Sonicwake Up in smoke

[DSparton]

Maiden voyage seemed to be going great, on the way back to shore I noticed smoke. Ripped the cover off to finds the caps blown off the battery lead. Called horizon and they sent me out a new esc. Second run one week later, battery lead solder joints on esc fail. Could someone shed a little light. I checked the cooling system a 100 times. Ran two different batteries spectrum and smc both 100c for first and second runs. Motor?? My friend has this boat with the same batteries and he beats the bag out of it with no issues. I just don?t get it

[fweasel]

Perhaps the motor is drawing too much current. Does the flex cable slide in and out of the stuffing tube easily? Is the alignment of the cable into the motor collet centered? Any temperature or dark color marks on the cable itself? If the cable checks out, I would suspect the motor.

[DSparton]

The cable checks out and I bought a spare from ose. First thing before I ran the boat was take out the cable and lube. Is there any way I can test the motor? Guessing it will ohm out ok at room temp but could be breaking down when hot. I don?t know. Horizon hobby just sent me my third esc. I asked about the motor and he didn?t know either. Essentially at WOT the esc is just along for the ride.

[Fluid]

Based on what the OP states I’d guess that the motor is the likely issue. He could measure the resistance of each lead, that might point to the motor being good or bad. Two bad ESCs back to back is unlikely (though not impossible). I assume that he is using the stock prop, that there is an adequate gap between the strut and drive dog, and that he doesn’t use a lot of part throttle.

I don’t understand the comment “at WOT the esc is just along for the ride”, without the ESC there is no spinning prop and no ride.


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[DSparton]

WOT stands for wide open throttle. From my understanding at wide open throttle the current is passed from battery to motor or drawing from battery to motor. The esc at that point is just passing the current like a wire would. The gap is 2mm from strut to drive hog, maybe a little larger.

[bogieboy]

i personally would open up that gap on the cable... good rule of thumb I was taught early on is the diameter of the cable should be the gap at the strut.... and i have abused the crap outta the little 3 mm cable on my Vecotr, and its still good, as well as all electronics...

[RandyatBBY]

Based on what the OP states I’d guess that the motor is the likely issue. He could measure the resistance of each lead, that might point to the motor being good or bad.

You are never too old to learn something. This is something I would like to understand a little better. Measure from lead to lead with a volt meter set on continuity and what is acceptable om readings?

[DSparton]

If I where to take a crack at it. All the leads should measure the same resistance from lead to lead. Then going from lead to housing should read OL or open loop. If you have resistance going from housing to lead that would indicate a short somewhere. Don?t quote Me lol