I'm pretty sure the esc is the problem
I got the rc18t today, and while the bullets were different size (4mm I believe, vs traxxas' 3.5mm) I was able to test it by just making sure each bullet touched
the second the 3rd bullet touched, there was for sure a short.
Any recomendations on a good, CHEAP esc to get for it? I'm thinking about getting an ezrun 25a, but even cheaper would be preferable.

Unrelated, the rc18t came with a mamba 25. instead of starting a new thread for this, hopefully I can get some answers here
I have no throttle response. I've changed out the receiver to make sure that wasn't the problem, and I've checked 3 different, fully charged batteries (1 nimh, 2 lipos)
When I hit the throttle, the green and yellow LEDs just flash on the esc. I can't enter programming mode either. According to CC, Flashing Green and Yellow = low voltage cut-off(battery)
which doesn't make any sense, given that the battery is fully charged.

The ezrun 25a should be a good choice. Good price too from Hobbywing North America.

http://www.falconsekido.com/products/ezrun-esc-25a-sl-l

I ordered from them twice & got both orders in 3 days.

TM


Here is one on e-bay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/331137724988?lpid=82

On the castle, most of their esc's require the throttle setting in your transmitter to be set to reverse.

You can try to diagnose the bad esc, just for fun

With the multimeter, check for shorts on the esc between each motor wire and the two battery wires

Better yet, each combination of motor wire - battery wire should measure like a diode (if your multimeter has a position for diode checking)

Of course with the esc completely unplugged from anything

I tried pretty much every throttle position and setting I could, it always just went to the green and yellow flashing LEDs though as soon as I went to full throttle.

End point at 100% or max ? throttle reverse & 70/30 ?

I wouldn't think 70/30 vs 50/50 would make any difference? It should have throttle response regardless I imagine.
but I can't even enter the programming mode, so I'm not sure how I would change it. I got the truck used, and I asked the guy I got it from if it was doing this before he sent it or not.

My older futaba wil only calibrate with 70/30, could just be old tech or my radio.

Flashing Green and Yellow = should not happen when calibrating

If that is happening then it is showing low voltage. ( The cutoff may be set too high?)

Anyway here is some info if you do not already have it.

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20020

http://www.castlecreations.com/suppo...er%20Guide.pdf

http://www.castlecreations.com/suppo...s_ed_guide.pdf

Hope one of these helps
TM

I didn't catch where it says you have to calibrate whenever you use a new tx
but regardless, I can't get it to start calibrating. I just tried using my spectrum radio just in case it was having a problem with the flysky one, but it does the same thing.
I wouldn't think the cutoff would be set too high, but how would I adjust that?

if I turn it on without holding the throttle, or if I hold the brake when I turn it on, it flashes red. so it sounds like it's definitely just that it's not calibrated

Flashing Green OR Red = Speed control has not been calibrated and is not armed; or throttle sub-trim is not at 0. I've had throttle trim at max, min, zero, and basically everywhere in between, so it's not that.

I don't know anything about this particular model but the bigger ones I've got, you need a field card or computer link to program these things. There should be some way to program this, right?

they're programmable through the radio.

• Disconnect battery
• Turn Mamba microswitch off
• Connect battery
• Mamba flashes all led's and rings once
• Apply full throttle
• Turn Mamba microswitch on
• Wait 2 seconds
• Mamba flashes green led and rings 4 times indicating that it is ready for
CALIBRATION mode
• Continue to hold full throttle
• Mamba flashes red led while beeping
• Wait 8 seconds
• Mamba flashes all LEDís and rings 4 times
• Mamba flashes yellow led while beeping indicating that you are in
PROGRAMMING mode
• Let trigger go neutral (center)

Then would you need to hook up to a castle link to program the esc since you cannot get to the program mode ?

possibly, I don't have a castle link though is the problem, and for the price of one, I can get an ezrun 25a.

Maybe someone local or the closest raceway or hobby shop. Where are you located?

Racers are usually ready to help.

I'm in LA, so there are plenty of tracks not too far from me