ESC - No No's - That can Destroy Your Electronic Speed Control (ESC)

Question: Are there any No No's that I should be careful to stay clear of when running my Electronic Speed Control (ESC)?

Answer: We have sold many many ESC's.  From the questions and service requests we get we can pretty well sum up the No No's and Must Do's as follows:

a) Read Everything First! Every instruction! Every Warning Label! Browse our Knowledge Base while you are at it. About 90% of problems can be avoided by Reading First.

b) Do NOT screw up the electrical connections! Polarity is important. If you are not sure, figure it out first... trial and error testing can get expensive!

c) Do NOT exceed the maximum electrical specifications!  Pay attention to the maximum allowable Voltage, Current and Wattage (Volts x Amps).

d) Do NOT operate without a safety fuse system!

e) Do NOT use your plumbing tools or hammer or anything but the smallest of tools! An ESC is not a farm tractor. Often there is nothing to adjust. On some ESC's there may be an adjustment you can make with a small Phillips (cross) or flat bladed screw driver. Some ESC's use small jumpers or dip switches. Emphasis here on small and gentle and only if absolutely necessary and only if you know what you are doing!

f) Do NOT overheat. Ensure adequate cooling by exposing the heat sink and entire ESC to moving air.

g) Do NOT get dirt, water or metal objects into the ESC! ESC's really hate water. Get 'em wet and you might as well start reaching for your wallet. Nobody will warranty an ESC that has been wet. It leaves tell tale signs that stand out like a pimple on your nose. Stay the heck away from water, rain or moisture of any kind. Also protect the ESC from dirt or anything metal. Generally if you can keep moisture out, that will also prevent dirt or metal from contacting the ESC as well.