I killed it....

[Mudfrog]

The other day I was playing around in the snow a little and the Ridgecrest started smoking. It was the motor so I shut it down. When I turn it on now there is a faint hum but I do not hear the initial beeping that it typically would do. I'm assuming the motor is toast but does that sound like the ESC is toast as well?

[djp087]

No beeps=no good. Try replacing the motor first because sometimes if the esc doesn't recognize there is a motor there, it won't sync up and won't operate.

[Mudfrog]

I think the ESC might be good. I played around with it and the indicator lights do work. Green for throttle, red for brake, etc.. I'll order another motor and go from there.

[meatmonkey]

Sounds like your ESC survived.

You should be checking motor temps after each run. If you can't hold your finger on the can of the motor for about 5 seconds without burning yourself, you need to gear down. The stock 20/80, IIRC, gearing is fine for bashing around, but running the rig in wet sticky snow at WOT most the time is going to easily overheat the stock motor.

Pick a motor that has an "open" endbell, meaning you can take it apart and clean/service the motor.

[Mudfrog]

It was a fluke for me to run in the snow, I don't really plan on doing it anymore. I picked up a stock motor for $15, it was fine for the general trail riding that I was doing previously. Hopefully it will get me back up and going.

[Mudfrog]

Replaced the motor and all is well

[redsawacs]

just a heads up in case anyone else sees this thread and wonders - with "castle creations" style ESCs, the beep doesnt come from the ESC, it actually comes from the motor magnets oscillating. SOOOO, what I'm saying is, dont blame the ESC when it doesnt beep, its typically a "normally" much cheaper motor condition.