New steering servo damages ESC?

[Ghettofab75]

So like everybody else I finnally killed my stock steering servo. I was able to get a 5245mg from work to try out. Its used, but seemed to work ok.

However, after installing it and trying to dial in the endpoints on the workbench, things started going down hill. The servo started to have issues responding to the transmitter, then the green LED in the ESC went to red and before I could shut it off smoke came out from the ESC. Servo was barely warm.

I can turn it back on and the throttle functions, and the steering will try to work and then quit. The red light will come back on and I shut things down.

I'm wondering if the servo was pulling too much current through the ESC possibly from a short or..... Anyone have any issues after installing a different steering servo? I thought this would be a decent, easy upgrade, to fix my broken steering. Oh well, I guess I'll be looking for an inexpesive ESC now.:-(

Thanks,
Kevo

 

[O.C.D.]

I personally upgraded to a 645 and have not seen a difference. However, I played with a friends (mini) and saw that the servo was killing the throttle. It would work in spurts or not at all. The esc was showing red.

I think that the best way to use a bigger/replacement servo is to upgrade esc's or get a BEC or do both. I am playing it safe and got a Mamba Micro and a BEC for my rig. I don't want the servo killing the stock ESC, or draining all the power on a run.

Keep in mind though that many use a replacement servo without issue!?

 

[RANOVRU]

I got a $22 micro from my local HS and have had no problems whatsoever after 1+week of running it. Had my crawlin buddy that works there help me install it while I was there to make sure there were no problems.

Feels stronger than the stock one with 48oz tq and is a DIRECT replacement. No modification needed.


Jon

 

[mOOsE]

I run a full-size JR with around 80oz of torque and it gets warm after some intense usage. Hasn't affected the ESC at all though so far. Might add a bec anyway though.

 

[Ghettofab75]

Yeah, I was under the impression the any servo would work. I'd imagine if a large 645 would work this little mini would also. I figured with 70 oz/in of torque it'd be good to go and its almost the same size.

I tried another 5245 with similar results. I then tried the stock servo which works ok with no load on it. Pretty much the same thing, although I believe the recievers dead now as its little light flashes rapidly and the servo just shakes back and forth. The ESC light flashes red constantly, but I'm not convinced its dead.

Anyone have a wiring diagram for these rc systems?

Kinda bummed. I redesigned the chassis side plates last week and added more anti-squat to the rear. Seemed to be working better for the 10 minutes I got out of it before the stock servo took a dump. I guess I'll be investing in a 645 here shortly.:roll:

Kevo

 

[DirtyDezPirate]

i installed hitec HS-5645 mg that has about 120 oz.. never had problem like most of you fellas having.. i wonder?? I am running an LOSI lipo batt pack part number losb9830 lipo pack, has 20-30c bursting power. runs nonstop for almost 1 hour and 15 mintues. only thing warms up was the ESC and motor.. servo stays chill little warm.. still is alive no smoking or anything.

 

[fixed13]

Running a 645mg with no problems.

 

[dannymilholland]

running hs645mg no probs as of yet ????"thumbsup"

 

[spinnrc]

i am using the 5645mg which is the same as the 645mg except it is digital and 12 bucks more. from my research the stock esc would prefer a digital servo since the stock servo is, but many people get away with the less expensive 645mg. so far i have had no problems with battery drain and it steers really well, makes it like a different buggy

 

[Mac10]

myself and other here have run the 5645 and all of us had the same issue.
it kills the stock ESC!

I actually burned up 5645mg servos and one ESC, befor upgrading to full size!

 

[spinnrc]

the 5645 is fullsize, it is exactly the same as a 645 mg, just digital....

 

[Stuck]

I too installed a 5245 and burned it up. Then i installed another one. Everything was fine then I had the same issues as ghettofab. Trouble with the steering and throttle. lights flashing on the esc and rx. Started to smell that electrical burning so I shut it down but i was too late. Smoked the esc. I thought it might have been a short in the servo too. Well after that I pulled my Mamba 25 outa my scaler,picked up a 645 and so far no more problems. I did hear through the grape vine that there was an issue with the esc's. So much that Losi has sent out some replacements.

 

[toyofast]

I've been running the 5245MG for a bit now and no issues. Still running stock ESC and motor. Have lots of weights in the wheels and on axle, servo hasn't flinched. ESC hasn't had any issues either.

You sure you hooked everything up correctly? What radio are you using?

 

[Ghettofab75]

Yeah, pretty sure as it just plugs in and everything else in the system is stock losi.

Kinda sounds like some of the losi ESCs have issues with the hi-tec digital servos. I checked the voltage coming out of the reciever + and -, which should be 6 volts, but mines showing 3.3 volts. So I'm pretty sure I fried the ESC.

Its looking like my cheapest alternative is a stock replacement ESC and then getting a 645mg.

Any reason I should look at an aftermarket ESC? I don't care to go lipo or brushless at this point.

Kevo

 

[spinnrc]

i still think digital is what you need, i have heard of people ruining the ESC with the 645mg too. what it might be is that any aftermarket servo is not what losi designed the esc to work with, so i could ruin it, or maybe not:-? kind of like flipping the motor, some people are ok, some ruin the motor.....maybe losi updated the equiptment and some have later model parts??

 

[engineerjoe]

I personally upgraded to a 645 and have not seen a difference. However, I played with a friends (mini) and saw that the servo was killing the throttle. It would work in spurts or not at all. The esc was showing red.

I think that the best way to use a bigger/replacement servo is to upgrade esc's or get a BEC or do both. I am playing it safe and got a Mamba Micro and a BEC for my rig. I don't want the servo killing the stock ESC, or draining all the power on a run.

Keep in mind though that many use a replacement servo without issue!?

I have a 645mg on mine and had no problems (except breaking the steering bolt off!!!)

 

[Timothy Hill]

Steering Servo

My stock servo I believe is on its last leg, really does not matter it did not have nearly enough toque anyhow, want to upgrade? After looking at this thread I am really confused. Everyone has a solution, but then the next guy said that fried his rig. What does Losi recomend, underpowered stock parts?:shock: Any oppinon will be listened to can use any help newest of nubies

 

[Stuck]

IMO the HS645MG is the best bet. It seems to work just fine with the stock electronics. You will just have to make or buy a full size servo mount.

 

[CustomCrawlerZ]

i am haveing the same problem i thought it fried when i flipped the tranny .. so i bought a stock replacement e.s.c. flipped the tranny back the right way every thing worked for a few minutes before the servo went out .. i went with the atlas d-16 .. and again every thing worked fine for a few minutes then the same problems started happening ... what the hell is wrong this thing:x !!!!!

 

[RcBro]

I'm running the 5645mg from hitec as well. Digital or not I don't see why a servo would fry the esc. The servo doesn't pull power from the esc, the esc supplies power to the servo. Being that the BEC in the stock esc is regulated at worse it would mean your simply not getting full voltage to your servo for optimal performance which is expected from any esc with a small bec voltage. Same reason why 2.2 guys pick an esc with a large bec rating or go external.

I've ran about 20 1000mah 2s packs through mine now with not a single issue. Sounds like losi just has some bad esc's out there.