My first build..Mean Machine

[jingalls007]

you won't need 8mm bullets. I'd go with 6.5mm rated to 200amps will be plenty, just my opinion.

[Rich]

you won't need 8mm bullets. I'd go with 6.5mm rated to 200amps will be plenty, just my opinion.

6.5mm is what I run in my mean machine. What prop are you running now? Let us know what the temps are, especially the caps! Awesome job on your first build!

[supastar1568]

Went with the 8mm bullets since that's what was available. Definitely overkill oh well.

Only have taken one set of temps but it was after a quick run. 100 at the esc and 110 at the motor. Ill get better readings this weekend.

[supastar1568]

Currently running an x442 but ordered a y537/3 some added run time and a x640 for some extra speed, hopefully. Nothing too crazy.

[Rich]

Do you have a speed goal in mind? Those props are good starters. I have not had any experience with that motor so I am not sure about the torque.

[supastar1568]

No speed goals as of yet. Just having some fun, really. We'll see how it goes though as there may come a time when I really want to push it.

Weather is looking to be good the next few days, so I'm hoping to get some solid runs in.

[supastar1568]

Ran two props over the weekend. The Y537/3 gave me decent speeds, but was a bit slow to get to plane. Felt very laggy at the low end. Ran for about 5 minutes, off and on the throttle, and still had about half the battery capacity left. Temps were OK, about 85F at the ESC, and 120F at the motor.

The x640 definitely pushed the limits, but I was very happy with the performance. I literally ran full throttle in circles for the life of the batteries (about 5 minutes), and the temp at the ESC was 95F, and the motor touched 140F. Batteries were hot too at 120F. Hot across the board, but not devastating. Like I said, completely full throttle for 5 minutes straight.

[Rich]

140 is high for the motor, I have seen lipos get up to 140f so 120f isn't all that bad. Did you get a reading on the caps? If the esc was at 95f I am willing to bet the caps were hotter. I will suggest using an Rx pack to power the radio system instead of the esc. This will help bring the esc temps down a bit and prevent the radio from not working if the esc does go. To do this, all you have to do is remove the red wire from the esc's plug that goes into the receiver. Do not forget this step if you end up doing this. Another thing to do is lift the strut up about a 1/4" from the bottom of the sponsons. This might be hard to do since you will be flexing the stuffing tube to get it to work. This will help lower temps, and will plant the hull more.

[jingalls007]

Did you balance and sharpen the new props? What brand lipo's are you using?

[supastar1568]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, the reading at the caps was 95F.

I'm using Blue Lipo's from Hobbypartz. 40C 5000mah.

The props are not balanced or sharpened, or polished. Right from the package.

[jingalls007]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, the reading at the caps was 95F.

I'm using Blue Lipo's from Hobbypartz. 40C 5000mah.

The props are not balanced or sharpened, or polished. Right from the package.

Running an unbalanced prop can throw off the drive shaft and cause points of inefficiencies that add stress and heat to the components. A dull prop can do the same. I would recommend sharpening and balancing those props first thing. Although I don't think they are the single cause of your problem it's a darn good start.

[Rich]

Running an unbalanced prop can throw off the drive shaft and cause points of inefficiencies that add stress and heat to the components. A dull prop can do the same. I would recommend sharpening and balancing those props first thing. Although I don't think they are the single cause of your problem it's a darn good start.

[jingalls007]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, the reading at the caps was 95F.

I'm using Blue Lipo's from Hobbypartz. 40C 5000mah.

The props are not balanced or sharpened, or polished. Right from the package.

Are you running two 2500mah packs or are you using two 5000mah packs?

[supastar1568]

Are you running two 2500mah packs or are you using two 5000mah packs?

I'm running two 3S 5000mah packs in series

[jingalls007]

I'm running two 3S 5000mah packs in series

If you're looking for long runt times (5-7minutes) I would suggest running to 5000mah 6s packs in Parallel for 10,000mah total. The Blue packs at Hobbypartz aren't too expensive, if you can afford a few 6s packs at 5000mah I'd go that route.