New steering servo damages ESC?

[Ghettofab75]

Sounds like the 645mg is the way to go. It seems to be the one most people have had success with. You basicly have two options, use a replacement stock servo that you know your going to break or upgrading to a 645 that has a chance of killing your esc. I think I'd go for the upgrade and take that chance. After doing some research last night I think I'm just gonna upgrade to a tekin esc and try using one of the 5245mg servos I allready have. If that doesn't work I'll go to a 645 then.

I'm really surprised that Losi doesn't offer an upgraded servo. They seem to have come out with every other upgrade possible, but haven't addressed the one weak link everyone seems to have shortly after opening the box.

Kevo

 

[jedsled]

it would be nice if losi could step up and tell us what is going wrong here, and as to what the issue is.

its nice when rich comes in the threads and adds to or acknowledges any of the good comments made, but imo, it does us no good if we get no explanation when things go wrong...

can we get an answer on the stock esc frying when upgrading a servo??? i am wanting to add the 625mg to my mrc as well, and dont want to have to ask losi for a new esc after/if it goes bad.

 

[estill]

Theory or not, a servo can pull more amps than the BEC on the ESC is capable of producing. When I added rear steer to my PTI Goliath, I learned this lesson the hard way (my story is below). The motors inside of a servo are a brushed motor. When stalled you are basically creating a short, and a shorted out circuit will draw any and all available power until it is able to release the magic smoke somewhere.

The only thing I can add to the original post is to verify that there is no binding in your streering linkages, and the servo end points are set correctly. If all linkages are correct correct open up the servo and verify the gears aren't missing any teath. If everything is OK physically you have an electrical issue which could range from drawing more power than the ESC can provide, to a bad solder joint somewhere.

When I first powered on everything the new servo immediately went to one extreme and stalled the servo, and before I could find the setting in my radio I released the magic smoke in the ESC. The front servo was happly sitting with the wheels straight. Oddly enough after I added the CC BEC to my Goliath it could power the RX and stearing servos. The ESC still functions with the red wire disconnected between the RX and the ESC. So yes, I was able to burn up just the onboard BEC of a Quark ESC.

 

[Mr. Ed]

I just installed a new hitech 645 today with the stock esc. As soon as I plugged everything up the servo would turn right no problem but left was BAD twitchy! I ended up takeing it back to the LHS and the servo was fine but the wires from the servo were too close to the esc. when I moved them away from the esc it worked just fine. I rerouted all my power wires to one side and the servo wires to the other and it now works great! WHAT A DIFFERENCE A 645 MAKES! I love this upgrade!"thumbsup"

 

[Ghettofab75]

Well I've updated my situation in two other threads, I suppose I should do it here also.

In another thread Rich chimed in and suggested we contact customer service about the issue. I thought this was a little odd as I figured the problem was my own fault for changing the servo. I called anyways and explained my situation, even the fact that I changed steering servos, and the rep told me to send the damaged esc to them. He said they'd check it out and that most likely they'd just send me a new one."thumbsup"

So, I'll try that if they send one. If that doesn't last I'll just upgrade then I guess. I'll know in a couple of weeks.

Are there amp draw specs for any of these servos out there? I can find all sorts of other specs, but it seems like amp draw at full torque output would be kinda usefull when designing your electrical system.

Kevo

 

[jedsled]

thanks for the update, let us know what they choose to do!

 

[sgil2001]

I've been using this servo with the stock esc. So far, no problems.

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/474142.asp

 

[Rich Trujillo]

Other than this thread and another I noticed, we have not been having as many problems with ESC's as this thread has made it out sound like. I'm trying to find out from our electronic supplier as to what can be causing this. I personally don't know how the electronics work but the Mini ESC was designed to work with our mini Servos etc. I'm not sure if the extra power that some servos require could be causing the problem. Either way I'll check into it and in the mean time if any one else has problems, you should contact our customer support line listed in your manual.
Thanks for your patience,
Rich

 

[Mr. Ed]

Other than this thread and another I noticed, we have not been having as many problems with ESC's as this thread has made it out sound like. I'm trying to find out from our electronic supplier as to what can be causing this. I personally don't know how the electronics work but the Mini ESC was designed to work with our mini Servos etc. I'm not sure if the extra power that some servos require could be causing the problem. Either way I'll check into it and in the mean time if any one else has problems, you should contact our customer support line listed in your manual.
Thanks for your patience,
Rich

Thanks for you do Rich! by the way How about some blue 1.9 ROCK Cravers? Hint Hint!

