Overheating ESC Shutdown Problem!

[Top End]

Hey everybody - I have a question about my Cat98. I am having a big problem with overheating causing the ESC to shut everything down.

I am running a Fantom 12x2 motor.
Current gearing is 19 pinion 87 spur.
I have a Novak Tempest Pro ESC (no motor limit)
Sanyo 2400 batteries.

I have cut vents in the body so there is airflow over the motor and the ESC. I turned the comm and replaced the brushes and the car ran fine for 3 heats, then it overheated in the main again. When I inspected the comm and brushes they appeared fine and did not need to be cut/replaced yet.

This is driving me crazy! I love racing 4wd, but I can't stand overheating every race. Any help would be great!

[JP]

Go down a pinion. Then try adding heat sinks, the Tempest Max didnt come with them.

[Top End]

I have already geared down, helped a little, I seem to be able to run a little longer. I added heat sinks from an LRP ESC, didn't seem to help.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

Any others?

[ZenLosi]

You might already do this, but put a fan or two on the speed control and motor between heats. We'll do this with batteries, too. Maybe you have something dragging somewhere, too? My XXT CR spur was too close to the case which caused my pinion to rub on the motor and in turn created more friction and heat. I fixed it by spacing the whole slipper assembly out with a little spacer, now the pinion can be attached further from the motor.

-Zen

[JP]

You maybe need a diff rebuild if it sounds bad, drag in the diff can literally overheat the speed control (did that with my Super Rooster when I had my Rustler working). Did your car work fine, and now your having trouble? Like mentioned, there could be something dragging or hanging up/binding. Do your wires need to be replaced? You may have the wires soldered to thinner wire like 14-16 guage and it may be restricting current and overheating your ESC.

[B3 Bomb]

The CAT 98 that is 4wd right, that could also be cause of the overheating.

[Gutter Ball]

Try putting some thermal paste on all the fins of your speed control, then mount the heatsink again! That should help dissapate the heat better. Good luck!

[BadRacer]

I burned up a stock with that same ESC! I had to large of an pinion on it. I was wondering the same thing (it was getting hells a hot!) When i finaly figured out it was the pinion it was too late. Like everyone else is saying...heat sinks..14-16 gau. wire. You will find out whats going on sooner or later..lets just hope its not later!

[The_Ne-Go-She-Ate-r]

i think it sounds like you have building problem, see if your belts are to tight if so that could cause it, then rebuid your diffs as smooth as possible,use associated lube it works better. and re oil all your bearing, if none of that works, i think your problem is that your motor is not brooking in correct which could make it overheat , does your motor get real hot like your esc?
well get some duratrax power shot rip down your motor break it in right and use the power shot!

[TufferWilde]

Top End -

Don't know much about the Tempest, but here is what my experience has said. Check ALL solder connections and wire for any wear and tear. Make sure you are not going froma larger guage wire to a smaller one - the increased load is bad for the ESC. As for wire size - the bigger you can run, the better!! Much less resistance.

Try running someone else's motor for a run and check to see if the same thing occurs, it could be a bum motor!

[XXXER]

Hell, just send it in for repairs, if you have over heated it once or more, it is probably messed up, good way to find binding in the drivetrain, take off pinion, it should roll super smooth, if not, find the prob.