Mamba Maxx - when?

[DaveG35]

Any word on when the Mamba Maxx will be hitting the streets? How will it compare to let say the Novak GTB?

[McCoolidge]

in addition, if anyone knows, will castle creations make a motor for the e-maxx?

[Silent Scope]

yah they will i dono when though.. they already have the speed controller out

[Re-Mix]

No they don't. The controller hardly hit testing yet. Should be a month or two.

[tcolesen]

The Mamba Maxx hasn't even gotten to beta testers yet (or at least not me :)). Castle will probably be offering combo packages for 1/10 STs and buggies, one for TCs, and then probably one for E-Maxxs/monster trucks.

[starluckrc]

I think the 1/10 controller may be the Maxx to the market now. CC had some setbacks in testing. That's about all I can divulge right now. I'm not expecting anything until after NEAT 2005 in Sept.

[DaveG35]

I just heard from Shawn Palmer, Marketing/Support Dir. for Castle Creations. He says "We're working out the last few issues, and it's (the release of the new Mamba MAXX) depending on some case and packaging leadtimes - there isn't an official date released yet, but watch the website for the most up-to-date info when we have concrete timelines."

Why in the world would they advertise this new product as if it is ready for purchase when it seems from this reply that they are no where near ready for market? I wouldn't expect to see this product for at least 3 months, given the fact that he couldn't/wouldn't provide a target delivery date. That's not a good sign.

[Re-Mix]

Advertising it to bring about customers, what else.

[standard_63]

Yeah, the advertising almost had me fooled -- I waited most of the summer to upgrade my BL, sure am glad I decided not to anymore! 10L on the way...

[Jackyl]

Anyone have a ballpark price for this setup? I have a T4 that I want to replace my old tekin esc and revolution 12x2 with a brushless. I had a mamba comp x in my rc18t when I had it and I liked CC products and info.

But on a side note, what about the Novak SS5800, or a hacker, lehner, lrp sphere setups? I'm only looking for something that is the same power as my 10x2 revolution but no maintance and longer runtimes with 3300mah 6 cell packs.

[tcolesen]

I haven't seen anything on ballpark pricing, but my guess would be $175-250(USD).

The LRP Sphere/Neo setup is at least as fast as your 10x2, but with better runtime.

[Jackyl]

What about the novak SS5800 ? as fast as the revolution 12x2 ?

[DaveG35]

I run a 5800ss in my T3. Great setup. I just bought 2 more, one for my son's T3 and one for my TC3. Would highly recommend it. It's supposed to compare to a 10t brushed motor.

[kufman]

I run a 5800ss in my T3. Great setup. I just bought 2 more, one for my son's T3 and one for my TC3. Would highly recommend it. It's supposed to compare to a 10t brushed motor.

The ss5800 is about as fast as a spec 19 turn. It wouldn't stand a chance against a 10turn, I have both! The controller is underbuilt for the motor and is the item that truly limits the system.

[DaveG35]

There is no way the 5800ss is equal to a 19t spec motor. I have run both and it doesn't even compare. It may not be as fast as a 10t but a 19t, no way.

[snakeyes17]

It is equivalent to a 12x2 I believe according to a RCCA test.

[TimisTim]

I have a Trinity D-5 12x2 and the Novak is a little slower than it. Especially with a fresh cut comm and brushes. I agree that it is the controller that is the limiting factor in the system, it seems to be just to inefficent.

[TheSteve]

Thats what ya get from a controller with only six MOSFETs...

[Jackyl]

What are you talking about steve?

[tcolesen]

The Super Sport controller is the only limitation to the SS5800 system. It only uses 6 MOSFETs to put the power from the batteries to the motor (according to TheSteve). In a sensorless BL controller (like the 9920), more than 40 MOSFETs are used. Basically, the more MOSFETs, the more power. I would be that the Super Sport controller's MOSFETs are not the surface mount type, though. Each of them can handle a little more than those on standard sensorless controllers.

