Seaking Boat ESC recalled by factory

[bustitup]

Anything you bought recently probably has the bug. In my opinion, Fleabay dealers should NOT be selling them right now because of the recall.

sailr is this a problem with the low voltage shutoff?

[egneg]

Hobby City hasn't had any in stock for over 2 months. I just got a refund for a turnigy120 marine that I ordered 6/2/09 that never came in.

[sailr]

I don't know precisely which of the Hobbywing esc's had the bug. I do know the 180's do. The recall was about 10 days ago. Any of them bought right up to now has the bug. The 'fixed' ones haven't been released yet. Your 120A may be just fine. Wish I could be more helpful.

[sailr]

Well, bad news. I just talked to the factory. They said the problem is both software and hardware. All of the boat esc's except the 25A and 35A are effected by the recall. They are modifying existing stock but they said it would be several MONTHS before they are corrected! Maybe something was lost in the translation. I can't imagine MONTHS to do the fix! I just talked to the owner's female assistant. She didn't know the exact nature of the problem.

I have e-mailed the owner of Hobbywing, a friend of mine, to ask him just what the issue is and how long it will be. I'm going to cancel my present order and re-order later when they are ready. Sorry!

[sailr]

UPDATE! Just talked to the owner. He said maybe ONE month. That's a bit better.

[Fruity]

Sailr,
I am sure there is a lot of these out there, a lot from different retailers, are all of the retailers being made aware of the problem?

I purchased a Seaking 90A verion a couple of months back and have only just installed it, my thoughts are this should be returned before it does fry and stuff up anything else.

Cheers...Tim

[sailr]

I do know a couple of Chinese resellers are aware but not sure of everybody. I could have been stuck with a bunch of them myself except for the timing of my order!

You would have to return it where you bought it. I doubt Hobbywing is taking everything back that was already sold. Don't know. There are a lot of them out there in use and I haven't heard of many problems.

I do know the owner is a stickler for quality. Could be he was concerned enough he wants to improve them.

[Tony]

I contacted one of the dealer in HK where i bought the 180 esc, and here is their response :

"Hi, only the 90A and 120A have "short" problem. this Seaking ESC 180A not have problem. Sorry, We haven't recall on this one now." Best regards, BENSON


- e-hobby09

[sailr]

That is incorrect. I spoke with the owner of Hobbywing himself last night. It is the 90A, 120A, but the 180A is the primary one with the problem! You need to call his bluff. Tell him to call Hobbywing or he might be 'eating' a bunch of 180A's!

This is a quote from Mr. Zhang's email:

"We found some issues with the 180A boat ESC, we will replace them with new version products, but it will take some time (maybe 1 month) to solve the problem, very very sorry for the inconvenience"

[sailr]

You can pass this info along to "Benson"

Jack Zhang
Hobbywing Technology Co.,Ltd
TEL:+86-755-25504333 EXT 83
MOBILE: 13502819026
FAX:+86-755-25509626

[Tony]

sailr,
I forwarded Jack Zhang's info over to Benson, and he says the factory didn't even notify him about the problem with the 180 amp.... However, i can return the esc if i wanted.

[Brod]

This has kinda got me worried now with my 3 180's.
I hope you are wrong salir..LOL..
Brod..

[sailr]

I doubt that each and every vendor got a personal note from Hobbywing. IF the product was bought FROM Hobbywing and not another vendor, they got a notice. Benson is probably a secondary seller. They're all over China. They will all tell you they buy direct from the factory. Sometimes they will tell you they ARE the factory. Some of them will invite you to come over and visit the factory. They will call the factory and alert them that they are bringing a customer and the factory will go along with the ruse. I've seen it a million times. I have been over there. I know how they work. Remember, a $5 profit is a big deal for one of these traders. I suspect Hobby City for sure is a direct customer of Hobbywing because of the price they offer. I would tell you what I can get them for but then I'd have to kill ya!

sailr,
I forwarded Jack Zhang's info over to Benson, and he says the factory didn't even notify him about the problem with the 180 amp.... However, i can return the esc if i wanted.

[sailr]

We're in the same boat. I have a brand new one in the box too. Bought it about a month ago off ebay. I can't buy direct from the factory unless I buy 50 pieces. All other dealers are required to buy 200 pieces to get the best price. I'm not trying to boast, but the owner and I are friends. The Chinese value friendship more than the business deal.

Actually most reports of the 180A are good. One of my friends has one and it has held up perfectly. I know the owner is a very particular guy and if there is any possibility of a problem, he will eat the loss and fix it. Hopefully most of them are alright. I do suspect the newer ones will be better in some way.

This has kinda got me worried now with my 3 180's.
I hope you are wrong salir..LOL..
Brod..

[Tony]

OK, earlier you said the 180 was a primary one with the "short "problem. Now you're saying

Actually most reports of the 180A are good. One of my friends has one and it has held up perfectly.

i am

I just hope my 180 held up too, so i don't have to send it back.