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I just finished building a scaler for my Dad for Christmas and have been running it outside to get some of the bugs out and there is one that is puzzling me. I built a 7 Cell 1600mAh batteries and stuck it in the truck. It will run perfectly for about 7 minutes then just stop and I only get response from the steering (and the LEDs still work). At first, I thought it was the low rating of the cells, so I built up a 7 Cell 4500mAh pack and it did the same thing in about the same amount of time. Is the ESC shutting down for some reason? I looked up the specs of this controller before I used it and everything seems to be within it's capabilities.

Specs:
Traxxas XL5 Waterproof ESC
Integy 55T w/~17T pinion
7C 1600mAh Battery
TwistedXT LED system connected to Rx
Towerpro servo
Have been using a Hyperion 606I for charging duties

I noticed that after the truck stopped running, if I put the pack (1600 mAh) back on the charger, the starting voltage is ~9.5V.

Here is the build thread of the truck if that will help any:
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/1-9-scale-rigs/138685-dads-scale-truck.html

Thanks!

Jeremy

I bet you are running a Spektrum?

Opps....sorry forgot to list the Rx and TX.

Tx=TQ2
Rx=Traxxas 3 channel

How many mah are you putting back into the battery?

I would say the BEC is getting over amped, but then you wouldn't have steering input available. Maybe the xl-5 is overheating from partial throttle use?

Hummm.....I didnt feel the ESC for temp. I'll run it this evening and check the temp with my digital temp gun. Although, I have mostly been running it at full throttle...:D

Rockcrawler, I'll pay attention to the total input current when I charge it after running it this evening. I assumed, though, that it wasnt a problem with the battery since I had the same issue with a different pack. I have had no charging issues with my 606I....it has been charging my other batteries (mostly LiPo) without issue.

I'll bet it's a thermal shut down because it comes back to life it's not permanent. Have you let it sit for awhile and re-connect the same battery?

Using the same battery with the same charge that it had when it shut down? I have run it many times after it shuts down, but I usually recharge the battery.

Also, when it shuts down, only the motor is affected. The motor stops on a dime (unlike a dying battery), however the steering and LEDs continue to function properly (as expected with a dying battery).

I will be getting a Sidewinder in a trade that I might just toss into this truck. I was hoping to keep the electronics simple (so that if it needs to be reprogrammed, the process is simple) and somewhat waterproof (since I cant control where he drives this thing), but I guess that just isnt in the cards for this truck.

I find it hard to believe it's the battery it has to be the ESC or the motor. Let us know what happens tonight it's a interesting problem.

I was just given a suggestion to check for a stuck brush. This sounds like a very possible solution to the problem....as the motor is not new. I ran it in another crawler for quite some time before I put it in this truck.

It is most likely the ESC shutting down on a Lipo cutoff. The Traxxas esc that I have run have the Lipo cutoff as a default setting. Check the esc manual and or the settings on the esc.

I don't think this one can handle a Lipo, so I don't think there is a voltage cutoff. If I am wrong, someone correct me!

stuck brush sounds like a good possiblity actually, don't know why that didn't occur to me.

Ok, I think Ken, mudboger07, who sent me the suggestion through PM that it might be a stuck brush, nailed it! I swapped out the brushes and have been running this thing for more than 1/2 hour and everything seems to be going well.

Thanks for all of the help guys!

Ok, this thing is still going strong....those brushes must have been quite bad....I notice a lot less friction in the motor now. At full throttle it used to stop within 6" after letting go of the throttle, now it rolls for about 18".

That's good news and handy information sure hate to see a Christmas gift have a problem. :lol:"thumbsup"

I'm sure you dad will be surprised and delighted.

Haha....yeah, I cant wait to give it to him! He is gonna love this truck!

glad i could help......it dont happen very often.....lol. anyways next time i get to tx well have to go crawlin 1:1...."thumbsup"

Sounds like a deal! I'll buy the beer!

Yeah it's going to be special to him. "thumbsup"