Orion ESC help!

[Ucsdmutt]

Hey guys, I bought a six year old ESC that came with a T5M for a great deal. The problem is when wired up, the ESC won’t run unless I manually start the wheels turning. Once turning it works great, brakes and everything, but once the wheels come to a complete stop it won’t start up again, unless I manually turn the wheels again! I swapped the motors and sensor cable and no change. Do you think the ESC is broken? I don’t have a program box so can’t do a software update. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Lonestar]

Hey guys, I bought a six year old ESC that came with a T5M for a great deal. The problem is when wired up, the ESC won’t run unless I manually start the wheels turning. Once turning it works great, brakes and everything, but once the wheels come to a complete stop it won’t start up again, unless I manually turn the wheels again! I swapped the motors and sensor cable and no change. Do you think the ESC is broken? I don’t have a program box so can’t do a software update. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

something's wrong with the sensor circuitry indeed - either both your motors, both your sensor cables, or the sensor side on the speedo... check if one of the sensor pins on the esc is bent. spray some wd40 in there, brush gently with a little toothbrush, and blow it away right after. Not sure whether a reflash would help, really, but in any case I would still pick up a programming card, because you definitely want to know how this baby's set up to start with, and without a prog card, it'll be a pita.

to note: the orion PC is a hobbywing one, with some tweaks that prevent you from using the $9.99 HW one and force you to purchase the $59.99 Orion one instead

(one of the reasons why I sold my orion speedoes btw...)

[Ucsdmutt]

Thanks, I think this ESC is toast.

What ESC do you recommend? I was looking at the Reedy 519R. I’m guessing a HW?

[Lonestar]

Thanks, I think this ESC is toast.

What ESC do you recommend? I was looking at the Reedy 519R. I’m guessing a HW?

If you're into Orions and Reedys, you won't like what I recommend... but I will try anyway:

this: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobbykingr-x-car-120a-brushless-car-esc-sensored-sensorless.html

It's a clone (possibly also made by HW) of HW's V2.1's, which was their top of the line racing speedo from 5 or 6 years ago. Also compatible with HW program cards and software.

I'm racing a few regularly, and they hold their own vs. anything else. Especially for the price...

[RC10th]

Hobbywing 120A V2.1 for bang for buck
Hobbywing V3.1 or X10 for racing

Brilliant ESC's !!

[Lonestar]

Hobbywing 120A V2.1 for bang for buck
Hobbywing V3.1 or X10 for racing

Brilliant ESC's !!

Let me correct that - "Hobbywing V3.1 or X10 for racing" if you're in the top10% at your track, otherwise you won't feel the difference vs. a good ole V2.1 (or its clone linked above!)

[RC10th]

Agreed the V3.1 and XR10 are likely too adjustable for the "average" user, but they offer a lot of tunability. The data logging is quite simple but extremely handy as it gives you a snapshot of how your system is performing. The HV BEC is also fantastic if your using HV servos,

The V2.1 is in my opinion the best all around ESC without spending V3.1 or XR10 money. You can still run crazy dynamic timing with the 2.1 if you wish or just keep it simple, but the 3.1/XR10 are next level.

I'm a total convert with the 3.1 and XR10 though, when I ran blinky 10.5 with the 3.1 and V10 everyone thought I was cheating. Almost too much power, everything was stone cold and you could comfortably run three 5 min heats on one battery.