Sounds like a connection or battery issue? ESC is epoxy filled after mfg, so insides can't come loose. Check battery connections, bullets can get loose with age, seen deans plugs come apart. Just some things we have seen happen.

yeah, I would have thought if it was a connection issue it would not power up at all. Not power up half way then turn off. Like I said it was an isolated issue. If it become more persistent, then I might need to contact support. I think I have a few more months or warranty on the esc.

How do you turn on reverse in the vtx10 black edition ESC?

With the ProGauge -- Change Settings, Misc Control, Run Mode, Practice

Don't forget to save. You can go to Reverse Power and adjust how much power reverse gets as well.

It could also be an internal connection with the battery. I had a lipo do that to me last year. It would power up but there was a loose connection internally in the battery so anytime my car took a hard bump it would turn off, etc etc.

Next time you are out practicing I would do a couple laps with each battery and see if you can get it to happen again. Even if it doesn't happen you will be eliminating the first, and most likely culprit.

I know you are in Tucson but If you are going to race in the valley anytime soon (or if I make it down to Comp) lets meet up and we'll check it out if you still have issues.

Like Nick said, the best way is with the pro gauge. If you do not have a pro gauge (you should get one because they are very cool) but if you dont, you can give yourself reverse by switching to practice profile. Here are instructions via the manual: (Reverse mode is profile 8 on the Vtx10BE)

CHANGE PROFILE WITHOUT A ProGauge
1. Connect a proper/charged battery pack to the ESC.
2. Power on transmitter.
3. Press and hold the red power button on the V-PORT for three seconds.
(Followed by beep tone, F/N LEDs on the V-PORT will be indicated as the image shown at right)
4. Press the corresponding number of time of the desired profile (refer to TABLE.1 below) on the red power button
on the V-PORT. For example, press 5 times if you wish to load profile 5. The F/R LEDs will be indicated on
every button press.
5. Release the power button for 3 seconds. The VTX ESC will save the profile number and F/R LEDs will be
flashing the number of time of the corresponding profile that it was saved.
6. The VTX ESC will then run an auto system reset. The F/R LEDs will be flashing the corresponding profile number
every time after beeping of system initialization.

I believe step 5 should say press instead of release.

i have a vtx10r in my kyosho scr-sp with a viper 10.5 awesome combo, In my last race with it I was leading a 7 minute main for over 5 min when my sensor wire came out and the truck stopped, Im still running old firmware will the newer firmware allow it to run both sensored and sensorless ?

No.

The current firmware (a55) really is a huge improvement over the older stuff, but it is sensored only.

If you are having an issue with the sensor wire coming out, put a dab of shoogoo on to hold it in place. Just a little, don't over do it. Make sure you let it set before running it again.

It is always a good thing to isolate all your wires. I make sure my servo, ESC to receiver, motor, and sensor wires are all held down. Use zip ties everywhere. Hold them down to anything that a zip tie will go around. Just make sure you leave a little room for flex. You don't want your wires too tight or they will pull out on there own.

I have only had one wire related failure in the last few years. It was from not realizing that my ESC battery wire was rubbed through by the fins on the ESC. I flipped the switch and let the smoke out.

Is there any way to get Reverse AND Boost at the same time?

No. I think it was said that boost and reverse put a strain on the electronics.

How come if it's either boost (forward) or reverse (backward)?

I believe Viper used to have "unofficial" software that included practice mode (aka reverse enabled) with boost

I dunno, I never have a need for reverse. I rarely stuff my nose into a pipe, now if the esc could roll me over, that would be something. Boosting is a racing thing and reverse is more of a bashing thing. I can see why they dont want both. My kid likes to stuff her bumper into pipes, so I turned on reverse for her. But she only pulls the trigger half way, so boost would be useless.

She could teach her daddy something!

We have always been very mindful about the whole boost with reverse concept. Our biggest concern is not the large percentage that would use it accordingly. But the smaller (often more vocal) percentage, that would not use it properly, and then voice their complaints about the system in general.

The engineers thought process has always been that the race products are designed for racing. Reverse is not allowed in racing, so no need to program it. Our Copperhead system was designed with more bashing in mind (even thought its a great race system), so you can use reverse and have timing functions with that system.