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48.3 HobbyWing Max 6 + TP 4070 OR Castle MMX8S + 1520

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TWilliga

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Hi all,

Hoping this thread finds you well!

I was hoping to kindly request the plethora of expertise available on this brilliant forum space through the various similarities between the 1/8 scale truggy platform.

I recently picked up a TLR 8ight XTE with a Hobbywing Max 8 G1 ESC and 4274 2200kV motor. The first mod this platform received was dual server fans on the motor and a single server fan on the ESC, all powered by a 3S battery. While this kept the ESC cold on 4S and warm on 6S, the motor just couldn't handle the load, even on the colder days of this Australian climate (20-40 degrees celsius OR 68-104 Fahrenheit) whilst on 4S, with it being notably worse on 6S.

As such, I see no other solution but to upgrade its electronics to deal with these thermal issues.

Considering that the 4274 Hobbywing motor couldn't suffice, I see the only solution being a larger motor. I believe we are constrained to the 40/42mm diameter (15 series for Castle) for this TLR 8ight XT platform, but please do correct me if this belief is incorrect, as I'd love to throw in an oversized motor for the sake of thermal ability. Working with this motor constraint, the viable options I'm considering at this point in time are the Castle MMX8S + 1520 for ~280USD, or a Hobbywing Max 6 G2 and TP 4070 for about 60USD less. However, I can't for the life of me choose a TP motor that would simultaneously be compatible with 4S-6S voltage and the current draw limit of the Hobbywing Max 6 G2.

Whilst the 1400kV and 1520kV TP 4070 (which draw 227A and 230A, respectively) barely fit the current draw limits of the Max 6, their low kV would result in a higher current draw to compensate for the lower voltage in the system to reach the continuous power output specs of each motor (P = IV). Having heard many good things about the 1700kV variant of the TP 4070, this draws approximately 270A and would be well out of the comfortable current limit of the Max 6. Yes, running the 1700kV TP with a MMX8S would seemingly solve the solution; however, unfortunately, a MMX8S cannot be sourced in Australia without costing an arm and a leg, hence my reluctance to do so.

As such, once more, if you have made it through this stupidly long narrative (for which I dearly thank you), I kindly ask, what would be the better option for this vehicle?

Option A: CC MMX8S + 1520 (1650kV).
Option B: HW Max 6 + TP 4070 (1400 kV OR 1520kV).
Option C: Some other combo that hasn't been thought of.

Thank you all very much in advance for your time and consideration; I really appreciate it.
 
TWilliga — I run in the exact same temperature range here in San Diego, California. As for the two choices you listed, I would choose the Castle setup all day long.

1) While I love my TP Power motor rigs, the TP Power motor can still get hot, and I'm always concerned about killing the ESC I've paired with them.

2) Using a Castle ESC with a Castle Motor (sensored setup) means you'll be able to program a temperature/ thermal cutoff. For example, you can program your ESC to cut off power to your motor when it reaches (120F to 210F) degrees (180-190 recommended). This way you never have to worry about overheating your rig.

If you're using the Castle system and you find that you're hitting thermal shutoff frequently during your run, then simply start gearing down. If you're using an 18-tooth pinion, gear down to 16, and see if that solves the problem. Then go to 14 if that doesn't work.

Since the Castle system can run on 5s, you can try that, too. I have a few rigs (specifically my Tekno MT410 and ET48 2.0) that I run on 5s. 4s doesn't have enough power for them, because they are heavy rigs w/ all of the upgrades I have. 6s is too much, and they become uncontrollable and overheat. Running 5s (for me) is the sweet spot.

I also run my Arrma Mojave 6s on 5s w/ a Castle MMX and 1515 V2. It's a heavier rig than your TLR buggy, the MMX cannot handle as much as the MMX8s, and the 1515 is a smaller motor than the 1520, but I can run it all day long on 5s without overheating. When I run it on 6s, it hits thermal shutoff after about ~7 minutes of driving.

The reason I chose the MMX and 1515 instead of the MMX8s and 1520 for that rig is because it's already a heavy rig and I didn't want to add even more weight with a bigger ESC/ motor (compared to what comes stock).

Not to give you too many options, but you could also run 4s and opt for a higher KV motor. For example, you could run the MMX with the Castle 1512 (a 2650kv motor). That will give you the speed you're looking for w/ out having to move up past 4s.

On my Arrma TLR-Tuned 1/8 buggy, I run the MMX and Castle 1515 2200KV. That seems to be the perfect setup for that rig, albeit, it will overheat on 6s in hot weather. I did run the MMX8s and the Castle 1717 1650kv on it to start with and it was an absolute animal.

But, back to your question, considering the temperatures you run in, you can't go wrong with the MMX8s and the 1520. I doubt you'll have any overheating issues with that system, especially on a 1/8 buggy (depending on your gearing, of course).

The equivalent would be the Hobbywing Max8 G3 and the 4284 G3 2200KV. I have that setup in a few rigs, albeit, I don't have as much run time with Hobbywing as I do with Castle.
 
Doesn’t castle stuff like to catch fire?
I know at one time they had nickname Castle Cremations 🔥. That was years ago. I think every company goes through bad times whether it be from design, or manufacturing. I hung out in a lot of forums/groups over the years, and every time someone asks, "What the best _______ for my RC platform?", fanboys show up and
Lets Go Start GIF

My experience with Castle Creations is only with their first(?) surface brushless systems... Mamba Max. For being sensorless, that thing was stupid great at throttle control.
 
Doesn’t castle stuff like to catch fire?
As Rusty said, there was a period where Castle was having problems. But that is long gone. The same way Hobbywing was having issues with some of their stuff for a short time, particularly the Max6 systems I believe it was.
 
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