Opinions Please - RC-Monster Forums

Procharged5.0 · 09:43 AM

Castle Mamba Max Contoller w/ Feigao 9L for use in my Supermaxx E-Maxx.

Not my ideal configuration but it's way more affordable for now (< $200 total) and I could upgrade later on. (I ultimately want a Monster Mamba Maxx or a Neu w/Quark Monster 125b) but a friend of mine has a 9L he wants to part with and the Castle ESC's are supposed to be really nice (durable, great softare, support, etc.) so despite the limitations of 100A and 12 cells any issues you guys can think of?

Rtsbasic · 10.12.2006, 09:51 AM

That wouldn't be a bad setup, me and a couple of others are running Mamba's in bigger cars - Savage, Revo, some truggy etc. I wouldn't recommend it because its outside of the offical specs but it works perfectly fine as long as you use a UBEC and a fan, and are careful with gearing etc. The Mamba is a really nice esc - it seems to outperform others that cost a lot more.

You can go higher than 12 cells btw, 14 cells on that setup should be okay. Your warranty will most likely be void though.

Procharged5.0 · 10.12.2006, 09:55 AM

The ESC is rated for 100 amps and the motor has a rated draw of 68. How (where/what way) would I be running outside the specs of the esc?

Finnster · 10.12.2006, 09:57 AM

While I personally have not run the L motors, from what I've read they will run hot. So you will have to be careful to watch the temps and not overgear. How heavy is your supermaxx? I'm guessing its up there..

If you could swing the extra few bucks, I would def go for a new XL motor over a used L. They are only $90, and if your getting the 9L for no less than dirt cheap, its a worthy investment. Also, I would get an external BEC, then you could even run upto 4s/14cells. Nothing ruins your day more than thermalling constantly. If you do it right, you will have a very strong and reliable setup.

$135 esc+$90 XL +$15+ Ubec= awesome value

Rtsbasic · 10.12.2006, 11:01 AM

The "amp ratings" on Feigao's are only useful for direct comparison to other motors in the same series, they're not an actual representation of the most amps they can draw. When you nail the throttle off the line you will see a spike of 200-300 amps very briefly, and i'm sure it'd easily pull over 100 amps while accelerating with enough voltage and a massive battery to handle it.

What I ment by running out of specs, is that the Mamba is designed for 1/10 touring, buggies and trucks. An Emaxx isn't a normal 1:10, its 3x the weight, and 2x the normal voltage. Therefore CC don't recommend it, even though it will handle it as long as your careful with the setup.

An L will run hot, my old 8L would be way too hot to touch at the end of a run, on 12 cells. I have a 9L in my RC10GT and that has also gotten pretty hot while testing. An 8XL would be a better motor, but if you can get a 9L for less than $50 or whatever then that may be better for you.

Sorry to repeat myself, but it is essential you run a UBEC. Without it you will be heating the esc a lot more than necessary. They only cost $15. A 25mm or 40mm fan would be good as well, and that onl costs ~$4.

jhautz · 10.12.2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnster

While I personally have not run the L motors, from what I've read they will run hot. So you will have to be careful to watch the temps and not overgear. How heavy is your supermaxx? I'm guessing its up there..

I have run a 9L in a rather heavy (11lbs) Maxx and as long as you gear it correctly and put a fan on it you should be ok with the motor heat. If you are planning on racing I would invest in the XL as others said, but with proper setup the 9L will be fine for bashing.

As far as amp draw goes, I measured the peak amp draws with a 9L on 4s lipo in my Maxx and on full throttle acceleration in grass it was spiking 85 amps or so(Watts Up meter). The MM should be able to handle that. I can't remember the gearing I was using, but 66/18 sounds about right. It might have even been 66/20.

Rtsbasic · 10.12.2006, 02:04 PM

Gearing sounds about right, I ran 18/66 on my 8L, tried 15/66 as I was recommended by some people here but it had no top speed at all..the 9L should take similar gearing.

Finnster · 04:08 PM

You may not be actually voiding the warr then.. :) But still I would highly recc a UBEC or Rx pack. They are not that much and saves alot of heat at a high cell count.

EDIT: whoops, n/m I think this was intended for the other MM thread (advice still applies :) )

Procharged5.0 · 10.12.2006, 05:00 PM

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like the 8xl or 9xl would work well with the MM controller. I can get a great price on a like new 9L from a friend (I don't think it was ever used) so I was considering that. I also have receiver packs to use but could buy a UBEC if needed.

Honestly, I was reasonably satisfied with the power that the EVX/Titans provided so improving the power...say for example doubling the stock power output is probably enough. (Some of you will say you can't have too much power and maybe you're right) The hard part is figuring out how to bump up the power and still keep the smooth driveability and reliability of the EVX.

Rtsbasic · 10.12.2006, 05:05 PM

The Mamba is a very smooth controller in my Savage, the smoothest BL one I've drove infact. If you get one I would advise using a high startup power, and relatively low timing settings.

Using a reciever pack will work fine instead of a ubec..but a ubec only weighs a few grams so its worth picking one up. To disable the MM BEC just pull the red pin out the reciever plug.

Reliability..well the MM hasn't been on the market long enough to say, but I've not heard of many units failing. CC aren't known for releasing crap to put it bluntly so I would expect the controller to last a long time.

And your right..you can never have too much power :)

jhautz · 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Procharged5.0

Honestly, I was reasonably satisfied with the power that the EVX/Titans provided so improving the power...say for example doubling the stock power output is probably enough. (Some of you will say you can't have too much power and maybe you're right) The hard part is figuring out how to bump up the power and still keep the smooth driveability and reliability of the EVX.

If thats true, you will probably be happy w/ the 9L on a MM.

The other nice thing about the 9L vs an XL is that it doesnt pump out as much torque as an XL making it much easier on the drivetrain. You can get away with much lower cost drivetrain upgrades. With any BL (even the hv) it will still need a steel ider, and CVDs all around and in the center. But w/ the 9L you can get away w/ the cheaper CVDs from Ebay and such. Once you start getting into the XL motor range you need higher end CVDs (UE or MIP) or youll just trash them quickly. With these upgrades you should have a nice reliable basher w/ some nice power when you compare it to the titans.

Procharged5.0 · 10.13.2006, 10:12 AM

That sounds promising. Sounds like you all think the 9L/MM will work pretty well.

As far as drivetrain upgrades, I have (mostly) all the best money can buy with the exception of the diffs. (UE 6mm CVD's, UE Ti Center Drives, FLM transcase, UE idlers, etc.) UE 8 spiders have been outside my budget so for now I'm runnig with Great Assembly 7075 Diff cases, FLM 6061 diff cups and mod ring gear, and AVID racing bearings. If I blow them up I upgrade to the 8 spiders or the Lightning diffs.

jhautz · 10.13.2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Procharged5.0

That sounds promising. Sounds like you all think the 9L/MM will work pretty well.

As far as drivetrain upgrades, I have (mostly) all the best money can buy with the exception of the diffs. (UE 6mm CVD's, UE Ti Center Drives, FLM transcase, UE idlers, etc.) UE 8 spiders have been outside my budget so for now I'm runnig with Great Assembly 7075 Diff cases, FLM 6061 diff cups and mod ring gear, and AVID racing bearings. If I blow them up I upgrade to the 8 spiders or the Lightning diffs.

That sounds more than solid for a 9L. You shouldn't have any problems with that.