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BrianG · 10.20.2008, 12:50 PM

A couple of points:

1) Low-ESR caps are good for 105*C. 180*F is only 82*C, so you're under the limit by a substantial amount. 82*C is not a good thing, but the cap should technically be ok.

2) You can usually tell a bad cap by if the top is bulging. The top should be flat.

3) A hot cap could indeed be the cap being overworked, or simply the ESC heating up and the heat being transferred by the large wire to the cap, or both are getting hot. That said, a hot ESC usually means you are overgeared. If not, then something is placing a heavy load on the ESC; binding drivetrain, worn bearings, vehicle too heavy, etc.

	(#2)
BrianG RC-Monster Admin Offline Posts: 14,609 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Des Moines, IA	10.20.2008, 12:50 PM A couple of points: 1) Low-ESR caps are good for 105C. 180F is only 82C, so you're under the limit by a substantial amount. 82C is not a good thing, but the cap should technically be ok. 2) You can usually tell a bad cap by if the top is bulging. The top should be flat. 3) A hot cap could indeed be the cap being overworked, or simply the ESC heating up and the heat being transferred by the large wire to the cap, or both are getting hot. That said, a hot ESC usually means you are overgeared. If not, then something is placing a heavy load on the ESC; binding drivetrain, worn bearings, vehicle too heavy, etc.