I just finished with my FT build this morning. I installed the electronics in it and took it out for a test run on the driveway. After about 30-60 secs, i noticed a slight hesitation and glitch, but it kept going. I wasn't doing anything too hard with it, then all of a sudden it stopped and smoke came billowing out from under the body. CRAP! I thought that I just ruined my new FT truck.

I quickly see that the ESC is toast, melted, and close to being on fire. I quickly pull the wires out of my saddles. Now I am trying to understand what could have occurred.

Here are the electronics that I was using:

ESC: Novak Havoc SC with X-Drive - It was a NEW warranty replacement from Novak - However, I saw that the Havoc Pro SC sticker on it was covering a Kinetic sticker (not sure if that has anything to do with it - Kinetic ESC badged as a Havoc Pro SC.

Motor: Tekin Pro 4

Battery: Reedy Saddle Pack

I installed the ESC wires correctly. A to A, B to B, and C to C. Sensor wire. And the battery connectors.

Looking at the ESC, it melted the battery leads clean off.

I wanted to check the Reedy pack to see that no damage was done and I through them into another car and they powered it just fine. At least, I did not fry a lipo in all of this. I also hope that I did not hurt the Tekin Pro 4.

At any rate, has anyone ever had such a problem? What could have caused my ESC to melt/burn/fry??? I am at a loss here.

It was a novak
They are known to do that sometimes, not necessarily your fault.

Don't feel bad, I had this happen to me once with a castle Momba Monster.
I feel your pain.

That's it!? No screws for the shock towers or anything?

If it was the ESC, what would have caused this? I am just perplexed and bummed. I will call Novak about this for sure.

Do you think that this would have or could have ruined my Tekin Pro 4 motor?

The Reedy Saddle Pack looks and tests to be fine, which I am happy about though.

I think that this will be my last Novak, if that is the case.

Any recommendations on an ESC to power the Tekin Pro 4??

The pro4 should be fine. Get and RX8 if you can afford it. Otherwise try a MMP + external BEC. All ESCs have failures, I've just seen more novaks than anything else. It could have just been defective and no matter what you did it would have blew.

Mdutcher- I see you run SXX in your sig, that is what I am going to run , the V2 Tc spec with the fan. You may try that , many of the factory guys are running that also.

If you run a pro 4 you better of with a tekin rx8. That way you can adjust the timing. I cant even run full throttle with my pro 4 4600 im at 85% current limiter.

were did you find 3mmX22mm set screws? can't find anything?

https://www.google.com/#q=3x22mm+set...w=1024&bih=598

what to buy nexts for my truck.?

i run speed passion escs in my sc10 2wd FT & sc10 4x4 i really like them alot.

Im curious about the current setting, does that just limit the current on the bottom end uo to some preset motor rpm?
Or does it limit currentthroughout the entire rpm range?
Tekins explanation is a little vague.

Haven't mess with it yet, so just wondering.

Is the pro4 4600 really more powerful than the 1410?
The 1410 is insane in my truck.

From what I've seen on the track the 1410 has about the same bottom end... maybe not as smooth cant comment on that but less top end. The pro 4 has been dominating the track. TenShock is new and not well represented yet... but from my experience at least add fast as the pro 4.
For $90, give it time.