Real world difference – 60A vs 120A esc

[•Axle]

Hi all,

I currently have a HW Max10 60A esc with a 3300kv brushless fitted in my Tamiya, has anyone got an idea of how the Max10 SCT 120A would differ in performance?

Ideally I would like it so powerful at the wheels that it would just spin on all 4 before getting grip on tarmac, cutting out the wheelie, I'm thinking of going to 4000kv also, 2s & 3s.

It's on lunchbox wheels and tires, your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Axle

[KEV THE REV]

Awesome !!  . Could end up like this though 

[•Axle]

43 minutes ago, KEV THE REV said:

Awesome !!  . Could end up like this though 

I’m thinking less burnt rubber and more flying debris, the kv of the motor I’m presuming is going to play a big role too, 3300kv is really nice, just stops short on the range, seems to be good for jumping instantly over things.

Also thinking of Proline Badlands tires with the rims.

[KEV THE REV]

Looking foreward to it already

[kwkenuf]

I don't know that just because an ESC has a higher amp ratings means it is going to put more amps into a motor.  Similar to a battery not stuffing more power into motor simply because of a higher C rating or mah rating.  The motor will demand a certain amount of amps and current.  The ESC is simply there to provide the pathway.  If your current motor has a max amp draw of 50A,  the 60A ESC has a sufficient path for the max amount of electricity to make it to the motor.  Swapping to a 120A ESC will not shove more than the motor's requested amount of 50A into it.  Look into the specs of your components.  If you change motors,  then maybe you will need to up your ESC game.

[Jonathon Gillham]

I have wondered the same thing in the past as a few people claim a higher amp rating on the ESC will somehow push current into the motor, but of course it won't. Like @kwkenuf says, if the ESC can handle the current draw demanded by the motor then there shouldn't be any difference.

In saying that, higher quality ESC with high amp ratings and prices could make a difference as they are generally made with better quality components so will have less resistance, power loss etc. Amp rating won't be conclusive though, as there are some high spec stock spec ESC available too. In the Hobbywing range they have the justock 60a which is cheap, that probably isn't as good as the XR10 Stock spec ESC which is over twice the price and probably better, and then they have the XR10 Pro 160a which is double again, but that is probably marginally better than the others.

One area that i've been told that the higher amp ratings are better is brake performance. They apparently have stronger brakes. I didn't get a chance to find out why, but the person who told me is technical, has a huge amount of experience and wasn't selling me anything, so I'm inclined to believe him. It also aligns with people saying the brakes are weak on the stock spec ESC which tend to be 80a - 100a, compared to the mod type ESC which are 160a

[•Axle]

Thanks for the info chaps, I’m planning on buying another motor and esc combo and most likely 4000kv+ range for a new build, before that I’m going to buy my second lipo, a 3s with my current 60A esc 3300kv setup.

I look at all RCs around and probably my ideal setup would be a Traxxas STC type thing, but then I want it to be a Tamiya and I want it to look comical, and I can make this thing the way I want it. Without the huge jumping ability, it can currently do things that I’m not used to – speed on long grass and hill climbing, I’m after that extra ounce of top end and more instant on.

Either way I’m going to stick a 120A esc and motor combo in!

 

[Wooders28]

Wont make a bit of difference.

If you went to a 5000 - 6000kv (the 60's limit), also with the required discharge lipo, then you'd notice a difference. 

Running a 6.5t with a 60A speed passion esc then jumping to a muchmore 160amp made a big difference.

[•Axle]

Well I’m taking baby steps to get what I want to achieve, today from Modelsport a 4000kv 3652 motor is turning up which is a direct replacement of what’s already there. Also x4 of those Badlands tires preinstalled on the rims, currently have aluminium replica Lunchbox rims with the V tread tires. I’m hoping the badlands to be lighter and to have less contact with tarmac, the 4000kv acceleration sweet-spot to be a greater range to the 3300kv, after that I’m buying a 3s battery, and then the 120A esc.

I really want to fit a 3660 motor which has better torque and braking power, I just want to see the clearance with the tires first.

Maybe it’s not having all 4 wheels spinning that I’m after, 3300kv is brilliant but far too stable, I’m after a bit of madness and that tipping point of it being uncontrollable at points but not so much that it’s not enjoyable.

[•Axle]

So it turns out I’m more than happy with the way the 4000kv motor works with the 60A esc, the new tires work great. I’m parking it here. With smaller diameter wheels I could potentially fit a longer more powerful motor without steering problems.

Current setup is a HW Max10 60A esc with a 3652 4000kv motor, 2s lipo.

3300kv – Higher torque with lots of bucking even in sandy situations.

4000kv – Seems to be a nice balance of torque and top end on sand and off road.

Thanks for the help.