A little direction please.
 

I've been reading all the posts on the brushless forum for about 2 weeks. I'm aware that there are lots of questions on the new EMAXX.

I'm just smoked my ESC, apparently a concern of quite a few new EMAXX owners. So, I want to upgrade to brushless, but I'm new (less than a month) to the RC stuff.

All I have now are 2 packs of 7 cell SPC batteries. I've seen the options of:
1. Twin Mamba Max with Twin Velineons
2. Mamba Max with Feigao 8xl
3. MGM with Neu

I'm not sure which option is the best for the investment. I guess either way, I'm going to need to purchase some lipos. Is it a realisitic concern to bash with lipos? Can I run option 3 (MGM with Neu) with the 7 cells or will it prevent me from getting anything out of the system?

I'm a little concerned that I'll buy $300-$500 worth of stuff, wire it incorrectly (or set it incorrectly) and set my money on fire. I don't mind spending an extra $200 if I'm not going to burn it up or I'll be more satisfied with the purchase.

So, what's the best direction for a new guy to travel?

welcome to the wonderful (and expensive) world of r/c, and to RCM. :smile:

first, how did you smoke the stock esc? is it a faulty controller, or was there another problem?

here's my opinion. forget option 1 altogether. you could run into more problems than what you already have. option 2 and 3 are the best bets, although i prefer option 3. and you can now run a Mamba Max with a Neu, too.

i'd keep your SPC packs for now. you might get a bit more performance with lipo, but no where near the bang for your buck as going from stock brushed motors to the brushless caliber of a Neu.

good luck!

I would say option 3.

I too vote for option 3.

Since the new MM firmware was released, operation with Neu motors has reportedly been MUCH better. For 4s, I would go with a 1512 2.5d (kv=2000). Geared for about 35mph, the MM should be able to handle it. But a more robust controller like an MGM or Quark would be my first choice.

Wiring things up is not a big deal as long as you observe the correct battery polarity. The wire order of the three motor wires simply depends on which direction you want the motor to spin, so that's not a concern. You can use this page to help with your wiring questions - just choose the options that fits your intended setup.

So I can run the MGM with the Neu using the 7 cells nimh for now, correct? I guess I would wire them in series, correct? The MGM BEC will handle this?

I thought you can't run the Mamba Max ESC with 7 cells. Isn't that too much?

I have no idea how I smoked the stock ESC. It ran fine for about 1.5 weeks then it would not go into reverse or had anywhere near the acceleration. So, I reprogrammed the ESC, exactly according to the manual. When I got done, the ESC started smoking and my battery wires (not batteries) got extremely hot before I was able to disconnect them. After about 8 hours, I rechecked it just to see. When I plugged in the drivers side battery, it would immediately start smoking the ESC. It's now at Traxxas along with the motors as I was advised to do.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Yeah, the MGM will run NiMH. And yes, in series. The new MGMs have a built-in switching BEC so that's ok too.

I guess I missed the fact you're running 14 cells. The new MM don't work right with anything over 12 cells or 4s. You might want to read up on posts of the new firmware because the voltage limit might have been raised. If not, then no, you can't use the MM on 14 cells.

That sucks about the stock ESC. It does seem like there are quite a few similar stories at the Traxxas forum. Hopefully just a bad batch of ESCs...

BrianG....thanks for the prompt response.

I like the fact that there isn't a lot of "elitism" (is that a word?) here. It seems nearly eveyone realizes that the forum is a place to gather and share knowledge, not be rude to the newbie.

Thanks for the advise thus far. I'm sure there will be many more questions in the future.

Welcome to fourm.....I would go with Neu/MGM combo it will run cool and not have issues ...I love mine...this fourm is great, there is no elitism here like on the others and you won't get an "the opinion response" that someone is always right here like on other fourms if that makes sense...

How about running an MGM 160/18 with a Feigao 8xl on 14 cells for now. Will that work?
What sort of gearing would I need?

I'd hit traxxas up they will almost certainly get you a replacement ESC for free - If nothing else it can hit ebay and earn you some cash...

I have a brand new MM with new firmware that i just ran for a few mins on 20.2v but no bets if another will do that same... I run mine on 4s Lipo / 5s a123 which is about the most that people will run at.

Personally I'd opt for the hedge bet at the moment and buy a cheaper MM / 8XL setup and see what happens with the MMM - I know its been promised for ages but does seem much closer now...

The MM/9XL will set you back $200 vs almost $600 for a NUE/MGM - A large chunck of the $200 can be recovered too at a later date as MM hold their value used very well. On the performance front it will take you leaps forward - You could then invest $250 of your saved money in a good charger and set of batteries.

Thats my 2c...

PS you will need a $20 UBE with the MM...

Option 3 definately!

Welcome! This is BY FAR the best RC car forum around. There are alot of guys with huge knowledge and alot of guys who are just beginning and everyone is very polite no matter who you are. YOu will feel welcome here. C'Mon, group hug, group hug!

Anyway, again, welcome!

I don't have enough knowledge about Feigao's I am too new to give you any useful info...I just read and read on this site and went with the most solid and lasting setup-Neu/MGM, abiet the most expensive one though...be patient and get what you need vs just whats available I say if it comes down to waiting vs getting what you can when your going brushless...

Feigaos are a good motor for the price. They just tend to be less efficient than their high-priced brethren. If you gear correctly and take breaks every 20-25 minutes, the heat issues can be managed. Also, Mike's heatsink/clamp does a good job and you could also fit a fan or two on there - although I personally don't like fans...

Not to further muddy the motor waters, but you could (approx.) split the diff on the motor cost and get a Mega Motor ACn 22/45/1 (2500Kv) or 1e (2100Kv). I think they retail for $175 or so... Supposed to work very well with the MM and much higher quality than Feigao.

True that. They do look like beasty motors, and the holes in the case shouldnt be that much of a concern I wouldnt have thought- you could always slip a heatsink over the front end to cover them up. With the new MM firmware they should run nice and smooth too... lots of choices to concider.

Glad you made it over here THISISWEIRD, you'll love all the cool stuff people produce and share.