voltage to a 4S as well as gearing down to have a safer setup.

It does sound like a blast but that setup is cruising for a bruising lol

If it were me I'd back down to this 1200KV motor at the least if not backing down to 4S as well https://holmeshobbies.com/motors/bru...or-1200kv.html
its even in stock right now, crazy

You might want to go for the Mamba X monster (if thats not what you have) its rated for heavier rigs
https://www.amainhobbies.com/castle-...145-00/p453455
not in stock unfortunately

[jemelumadu2]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

Well that is pretty damn interesting

How's the air suspension to play around with?

I'll say the 2.2" tires and being a 6x6 are another big factor here, these put a bigger load on the ESC.

Its best practice when "volting up" to also gear down, when balanced right this creates a more efficient setup.
I think the TRX's can only gear down to a 9T pinion which isn't a lot lower than stock so you may need to back down the voltage to a 4S as well as gearing down to have a safer setup.

It does sound like a blast but that setup is cruising for a bruising lol

I will probably put 2 fans on the front and rear of the truck for more air flow. Also the air suspension works great it's a gem on side hills because you can raise one side and it doesn't flip, also it took a bunch of time to waterproof. Lastly the cap packs make the truck super smooth and the transmission fluid too unexpected right.

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[HumboldtEF]

Originally Posted by jemelumadu2

I will probably put 2 fans on the front and rear of the truck for more air flow. Also the air suspension works great it's a gem on side hills because you can raise one side and it doesn't flip, also it took a bunch of time to waterproof. Lastly the cap packs make the truck super smooth and the transmission fluid too unexpected right.

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sorry I was editing my post as you replied, I always seem to miss something.




You might want to go for the Mamba X monster (if thats not what you have) its rated for heavier rigs
https://www.amainhobbies.com/castle-...145-00/p453455
not in stock unfortunately

I dont think you have an air flow issue, its that your demanding too many amps from the ESC. 6X6 + big 6"(?) tires means a very big load is being put on the ESC.