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Had a long talk with a castle tech. I hooked up the castle link to my computer and reset everything. Went for a few runs and came back. He had a lot to say. I'll get back to that.

Run specs:
24 tooth Robinson pinion
54 tooth spur
32 pitch gears
4.2 inch Pro Line Street fighter beadlock tires.
Stock stealth GT2 transmission with upgraded high torque slipper pads
Slipper tightend down and backed off 1/4 turn
Diff tightened down and backed off 1/4 turn
Chassis lowered drastically
3 reedy saddle packs (3s) 20c 4800mAh
Mamba Monster X ESC
2650kv castle motor
45.6 MPH (dual GPS verified)

Castle link info:
31,605 RPM
100% throttle achieved
101.8 degrees max ESC temp
64 amp, 733 watt max draw (limited by 4mm bullet plugs)
1.66 voltage ripple (yikes)
12.9 max voltage (wat? It's 12.6 I confirmed each pack at 4.20)


Call with castle:
I called with a concern that the RC calculater said I should see 71 MPH. I was instructed to open the link program and read the above details. He told me that all is well with my setup. He said that scriptasylum's calculater is just a tool and is not always accurate. He also told me the ESC will never see the max voltage, especially from 3- 20C 4mm bullet saddle packs. I was told that under 35c can void my warranty as the resistance is too high. That aside, my RPM is exactly where the calculater puts me at 11.5v max, and that is what the castle link shows I achieved in both RPM and average voltage. The max voltage spike. This 12.9 is real, but it is a split second spike, or ripple. Not good. Caused by the 20C packs.

Prognosis from castle:
Step to a 4s 50-100c quality single battery. I am way under powered and taxing the system by way of resistance. Not saddles and a minimum of 10ga wire. The ESC is functioning as it should now but I need to stop attempting speed runs with 20c crap batteries and step up to a better battery. Also the 101 degrees is laughable. He told me 4s and then recheck. If I can handle it still, and it's under 135 degrees (no fan running), then I was told by castle to step up to a larger pinion.

The good news is with a locked diff and slipper it acts as it should. Like an untamed wild beast.

100c 4s shorty lipo battery research is about to commence. More to come.

very cool stuf !

Well, I coulda told you right with the 20c batteries They just don't dump nearly as fast as a 50c, or even close to how a 100c battery will.

yellowdatsun wrote:Well, I coulda told you right with the 20c batteries They just don't dump nearly as fast as a 50c, or even close to how a 100c battery will.

I have shunned 1/8 for a long time calling them expensive 1/10 monster trucks

But times have changed. I have to date:

Just about every 7-2 through 20-1 540 can brushed motor from caliber and traxxas to reedy and peak. I even stepped up to brushless a few years back and own the castle 4600/sidewinder 3, 3500kv/Vxl-3s Velineon, and Reedy 3300/sc-500-BL systems. They have always worked well on anything from 20C-50C 3200-5000mAh lipos that I have paired them to.

But these 15xx can motors and the 6s Mamba Monster X really are a whole new ball game. What I have on batteries (is a lot!), none of it is good enough though for the draw from these new systems. I picked up 2 65C 5800 Reedy 2s packs to give a whirl. Charging now, maybe I'll locate a long enough straight to test it out. If temps allow, maybe I can make a pass on 5s.......

71 mph. I am slightly disappointed in the calculator. But the temps are spot on at 107.3 MAX and average of 95. I am going to be gearing up big time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghFD66yJ8Ts

Yup. I have a Mamba Max Pro esc and 2400kv 550 motor in my Traxxas Slash, and it is a BEAST. That's just on 2s too, since our track doesn't allow 3s. On 3s I'm sure it would be just stupid

yellowdatsun wrote:Yup. I have a Mamba Max Pro esc and 2400kv 550 motor in my Traxxas Slash, and it is a BEAST. That's just on 2s too, since our track doesn't allow 3s. On 3s I'm sure it would be just stupid

This is the 2650 on 4s

I'm contemplating 2000Kv reedy on 6s....



What I'm finding is the ESC is flawed. It now has dual 65C 5800 Reedy 7.4's and is seeing all kinds of wacky voltage, 17.2 volts max and 15.0 minimum. I checked my batteries. Even shortened my battery cables as short as possible. It still has a ripple of 1.8v max.


I have not abused the ESC, I have kept a data log since day one. How much better quality batteries/wires do I need? At some point I have to start pointing fingers elsewhere. I think I will contact castle tomorrow with my data.

Hmm, odd. I run Castle systems in all my cars/trucks (4), and have never had an issue. But I'm also not trying to push them as hard as you are. Do you think it's ever overheated? They have a fan, but it can still only do so much when drawing that kind of current.

No way possible it's ever over heated. Not a chance. The fan has never turned on because of temp. It's never been over 110 degrees F.

I'm about to call em.

call castle. Thing is they can only help if you tell them all what you are doing with it. Won't help any if you don't tell them about stacking batterys and speed runs. I've had some pretty overheated and abused used castle esc and haven't had any issues with them like you are having but like datsun said I'm not trying to push them like you are.

Todd

I told them my plans for 100mph with a GT2. 4s on a Mamba Monster X should be nothing (6s max). I'm putting 17v in a 25v ESC and pulling only 80 amps through the 120 amp limit. My temps have never even exceeded 110 degrees, I emailed my data from the castle link and am waiting for a reply. The last conversation I had with them I was told I could gear up!

Hi,

I watched your video and saw the low flying jet but where was your truck?

Cheers, Dave.

Where do I find custom pinions?

I need a 32pitch 32 tooth 5mm shaft pinion.

Also I would love to find a 50t 32pitch spur for a GT2

Keshaw Designs is sending me a 35t hardened steel pinion, and for a spur i am going to try and use an Associated ProLite 47t.


Based on my current speed and batteries, I should see 110mph.

I am thinking of swapping everything over to a wider pan blue GT. I am seeing a shock/spring upgrade and 6s possible


I am wanting more space then the GT2 has to offer



What say ye oh great RC brethren?!