My E-Maxx just caught fire!! :-(

[old phart]

Holy smokes! I was running my E out in front of my house on the street. I was making high speed passes in 2nd gear. After about the 6th pass, as I was turning it around in front of me, it would not move anymore. And all of a sudden, I saw smoke coming from under the body! I rushed over and turned the switch off. I was like "***?"

I started walking back to my front step, and noticed it was continuing to smoke. I figured I better disconnect the battery packs quick. As I started to set the car down and take the body clips off, it started smoking and stinking really bad! I got the body off, and flames started coming from the ESC! I disconnected the battery cables as quick as I could, but they just fell on the ground. I started blowing out the flames. I was not beleiving this was happening!

I DID NOT RUN IN ANY WATER OR WET GRASS!

I do have the new Trinity "Wild" motors. Is that why it caught fire?

Check out the pics I just took:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1331003&a=12119597

[Nairb]

It's because Traxxas makes POS electronics...

[Project TL01]

I would HIGHLY recommend a Super Rooster or some other reversing ESC that can handle low turn motors. Also, switch to low loss connectors like Deans Ultra Plugs. Something else you might look into is a small CPU fan(12V). You could hook it up to the power wires and it would cool the ESC while you drive. THe downside is shorter run time. The upside is no more blown ESCs.

[JoeTheShmoe]

If you told traxxas and sent them pictures they may replace the esc, and/or and burnt up parts, because it wasnt your fault the esc did that. Its worth a try anyway. Maybe you could even con them into new battery packs because yours were under "heavy stress" from all the high heat and smoke and stuff. http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/wink.gif

[krayzie]

Thats wierd..... i have had no porblems with my ESC and i have the Monster maxx wilds...You could get Super Roosters..but you would have to get 2 because the SR cant handle 14.4 volts.....and you would have to get 540 size motors...

[This message has been edited by krayzie (edited 03-16-2001).]

[jboyce13]

i heard of that happening to a couple of people, they said that traxxas had some bad esc's that went out. talk to them and see what tey can do for you

[old phart]

I called Traxxas and explained to them exactly what happened and the fact I have Monster Wilds.

I have run the E 3 times previously with the Wilds, and even changed packs to keep running. No problem.

Today after work, I was running it at WOT and then braking heavily using reverse. I have just read on the web, that doing so can cause big heat in an ESC.

Traxxas said they never tested the Wilds yet and don't know if the ESC can hold up to them. In any case, they told me to send the ESC in with $20 and an explanation of what happened.

So, I am going to be down for a few weeks I guess. http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/frown.gif

[Project TL01]

Yeah, heavy braking using reverse can be bad. In that case I would go with the CPU fan to cool the ESC. Even if the ESC doesn't get too hot during normal operation, it'll let you brake with a measure of insurance. Not fool proof, but it's something.
(you can get the CPU fans a radio shack or any computer store. A 12V would be good, but a 6V would also work)