Not only for speed freaks, but there is a definite advantage to high voltage over high current and as brushless becomes more mainstream, I think you'll see more HV setups. It's just gotta go from niche to mainstream...

Well, alot of chargers do 12S lipo's now-a-days. 12S Lipo is 44.4V nominal, 50.4 after a charge.

I'm sure there are some motors out there that accept that voltage...

Castle has an ESC that handles 12S too (Pheonix HV line).

I agree. Same as the heli scene. A year ago 15S ESCs were a dream. Now it's a reality with the Power Jazz. A few years ago ESCs couldn't run outrunners. Now it is very much mainstream.

What really needs to happen is car makers need to start putting out 1:8 electrics. So long as custom conversions remain the only route to 1:8 electric it will stay niche for a long time. Same story with the heli scene. A year ago there were very few larger than 30 size electric kits available, yet the conversion scene was very much happening - now there are more than 5 out of the box large electrics that are very affordable.

In a few more years nitro will be a niche market. :D

Hi,

I just discovered this thread. I'm thinking (or on the verge of) going for HV & lower current setup. I live in the tropics & the heat from lower voltage - high current setup really causes havoc (fried 5 esc as proof). I am also also in the same shoes as knotted. I want to try 8S with a 12XL or 1940 10wind on a 1/8 buggy. The esc I'm comtemplating is either a BK3695 or BK36120. However, I'm wary of the 36120 as somehow, it can only do 42000rpm max. (info from Mike's store).

In addition, a Lipo under load is likely to drop some voltage. From my limited expereince looking at my eagletree data logger using some Kokam 20C cells, I see something like 3.2V per cell. If one is to use 8S under load, the total voltage will be approx. 25.6V. Is this logical ?

Personally, I think higher voltage & lower current is the way to go for a more stable system at least in my part of the world. For now, it's still all theory for me. I will try & find out soon enough.

8S 4000mah capacity should be similar to 4S 8000mah with less losses due to heat. that's waht I want to try out next.

Regards,
Joe Ling

The 36120 has survived a 9s run and 26 cells. I hooked 12s up on it and it
destroyed a spur in about a sec with tires off ground. It was a rx problem.

I plan to run 8S too. I hope the cells don't drop to 3.2V/cell. I guess it depends on the cells. I hope to get away with running 8S 2100 mah, but we'll see if that works out...

What do you think of the MGM 16024? You said in another thread that you fried one of them and I was curious if you found them to be problematic...

I ran a MGM 16024. Would not recommend it to anyone. It may be the best controller in the wotld, but I wouldn't know because it's been off at MGM for repairs for four months now. Unfortunately I'm not an isolated case either.

Hi coolahndcountry,

Thanks for the info.

Hi Aragon,

I fried a 16160 (the one with lower voltage rating) while using a 5S. My impression is that the MGM cannot really take much abuse at all. BK took more abuse. There is no customer support to speak of. I emailed MGM direct & after a few correspondence, they just seemed to trail off & I get no response from them. In the end, I sent all the broken esc back to Mike & ask him to help.

So, I'm leaning more towards the BK.

Regards,
Joe Ling

That's a real pity. Apparently the BKs don't do more than 2 poles. Are there any other 8S options that do more than 2 poles? (apart from a Jazz which won't be as smooth)

Why not run CC phoenix HV esc & mechanical brakes?

The pheonix is a plane controller, for some odd reason they dont run well in cars, even with mechanical brakes. They are quite easy to smoke, not sure if its a software issue or what. The plane ESCs have short lives in cars.

Can't remember which one it was but someone was using a plane controller for a MT. The controller had stick & pistol compatibility.

I've never tried it myself however...........

I think the mgm can do more than 2 poles.

To my knowledge it can with the newest software.

The MGM can do upto 12 poles AFAIK. What worries me now is their rep.

I think the main problem with using non proven car speedos is cogging. A Kontronik Jazz has a car mode with proportional braking and optional reverse, but apparently it's not as smooth at startup as a proven car ESC like the MGM or BK...