Schulze 18.97KW
 

I bought an Schulze 18.97KW last week on eBay, just to try an other brand. Right now I mostly use Quark ESC's, and I'm very happy with them. I'm curious of how the Schulze will perform. I will use it in my HPI E-Firestorm with a Hacker C40-S 14 (3000kv) on a 3S 5000mAh 20C LiPo.

Anyway... I read some older posts on over here about Schulze. Some said (Lutach, Serum) these Controllers like to burn up.
- Does somebody already know why these burnt? Too long wires, bad connections, overgearing?
I also read that Schulze's service isn't that good. But these posts are from 2007/2008.
- How is Schulze's service at this time?
The manual of the 18.97 sucks imo. They say something about an BEC.
- Do I need an UBEC for this ESC?

Oh... and if you guys got any tips for me on this ESC, I would like to hear it :yes:

Have a fire extinguisher near by at all times - Short motor and battery leads - Consider extra caps...

I think you will need a UBEC and LVC if you are going to be using lipos...

Yep, extra caps and keep the wires short. Pretty sure it will work with multi pole motors, unlike the bk escs. Not sure if it has a lvc, if not you will need an external lvc. Old controller, hope you got a good deal.

@Arct1k: hehe, I won't have a fire extinguisher, just hope it won't burn. Ok, I will keep the wires short, and look for some caps.

@ANGRY-ALIEN: Yes, I will use LiPo's. Doesn't this ESC have an LVC?

@Linc: Ok, will keep the wires as short as possible. Yup, got an good deal! But ehh... 10,013 posts? I thought you won't go over 9,999?


@All: Where can I get some caps?

You can check these out from Mike - 35 volt, 1200uf capacitor... I used a pair to mod my 125B... really made a big difference for those demanding moments... like: heavy braking and hard acceleration...

I don't think these ESC were built with LVCs back in the day... people were still using 'high quality' NIMHs.

http://www.schulze-elektronik-gmbh.de/futu-e.htm

Have a look at this thread - Does a Schulze 18.97kw have a lvc?

Arh, Good old schulze..

No LVC, no build in BEC.

It's quite simple, some of them run perfect for years, and at a certain point they simple go up in smoke.

as with most of the 'older' brushless controller. schulze however decided to give no proper customer friendly service on their controllers. Unlike Castle, who's customer service has always been perfect to me.

Don't forget, schulze was a pioneer in brushless controllers. They still dominate in the strongest controllers market. 300A, 40 cells. They have got serious numbers on them. (not only size-wise.. :) )

Thank you for the link.

Hmm, is the difference really so big? Just because of a capacitor? Do you really notice the difference?


@Serum, hehe yes idd, some are very big :mdr:

And when it happens..

Make sure you'll have the camera stand-by..

I'd be happy to add it to my wall of shame..

:lol: I film 80% of my driving, so there could be a chance of having a cool video :whistle:

Your wall of shame hehe


Btw, I'll send you a pm in a few minutes.

Yep... I did... lots more power on start ups :yes:... It also help with the temps.


Alien

That sounds interesting. I think I will just buy a bunch of them and also solder some on my Quarks. You soldered them on the PCB, but I can also just solder them to the + and - wires which go to the battery right?

Yes you can, but put them as close as possible to the PCB... and remember to solder them in parallel...

Here's the thread I used for reference: Quark regenesis!

I didn't say they like to burn up....Mine actually burned up. How it happened was funny too. My truggy went on a slide, started rolling backwards, I gave it some throttle to move it forward again, it stopped and massive amount of smoke started coming out. Funny, it hasn't happened to any other controller even a smaller 60A Schulze I used after that happened.

Arct1k is right and I hope it doesn't happen to you. Do what they are telling you, but if something does happen after you've done all of it, contact Mr. Schulze to see if he'll blame you for it.

I love those pics :lol:.

@byte; Why would there be any service on a 2nd hand device that's probably a few years old?

I've learned my lesson with schulze, (and paid the price as well, "research costs", 50 euro or so for a faulty device that wasn't my fault..)

Mine went up in smoke just like Lutach's one.

If it goes up in smoke, save the trouble. Throw it away, and get over it..

@lutach; have you got pics of your smoked schulzes? it would be an honor and privilege to add them.. LOL

Yeah, it's in that link you posted :lol:. The first pic is my truggy.

hi

keep the wires as short as possible. additional caps are nice.
however imo schulzes do not burn up more or less than other brands on a significant level. some just like one brand better than another and vice versa. thats about it. no mystery there.
on 4s my 18.97kw voltage cut off was just right for the lipos.
the missing bec eliminates one source of failure. not such a bad thing imo.
service is sure worse than some others especially if you do not live in germany or nearby.

bye
rhylsadar

Heya Rhylsader! How are you doing? i am leaving this afternoon to visit a friend in Wintertuhr!

I have two Schulze the 25.150Wk and the 40.160WK. So far they have been great!!!! No temp or reliability issues. However that said as soon as the HV MMM are released i will be buying two to replace them. They may burn up more but the service will be a lot better.

I've only seen a handfull of the poptart Schulze fail. They are the best Schulze controllers. The other ones are the weak link for Schulze. My 40.160 is a beast, but I'm giving it a little time off :lol:. I got to enjoy my Chinese poptarts for a bit.