Hydra 120 max temps on 6s?

[Bellagio]

Hi, new here and need some advise on the Hydra 120 from CC.
Cant seem to find it with google, but what is still a descent and acceptable operating temp for this esc ? The hydra 120 is installed in a Lizard Extreme hull with a Hacker C50 11XL (1500kv) using good high C lipo's.
Even with a relative small prop (graupner carbon K serie 42mm) the Esc is already 130F (60C) after a few minutes running. The motor and lipos never get warmer then 85F (30)

The boat runs very nice and not too wet.

Can these high temps have something to do with the fact that CC does not warranty the Hydra120 on 6s but does sell it as an 6s capable ESC ?

In other words, is it impossible to run the 120 cooler then 130F on 6s?
Forgot to mention but the two black condesators on the side if the esc even reach 170F sometimes....

Any advise from experienced Hydra 120 users??

[keithbradley]

Hi, new here and need some advise on the Hydra 120 from CC.
Cant seem to find it with google, but what is still a descent and acceptable operating temp for this esc ? The hydra 120 is installed in a Lizard Extreme hull with a Hacker C50 11XL (1500kv) using good high C lipo's.
Even with a relative small prop (graupner carbon K serie 42mm) the Esc is already 130F (60C) after a few minutes running. The motor and lipos never get warmer then 85F (30)

The boat runs very nice and not too wet.

Can these high temps have something to do with the fact that CC does not warranty the Hydra120 on 6s but does sell it as an 6s capable ESC ?

In other words, is it impossible to run the 120 cooler then 130F on 6s?
Forgot to mention but the two black condesators on the side if the esc even reach 170F sometimes....

Any advise from experienced Hydra 120 users??

I think if you are seeing 170 on the caps after a few minutes you are (at least close to) exceeding the 120A the esc is rated for. Its kind of surprising that the caps are getting hot but the batteries arent getting warm at all. What gauge wire are you running from the esc to the motor and from the batteries to the esc?

[Flying Scotsman]

Do not run 6S on that esc.... 5S max ....and I would not go over 4S dependant on the setup...I presume this is the LV esc

Douggie

[Bellagio]

Thanks for input guys. Here in Europe no too many Hydra escs in use, so not worth asking it on a local forum.

i'm using 8awg wire from the lipo's to the esc and the standard wires from the esc to the motor. Its a 120 LV Hydra indeed.

Think I will try 5s soon then. Already tried 4s and all components were very cool. Nothing over 40 degrees Celsius. The Lizard ran nice but not too fast obviously on 4s.....

If i want to run 6s in this boat i should probably go for the New 180HV from CC right?
Really like Castle ESC's for their ease of programming with the Castle link USB interface....

Think the new 180HV would be a much better choice then the older 240 Hydra?

Thanks again!

[Flying Scotsman]

The Turnigy monster 200 amp with a Pistix will do the trick and do not worry about water cooling it. I might even try a Turnigy 180 marine, as a cheap well here goes nothing option

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=10332&Product_Name=Turnigy_Monster-2000_200A_4-12S_Brushless_ESC

Douggie

[Bellagio]

Did some more testing with the Hydra 120 LV and results can perhaps help others.

Followed the advise to run 5s and Lizard ran very smooth on very calm water, almost WOT all the time. Setup was same Hacker motor as in first post, 45 mm metal prop and good high C lipos.
After 5 minutes ESC was 95F, caps 120F ,seems ok.

Since the water was so calm and WOT almost continious was an option couldn't resist to try 6S again. This time ESC was 115 and caps 140 after five minutes, pretty hot i guess but not too close to smoking it I think?
I'm certainly not a very experienced FE boater, but can we perhaps conclude that Castle's hydra LV 120 can be run relatively safe on 6S as long as you can maintain WOT almost the whole time??

[Bellagio]

Since quit a lot of users here are a little conservative about the cc hydra 120 on 6s i just wanted to share that after some modifications and testing i finally have a very stable and cool 6s config with the Hydra 120.

Did some modifications in the setup mentioned in the first post. Noticed the prop shaft was about one degree nose down what probably resulted in a too wet running hull. Also rerouted the watercooling lines. Now esc first, then motor. Was the other way around.

also added a 25V capboard to the Hydra.

Have run about 20 sets of lipos with this setup in 6s config and no problems whatsoever. All temps below 45 Celsius and speed between 45-50 mph, hull running super stable.

So the Hydra 120 on 6s certainly can be done if you follow some rules and setup is close to perfect.

[Rumdog]

good luck, is all I will say. Sounds good so far.

[keithbradley]

good luck, is all I will say. Sounds good so far.

What about in twin setups where the current draw is lower? What are you running in your Sprintcat Rum? I just got 2 Swordfish 120's for my twin cat, if I keep putting bigger stuff in it she's gonna sink.lol My original intent was 1520/1600kv on 6s with x447's but Im thinking about 1518/1800kv's on 5s with x447's...think either of those will work?

[Bellagio]

Forgot to mention that the prop used was X445

Resume
Lizard Extreme
Hacker C50 11Xl 1527kv
Hydra 120 LV with 25V capboard
Turnigy 40C 5000mah 11.1v in series (6s)
Octura X445

No smoke yet after 20 runs yet.....