Hydra Question for the CC Guys

[Unsullied_Spy]

I have an AquaCraft SuperVee 27 that I am upgrading and need a new speed controller for it. I'm currently running a HobbyCity 9XL motor on 4s but I want to step up to a Neu 1512 2Y on 6s lipo as soon as I can swing the cash for the motor. The regular Hydra 120 is what the chart on the CC website recommends for this boat but I want to run 6s through it. It's rated to handle 6s with the BEC disabled but I've heard they aren't really reliable on 6s and that I should step up to the Hydra HV.

Is it your recommendation to go with the HV (60 or 120?) or will the regular Hydra be OK? If I do go with the standard Hydra and the rumors prove to be true and I kill it can I send it in as if it were a warranty repair and pay the difference to upgrade to an HV?

[traxxasrevony]

well i have a blackjack 26 and i cooked 2 hydra 120s one running a feiago 9xl on 4s8k and another running a medusa 80mm 2200 on 4s8400. i just stepped up to a hydra hv 180 and it is a great controller. and now ill be about to throw it in my shockwave 36 on 8s. i was really hoping to get a 1500kv medusa for that project but as i was about to order they folded. so now the savings begins for a 1527

[Unsullied_Spy]

That's what I was afraid of. I guess I should go with a HV-60 or HV-120 rather than risk burning my boat up with the 25v Hydra.

[Pdelcast]

Or, you might want to wait for the Phoenix-ICE-HV-160. It will handle more power than the HV-120, and with water cooling will handle more power than the hydra-HV-240.

[Unsullied_Spy]

Yeah? I've been eyeing the ICE controllers but don't really have anything to put one in. How will it do in a boat application? Will they be offered with water cooling?

I'm running the stock water pickup in the rudder and will be running that strictly for ESC cooling so temperature won't be an issue with water cooling. I'm running a separate pickup for the motor so everything should run nice and cool. As long as the programming on the ICE will be fine in a boat and I can get it water cooled I'd like to go that route.

EDIT: I'll be using my Spektrum DX 2.0. Will the ICE controllers be compatible with a pistol-grip radio or will it need a Pistix adapter? Could I buy a 100A ICE Lite controller, remove the shrinkwrap and thermal epoxy a cooling plate or water block to it?

[Pdelcast]

Originally Posted by Unsullied_Spy

Yeah? I've been eyeing the ICE controllers but don't really have anything to put one in. How will it do in a boat application? Will they be offered with water cooling?

I'm running the stock water pickup in the rudder and will be running that strictly for ESC cooling so temperature won't be an issue with water cooling. I'm running a separate pickup for the motor so everything should run nice and cool. As long as the programming on the ICE will be fine in a boat and I can get it water cooled I'd like to go that route.

EDIT: I'll be using my Spektrum DX 2.0. Will the ICE controllers be compatible with a pistol-grip radio or will it need a Pistix adapter? Could I buy a 100A ICE Lite controller, remove the shrinkwrap and thermal epoxy a cooling plate or water block to it?

The water cooled versions are a little bit down the road (couple months -- we are waiting on the extrusions...) but will be available. Won't need a Pistix, as we are releasing boat and car software for the ICE line.

[TexasSP]

Originally Posted by Pdelcast

Won't need a Pistix, as we are releasing boat and car software for the ICE line.

This will be awesome.

[nitrostarter]

Nice job Patrick!


Not to the contrary of the original question. I have run the Hydra 120 and 240 models successfully on 6s. With that said, I wasn't exactly trying to break records nor was I using cheap equipment. The hull was rigged with Speedmaster Hardware, precisely lined up and installed. The motor, flexshaft, prop all spun FREELY! The 120 was in a TC31 conversion running a 1515/1.5Y and a M545 prop. It did 50-55mph easily with little effort and little heat. The 240 was run in a 30" mono with the same 1515/1.5Y motor and a x442.

I was also cautious of the "reliability on 6s" and the suggestions to get the HV controllers but I pushed my luck with success.

[Unsullied_Spy]

I like the sounds of a Hydra ICE controller, but my goal is to have the boat running before Winter. I have only run the boat 2 times and it's had issues, my goal is to have it working this year before I have to pack it up for the season. I have pretty much everything I need aside from the ESC, so if it won't be out within the next couple of weeks or October at the latest I'll end up going with either the Turnigy 180A or the 7s Etti 150A controller. I'd like to go with a Hydra but the HV-120 is ~$100 more than the Etti and more than double the cost of the Turnigy and I don't know if I can justify that kind of money right now.

[jayjay283]

Originally Posted by Pdelcast

The water cooled versions are a little bit down the road (couple months -- we are waiting on the extrusions...) but will be available. Won't need a Pistix, as we are releasing boat and car software for the ICE line.

Do you realize how old I am Patric. I don't get the young feeling driving a Lotus around. I have 1ft Lotus to play with Hurry !!!!!!! lol

[shaunjohnson]

owe-owe-o...ICE ICE ICE!!! (sorry...my sister was watching a "bring it on" )
these ice controllers....i'm craving one to replace the monster...hmmmm

[Unsullied_Spy]

Originally Posted by shaunjohnson

owe-owe-o...ICE ICE ICE!!! (sorry...my sister was watching a "bring it on" )
these ice controllers....i'm craving one to replace the monster...hmmmm

My eyes must be tired, they just jumped from owe-owe-o to something about your sister

Nice to see the new controllers coming to the surface, but will they be out in time to run one in my boat before I have to pack it up?