Help with the Thermal Issues

[Powerman]

I have read about several people having issues with the AE-3 shutting down on thermal issues. As we know the AE-3 is a rebadged CC SV3. For those that want to get the most from what they have Castle Creations | Sidewinder 8th Replacement Fan this will help get more life out of your ESC.
I thought this may be useful info for the guys working on a budget. Dropped my esc temp at least 15 degf.

[gottorque]

did you do the firmware update?

[Powerman]

Updated firmware before it got a battery. I never actually got it to thermal. But I am running a 20t pinion and larger 3s for a bit of speed out of it. I see the yeti as a more to scale SC truck rather than a crawler. The SV3 is pushed to its max on 3s. But for a few bucks you can get more out of it. I can run the entire 3s 6500mah pack with acceptable temps at the end. Driving it in the manner that one would drive a SC truck like the Slash 4x4 or the SC10.

[erich_hagen]

When I change out to my personal airtronics radio and savox servo my yeti wouldn't even work correctly until it was updated. Also I geared up to a 20t pinion with 2s lipo an my motor never saw more than 130* after 6-10 min sessions on a clay track. Esc was even cooler

[Powerman]

Originally Posted by erich_hagen

When I change out to my personal airtronics radio and savox servo my yeti wouldn't even work correctly until it was updated. Also I geared up to a 20t pinion with 2s lipo an my motor never saw more than 130* after 6-10 min sessions on a clay track. Esc was even cooler

Glad I am not the only one getting positive results from gearing up. The electronics seem to be very happy at the higher speed. I did add a cooling fan to the motor as well. Not due to any issues, just cheap insurance.

[erich_hagen]

Originally Posted by Powerman

Glad I am not the only one getting positive results from gearing up. The electronics seem to be very happy at the higher speed. I did add a cooling fan to the motor as well. Not due to any issues, just cheap insurance.

Yeah everything seemed to be working well with gearing up. I ran my yeti hard lap after lap with no issues at all. 130* is getting up there so I may add a fan as well. I fully agree with the cheap insurance there!

[Powerman]

At 130 IMO your golden. I dont worry until I see 150 to 160 and at that your still good. I am a firm believer in checking temps often. On a nice hot day like 90 plus. I look to see motor temps in the 150 or less range and try to gear to achieve that. It doesnt get above 90 to often here. And when it does I aint playing outside.

[gottorque]

I added an aluminum heat sink to my motor and cut out the hood scoop and part of the dash over the motor. A lot more air to the motor helps big time

[Aebous]

What's the size of the heatsink/fan i need to buy to fit over the motor? Is it the same size as a touring car motor?

[Powerman]

Originally Posted by Aebous

What's the size of the heatsink/fan i need to buy to fit over the motor? Is it the same size as a touring car motor?

The 3150 has a 36mm can. The Castle cooling fan will fit for the 14xx series motors. Any 540 sized heat sink will work. Although the motor is not strained any with the stock 16t pinion up to the 20t pinion. The ESC is the weak link and is what causes the thermal shut down.

[db450]

So you guys geared up on 2s and it ran cooler, makes sense, but what about with a 3s pack? I'm sure gearing up with 3s will only make things hotter, but correct me if I'm wrong

[Powerman]

Originally Posted by db450

So you guys geared up on 2s and it ran cooler, makes sense, but what about with a 3s pack? I'm sure gearing up with 3s will only make things hotter, but correct me if I'm wrong

I have only ran strictly 3s. But keep in mind the changes I have made. Smaller 2.2 PL Badlands, fans on both ESC and Motor, as well as a large capacity 3s. Just by allowing the truck to go faster improves the air flow and keeps things cooler. If I was to crawl for any length of time, the ESC would likely have a meltdown. For crawling I would have to gear back down. Another factor thats helping me greatly is the weather. Its been an average of 70 since I got the truck. I am sure when it gets warmer my temps will begin to increase.

[Aebous]

Originally Posted by gottorque

I added an aluminum heat sink to my motor and cut out the hood scoop and part of the dash over the motor. A lot more air to the motor helps big time

Did you add any sort of screen after cutting out the hood scoop? I'm thinking of doing this too but I'm a little worried about debris getting inside and causing a problem. Or will debris happen anyways?

I'd ultimately love to cut out that grill and add a giant fan in front to act as a radiator/blower for the ESC/motor, but that just doesn't seem feasible to me. Why hasn't someone made a supercharger looking blower(fan)? I'd love a muscle car ish hood scoop that's actually a fan. Sorry I started rambling there...

[gottorque]

Originally Posted by Aebous

Did you add any sort of screen after cutting out the hood scoop? I'm thinking of doing this too but I'm a little worried about debris getting inside and causing a problem. Or will debris happen anyways?

I'd ultimately love to cut out that grill and add a giant fan in front to act as a radiator/blower for the ESC/motor, but that just doesn't seem feasible to me. Why hasn't someone made a supercharger looking blower(fan)? I'd love a muscle car ish hood scoop that's actually a fan. Sorry I started rambling there...

No, no screen. Dirt gets in there anyway regardless

[SoCal Crawlr]

Let us know how the rack helps with the steering! I just got my links in and I think that should help but I think those two posts and bearings will be next, they seem to be the source for a lot of slop