DougG
12-19-2000, 01:03 AM
"Traxxas' Response to E-Maxx Concerns
December 16, 2000
We wish to provide you with the facts on a few problems that we have seen so far.
Loose pinion gear/Loose motor connection
Pinion gear
A loose grub screw is a small problem that can cause big problems if it is not corrected. If the pinion is loose, one motor must carry the entire load of the truck. Also, the grub screw can come out and jam in between the opposite motor pinion and spur. Check both grub screws and make sure they are tight. While you're at it, check and adjust the gear mesh if necessary. We recommend that you stop the E-Maxx at the first sign of a performance loss. One motor operation usually means an inability to wheelie the truck (loss of torque), but not necessarily a loss of overall speed.
Loose motor connection
A loose or detached motor connector can result in motor failure. If one motor loses power, the other motor must carry the entire load of the truck. Check all connectors to make sure they are snapped securely together.
Results
If the truck is operated with just a single motor doing the work, the fan inside the motor could melt at the motor shaft coupling causing it to come lose. If continued to run, the motor will be destroyed.
To our knowledge, there have not been any motor defects, but we have seen about 20 motor failures due to overload caused by driving with one motor only, or due to a jammed spur/pinion.
Loose slipper clutch adjusting nut
The truck will seem sluggish, especially off the line. Inability to No wheelie, and a squeal when accelerating from a stop may be heard. Tighten the nut all of the way down then back off about ¼ turn.
Result
Excessive heat buildup may occur from the slippage causing the spur gear center to melt. The spur gear will need to be replaced if driven until the gear melts.
Speed control failures
Component failures
So far, the only failures we have seen were due simply to electronic components from the suppliers that were obviously not up to spec. Make no mistake; this is the same type of component failure that you may find in a defective servo, transmitter or receiver. This type of failure normally occurs within the first few times that power is applied (a battery pack is connected and the unit is operated).
Overload
Remarkably we haven't seen a failure yet due to current overload. Please don't take this as a challenge folks. What we're saying is it just hasn't happened yet that we are aware of. For the record, we do test each VX12 several times during the assembly process of the E-Maxx, but it is impossible to catch every potential failure.
Results
Slamming the truck from forward to reverse repeatedly will cause severe heat buildup and is not recommended for any vehicle. Attempting to accelerate with the motors locked (up against the wall or something locking the drive train (i.e. loose grub screw from a pinion gear)), will probably destroy your battery pack or motors long before the speed control will blow.
Electrical shorts
A short can be caused by a number of things. Water is the enemy of anything electric. Running through puddles and snow will cause problems. The worst news is that these problems will probably cost you money because they will not be covered by warranty.
Sometimes a short circuit can be caused by a component failure, a defective battery pack, or any bad electrical connection. Call our customer service department if you have a question.
FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is there no reverse delay?
Our intent in the design of the VX12 was to provide you with the most efficient and toughest forward/reverse speed control that would hand 12 cells and 2 motors at the lowest possible price. Suggested retail is only $110.00. It is designed to handle an incredible amount of current and withstand a great deal of abuse. We believed that the E-Maxx buyers would prefer an electronic instead of a mechanical speed control.
When will there be more E-Maxx Trucks?
Due to industry wide component shortages, the next shipment of E-Maxx trucks will not be until March. If you want an E-Maxx and have the chance to get one, you may want to get it. Buy it, drive it, and have fun with it!
We appreciate your feedback and will continue to try and provide you with the best customer service in the industry. Even though we read these message forums, we don't normally respond to them. Please feel free to email us with any questions you may have at support@traxxas.com. Thanks for reading this post and have fun driving your new E-Maxx.
If you have a problem with your E-Maxx, TRAXXAS wants to hear from you. Whatever the problem may be, we can take care of it.
TRAXXAS CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER: 1-888-TRAXXAS
TRAXXAS invests the time in reading your threads/posts, provides a toll-free number to listen to your concerns and responds to your e-mails so that at the end of the day we can compile the information gathered and build higher quality products in the future.
