MSC problem

[henry_huckem]

I have a Rusty with an MSC in it. Now before anyone says to get an ESC, save your breath. I dont want one. I dont race the rusty its more or less for the neighborhood kids and me to beat around the track and hit stupid jumps with. The problem is this: I only have one speed in forward and reverse; full tilt. when I got it it had somewhat proportional throttle, I suppose it had 3 speeds fwd and 3 reverse, right? well, I cant seem to figure out why it only goes full throttle or no throttle. anyone have any ideas?? thanks, and by the way, its fairly new, I've only run like 8-10 packs in it. thanks again. :confused: :o

[Holst]

Is this a wiper board type speedo?

If so you may need to clean the contacts on the wiper, maybe add some dielectric grease to lubricate it.

Also make sure that the resistor block (the bit that gets hot) is wired up to the board correctly (nothing has fallen off) and that its not burned out (use a multimeter to check resistance).

In fairness you can buy some VERY cheap ESC's these days that will work fine with a stock motor. Dont rule them out all together as they will be much better even if you are just playing about.

[henry_huckem]

cool, thanks for the ideas! :D I'll check it all out when I get a chance.,
what is a wiper board btw.. not familiar with this terminology. thanks again.

[rocknbil]

There are two basic types of MSC's. One that acts like a series of three "switches" and one that has a coil of a resistor wire.

In the first case, there is a series of resistors at various stages of throttle. It passes from closed to contact A, which is wired to the most resistance (sometimes just both resistors,) then to B, second most, then C, no resistor (which is not to say there **is** no resistance. All MSC's lose power across their contacts. Get an ESC.)

In the second case, a resistive wire is wound around a ceramic block and the contact "wipes" its way across the wire. As it gets closest to the zero-resistance end of this coil, resistance drops to as close to none as you can get. (Always resistance with a MSC. Get an ESC.)

In both cases, the arcing (sparking) caused by the contact brushing over the three contacts or wires causes a buildup of carbon. (Get an ESC.) Like Holst says, clean the contacts with SANDPAPER (not black carborundum!) blow them out well, and add some contact grease. Vaseline will do in a pinch. (Get an ESC.)

And also yes, something may be shorted out if you get NO variation from stop to low throttle. (Get an ESC.) Either of these will reduce the arcing for next time.

Even if you're bashing, you'd REALLY like the ESC over an MSC. Longer run time, more punch, more fun, no fiddling with sandpaper. (Get an ESC.)

[FantomTC3]

i think what rocknbil is trying to say is Get an ESC. their really not that expensive. this DuraTrax IntelliSpeed Auto-Sport Forward ESC is only 22 dollers and will be a great improvement.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAXT7&P=0

[rocknbil]

^ ^ ^ LOL I was just giving Henry a hard time, but yeah. :D

[henry_huckem]

lmao. thanks bill.... geez. OK OK OK I'll get an ESC. I always seem to fry them tho...I had a 12T intellispeed and it actually caught on fire with a 17t motor and stock gearing in my 'pede. argh.

but whatever... I'm just sketched about ESC's . I have to send in my EVX from my emaxx casue I fried that one from having too short gears and pulling wheelies.... I HATE ESC'S!!!!!

thanks guys.

-matt

[rocknbil]

Nah just clean up your MSC until the rebirth of TEKIN! :D

Novak's are pretty good too, but my old Tekins are still humming along.

[Holst]

Yep, I still have my old Tekin 410S (I think thats what it is) as a spare.
I say "use" broadly as my novak cyclone2 has never broken down either....

If you are getting an ESC any ofthe cheaper Novaks will be pretty much bullet proof as long as you dont do anything silly (like short them out)

[henry_huckem]

hehe
I did all that guys and it worked for about 2 packs and now more of the same, its all f-ed up. I'm gettin an ESC as soon as I finisha nd get paid for a tile job I'm doing! :D

[rocknbil]

Yeah, I ran an MSC in my "first" (Stadium Blitzer) and you can only do so much without just replacing it. The pivot joint begins to wear and it doesn't hold tight against the contacts, allowing it to bounce and arc more. If got to the point where no matter what I did, the resistance was so high it would melt the solder joints off the MSC. :D

PM me your mailing addy, I may have a couple laying around, even a NIB AE wire-type one. I think I have a couple Tamiyas too, what would work better?