Shutdown

[JeremyH]

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:
Dad's Scale Truck

Thanks!

Jeremy

[666]

I bet you are running a Spektrum?

[JeremyH]

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

Tx=TQ2
Rx=Traxxas 3 channel

[Rockcrawler]

How many mah are you putting back into the battery?

[JohnRobHolmes]

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?

[JeremyH]

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...

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.

[Stormin2u]

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?

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by Stormin2u

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.

[Stormin2u]

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.

[JeremyH]

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.

[One-eyed Jack]

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.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by One-eyed Jack

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!

[JohnRobHolmes]

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

[JeremyH]

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!

[JeremyH]

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".

[Stormin2u]

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

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

[JeremyH]

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

[mudboger07]

Originally Posted by JeremyH

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!

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

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by mudboger07

anyways next time i get to tx well have to go crawlin 1:1....

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

[Stormin2u]

Originally Posted by JeremyH

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

Yeah it's going to be special to him.