-----
Traxxas "
December 16, 2000
We wish to provide you with the facts on a few problems that we have seen so far.
Loose pinion gear/Loose motor connection
Pinion gear
A loose grub screw is a small problem that can cause big problems if it is not corrected. If the pinion is loose, one motor must carry the entire load of the truck. Also, the grub screw can come out and jam in between the opposite motor pinion and spur. Check both grub screws and make sure they are tight. While you're at it, check and adjust the gear mesh if necessary. We recommend that you stop the E-Maxx at the first sign of a performance loss. One motor operation usually means an inability to wheelie the truck (loss of torque), but not necessarily a loss of overall speed.
Loose motor connection
A loose or detached motor connector can result in motor failure. If one motor loses power, the other motor must carry the entire load of the truck. Check all connectors to make sure they are snapped securely together.
Results
If the truck is operated with just a single motor doing the work, the fan inside the motor could melt at the motor shaft coupling causing it to come lose. If continued to run, the motor will be destroyed.
To our knowledge, there have not been any motor defects, but we have seen about 20 motor failures due to overload caused by driving with one motor only, or due to a jammed spur/pinion.
Loose slipper clutch adjusting nut
The truck will seem sluggish, especially off the line. Inability to No wheelie, and a squeal when accelerating from a stop may be heard. Tighten the nut all of the way down then back off about ¼ turn.
Result
Excessive heat buildup may occur from the slippage causing the spur gear center to melt. The spur gear will need to be replaced if driven until the gear melts.
Speed control failures
Component failures
So far, the only failures we have seen were due simply to electronic components from the suppliers that were obviously not up to spec. Make no mistake; this is the same type of component failure that you may find in a defective servo, transmitter or receiver. This type of failure normally occurs within the first few times that power is applied (a battery pack is connected and the unit is operated).
Overload
Remarkably we haven't seen a failure yet due to current overload. Please don't take this as a challenge folks. What we're saying is it just hasn't happened yet that we are aware of. For the record, we do test each VX12 several times during the assembly process of the E-Maxx, but it is impossible to catch every potential failure.
Results
Slamming the truck from forward to reverse repeatedly will cause severe heat buildup and is not recommended for any vehicle. Attempting to accelerate with the motors locked (up against the wall or something locking the drive train (i.e. loose grub screw from a pinion gear)), will probably destroy your battery pack or motors long before the speed control will blow.
Electrical shorts
A short can be caused by a number of things. Water is the enemy of anything electric. Running through puddles and snow will cause problems. The worst news is that these problems will probably cost you money because they will not be covered by warranty.
Sometimes a short circuit can be caused by a component failure, a defective battery pack, or any bad electrical connection. Call our customer service department if you have a question.
FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is there no reverse delay?
Our intent in the design of the VX12 was to provide you with the most efficient and toughest forward/reverse speed control that would hand 12 cells and 2 motors at the lowest possible price. Suggested retail is only $110.00. It is designed to handle an incredible amount of current and withstand a great deal of abuse. We believed that the E-Maxx buyers would prefer an electronic instead of a mechanical speed control.
When will there be more E-Maxx Trucks?
Due to industry wide component shortages, the next shipment of E-Maxx trucks will not be until March. If you want an E-Maxx and have the chance to get one, you may want to get it. Buy it, drive it, and have fun with it!
We appreciate your feedback and will continue to try and provide you with the best customer service in the industry. Even though we read these message forums, we don't normally respond to them. Please feel free to email us with any questions you may have at support@traxxas.com. Thanks for reading this post and have fun driving your new E-Maxx.
If you have a problem with your E-Maxx, TRAXXAS wants to hear from you. Whatever the problem may be, we can take care of it.
TRAXXAS CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER: 1-888-TRAXXAS
TRAXXAS invests the time in reading your threads/posts, provides a toll-free number to listen to your concerns and responds to your e-mails so that at the end of the day we can compile the information gathered and build higher quality products in the future.
-----
Traxxas "