capacitor getting hot

[BrianG]

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.

[REVO-DADDY]

Originally Posted by BrianG

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.

OK so the cap should be good. It still looked good to the eye. She is a heavy beast. Maybe I'll lower the gear ratio for this week. I am running on the higher end of the spectrum.