How is the AE-2 as a crawler ESC compared to HW1080?

[Smokin' Joe]

I have a shafty crawler that is currently using a HW1080 with a 13t Crawlmaster Expert on 3S. I really like the setup, but I've been exploring ways to change over to 4S for a little more grunt and top speed (I'd gear it down somewhat if I switched). I've read that an AE-2 ESC can handle 4S as long as you have an external power supply for the servo. I already have an AE-2, but haven't driven it much as it is in my son's rock racer. Anyone have experience with both an AE-2 and HW1080 in a crawler? I mainly am interested in how well they do in the rocks.

 

[Greatscott]

According to the AE-2 manual, it is only rated to 2S.

Between the two, recommend the HW1080, it is all around a better ESC, but it is only rated to 3S.

 

[odomandr]

I like the ae2 and with a Bec ive run 3s on a couple for a long while. Works with castle link as well and is better than the ae5 in my opinion.

 

[magic_yeti]

You can get a HW WP880, it's rated 4S and basically a HW1080.

 

[TheLetterJ]

I ran an ae2 on 4s for a little while (I've heard they'll take 6s, never tried) and it is not nearly as smooth starting (or stopping) as a 1080. The very first thing I did after taking my 1080 out of the box was plug a 4s into it, hoping I'd get lucky with it being underrated like the ae2, no dice. I also ran the 880 on 4s and even though it has all the programmable features of the 1080 (except for the fixed 6v/4a bec), it just didn't feel quite as smooth on the bottom, kinda halfway between the ae2 and 1080. It's still nicer than the ae2 (mainly because the drag brake rate adjustability) and there's no need for an external bec (assuming 6v works for you) they're also less than $30. A Mamba X could be an option (you can set it to run brushed motors) if you really want to run higher voltage, but it's kinda spendy (and bulky) for running a brushed motor. Since you already have the ae2, go for it! You don't really have anything to lose by trying it out.

 

[Smokin' Joe]

Great info, thanks. Even with my limited trigger time with the AE-2 in a different application, I was a little concerned with the smoothness/precision (I noticed it more with stopping). Smoothness/precision is critically important to me for this rig, so I will have to keep looking for other options if I want to switch to 4s.

 

[Greatscott]

You guys need to show me where you are getting the cell rating from for both of these ESCs.

 

[TheLetterJ]

Rating? The ae2 is definitely "rated" 2s, I just started plugging batteries in my old ae2 and it took 3s and 4s just fine. Plenty of people have done the same over the years, here's an example: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/electronics/571094-axial-ae2-esc.html The 1080 has overvoltage protection and only accepts up to 3s (as advertised) and just flashed with no power to the motor when I tried 4s, back to 3s and all is well. The 880 is advertised as 4s capable, that's why I bought 2 of them. As you likely know, the Mamba X is rated at 6s, but the Mamba Micro X can only take 3s and still requires an external bec like the ae2 does.