Mamba Maxx questions

I ran my CRT with my Mamba Maxx esc Sunday and I have a few questions.

1. In order to get it programmed I had to set my throttle channel to reverse but to correctly run the CRT I had to switch the radio back to normal? I am using the software that came with the controller as I have heard the update has problems. The only setting I changed was to auto lipo cut off.

If I tried to program the controller with the radio normal it would only do forward an not reverse. If i don't switch the radio back to normal it brakes switching from reverse to forward not forward to reverse. By the way I am using a JR xr3 radio.

2. My radio range is about 50ft then the controller starts to glitch badly if I stay within the 50ft it runs fine. The receiver is a Novak xxl which has always worked great for me.

3. The system got hot enought to unsolder a battery connector. I use power pole connectors on Orion 4800 lipo batteries wired in series (controller + to battery 1 +, battery 1 - to battery 2 +, battery 2 - to controller -) is this the correct way to wire the two packs? My gearing is 12/51 in the center with the hot bodies 43/10 gearing front and rear.

4. I direct soldered the esc to the Fieago 9xl motor as I could not get 4mm male bullet connectors. (any one know where to get these?)

Please help with any of these issues thank you