T-180 Thermaling ?

[properchopper]

I'm throwing this out here to get some feedback from anyone with actual experience with this issue.

setup:

IB-34
T-180 - timing 3.75 deg - modded "full chamber" cooling block w. dedicated water pickup & Ettie cap board - NO LVC
Neu 1521 1.5D
4S2P 5000mah Dinogy 65C/130C
X450/3 & X447/3
9.5 lbs. rtr
mill + 6 laps (maybe 3 min. )

DSC03442.JPG



Started a few months ago; test/tuning and boat slowed down a bit. Sent motor to Neu; was fine (new bearings & rotor rebalance & endplay re-done to spec).

Put in spare motor.

Raced Sunday - HOT HOT air & water temps) Stephen's EXACT same boat slowed way down after a few laps. Went down to the X447/3

I did the same - X447/3. Last heat coming up to the finish line (@200 feet) boat slowed to a crawl. Limped across for a Second Place Class win behind Tyler's similarly powered (but with a CC240). Tyler rocked a First in P-Ltd Sport Hydro (& P-Mono with a Perfect 1600 points) btw, GO TYLER

Stephen's under the impression that the T-180 has a thermal protection circuit; I wasn't aware of that ( then again I just heard the news about Elvis ). If so, the hot day was the cause of the slowdown in what otherwise has been a completely reliable setup. Oh, the caps were @ 165 deg; esc @ 160 deg.

And on an irrevelant but curiously ironic note, I spent two days pitting for a super nice Rigo Bustanante (RC Boatworks). I now have a sore shoulder and arm and an open sore on one finger from repeatedly yanking on that go-handle and a cute pipe burn on my arm.
Dem gas boats are a whole 'nother thing

[twissted]

you need to test it when hot and see how amps your pulling and see if the esc is the problem. (I think it is) many things can cause the esc to go bad. But I would look there.

[dana]

Well I've had mine go into thermal on some of the really hot days when running hard.

[dana]

I should also mention this happens when i over prop on those days.

[785boats]

The T-180A does have thermal protection Tony. But I thought thermal protection circuits cut the power to zero. Not slow down to partial throttle. I've only thermaled a Hi Model 200A once & a no name 125A ESC once & both of them just cut out. Thought I'd blown them, but they came back to life when I injected some cool water through them.
Maybe the Turnigy ones are different with a limiting factor built in, rather than a cut out.
Cheers.
Paul.

[properchopper]

Dana, thanks a bunch, 'preciate the feedback. Just the confirmation I was looking to hear. I've gotten tons of use from T-180's in lots of boats, not bad for an ESC available at a reasonable purchase price.

I do have some FCR 6S/240's. I may drop one in to see how it does. Heard the "good ones" work fine, some (I've heard) do go boom prematurely.

[properchopper]

The T-180A does have thermal protection Tony. But I thought thermal protection circuits cut the power to zero. Not slow down to partial throttle. I've only thermaled a Hi Model 200A once & a no name 125A ESC once & both of them just cut out. Thought I'd blown them, but they came back to life when I injected some cool water through them.
Maybe the Turnigy ones are different with a limiting factor built in, rather than a cut out.
Cheers.
Paul.

Thanks Paul. Seems between Stephen's and my experience they either slow down to @ 3/4 throttle or 1/4 throttle or stop completely. They all have come back to life after cooldown 'tho.

Seems that I should stay better informed on stuff. Did you hear that a man walked on the Moon ?

[SirBudman32]

I to have a T-180 with the same cooling mod. and have had it go into thermo shut down at 165° and only get part throtle from it till it cools back down. I proped down and have not had any problem since.

[dana]

Dana, thanks a bunch, 'preciate the feedback. Just the confirmation I was looking to hear. I've gotten tons of use from T-180's in lots of boats, not bad for an ESC available at a reasonable purchase price.

I do have some FCR 6S/240's. I may drop one in to see how it does. Heard the "good ones" work fine, some (I've heard) do go boom prematurely.

anytime tony. im know we arent the only ones who have this happen. its tough running in the middle of summer isnt it? the ambient air temperature certainly makes things heat up fast….

[Chilli]

Hey Tony, you running a receiver pack? My first thought was you are pushing that controller hard with your set up.

Back when I was using Etti 150's and T-180's I noticed on really hot days, I couldn't tape up too far before a heat or the controller would thermal during the heat.

I've been using a Castle 240 LV (none Ice) in my IB34 with the 1521 1.5D and a 447/3. She comes in cool and no problems for two years with air temps in the low 90's.

[Make-a-Wake]

Yes, they do have thermal protection. I used to run my 39" Vader Vee with a Castle 1717 on 6s2p, had to go from an x452 to an x448 in the summer, I now have a SF200 and can keep the large prop on it year round. I am really veering away from the T180 for anything above 4s. Its a great ESC, but the thermalling and pre-mature LVC issue get a little old. I use one in my P mono with a 4082 on 4s2p and no issues at all there.

[Cooper]

Just this weekend I had mine do same. Running hard and over proped she just stopped. Went to get it and walked back to bench then it worked fine. I assumed it was thermal. Used a smaller prop and no problems the rest of the day. When mine went it shut down completely.

[properchopper]

Thanks to each of you for coming to the rescue and sharing your knowledge and experience. It helps heaps to hear that similar situations have happened (not that you've had problems) but that I'm not alone or unique with what Stephen and I experienced. The T-180 has been rock solid for many races, although never in heat like last weekend. I always suspected that the T-180 was almost "too good to be true", and it's been a good deal up till now. Also, Mike, I like the idea not using the internal BEC, 'tho Stephen uses a rx pack & he thermaled too.

Next race is in two weeks and I'll decide whether to use the FCR 240 or might pull the LV CC240 out of the Cyberstorm for the race [ Thanks Mike for mentioning the 240 - I totally forgot I had one on the shelf - f'ing old age strikes again ]

Enjoy, Mi Amigos : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQX0HCeJ2rY

[Chilli]

That T-180 is even a badder a$$ controller than I thought. I thought I was pushing it hard with a 1515 1Y. I have a few FC 6S 300's but for some reason, I won't get rid of the T-180. One of the best bangs for the buck in the hobby.

[jcald2000]

I normally keep my boats and controllers in the shade, this weekend at 79 degrees F I decided not to put up the canopy, I hit my SF 240 with the Temp gun about 20 min's before my heat, 130 F!!!
Ishieldedd it with the hatch down to 90 F before I taped up,