Novak HV-4.5 issue

[JThiessen]

I just installed my replacement HV 4.5 system (the first one was replaced under warranty - never got to drive it more than about 100 feet).
With fresh charged batteries, the new one runs great - cant keep the front wheels on the ground. However, after about 2-3 minutes of running, it drops off enough that it appears the batteries are completely dead. A check on the batteries shows they still have 7.XX volts ramaining. It does this on all batteries. I'm geared at 72/14, and 90K in the diff's. Any ideas?
Its now been a year since I first bought the system, (and due to the fact that this a hobby for me, I only get a few times a year to run them), I still haven't been able to run a complete battery set through this set up.

[pullinteef]

The ESC may be thermalling, cutting power so it doesn't get fried. The 4.5 is a very hot motor and is easy to overgear and heat things up. What batteries are you using? You might be able to control things with the gearing a bit.

Emaxx? How hot is it when it slows down? What kind of batteries are they? I have 4 8000mah lipo's and 70/14 gearing in mine and it runs for at least 20min without issue. Normally the truck breaks ending my run.

[JThiessen]

Motor, ESC, and batteries are room temp. So its not a thermalling issue.

what are you running for batteries? Did the esc get replaced?

Originally Posted by Desmo

Emaxx? How hot is it when it slows down? What kind of batteries are they? I have 4 8000mah lipo's and 70/14 gearing in mine and it runs for at least 20min without issue. Normally the truck breaks ending my run.

with my Rustler I can relate to that...but lately it is usually within the 1st 5 mins, I had a run not too recently it happened within the 1st minute...

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by Desmo

what are you running for batteries? Did the esc get replaced?

GP3300 Nimh's, IB4200's................not sure why everyone is so concerned about the battery brand/type. They work fine in my EMaxx with a 4.5. So I'm wondering whay that matters so much except that it will allow everyone to pitch their opinion's on different batteries?????

Novak sent me a brand new motor and ESC.

Emaxx? How hot is it when it slows down? What kind of batteries are they? I have 4 8000mah lipo's and 70/14 gearing in mine and it runs for at least 20min without issue.

No, its in a Revo - so same gearing setup. A couple facts that people seem to be missing is that the batteries still have lots of voltage left, AND everything is stone cold. I'm almost wondering if there is some sort of low voltage cutoff malfunction going on in the ESC. I'm going to double check my wires this morning and make certain I wired the battery leads correctly.

[JThiessen]

I checked all the wiring, and it looks good. I measured the voltage level(s) at the ESC, and those numbers match what I measure at the batteries.

I was going to pull the 4.5 out of my EMaxx and put it in the Revo, but I noticed it has the bent rotor shaft. Guess I'll have to order one of the upgrades now....

I am really starting to get frustrated with this electrical stuff. 3 years of "running" brushless, and I have only had about 4 days of actual operating vehicles (all due to the brushless motors/ESC/wiring). BTW, I didnt have any better luck with nitro, so maybe its the RC stuff period. I can diagnose and fix mechanical failure, but this electron flow has me baffled........

I think tomorrow I'll stop and buy a couple titans and throw those back into one of my trucks. At least they are more reliable......

Might just throw the whole lot up for sale and buy a Croquet Set.....

Originally Posted by JThiessen

GP3300 Nimh's, IB4200's................not sure why everyone is so concerned about the battery brand/type. They work fine in my EMaxx with a 4.5. So I'm wondering whay that matters so much except that it will allow everyone to pitch their opinion's on different batteries?????

Novak sent me a brand new motor and ESC.



No, its in a Revo - so same gearing setup. A couple facts that people seem to be missing is that the batteries still have lots of voltage left, AND everything is stone cold. I'm almost wondering if there is some sort of low voltage cutoff malfunction going on in the ESC. I'm going to double check my wires this morning and make certain I wired the battery leads correctly.

If nothing is hot I would say your esc is bad. Cheep or old batteries drop the voltage under load allot. Then when you stop and check the voltage with no load the voltage seems fine. If they work in your emaxx and not the revo they are probably not the issue. Just a long shot have you tried to run the problem truck with a different radio? My brother went thru two warranty 4.5 setups before he gave up and gave it to me. Now its in my emaxx it is working fine. His second one lasted less than 10min before dying. Novak has always been a good company but the 4.5 is too much motor for the esc in my opinion.

[JThiessen]

I may just try the radio. I know there have been issues between the Spektrum and Novak systems. Its worth a shot.

I just had a novak esc doing the same thing.It was a Super sport plus, but showing the exact same symptoms.I switched out the esc and it was fine.I bet you have something wrong with the esc.Try just switching esc's.If not Call novak and see if they will upgrade to the pro .

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by asheck

I just had a novak esc doing the same thing.It was a Super sport plus, but showing the exact same symptoms.I switched out the esc and it was fine.I bet you have something wrong with the esc.Try just switching esc's.If not Call novak and see if they will upgrade to the pro .

What is the "PRO"?

Switching ESC's on the HV-Brushless systems isnt quite that easy - especially given my soldering skills.

I tried the new receiver, but same result....

Originally Posted by JThiessen

What is the "PRO"?

Switching ESC's on the HV-Brushless systems isnt quite that easy - especially given my soldering skills.

I tried the new receiver, but same result....

Send it back

They just released a new pro version of the esc.It really only upgrades the options on the esc, not the specs.But the new 5mm rotor is supposed to help the motor run cooler.A suggestion would be no time like the present to practice the soldering skills :) If you want to run electric it is IMO a must.If you have 1 good motor and 1 good esc then something is gonna have to solder unless you want to just send them to novak.But what fun is that.If you decide that you don't want to mess with them ,let me know.I've really been thinking twin 4.5 emaxx .