Water proofing help!!

[Frogwagon]

I want to water proof my ESC, i heard that you can just coat the bored down with RTV or permetex but dont know if this is true or not. Any ideas?

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Are you just talking about maybe running in the rain, or complete submersion? As long as you don't go nuts in a lake or something you should just be able to wrap it tightly in Cling Wrap or something and cut out so the heatsink can breathe a little. If you run a very mild motor you might be able to just wrap the whole thing up. Just monitor temp. Same for your other electronics. The receiver would be far more prone to water than the esc in my opinion. Wrapping it up would be no issue though.

[Frogwagon]

I put the receiver in a balloon and sealed up the opening to its pretty well taking care off, ill end up running it in the snow and the occasional mud hole. I run a 18T motor so the esc get a little warm not too bad but still hot enough to have to leave uncovered. Its a HPI SC-15 ecs, i was told they are water resistant but dont know how true that is

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Well, I can't say that I can guarantee no problems if you use the Cling Wrap idea, but you should probably be ok. I wouldn't do much to the board unless you don't care to ruin it. Most electronics are pretty resilient to water as long as they're not completely submerged, but Michigan sees pretty serious snow so who knows? If it were me, I'd wrap the whole thing in Cling Wrap, cut out the heatsink and then go around the base of the heat sink with a hi temp sealant of some sort. You probably don't even need that, but why not? It's cheap enough. Or better yet, just buy a used XL-5.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Traxxas-XL-5-ESC-Speed-Control-Waterproof-3018X-/190416113437?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c55af4f1d

[Frogwagon]

The one i have is close to that already (well all but the water proof part ). since that my last reply in here i started on a box to just put it in ill put up a pic when im done.

[Frogwagon]

Scratch the box, my girl just said she was planning on getting me new electronics in a few days!! I'll just get water proof esc and receiver(already have a water proof servo)

[amp_driven]

plasti dip
works every time.
Take apart receiver
and spray directly on board.
Spray the whole servo.
Also you can spay into cup and brush on
They do have a dip also.
Either take apart ESC and spray board.
Or brush around crack of ESC where bottom meets heat sink.
Just make sure to keep off heat sink.
Can also be easily removed.
It does work !!!!
Should have gotten my son a boat
instead of the Bandit.
He is running the ezrun ESC.
With plasti dip,
he can still find the biggest puddles and I feel safe.
Heck, those puddles come quick with a 6000kv motor.
I feel safer with my own work.
A company may say waterproof,
not sure they warranty it though.

[Frogwagon]

I guess ill have to pick some up then, i just dont want to be on the side lines when snow falls even tho thats a way away

[amp_driven]

Plasti dip is very impressive stuff.
After covering receiver board, then reassemble.
I plug in servo and ESC wires and apply more.
I use servo extensions also so I can unplug when using ESC card
or pulling parts out for repair.
If not extra plugs,
you can still remove them.
Plasti dip is just a rubber coating.
It seals very well,
and can also be removed easily.
My son ruined a receiver
with the traxxas so called waterproof box.
His Bandit is now a submarine !!!! Without the XL5
Radio, computer, anything
can be waterproof with Plasti dip !!!!!
They should pay me for pimp'n the product.
Hope this helps ya,
snow is nothing.
Don't worry about motor,
they all run under water.
It DOES work.

[ricerscott]

Plasti dip is definatly a great way for waterproofing electronics, just make sure none gets on the heatsink when you are doing speed controls. Also be sure to put dielectric grease on all the connectors and pins otherwise they will corrode up pretty fast.