Custom ESCs?
 

I'm looking for an ESC for my micro Desert Truck and have been eyeing the 1/18th scale Sidewinder but it's a bit big and the wires are longer and thicker than they need to be. Would it be possible to get essentially the same ESC but more compact with smaller and shorter wires? It only needs to be able to handle 5-6 amps continuous and about 10 amps peak.

Maybe you can find an older style Mamba ESC, maybe contact Castle or Mike direct and see if they have any of the old ones still laying around?

Or maybe a Quark 22/33A would work?

Another option: This will void the warranty, but how about removing the sidewinder guts from the case, removing the heatsink (or using a much smaller one - even just a slab as a heat spreader), and resoldering the size wires you need? You could then wrap the whole thing in heatshrink and cut out a little window for the heatsink area. Even with the HS removed, heat shouldn't be an issue due to the really low currents involved.

IIRC the older M25 is the same size as the new Sidewinder.

I'd rather avoid a Quark, I'd have to ship it overseas for repairs and from what I've heard from Quark owners it'll be needing work more often than I'd like.

I've thought about re-wiring the entire thing and I will likely do so if I can't get a custom one made or if it costs too much.

+1 for the Quark 22A!

Size: 33.5 x 25 x 6 mm

This should fit, right?

Sounds smaller than the SideWinder but I'm not totally convinced that a Quark is a good idea based on input from people who have had them.

EDIT: The Tekin B1-R would work fine, it's a little long and costs more than the SW but it'll work.

i have a Quark 33 in my RC18 and it has been bulletproof. there are however a b.... to program however. My mamba 25 kept overheating yet the Quark runs cool.

I've had three Quarks (125b), all very smooth and capable controllers; and never had a problem. I only have 2 now that I sold a vehicle and a Quark went with it. If you can compensate for the higher temperature these tend to produce and don't mind the obscure/limited programming, it is one of the smoothest, if not the smoothest, ESCs around. And IIRC, even the smaller versions can handle up to 5s fine (with an external BEC of course).

I've got an 80B, and it runs so lovely! And I've also bought a 125B today. (Pritty sure)

Don't want the Losi micro controller?

dont castle have a line of aircraft ones for little tiny winy amp draws?
but reverse would be bad.

Nope. They came out only a few months ago and there are people on their 3rd ESC already and getting Horizon to replace them is a bit of a pain.

If they'll bind to my DX 2.0 they'll work but I find myself needing reverse with the Micro all the time.

Here's one you might not have seen, saw it the other day.
http://www.teamorion.com/Products/Vo...Vortex+136+ESC

What do those cost? Right now it's looking like the Tekin Mini Rage is the ESC to use.

I use the mamba 25 in mine... I would suggest the CC because without the ability to adjust punch and start power they can be quite undrivable with all the extra amps ;) Once adjusted correcty they can be pretty damn impressive. This micro was running 30+mph with losi 10250kv motor, 230mah 15c 2s lipo, and the mamba 25.... Not to mention the close to 25 minute runtimes :) Here is a few pics of it rewired more aproppriatly and a added RC18 heatsink... Fits like a charm and not suprisingly performs like a monster in such a light veh. sorry for the low quality pics

Just my 2 cents but hope it helps!

Heath

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...arbon-t/h3.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...arbon-t/h4.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...arbon-t/h5.jpg

Thanks for the input. I'm thinking of running either a Feigao or another motor which is said to be 31% more efficient than the equivalent Losi motor (I've got the link on another computer). Are you running an extended chassis? The Desert Truck is longer than the Micro T, hard to tell with those big tires.