Bought two SF240's and am completely frustrated

[RuntheraceAMC]

I just finished building my Radtek 45 and the sf240 I bought for it are impossible to set up. Looking for some help. I am running a TP 4060 1950kv.

The first issue I am having is that the throttle calibration seems off between the two sides. Throttle engages earlier on one side vs the other and is always running a higher rpm. I tried resetting the throttle calibration several times- no luck.

I also noticed the boat was slower than expected at full throttle. I heard of a few guys having trouble with the throttle end points. I set my spectrum remote at the highest setting but then when I tested it the motor made a gurgling noise, seized and I saw some smoke.

I just gave up, propped down and went to the trusty Raider 150's. That esc is trying but it won't do the trick and I am so close to losing my patience with Swordfish. Is there an alternative to Swordfish or do you guys have any ideas to fix it?

[RuntheraceAMC]

In the last week since I put this message on I bought two more swordfish esc's and both just blew up while plugged into my batteries on shore. Also took out three of my batteries in the process. $1200 in one week.

I appreciate all the comments regarding my problems with this esc. Really helped me avoid loosing a ton of money. Thanks guys

[Prodrvr]

Wow!! Wish I could have helped, but I've never had a SF esc. Haven't been hearing anything good about them for a while. Maybe the new SF X series will be better.

[Fluid]

Over the past few years, club members have had very poor luck with most of the various Swordfish ESCs. Occasionally one will last awhile, but most have not. The OP's experience mirrors what I have often seen. HV ESCs of good quality are a moving target, one brand may be good for awhile but the next year it is c**p. The only ones I have seen which last and last are the older Schulze 40-160s - just keep them dry. Sad but true.


.

[CraigP]

What about Etti Esc's? Any good experiences with them? I have a SW Pro+ 150A HV and so far, no problems. I bought it for data logging... I've been looking into ESC failure modes from different forums. Much discussion on the part load heat up problem. The helicopter guys are talking about ESC's with a mode called Ative Free Wheeling (AFW). It's a mode where the upper mosfet stays ON for a short period of time during the PWM cycle, keeping the current out of the body diode of the mosfet. So far, I haven't found marine ESC's that have that. Anybody got any leads on that?

[CraigP]

To the OP: there are different settings for the throttle reaction. It's called Startup Type. There is Soft Start, which does have the delay you mentioned. Also Standard Start, also delayed but faster than Soft Start. Then there is Fast Start, no delay and recommended for racing. You could have them set different from one another. I have been reading about Fast Start and some users feel that contributes to ESC failure. The motor gets out of speed synced to the ESC and all hell breaks loose. Try setting both to Standard Start. I use the Hefei Programming Box, there is an audible programming mode too.

[RuntheraceAMC]

[QUOTE=Fluid;694760]Over the past few years, club members have had very poor luck with most of the various Swordfish ESCs. Occasionally one will last awhile, but most have not. The OP's experience mirrors what I have often seen. HV ESCs of good quality are a moving target, one brand may be good for awhile but the next year it is c**p. The only ones I have seen which last and last are the older Schulze 40-160s - just keep them dry. Sad but true.

Idk what to do. I've got a beautiful boat and I can't run it and I'm scared to dump more money in it. What should I try next SK180?

[RuntheraceAMC]

What about Etti Esc's? Any good experiences with them? I have a SW Pro+ 150A HV and so far, no problems. I bought it for data logging... I've been looking into ESC failure modes from different forums. Much discussion on the part load heat up problem. The helicopter guys are talking about ESC's with a mode called Ative Free Wheeling (AFW). It's a mode where the upper mosfet stays ON for a short period of time during the PWM cycle, keeping the current out of the body diode of the mosfet. So far, I haven't found marine ESC's that have that. Anybody got any leads on that?

My raider 150's have take way more punishment than the etti 250 I had. That only lasted a week.

[RuntheraceAMC]

To the OP: there are different settings for the throttle reaction. It'so called Startup Type. There is Soft Start, which does have the delay you mentioned. Also Standard Start, also delayed but faster than Soft Start. Then there is Fast Start, no delay and recommended for racing. You could have them set different from one another. I have been reading about Fast Start and some users feel that contributes to ESC failure. The motor gets out of speed synced to the ESC and all hell breaks loose. Try setting both to Standard Start. I use the Hefei Programming Box, there is an audible programming mode too.

With regard to the throttle being different between sides, I reprogrammed it several times. But after I got the first replacement esc it was sychronized. I didn't try standard. Esc's are blown now. Can't try it

[CraigP]

I checked out the Raider ESC, but only 6s? Do you know if they make HV versions?

[RuntheraceAMC]

I checked out the Raider ESC, but only 6s? Do you know if they make HV versions?

Steve mentioned they are looking to develop a 200 plus version.

[Erroneous]

That sux.. Ive had a total of 4 of the 240s, one failed due to my stupidity. I had one prop bound with fishing line but I was too bull headed and drove the boat back knowing that some thing was bound on the port side. Got to shore (mini ghost) it was toast. Other than that..... Hobbywing and Castle have been my ESC enemies.

[CraigP]

The plane/helicopter guys say if you come in to land and ground the prop, the ESC will be toast. If the ESC loses the position of the rotor, it will burn out the mosfets. So that makes sense... I'll keep my eye out for a Raider HV version.

[RuntheraceAMC]

It sucks there is no good solution

[Erroneous]

To be continued. Getting ready to run TP4050s 2100kv on 6s with the 240s slinging up to a 1915 3 blade in a Zelos twin. HARD... Could go poof, could be smiles all around........