Night Crawler issue...

[NFG]

Just had a strange power issue with my Night Crawler. As I was driving it the lights flickered and it went dead. No lights. No motor. No Servo. I pick it up and it comes on again. Then stops again when I move it. Wiggle the wires it comes on again. Wiggle wires again and it all goes off. Now all it will do is flash the LED on the ESC four times and then nothing. What gives?

 

[-BIGMAXX-]

I would try to reprogram the ESC. Of course check all your wire connections and plugs first.

Its in the book, but incase you dont have that here is a pic.

This completly solved my cutting ot issue when changes from drive to reverse or vise versa. Hope it helps.

 

[rangercat23]

possibly sounds like a loose wire, dont forget to check the battery to see if it has become unsoldered internally as well. Had it happen once to me.

 

[NFG]

I tried that but all I get is a flashing green light.

I can switch between Lipo and regular batteries. I can get it to light up as if it is in Crawler Mode. But once I turn it off and then back on it flashes 4 times a green light then it goes off. Then nothing. No LED lights. No lights anywhere. No servo or motor activation.

I suspect I fried the control module (ESC ?). I have looked around on several forums and this has come up. I was hoping someone here might have some thoughts.

 

[ghtpdm5]

mine did the same, torched the signal wire off the board. quick dot of solder and its still running strong in my vendetta.

 

[NFG]

So if I open the case is this something that will stand out? What wire am I looking for? The three comig from the reciever to the ESC?

Oh and thanks for trying to help out. I'm new to this RC stuff. I'm a motorcycle guy. This electronic stuff is all new...

 

[NFG]

Was going nuts not having my crawler so Sunday I stopped in the LHS and asked what they had that would work with my LNC. I walked out with a Traxxas XL5. Hooked it all up and I am back in business.

Not thrilled with the delayed reverse. The power comes in different and there is a noticeable ability to climb up vertical faces that before had me stall out. Now I have only five minutes in the back yard last night so I will comment in a few days ad to what my take is on this unit. For now I am a happy guy...

 

[-BIGMAXX-]

Good to hear your crawlin again. Do let us know how the new set up works.

 

[NFG]

Well I had the NC out at the local crawl spot today. It's called Ioco and has some crazy rocks to climb. I sort of knew what I was in for as I have been to the same spot to watch some Motorcycle Trials events. Things I learned....

-The new ESC with it's delayed reverse is a pain in the butt. I will stick with it for now but I will switch it as soon as I can. Other than the that I think it works well and defiantly has a bit more oomph down low.

-The worms need greasing. I started hearing strange sounds out of the axels. Well not at first. No it was running like a champ then it was almost like the batteries were dying. They were switched out for a full set. As soon as I loaded the axels on a climb the same thing. Rather than screw anything up I packed the NC away and bashed on my Wraith with the remaining batteries I had on me.

-The Wraith is a lot of fun. Not a bad crawler and not a bad basher....but..... I would rather play with my NC.

-Greasing the worms is a bit of a pain. Used some Maxim Waterproof Synthetic I have for my dirt bikes. Awesome stuff for sure....

So another fun day of crawling and wrenching. I see this being the norm for a long time to come. Good times!

 

[EeePee]

The XL-5 speed controller makes a great scaler set up as it's waterproof and has real brakes and works perfectly with a 35 turn motor and 3S lipo battery. You'll get faster with the double pump reverse and it's not so bad.

Do yourself a favor and drill small holes inline with the spool gear in the axle case and find a small syringe you can squirt some grease through the hole and use a set screw cut down a bit and plug it up. Takes the pain in the butt out of greasing them. "thumbsup"

 

[NFG]

I plan on putting grease ports in next time I have it all apart. Need to get a super small tap an die set. ( will it ever end...)

For now I am just driving it and tinkering. Had it out at Ioco (local rock comp/rec area) twice now and have decided to switch up the locations of the ESC and RX. Yesterday I moved them to the top of the servo and cleaned up the wiring. Wanted to isolate the power and RX signal wires. This seemed to work and also put more weight over the front. A ten minute job turned into about four hours.... Good times!

 

[ghtpdm5]

imo clean wiring is worth all the time you put into it when something goes...just imagine how i do it, micro deans on both ends of the bec, and then off the servo power leads. then all that gets wrapped up in mesh sleeve and neatly done heat shrink on the ends.....but if the bec acts up, i have a back up that is plug and play...also worth not having a single ziptie to cut for me.

 

[mdchris]

You don't "need" a tap for the holes. The set screw will self tap it's way in to the plastic. Tap would be a bit easier, but you can do it without one.

 

[MayhemZZ]

grease gun.....

I Just found the perfect grease gun at harbor freight....... fits perfect


3 Oz. Mini Grease Gun

 

[NFG]

Nice find. I may have to get one.

 

[NFG]

So last night I was in the back yard playing around on the rock pile with a friend. His AX10 just couldn't get around some of the technical climbs we had set up. He has dumped a fair amount of cash on a lot of "bling" parts. Now some have helped like the bent links on the rear. Others still need work like his tires. I think a little work with a knife might get him some grip. But what I find funny is that I think there are a ton of AX upgrade parts available because they need all the help they can get. Ha ha!

My Losi just crawls right up. No fuss. No drama. Now I know I could throw money down on parts but at this point I am just learning to read lines and find the limits of my set up. I have a few ideas that I will be trying as the stock parts start to fail. I am in no rush. I need to learn to crawl before I run....