Hi,
I'm new to electrics but have a basic understanding on my set up. I have a pnp mini ultra stick, 450 outrunner, 20 amp esc (e flight), 10x6 prop, and a 2000mah 11.1v lipo by commonsense rc. I use a duratrax lipo charger set up for 2 amps and a great planes cell balancer. I had about 10 sucessful flights before accuring my problem. I went to charge my pack and the charger didn't recognize that it was connected, but it was. The plane was completely dead. I took out the pack to discover it was swollen. I got another new pack and charged it completely. Flew the plane then it cut off after 2 laps. Recharged thinking it ran down mysteriously. Now the motor cuts off after 1/4 throttle, but wont even hold any rpms. It revs up to about 1/4 power then cuts off. All of the servos continue to work fine, but the ESC gets warm very quick. Please help, dont know whats wrong, but I'm thinking its the ESC.

Thanks!

My first thoughts: LVC is far to low.

The diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot the problem, and the 4-year college degree to learn how to use it, don't come cheap

We have to resort to the classic process of elimination. Replace parts one at a time until the plane flies properly again. Compared to the alternative, it's a lot less expensive and time consuming.

My first suspicion would be the ESC given your observations.