can an ESC kill motor - RC-Monster Forums

_paralyzed_ · **can an ESC kill motor -** 01.07.2009, 10:06 PM

I've seen people fry motors and blame it on the esc. I think esc's can't fry a motor, that it's simply a motor failure. Any thoughts?

bdebde · 01.07.2009, 10:17 PM

Well, according to Plettenberg, yes it can and does happen. I have first hand experience, my Big Maxximum demagnetized after about 20 minutes running (3 seperate runs) on my MGM 16024. Plettenberg blamed the ESC and would not cover it under warranty. I tried the motor again (after new rotor) on a MMM, and the motor promptly demagnetized after about another 20 minutes (2 seperate runs). And of course Plettenberg blamed it on the controller and even said that others have had the same problem with the MMM's. So, I have a very expensive Big Maxximum with less than an hour of run time that is useless. I also now have a strong dislike for Plettenberg motors.

Arct1k · 01.07.2009, 10:17 PM

Sure have you checked what the castle monster's do to Novaks when the lights are turned out?

_paralyzed_ · 01.07.2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdebde

Well, according to Plettenberg, yes it can and does happen. I have first hand experience, my Big Maxximum demagnetized after about 20 minutes running (3 seperate runs) on my MGM 16024. Plettenberg blamed the ESC and would not cover it under warranty. I tried the motor again (after new rotor) on a MMM, and the motor promptly demagnetized after about another 20 minutes (2 seperate runs). And of course Plettenberg blamed it on the controller and even said that others have had the same problem with the MMM's. So, I have a very expensive Big Maxximum with less than an hour of run time that is useless. I also now have a strong dislike for Plettenberg motors.

can I have it for a shelf queen? or is there value to a burnt pletty?

Metallover · 10:52 PM

The esc could probaby in some way short out somewhere that would affect the motors like at the soldering where the motor wires meet the board. Something like that should be pretty instant the first time you give it throttle or even when you turn it on. It could also probably send out the waves/pulses to the motor in the wrong frequency. If you don't know it, it's hard to explain but BL motors have to have the current delivered in pulses to each of the three circuts in order for the motor to run. that is why you need a BL esc to run a BL motor.

edit - looking back on this post I have complete confidence no one will remotely understand what the hell I am trying to say. Please do your best...

_paralyzed_ · 01.07.2009, 11:06 PM

not assumptions.... anyone have answers.........

BrianG · 01.07.2009, 11:10 PM

Yes, an ESC can kill a motor. If one or more phase banks becomes "stuck" on (uP failure, FET gate drive circuit failure, etc), the current will be limited by only the motors coil resistance. Of course, which component fails first (motor, battery, ESC) is anyone's guess...

bdebde · 01.07.2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

can I have it for a shelf queen? or is there value to a burnt pletty?

It would be like new with a $150 rotor replacement! I have less than an hour of run time on it! I am just not sure I want to mess with it again, as I am quite disappointed with Plettenberg. And the extra $150 bucks would bring the total cost of the motor to $600 (motor $300, rotor $100 and about $50 in shipping)! Hell... Like Serum says, a 7XL is everything a Big max is, LOL! AND $150 will almost get me a Castle neu, and by the looks of the one I have here (haven't run it yet), it is TWICE the motor the Plet could ever hope to be! They did however replace the first rotor for $100; they gave me a deal the first time because the motor was new. Of course I shipped it to Germany and back so that cost a bit too, if I do it again, I will just have them ship me the rotor.

P.S. I could part with it pretty cheap though, if anyone is interested.

pedeboi364 · 01.08.2009, 04:24 PM

yes, it happened to me when my ESC didnt go thermal and let my motor melt its rotor and windings together

suicideneil · 01.08.2009, 08:49 PM

^^ That is nothing to do with the esc, if the motor over heats the esc has no way of detecting it as there are no sensors like in the novaks. You have to manually check the temp of your motor during a run to make sure it isnt overheating, and adjust the gearing/voltage/programming as required.

On the Plett front, I's ask the specific setup when it died each time- sounds like the motor was just pulling too much current (its a 2600kv motor after all....) and cooked itself.