"V2" 540XL and esc deconstructed

[GeoVW72]

Finally got my hands on the "new" esc and motor.
Here it is:



Front bolts are 2.5mm and the rear is held on by three T-7 torx screws, thread-locked very well and difficult to remove unless you heat the end cap, 1.5mm may work in a pinch.
The physical motor dimensions are 36mm diameter by 84mm long.
The rotor is 17mm in diameter by 58mm long
The bearings are 5mmx14mmx5mm
Motor weighs 363.5g

Not sure what else on the market has the same specs, the only thing I find "Castle" about the motor is the writing on the rotor.

The esc is physically a carbon copy of the old one
New on right old on left:


Obviously, previously mounted , by the double side tape residue.
The only thing I would call as a physical difference is the extended use of silicone in the "new" one.
Decaling was also the same, however it arrived set-up in lipo mode.
At face it's the same unit and I doubt much changed in programming.

Also tried connecting the unit to a Castle link, it gave no response. Perhaps the unit should be powered, but that is not something I intend to try as the probability is high that it will fry the usb on my netbook.
I believe that Traxxas esc that was part of the Castle update is more than likely the esc for the Castle powered edition that will likely to be produced.

[dag-nabit]

As usual, a good write up, and great information. Thanks George.

Kevin

[GeoVW72]

Thanks Kevin.

Got it wet today and I will confirm that the esc settings have changed. It no longer cogs out when the prop is unloaded, not that I would view that as an issue, but when you have think of every issue that could arise.

ArmyofDarkness suggested on the Traxxas forum that the new motor is similar to the discontinued Castle 1518. Given the other available physical differences available on Castle's site, most notably motor diameter and weight, with the only similarity being the length and construction. I also had one to pop apart and the rotor in the 1518 is larger in diameter 19mm vs. 17mm and shorter 55mm vs. 58mm.

Calculated kv is close to 1800


So I would not call the motor a 1518 because I do not feel that it is that close in diameter, perhaps a 1418 given the similarity in diameter and construction to the rest of Castle's 14 series motors

[mtnbiker94]

How did it run with the new motor? I might have to consider purposely melting my stock one!

[GeoVW72]

How did it run with the new motor? I might have to consider purposely melting my stock one!

Your stock one didn't melt already

Ran great with the new one so far

[mtnbiker94]

LOL! No it surprisingly hasn't, i bought it off here with some upgrades on it already, like the aluminum jacket, dual pickups, bigger lines and drilled out rudder pickup. So yeah so far I've been lucky!
Here's my setup- https://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...p!-With-videos!

If it does eventually go, I'll get the new version, and then once it gets too slow im gonna get the T180 with the 4082 Leopard.

[Steven Vaccaro]

thanks for the info.
At 1800kv there will probably be more issues with esc problems and things of that nature on 6s.

[GeoVW72]

The old motor acted as a weak link, it will be interesting to see if/how the new set-up fails.
The drive line is also still a big part of the issue.

Took the motor apart for bearing maintenance and noticed this:


Retaining compound dangerously close to the bearing shield
I may have gotten lucky and it didn't get into the bearing, but that's a little close.

The more and more I see other rotors pop up from tacons and such,
I wonder if this really is a Castle motor

[Steven Vaccaro]

I doubt it's from Castle. Castles motors are to expensive.