Throttle gets stuck on!
 

I have two little zig zag 2 racers. I've been having problems with them for the last year. The biggest is when ever I take them out after 10-20 minuets of running. The throttle gets stuck on! They don't stop for nothing. I still have control of the steering, but nothing I do can get the boats to stop. Short of letting the batteries run out or physically catching it.

I don't think it is radio interference. I've driven them in busy cities and in secluded lakes, where I don't even get cellular service. It still happens.

Once the throttle gets stuck on and I've caught the boat. I take the battery out and give it 10-20min to sit. Usually as soon as I plug it back in, it goes right back to full throttle........

I've tried running them with a small bag of ice on the motor. I've double seeled the electrical compartment, so I water isn't getting in. Nothing makes a difference.

Any idea what my problem is? both boats do this. One is worse than the other. I like them and they are fun little boats, but this problem really makes me frustrated with them.

RE: Throttle gets stuck on!
 

Hi Mikaila,

Problems like this are hard to solve via the forum, but it sounds to me like the ESC's are running hot and simply switch to full throttle.
Needless to say this is not good...

Do you have a picture of the ESC in the boat?
Is there room to add a watercooling?

Do you have another ESC to try in the boat to see if this solves the problem?

Another thing may be the battery, if the voltage drops below a certain level, you can still steer, but the ESC cuts down; if this function doesn't respond properly, anything might happen...

Regards, Jan.

RE: Throttle gets stuck on!
 

The ESC in these are proprietary, and, I think, part
of an integarated ESC/reciever/servo.

How old are the ZZ racers?
It could be that the brushes are worn and as the motors heat up, there
is enough distortion to cause the brushes to arc. This could cause the RF.
Capacitors, if not already in place, could help to reduce this, but it may
be that the brushes or motors need replacing.

RE: Throttle gets stuck on!
 

As I said, remote problemsolving is difficult...

I suspect Umi is right and the ZZ's may suffer from 'old age' , replacing the motors may be the answer.
If you do that, check out the motors on excessive brush- and commutor wear to have an indication.

Regards, Jan.

RE: Throttle gets stuck on!
 

Stupid question time! What is ESC? I can get pics...... once I know what ESC is.

I'm gestimating that they where both bought around the end of 2007. They also have not been used very heavily.

RE: Throttle gets stuck on!
 

The ESC (Electronic Speed Control) manages the
power sent from the battery to the motor. It is inside
the white box on top of the hull section.


Here is an image of a replacement module...
http://www.hobbywarehouse.com/Produc...s-PC-BOARD-ZZR


http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...prodDetailTabs

RE: Throttle gets stuck on!
 

Here are pics. It was quite difficult to get too due to the excessive amount of silicon used on this boat. It's got twice a much silicon as the other one does. This one is the worse of the two at acting up.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/IMG_8731.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/IMG_8732.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/IMG_8733.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/IMG_8735.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/IMG_8736.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/IMG_8737.jpg

RE: Throttle gets stuck on!
 

There doesn't seem to be any corrosion on the boards, but
it is difficult to tell via a photograph, and with all the silicone on the board.

Are there Capacitors on the drive motor?
They would look similar to the small brown tabs on
the back of the motor attached to the circuit board.