Replacement ESC for Rustler
 

I need to replace the ESC in my VXL Rustler. Traxxas is about $55 to replace. Are there other ones I should look at that are comparable but less expensive? Motor is the stock VXL motor and works fine still.

I have a Traxxas Waterproof XL5 Esc just collecting dust. I got it in a local trade. Pm me I'll let it go for cheap.

Hobbywing quicrun 60a

The rusty is a VXL.

Anyone have suggestions or should I just replace it with the stock ESC?

Hobby Wing or stock. You're not going to find something that will actually be more reliable, etc. for less.

What about one like this.

HobbyWing eZRun-60A-SL Brushless ESC for 1/10 RC Car (Version 2)

That should work except the HW I linked to above adds waterproofing and is a generally newer version for about the same price.

Called then LHS to see if he had one of the quicruns in stock. He does but he said its not really the best replacement for the stock ESC. Technically not rated high enough for the stock motor. Have you guys been running these without problems?

The stock motor is 3500kv, the HW is rated up to a 4000kv motor on 2s.

If you're worried about "headroom" on the specs, you'd basically have to go a 120a ESC at a higher price or just go with another stock one.

He was talking about motor turns. I'm not sure what all the specs mean. He got one in stock I can grab tonight. Just want to make sure it will work fine. Otherwise I'll wait and get the Traxxas replacement.

Sensorless motors are generally measured in kv, sensored in turns. The caveat is that I assumed you have the older VXL, in which case you have a 2-pole motor but if you have the newer VXL-3s then you might have a 4-pole motor wherein you would need the OEM ESC as minimum. There is a post on how you can identify the different motors here.

Thanks for all the info. Appreciate the help.

Looked over the link. Is there any way to tell what motor it is without pulling it apart? The link shows the motor internals to show the difference.

I bought the rusty used so Im not really sure how old it is (or when they switched motors for that matter).

According to the Traxxas forum the external differences are only:
"The motor wires will have black mesh covering the wires and the part number on the end cap will be 3351r." It gets trickier with used trucks though - someone could have rewired it or the part number could be rubbed off the endbell.
However, your now deceased ESC itself should add the "-3s" to the vxl part on the sticker on it as well if you have the newer one.

Based on the info in the link Im not sure which of the end view pics is the old or new? Here's some pics of what I have.

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...pst1zezmm8.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...psppz2h6dn.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...psino7b56m.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...psm4vldi2h.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...pssbczuvds.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps0pqn3unz.jpg

If you want something similar to the stock esc get the quicrun 60a. If you want something better than the stock esc get the ezrun sc8.

The vxl 3s esc is only about 70a.

That's the 2 pole motor you have

Still learning how the motor/ESC specs are rated. I assume the 60 amp hobbywing would be ok on 2S but not ok for 3S?

I think I want to stay with something that I can run my 3S battery with.

Ahhh, the 3s disclosure...:eek::)

In that case, the 60amp HW would be pressed; go for a stock replacement or HW's SC version.

More I thought about it I figured i already have a 3S battery. I'm going to want to use it from time to time. Probably no point in being cheap now.

If I go with the 120 amp hobbywing will it be good enough for a motor upgrade down the road when the stock one craps out? Or is it best to have a motor/ESC combo paired together (same brand).

If you run 3s definatetly go for the sc8 as its good for upto 4s.

Motor and ESC don't don't need to be a combo or the same brand - just within the specs of the ESC and most 120a ones will handle at least a little more motor than the one you have now, even on 3s.

I think Im leaning toward spending a bit more now so I can upgrade the motor later when that dies. Besides the hobbywing 120 amp are there others I should look at?

Have you looked at Castle products? The Sidewinder 3 could be just fine.