Bad news for future MM users.
 

From the traxxas forums, after a few people said that their esc wouldnt work with 14cells (red & green leds light up, indicating over-voltage). That sucks like a giant hoover....:neutral:

Why would they do this?

I'm guessing they have spent more money on replacing fried ESCs than they have sold because of the tempting voltage limits, lol.

Thats a shame... the MM in larger scale cars was starting to get very popular. I bet there will many many of those MM ESC's on ebay now...

BTW - how can you tell if it is the old version or new version?

Patrick is probably having trouble procuring the MOSFETs. I already told him in rcgroups I can help with that, but no answer yet from him.

Novak is "notorious" for under-specing speed controls. But, you can see what's happened to Castle. They spec the MM for 3s lipos and many users figure that 4s or 5s lipos should be OK.

The 4s or 5s lipo info becomes conventional wisdom out here in R/C forum-land. Then users believe that MM's damaged from over-voltage should be replaced "for free." I have seen comments in various fora where a racer will admit to using an esc waaay out of spec but still think it should be covered by the warranty.

A vicious cycle. Often the factory can't really tell what causes the damage, so the customer is given the benefit of the doubt.

Castle should make the overvolt protection switchable in the setup menu. That way regular users could leave it on and retain the warranty coverage and the rest of us can switch it off and pay the fees if we cook it. Hell, they could even have different charges for repairs if it was switched off. Personally if I cook one trying too run to high gearing on a heavy vehicle it is my fault. I have had excellent service from castle on a lot of their products and never had a charge from them. Anyway, the 50 bucks should cover their cost of an esc. Just my 2 cents, can't blame them for cvering their butts:wink:

Honestly, the MM should be easily capable of 4s since it is rated for 12 cells, which is VERY close in voltage (both right-off-the-charger and nominal). There's even a 4s LVC setting. However, I've always thought 5s was too much to expect, and still don't think it should be used in larger vehicles even though it could technically work.

My MM worked flawless today on 4S. It was only warm after about 8 minutes. Now days any manufacture should come out with ESC that can handle 6S without a sweet. If the FETs have a rating of 30V or more they should be able to handle 6S and make it the limit. They should also offer ESC capable of 12S lipos for those who likes to run HV and less AMPS.

I tried my MM with 14 cells and no go. I got the red and green lights. I will try it w/ 4s next and see what happens...

BTW cogging was horrible at 17/52

I've been using my non-new (but not terribly old) Mamba Max 4600 system in a XTM X-Cellerator on 4s 4800mah 20C Lipo for a couple weeks now and have had absolutely no problems with the ESC or motor. And to think, the truck is geared for roughly 65-70mph, and the motor doesn't get hot, and there hasn't been a thermal shutdown yet. The power is so great that I can easily flip over after pegging the throttle while going 45mph.
There is also a CCBEC in use.

Well maybe Castle should put an and to all this BS and just release the MMM. Not that expect them too or anything. I gave up on Castle months ago.

Castle, Tekin and Novak must be staffed with a bunch of short-sighted bafoons. There is a growing market that is not being addressed. The big truck/conversion group is probably one of the few segments in the industry that is seeing gains.
Novak could easily manufacture their HV-Maxx with a 5mm shaft...today. What's so hard about that?
Castle and Tekin, with their information "leaks" are acting like slimy politicians. They let out info to see how people will react and hold interest so we don't forget about them.

My take on all this is that the brains at these companies are not a savvy as one would assume. There are some smart folks here at the forums and elsewhere that have taken things into their own hands and improved on the manufactured product. Why not hire some of them, Tekin and CC? How about some REAL hobbyists on staff. People who actually participate in the hobby and have a passion for it?
Let's face it. MONSTER Mamba Max is just a name of a project. Same with Tekin's "whatevertheycallit." If they had a controller, they would sell it. There's a huge potential for profit. A companies success is based on profit. So why don't they jump on it? Because they don't know how. They need better people.

I agree with you 100000000%. Patrick from Castle said that the double stacked FET board didn't work for them, but griffinru has done that MOD with great success. I'm coming out with my own ESC that will be for large cars/trucks/buggy just to show this big dumb companies how a normal guy like me can do it.

Good luck guys. I hope you the very best of luck. Yes, indeed.
Soon, I'll be getting married and leave this sorrowful world of RC for ever. I'm leaving this forum as of today, as well as all of the other RC forums...I feel sick of brushless, nitro and everything regarding RC....aaaaaahhhhhh fewy!!!
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to sleep for a while..:sleep:





i'm lying...

Well, speaking for some of the buffoons......

Novak--especially Bob---has been toiling away on several conversion kits for the most popular 1/8th scale nitro RTRs. His office is full of nitro vehicles and many little plastic parts.. Bob is a pretty busy guy---he should probably retire, but then do what?

So, he toils on. It is a very slow project, but there are sure signs that things are speeding up.

The Novak HV projects are on target for early '08. We don't say much on the forums--don't want to get slimed for raising expectations. Our systems are sensored and you monster guys aren't waiting expectantly for sensored brushless items, anyway.

I don't know about the "huge potential for profit" thing. It always reminds me of the old joke:

How can you make a small fortune in the R/C industry?

Start with a large fortune.