Least expensive crawler esc ?

[builder]

What do you guys think about the REDCAT stock esc ? I think it has a drag brake and can be bought for around $40.

[filotr14lsdude]

$56 and you can get the micro sidewinder.

With the little bit extra for a better esc

[Trubble]

My crawlers came with AE-1 ESCs in them, those are routinely in the classified for $15.

[AutoCrawler]

Originally Posted by builder

What do you guys think about the REDCAT stock esc ? I think it has a drag brake and can be bought for around $40.

It's a pretty good brushed ESC when it comes with the Redcat Rs10 XT RTR crawler (which I have) certainly compared to other RTR ESCs. Has a pretty decent BEC and will run two motors (380/390 on the rockslide and 540s on the 1/8 supercrawler) It does have a brake but not sure if it's a "drag brake", more a brake mode (if you enable it - little switch on the side - pushing the throttle trigger forward once brakes then pushing it again reverses)

It's really only good for 7.2v/2s and no lipo cutoff. Some people have run it using 3S with no real problems but it's out of spec so your mileage may vary.

Specs here
E401

Redcat claim a pretty good warranty but I'm not sure if that extends to parts bought for use outside their vehicles.

Warranty

Really depends on what you your requirements are. I would say for $40 as a standalone purchase it's not bad but there maybe better choices.

If you are looking for a cheap ESC there's this on EBay...

320A High Voltage Brushed ESC Speed Controller for 4WD RC on Road Car Truck | eBay

The BEC is not as good as the redcat if that matters but it will run up to 16v. I have heard people have good success with this but obviously it's a no name brand so you are taking a risk.

Or if you want some thing really minimal there's this

Brushed Brush Speed Controller 320A ESC for RC Car Auto Buggy Boat 1 8 1 10 1 10 | eBay

with the same caveats.

[Meatwad]

I know nothing about redcat electronics, but a stock axial esc can be had for 40.

[1tonscout]

Originally Posted by AutoCrawler

It's a pretty good brushed ESC when it comes with the Redcat Rs10 XT RTR crawler (which I have) certainly compared to other RTR ESCs. Has a pretty decent BEC and will run two motors (380/390 on the rockslide and 540s on the 1/8 supercrawler) It does have a brake but not sure if it's a "drag brake", more a brake mode (if you enable it - little switch on the side - pushing the throttle trigger forward once brakes then pushing it again reverses)

It's really only good for 7.2v/2s and no lipo cutoff. Some people have run it using 3S with no real problems but it's out of spec so your mileage may vary.

Specs here
E401

Redcat claim a pretty good warranty but I'm not sure if that extends to parts bought for use outside their vehicles.

Warranty

Really depends on what you your requirements are. I would say for $40 as a standalone purchase it's not bad but there maybe better choices.

If you are looking for a cheap ESC there's this on EBay...

320A High Voltage Brushed ESC Speed Controller for 4WD RC on Road Car Truck | eBay

The BEC is not as good as the redcat if that matters but it will run up to 16v. I have heard people have good success with this but obviously it's a no name brand so you are taking a risk.

Or if you want some thing really minimal there's this

Brushed Brush Speed Controller 320A ESC for RC Car Auto Buggy Boat 1 8 1 10 1 10 | eBay



with the same caveats.

That last one you listed is horrible. I bought 2 of them for a superbully and they burnt up with no load on a 7.2 lipo while setting up my hacked gt3b

[AutoCrawler]

Originally Posted by 1tonscout

That last one you listed is horrible. I bought 2 of them for a superbully and they burnt up with no load on a 7.2 lipo while setting up my hacked gt3b

Good to know - don't get one of those then...

[builder]

Originally Posted by 1tonscout

That last one you listed is horrible. I bought 2 of them for a superbully and they burnt up with no load on a 7.2 lipo while setting up my hacked gt3b

I have the one you mention on a basher and has done fine but i have no idea how to set it up. I usually set the trim on the esc forward a bit to act like a drag brake but that doesn't work on this one for some reason i'm not aware of.

[Calderwood]

Originally Posted by builder

I have the one you mention on a basher and has done fine but i have no idea how to set it up. I usually set the trim on the esc forward a bit to act like a drag brake but that doesn't work on this one for some reason i'm not aware of.

That seems like it would cause a run away whenever you are going down hill... Not exactly what you want from a drag brake.

[Calderwood]

Originally Posted by 1tonscout

That last one you listed is horrible. I bought 2 of them for a superbully and they burnt up with no load on a 7.2 lipo while setting up my hacked gt3b

How can that be? I can see the quality control sticker on the side of it.

[builder]

Originally Posted by nigels_world

That seems like it would cause a run away whenever you are going down hill... Not exactly what you want from a drag brake.

yes it takes common sense and some awareness to know once you crest the summit to apply the brakes or use your dig.

[BAWLER CRAWLER]

Sidewinder or ae2 can be had cheap, rs10 is a budget oriented rc and the electronics are likewise.