Venom Smart Temp featuring the world's first overheat failsafe mode

[StevePond]

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/venom/venom_smart_temp.jpg


VENOM SMART TEMP – New for Feb/Mar 2005

Featuring the world’s first Overheat Fail Safe Mode for R/C vehicles.

A true on-board computer featuring:

1. On-board temp monitor with peak temp memory

2. Overheat failsafe mode: User can set at what temperature the unit goes into Overheat Fail Safe Mode. When in overheat fail safe mode, the unit automatically throttles back the engine to a maximum level the user sets, ie. 60% of throttle (available throttle, not stuck at 60%). After the engine temp drops consecutively below the overheat threshold, the user regains 100% of throttle control.

3. Traditional radio signal & low voltage....functions can be turned off.

4. Digital voltmeter

5. C/F temperature modes

6. No battery required - powered by receiver

Part no. VEN-0605
Price: Retail $59.99; $49.99 Street

For more information about this and other Venom products, visit the Venom Racing (http:// www.venom-racing.com) website.


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[Kmot]

That is brilliant!

[hernan43]

It sure is. I was planning on purchasing a fail safe, and now I think I am going to wait for this to hit the shelves.
--Ray

[rckid11]

Ouch 50 dollars!!!! That is a great idea though. Hopefully the price will drop.

[Cotharyus]

Not bad. I wonder how much this will help the guys that overheat because thier low end is too lean?

[nitrothugg]

nice idea here, one of those "how come i didnt think of that?" its more for a break-in aid if you ask me though. dont use this if you're racing. could you imagine trying to get the last bit of speed you can on the straight, neck and neck and then venom the "shotgun" driver slows you down. :)

[hernan43]

nice idea here, one of those "how come i didnt think of that?" its more for a break-in aid if you ask me though. dont use this if you're racing. could you imagine trying to get the last bit of speed you can on the straight, neck and neck and then venom the "shotgun" driver slows you down. :)

I read about this in one of the magazines and I believe it mentioned that the user could disable any of its features. I believe this includes the heat cutoff. But you do make a good point. That could definitely be a bad thing to forget to turn off. :)
--Ray

[always_opencarb]

they should make an all in one with the fail safe, temp moniter, and speed meter. way to venom!

[TMaxxBenny25]

i wish i invented that! Id be rollin in the DOUGH!!

[oldginger]

We would like to see more companies like Venom in the R/C industry! :cool:

TSAIS appreciates original, practical, and creative ideas. Good job!

[Silent Night]

Wow, I really need to get one of these... When is it going to come out?

[shadowghost1]

Ouch 50 dollars!!!! That is a great idea though. Hopefully the price will drop.


50 bucks isnt bad when you consider what most engines cost.

[Home_Depot_Guy]

I almost picked up a failsafe the other day, and now am glad I didn't. Good thing I browsed this forum, he he..

We would like to see more companies like Venom in the R/C industry!

They're very good at the customer service side as well. I got a bad monitor, sent it to them on Monday ( priority mail ) , got a real typed out e-mail from somone there, saying it was faulty and sending me a new one. I got the replacement three days later, and there was a nice letter inside it, and 3 replacement batteries.

[BlutoSigPi]

Jeeze, I just saw this. I actually did the exact same project as my senior project for my Electrical Engineering degree. I never finished it completely after the prototype..shoot. I knew I should have finished that up. Only difference, my project used a selinoid to shut the fuel off during an overheat. Wasn't practical...I like this design better with just reducing the throttle servo throw. That was the missing piece of my project. Way to go Venom! I agree...of course...this is brilliant. :D

[hernan43]

I recently received a notice from Tower Hobbies that these are now in stock. Does anyone have one? Can anyone tell me/us how they like it?
--Ray

[metalry101]

That's a pretty cool idea...but I dunno. I really prefer the hand held units like the Duratrax Flashpoint. Then I can continually check on the engine temps as I'm driving and make minor tuning adjustments as necessary. Honestly I'm not all that wild about on-board temp guages in general. They do work well, and I suppose it would be nifty to be able to find out how hot my engine got during a bunch of high speed runs, but I dunno. My only other complaint with it is that it's gonna be best for monster trucks (it's not big, but it's not exactly small either), and monsters are hard enough on battery packs as it is, without having this draw power from them too. Maybe it's very efficient and doesn't affect much, but it seems like it'd be better if it were powered by watch batteries or something. I dunnno, just a thought. I like the fail safe part of it though, and I suppose if you don't like to carry around a hand held temp gun (I don't mind at all, but some people might), this would be an ideal setup. Most of the fail safe stuff is pretty standard, but I gotta say I do really really like that built in digital voltmeter. That could be quite handy.

