Well that was a first
 

Was out running with a friend today, he has a brushless Slash. It was stopping randomly throughout a couple batteries.

Last time it happened, we pulled the lid, saw a little smoke from the speed controller. Then a LOT of smoke. We were able to pull the battery just in time as the controller burst into flames.

Any idea what would cause that? The battery came with the truck, afaik wasn't overcharged.

Fortunately it didn't burn the truck down. So any suggestions for lower cost replacements?

The intermittent stops could have been from a bad connection/sliced wire that then became a short that then torched the esc but once they flame, the subsequent damage often makes isolating a cause difficult. I'd take a look at HobbyWing's 120a+ offerings for a replacement esc.

The turnigy turbo 120 amp gen 1 esc's are really tough as well. I have had 3 of the 80 amp versions without any issues. Only downside is that they are not waterproof.

Wonder if your esc was overheating hence the stops. The motor could of developed a short in it causing excess heat. I don't know how much I would trust re-using the motor as well.

Castle SCT 3800kv 4pole esc and motor combo..can be had at towerhobbies for 100$ or 2 pay at 50$ a month.. Just put one in my sc10.. And having a ton of fun with it. For gorrila driving or at the track..it turned the fun level up a couple knotches..

Iv seen those HobbyWing 2.1 clone speedies do that. They are certainly not rated at the claimed 120A.

When did it start with the first battery? More often with the second battery?

To be honest, I wasn't paying that much attention. I had my own truck to drive.

I think it did it with all 3 batteries.

My assumption was a short to the case on the motor.

So, your friend smoking a ESC, you motor heat.

I look at it his way. Heat develops from 1- Bad connection, 2- Thermal cut-out, 3- Over gearing depending on KV motor. Worst thing for brushless motor in heat. 90% believe on too high gearing.