Underwater glitching

[hibbs]

Hello all,

I have searched on here a lot and can't seem to find anyone with the same problem I have. I recently bought an SCX-10 and equipped it with: Traxxas TQ3 radio\receiver, Integy 45T lathe motor, Traxxas XL-5 esc, 8.4v nimh battery, hitec 625MG. Everything is waterproofed very well. The problem I have is when I go into deep water (not even fully submersion of the body) the truck gets very glitchy and cuts in and out. The forward function works moderately and reverse is even poorer as it won't really go it just jumps a few times and quits. I've seen video of people owning deep water and IDK why I can't seem to get my rig to quit being afraid of the water... My guess from reading is the ESC sucks and I should get an expensive one. Just seems to me that it is the motor because it will get to the point where it growls and won't go anymore after enough water running.

Oh, also I have a capacitor soldered between the motor wires to prevent glitching...

Thank you for your wisdom everyone

[chaman]

My guess is that your setup is not as waterproofed as you think.

[Old Busted Hotness]

A TQ3 will glitch even in the desert :lol: But my guess is the servo letting water onto the circuit board.

[talon]

sounds like you only THINK you have it waterproofed enough. the slightest amount of water in your reciever will wreak havoc, also, are you running bullet connectors between your ESC and motor, or anywhere for that matter? bullet connectors have a tendency to cut out when wet, switch to high quality connectors like DEANs plugs or hardwire for even better results.

[hibbs]

Well I guess i'm gonna do some experimentation in the sink so I can see what is going on as opposed to a creek in the middle of the woods. The servo is not a problem cause the steering works flawlessly; the problem is the throttle (which would be the esc but mine is waterproof) it cuts in and out and gets really jumpy while in deep water and for a short time after that. This is what leads me to believe it is the motor. After dry land running it seems to dry the motor out and the glitching ceases. I have 2 new venom fireball (or something like that) 50T motors coming later this week. Maybe this damn integy lathe motor just sucks. I'll figure it out eventually, but thanks for your suggestions fellas.

EDIT: thanks talon thats def. something to consider. I do indeed have bullet connectors (they are slathered with silicone and SHOULD be dry. I may have to solder em up and get them sealed perfectly. I'm just going to have to remove all the electrics from the truck and dunk them in the sink one by one to see what the offending part is. I will let y'all know what I see and might ask for more help.

AGAIN: thank you all so much for being so helpful. These forums and friendly fellow hobbyists like yourselves make this infinitely more enjoyable!

[stburr91]

I've had problems with that sort of thing. My truck would get glitchy when I'd go into somewhat deep water, and I'm sure it was completely waterproof. I had the same radio, servo and motor. I think it was the radio, the TQ3 is very glitchy. I replaced my radio, and the problem went away.

I would check to make sure everything is indeed waterproof on your truck just to make sure, but I bet it's your radio.

[Scalerlover]

Do you have the antenna standing upright or hidden under the body ?
I know TQ3 i had it hidden under my hardbody and even 10 feet from me just driving around it would glitch and not go into reverse. Make sure youve got the antenna stood way up so it catches signal good enough.

Its not the XL-5, i use a non-waterproof XL-5 and have no probs with it, it was the rx not getting good signal till i stood the antenna up.

[hibbs]

After some sink "torture" (I guess this is waterboarding... don't tell the Govt.) i've seemed to target the problem to the battery to esc connection. It is a deans Male to female.

If I dunked the receiver and esc underwater completely, no problem
If I dunked the rec. esc and battery underwater mostly perfect but would start to glitch a little bit.

Stopped, dried the battery to esc connection, good to go

Ran the truck with the sink pouring water directly into the top of the motor, no problem

I poured water on the battery to esc connection and bingo trouble begins.

Seems to me that my deans batt to esc is the problem.

Any suggestions on how to 100% waterproof this connection?

Thank you guys for your help I think I've solved the problem, I really appreciate your input! I will keep you posted...

[Scalerlover]

Take a balloon, cut the closed end off, slide it passed on one side of the lead (esc or batt) then connect, slide the balloon half/half over the connector and ziptie each side ? worth a try :lolbeat:

[Ian]

I dunk, and i have only ever used the cheap Tamiya ESC's, so i would look into your servo's also.
When its glitching, disconnect your servo and see if it stops.

[Old Busted Hotness]

How good are the solder joints on the Deans plug? Are they globby and loose?

[LondonF350]

I have run both Tamiya plugs and Deans fully submerged with no problems, and no special waterproofing of the plug.
Could you have a loose wire on the plug??