[iam_markm]

I have one and I must have got a dud because it doesn't work very well. The voltmeter is not accurate. My fully charged Reedy hump pack only reads 5.2V on the Smart Temp, but with a calibrated multimeter, it reads 6.03V. I also have an issue with the failsafe. My truck will only go about 100ft and then the failsafe activates. When I run the truck without the Smart Temp (I couldn't believe I was losing signal that easily, so I took a chance), I have no problems with signal well in excess of 100ft. I have contacted Venom customer service a couple of days ago to see if they can help me out, but I have yet to hear back from them. I hope they can help me out, the Smart Temp almost brand new. On the positive side though, The temperature readings were pretty accurate when I checked it against a quality temp gun.

[fastharry]

tell you what......anyone in NJ can come racing with us...we'll teach you to tune an engine for free........

[glen619]

I have one. It works well as a failsafe... but as a temp monitor... i'm not sure... the other day, it read 570 degrees farenheit..... it's not the most accurate thing... but the Voltmeter and Failsafe work fine. I just disable the temp monitor.

[Deadhead]

hey everyone, you can get these on Ebay, NEW for $30-$40, take a look!! thats alot cheepes then the retail price, and theres tons of em!!

[JoshsTL01]

hmm doesnt sound as good anymore. so if i have a failsafe unit, i have to remove it to use this? id rather have a failsafe to save the entire car than a temp. gauge that saves the engine.

[Figit090]

yeah so far reviews look bad, i'd stick to just the fail safe for now unless those bad reviews were just duds. You wouldnt want two units, they both have fail-safes, but one also uses engine temp as a factor.... i wouldn't leave the plain failsafe on the truck if you added the new temp fail safe, it will just suck up more juce, and could cause excess interference with two fail-safes. you dont need two to do the job one can, and it's just extra weight.

it doesn't look like a good product though, if they make it work it would be awsome, but it sounds like a flump. Is it just me or has venom had more than one mistake when trying to make fail-safes or temp gauges? I think i remember their other attempts failing as well...not sure though.

[Ridder]

I receiver the Venom Smart Temp today.
I put it in my car and put some water on the stove.
When the water was boiling I put the red temp sensor part in the boiling water.
The VST read 100 degr.C/212 degr. F.
How more accurate can you be??

I went to the racetrack this afternoon and everything worked well.
No problems here, I'm a happy camper!

[tagmann50]

I got a VST and could not get it to work right in my REVO. I followed the directions exactly. I took off the opti drive sensor and it works fine! Any ideas? The only thing I noticed is when I turn off my tx and leave the rx on to test what happens if i lose radio contact the sterring servos glitch back and forth.

[Ridder]

Do you have the Venom Smart Temp??
What's the Opti Drive Sensor?

Mine is just placed between the Rx and the throttle servo.
Does the display turn on?

[tagmann50]

Yes, I was talking about the Venom Smart Temp. The opti drive sensor is that little box that doesnt let you shift into reverse if your moving forward.

[Ridder]

Yes, I was talking about the Venom Smart Temp. The opti drive sensor is that little box that doesnt let you shift into reverse if your moving forward.

Did you check the Venom homepage?
It has a page especially for the Traxxas revo and how to install the VST...

[ozzgood]

any updates of current users of this failsafe/temp/do hicky thingy ... :) looking at picking two up maybe off ebay if my local lhs cant compete reasonably with prices on ebay. looks like a great idea!!

[Ridder]

I had a little problem with the VST, and got it replaced without any problems!
In addition I got a Venom Speed Meter ! Great service!
I love this super duper failsafe!

[iam_markm]

I know this is a little late, but I'd just like to give an update on my experience with Venom.

After contacting customer service and explaining my situation, they quickly replaced my device. The customer service was second to none.

[Buzzard28]

Yea, this one is really late!

I got this piece yesterday. It was a requirement of the track I went to for failsafes to be used. Looks like it does have problems with Traxxas optidrive systems. My T-Maxx 3.3 is doing the same thing as tagmann 50's Revo, but mine will also glitch into full reverse.

[VENOMOUS]

Just a quick update since this came up.

We have collected all of the RTR radio systems out there from the major brands and have conducted extensive testing to see whats going on with glitches and weird situations that have been reported. As a result we have found that our Smart Temp is very sensistive to any RF noise from servos and radio equipment and what its actually doing is letting you know about even the most minor issues. Basically its too sensitive for some systems and just fine with others. The main issue we see is with the RTR radio systems. It can be as simple as a set of crystals being one digit off from a matched pair.
So as a result we are in the process of retuning the units to be a little more passive but remain safe.
If you have any problems with your current Smart Temp please feel free to contact us and as always we will do our best to help you figure out your application and installation.

VENOMOUS

[apollo]

im ust say mine works just fine and i love the overheat safe mode, lets me know when its getting too, hot, its sometimes hard to tune when weather changes but i love my smart temp, but i have noticed its a bit sensitive