E-Baja 5SC SS - Brake Options
 

I am in a bit of a dilemma...maybe you can help.

I am building a 5SC SS Kit. Decided that I was going to put the Fuelie on the shelf for something a little more green. :rolleyes:

I opted for RC-Monster's Baja Conversion Kit. One of the reasons why I went this way was having the option of going Electric Brake or Manual Brake.

So this brings me to my Dilemma...

What should I do (Vote on Poll above):

1. Use the Brake from the ESC
2. Use the OEM Manual Brake
3. Use the Manual Brake in combo with a Front Disc Kit
4. Use the ESC in combo with a Front Disc Kit

Let me know why you chose the one you did.

Thanks
John

I would go disc just to keep the pressure off of the esc and for better braking characteristics

Personally, in a heavy vehicle like that I'd want to keep the braking stress off of the electronics. I'd go with the OEM manual brakes for now since they're already there. If they weren't enough, ie. too much fade or just not strong enough, I'd get the front disc kit.

I would go with a ft disk kit and the esc brakes. The rear wheels really do not do much for braking, and with ft disks you can turn down the rear braking strength alot.

I will be doing this when I get a baja, which will likely be the sc truck kit.

I have a m11 radio, and it has a 4th channel that is permanently slaved to the 2nd channel but only in the brake direction. Currently I will be running mech brakes all around as I do not have a mamba xl esc, I have a hydra hv. But I plan to get a xl when the bugs get worked out.

I'm guessing the cog is lower and more foward on a convertion!? I would definitely consider front brakes first. It'll be a different machine after that.

Then I would go with esc brakes at the rear but only on the condition of running premium batteries with low resistance. As the front fades it will load the esc more. Personally, I love e-brakes, once it's set right I don't need to do anything there after. The more moving parts the more maintenance.

for me is better esc brake ........ and you will have reverse if you need ;) ....... if you use manual brake you kill the reverse option

I don't think so...? Though I am not at all familiar with the Baja platform. You could just set the ESC to Forward/Reverse Lockout and Brake % to zero.

Looks like, so far, the only thing that we are all set on is not using just the OEM Rear brake. :lol:

Keep them coming guys. The comments are helping.

I have never liked only having rear brakes on an rc. And the thought of a 20+lb rc going 40+mph with only the rear brakes is a no no in my book. If you can afford it, get the front disc. Keeping the rear mechanical brakes may not be necessary, but it can't hurt. Its insurance and gives you a little more headroom with temps (esc + motor) on those hot days. Thats how I see it anyway.

I've not had any issues with the rear ESC brakes - I'm tempted to add front brakes at some point but that can always come later John.

I know I can add it later but I know that I will not be happy with rear only. Figured I would think about adding while building.

This threat will come in handy.
Subscribed !

Finally got my new XL2 back from Castle.

Hope to get it running while the weather is still nice.

Then it's back to figuring brakes.

If you use mechanical brakes, reverse is a no-go because reverse is the same position on the throttle channel as the brake. So even if you do disable brakes on the ESC (while retaining reverse somehow), the mech brakes will be on while you are trying to go reverse. The only way that mech brakes works with reverse is to use a different channel control on the brakes; meaning, the brakes would be triggered off CH3/AUX and NOT slaved to CH2 - the brakes would have its own button (which is a PITA to use IMO).

You could mix the throttle channel to ch3, and have the mix on a switch. This is similar what Brain said, but I believe he implied just using a button for ch3 without a mix. Continuing on though if you had the switch normally on (mix on) then it would be the same as driving with brake, and no reverse. However if you find yourself stuck and need reverse simply flick the switch (turn off the mix) brake servo returns to neutral and your right to reverse. No different to changing your car into reverse. Simply flick the switch again when your going forward and manual brakes are back on for when you need them. You would have to remember not to move the trigger back into reverse without turning off the mix though as you would get the motor fighting the brakes. I sure with a fancy enough radio though you could set it so it alerts you or automatically disables the mix?

Kieren