Props on 5s!

**dag-nabit** · 05-03-2014, 12:14 PM

Running stock electrics I would be cautious recommending anything other than close to stock equivalent. Even on 5S.

That would be an X442 or P215

I have run a few different props on various setups, including 5S, but have never run the stock electrics.

There are too many reports of stock ESC failures (fewer now with the castle setup, but still not uncommon). Running 5s will reduce the load on the ESC and staying with a stock equivalent prop will increase the chances of component reliability.

Kevin

**Spartanator** · 05-03-2014, 05:20 PM

I think I will go with a X440, I have the P215 but not sure if the pitch is too much on the stock motor. I feel like I am at square one again with it. I know what some are most likely thinking but I want to be able to know if this is a capable boat on 5s at near stock. I have never recommended a Spartan to anyone that asked about it, I would like to be able to do that someday... Hopefully Traxxas can solve this with a stronger setup but I have my large amount of doubts. For some reason I fall back on Traxxas stuff... Can't wait to get in the water, I am just waiting on the motor jacket from Kintec.

**kfxguy** · 05-03-2014, 06:02 PM

My buddy had a spartan. At the same time I had a proboat shockwave 26. At that point I thought his boat to be pretty impressive. He had the later castle version. Ran a stock prop on 6s. It would move pretty good but the wires would get hot and the batteries would puff up. He was running 35c and 50c batteries. I looked at how it was build and saw two major issues with it. First the Traxxas connectors...they are junk (I know you upgraded yours, good move) then the wires were too thin. 12ga if i remember correctly. That's a big boat and a V hull at that so in my opinion it's under motored from the factory especially with the connectors and tiny wiring. I'm not sure I'd traxxas actually tested this boat in real life of if they did a computer simulation for testing. It says on the box you can run it on 6s....even is offered with two 3s packs....but it's just not up to snuff. If you want to do this right here's what I would do:

-upgrade wiring on the esc to 10ga
-change motor to a 1600 or so kv motor that's stronger like a leopard 4092 or tp power 4060. I have never run these motors, only castle but the size castle motor you need in that kv range does not exist (to my knowledge anyway) you could always go with a neu motor but thats mega bucks.
-start off with (after upgrades) a Octura x445 prop. You may end up going up from there. The x642 is a bad ass like prop when prepared correctly but I think it's too small for your hull. It won't hurt to try it for sure tho. With you stock stuff if you don't do any of what I just said, at least upgrade the wires and make them as short as you can. A dual inlet rudder and seperate cooling would also help in your case.

**Spartanator** · 05-03-2014, 07:26 PM

Thanks for the recommendations!
10G wiring is installed, along with the Castle Cap pack. They are a bit long by the time you get to the actual packs connectors but supposedly the Cap pack is recommended where wiring is lengthy...
I only puffed one lipo, and that was after I ran it too low. This sure is an interesting boat.... Here is a picture that shows you some progress.

In my planning--- I am waiting on the Seaking RMA department to send me a replacement, they didn't want to send me the soon to be discontinued SK180 and I didn't want the SK130HV and they also offered an option for me to wait-I opted to wait and this system will be going in a MG29 then I will do what is needed to the Spartan. The new ESC should be out by Summer, at least that's what they say... The hull will most likely never be ran on 6s again...... Which sucks but at least I can have a working boat!

**kfxguy** · 05-03-2014, 07:44 PM

Ok. Nice job on wiring. 35c is too low in a high power boat. I'd say this is a high power application and you need 50c or higher in this boat. Check out spc lipos....very good for the money and have thicker wire than most lipos. Cheap price for what you get. Maybe pick up a swordfish 220 or higher esc. You can never have too many esc's

**Spartanator** · 05-03-2014, 07:48 PM

Thanks for the compliment but I had my buddy do the wiring.
Step ahead of ya'! I have 2 50C 2s packs on the way and will order the 3s packs when they eventually get in stock... SPC lipos have been some of the best packs I have used. I am planning to pick one up tomorrow... I know that I should not have bought the Neuenergy packs due to the C rating but I couldn't pass em' up. I hope SPC will offer a 5s lipo option someday!

**kfxguy** · 05-03-2014, 08:48 PM

Yea I just started using spc lipos, they have more punch than my venoms

**Spartanator** · 05-03-2014, 10:06 PM

I just happened to swipe a Castle Ice V2 200 for a heck of a price! It is unused and I got it right under $195 shipped! Just need to grab me a motor, gotta figure one out first! I hear the Castle 1515 2200kv is only good on 4s???? OR should I stay with my leopard 4082 1600kv??? This stuff is driving me nuts!

**kfxguy** · 05-03-2014, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by Spartanator

I just happened to swipe a Castle Ice V2 200 for a heck of a price! It is unused and I got it right under $195 shipped! Just need to grab me a motor, gotta figure one out first! I hear the Castle 1515 2200kv is only good on 4s???? OR should I stay with my leopard 4082 1600kv??? This stuff is driving me nuts!

The castle 1515 2200 kv is a bad mofo but it's not going to work in your boat. The only way that would work on 6s is with a small prop and a big amp esc....it's going to cavitate alot upon taking off tho. That motor you have for sale would work good with your esc and a nice size prop like a 447 or a m645. The only thing you can do is try different things.

**Spartanator** · 05-03-2014, 10:29 PM

I have heard some great things about the 1515 2200. I am going to run on 5s only so would the 1515 work with a x440? I am most likely going to keep the motor...

**kfxguy** · 05-03-2014, 11:04 PM

Originally posted by Spartanator

I have heard some great things about the 1515 2200. I am going to run on 5s only so would the 1515 work with a x440? I am most likely going to keep the motor...

Yes an no. Let me explain. I have that motor in my rivercat running on 4s, 5s and 6s. It's fast as hell on 6s but I'm pushing a smaller more efficient hull than you have. I'm running an x642 prop. If you have one, you could try it with a small prop. If you don't have one I'd recommend running something with a little lower kv if you want to run 6s. All In all the 1515 has the power to push your hull....but it's going to draw alot of amps. You'll be hard pressed to find an esc to handle it.

**kfxguy** · 05-03-2014, 11:10 PM

I want to add....this is a balancing act. You have to balance between prop, motor, esc and battery. If i had a spartan I'd put as castle 1717 in it. Overkill? Yes, but I'd rather have too much than not enough. It propelled my cheetah to 62mph running wet with a mild prop. It the hull could handle it, it would go even faster with a 50mm prop. You can find the 1717 on ebay listed under x01 motor for about 160 bucks. Expensive yes, but straight up about monster of about motor.

**Spartanator** · 05-03-2014, 11:31 PM

I wonder if that Hydra Ice 200 will handle the 1515 2200...? I have read around that the 1717 is too heavy for the plastic tray and I don't want to go destroying my wire drive..:) I would also have to get a bigger collet/coupler...
Thanks for all the help!

**kfxguy** · 05-03-2014, 11:46 PM

Originally posted by Spartanator

I wonder if that Hydra Ice 200 will handle the 1515 2200...?I have read around that the 1717 is too heavy for the plastic tray and I don't want to go destroying my wire drive..:)
Thanks for all the help!

I think you'll burn it up on 6s, maybe even 5s. For the 1717, make a rear support.

Props on 5s!

Props on 5s!

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