 

[jedsled]

Other than this thread and another I noticed, we have not been having as many problems with ESC's as this thread has made it out sound like. I'm trying to find out from our electronic supplier as to what can be causing this. I personally don't know how the electronics work but the Mini ESC was designed to work with our mini Servos etc. I'm not sure if the extra power that some servos require could be causing the problem. Either way I'll check into it and in the mean time if any one else has problems, you should contact our customer support line listed in your manual.
Thanks for your patience,
Rich

thanks for replying to the thread rich, keep us posted.

 

[spinnrc]

FWIW i have had top notch customer service with losi, so much so that i bought another mrc for my 5 year old son "thumbsup"

 

[Ghettofab75]

Well its time for an update. Losi went ahead and shipped me a new esc. I installed it the other night and while the esc now works, it still wants to shut down with the 5245mg servo hooked up. Luckily, I haven't fried the esc yet. Once again I'm wondering if the servo I have is just plane bad.

I went to the LHS and ordered a 645mg servo so we will see how that goes. If it works I'm in business, if not I guess I'll be upgrading or adding a bec.

Kevo

 

[mrdrinksalil]

Other than this thread and another I noticed, we have not been having as many problems with ESC's as this thread has made it out sound like. I'm trying to find out from our electronic supplier as to what can be causing this. I personally don't know how the electronics work but the Mini ESC was designed to work with our mini Servos etc. I'm not sure if the extra power that some servos require could be causing the problem. Either way I'll check into it and in the mean time if any one else has problems, you should contact our customer support line listed in your manual.
Thanks for your patience,
Rich

Any updates? My two friends also smoked there ESC's when the put on 5645s. I want a bigger servo because I'm allready on my second stock one but dont wanna ruin my ESC and front the coin for an aftermarket one.

 

[Ghettofab75]

Ok time for another update.

I've FINNALY got this thing running again! I went ahead and installed the 645mg yesterday it works like a charm! No more stupid ratcheting noises from the steering. The esc doesn't seem to have any problems at all.

The only bad thing I've noticed so far is how much the servo and plate moves on the axle mounts. Oh well, I guess this means I'll have to build a little truss someday.

So I don't know what to say about the 5245 servos. Maybe it was bad after all, however it only ever had an issue with the mrc. Kudos go out to Losi and Rich, great product and support! Hopefully they get their upgrade parts supply issues worked out. In the mean time I'll just be patiently waiting."thumbsup"

Kevo

 

[LuvMyTJ]

I recently added a HS-645MG Hitec servo. So far, so good. Now I need to get a good servo horn to go with it. I can see I will be stripping out the plastic one.

 

[Failedabortion]

I recently added a HS-645MG Hitec servo. So far, so good. Now I need to get a good servo horn to go with it. I can see I will be stripping out the plastic one.

using the black single arm one you should be fine. Make sure your end points are set.

I used a 645mg with my stock esc for a month and have had no problems, switched to a sidewinder and bec while running lipo now.

Anyone find out if the stock esc has a cutoff?

 

[JasonJones]

I'll add that I killed my ESC and the HS 5245MG! Ran for about 2min, then nothing, smoke from ESC, and the servo is now dead too.

Tested everything in the MRC, only the ESC and servo are dead. Servo was brand new, purchased today, doesn't work with any other rx/esc/Ubec etc... That was one expensive little servo to last 2 min.

Sent email to both Hitec and Losi for each of their products, we'll see how things go and get replaced.

The ESC was only 1 week old. I've already been through 2 of the stock servos, the smaller 2 gears have a horrible mesh and the case flexes enough to allow the mesh to open up and round off the gears just slightly under load. It progressively gets worse till it wont turn anymore unless its on flat ground rolling. Never had servos strip like that in any application I've used them in.

 

[Ghettofab75]

That really sucks! Hopefully they replace the servo for you or fix it. That seems odd that the servo died.

Honestly it seems as though the 645mg is the way to go. Few seem to have issues and its almost double the power. Yes its larger and requires some mods, but mine doesn't seem out of place at all, plus I have WAY more control now than I ever have. I can crawl into spots I never could have and steer either way with no issues. Its much more of a finness game now than it was, I only fear I'll be breaking something in the drivetrain now as I get it bound up much more.

Kevo

 

[dickwart]

Fired 2 5245's then went to a 645. W/ the RC Bros mounts at $9 and the servos at around $32 still cheaper w/ the 645 and I haven't had any probs. To the owner of the Local HS not to recomend the 5245's after my expensive experiments...

 

[MR. MAX]

my esc fried with the stock servo what up with that?