[TheSteve]

Yes, the Novak Supersport controller only has 6 mosfets. They are larger then the surfacemount type a lot of other controllers use which allows them to handle more current in a single fet and dissipate more heat, but its still a limiting factor and explains why the ESC runs so hot.

[SpEEdyBL]

Think of it this way: If the super sport esc creates the same amount of heat as the motor, then the esc can't be much more efficient than the motor. Assuming the motor is 80% efficient, the entire system would only be 64% efficient!

[Jackyl]

So you mount a fan on it. Problem solved. I do not like the idea of the esc getting hot enough to require a fan though.

[jocktheglide165]

next year.......

[SpEEdyBL]

You're still looseing 20% of the power through the controller whether you have a fan or not.

[Jackyl]

20% or 80% is better than replacing springs and brushes and then cutting the com every few runs!

[TimisTim]

In my mind inefficencies of this sort cause problems because the system is always running at near its capacity and generating alot of strain on the electronic components. Sooner or later it will fail.

I do praise Novak for a valiant first try. We have to remember that they are in it for the racers also. Not just the bashers. They produced a decently priced system (at the time, brushless has since become more affordable) that was tailored to have a brushed feel. That is why they went sensored....to have the feeling of a brushed system. They also kept it to 6-7 cells for the racing appeal. I have said it before and will say it again.....

This system was not made for most of the people that talk on this part of the forum. We like to run more than 8.4v. We will stack the most power we can into a model and launch it into next year. But for most club level racers it is enough of a start from Novak. They also have the best customer service of any company out there. I will wait for the GTB to be tested then see if my words were in vain.

[Bad Ash]

So the GTB and velocity are going to be a better unit for the money than the mamba maxx solution? I'm looking at it in the 6 cell stadium truck light. I want a brushless setup to race unlimited class with :D

[tcolesen]

We don't have any idea on the cost of the Mamba Maxx system, and we also don't know the pricing on the GTB. We will just have to wait...

[DaveG35]

The pricing of the GTB is $239 at Tower Hobbies.

[tcolesen]

That can change though. It can go up or down, then down or up. We won't know for sure yet. Besides, the price will go down over time, just like the Super Sport did.

[DaveG35]

That's true, but you can order it from Tower for $239 now, get the $25 discount for a net of $214.

[tcolesen]

That's not too bad. I am getting more and more interested in this system, which is strange since I am a sensorless person. But the limit of 6 cells turns me off... And the fact that a fan is required on the heatsink, which means that the FETs aren't good enough to handle the load from the motor without getting really hot.

[Bad Ash]

For some reason I can't post pics.

But here (http://www.the-rc-zone.com/events/rcx2005/gallery.php) are some pics of the Mamba-Maxx. CC doesn't have a motor as they say, but that thing mounted in that emaxx looks like a missle!!!!

[BobNovak]

Think of it this way: If the super sport esc creates the same amount of heat as the motor, then the esc can't be much more efficient than the motor. Assuming the motor is 80% efficient, the entire system would only be 64% efficient!
SpEEdyBL For your info the Supersport ESC has an on resistance of 0.0019 ohms per phase. Now if you are pulling 30 amps thru the controller the voltage loss in the controller is 30x0.0019x3=0.171volts. If your average voltage of your battery is 7.0 volts under this load the loss in the speed control is only 0.171/7=2.44% There are other losses in the speed control which are switching losses and they are probably about 5 to 6% thus giving a total efficiency of about 92% in the speed control. Buy the way we could design the speed control with close to zero switching losses but the radio wouldn't work.
Bob Novak

[rhylsadar]

hi
i think that is a feigao XL in that maxx with the mamba maxx.
bye
rhylsadar

[starluckrc]

7XL to be exact. I work closely with Castle on the Mamba Maxx development.

[Bad Ash]

Either way that is one monsterous brushless motor.

Hey bob. lay down the facts about sensor and sensor less systems. I want to see if i'm on the money or not. :D

[egarnaat]

September is practically over and I haven't heard anything new, what's the deal on this controller? Any new news???

[badboy2]

im waiting for it too ..just wake me up when september ends ;)

[tcolesen]

Beta controllers aren't out yet to us testers. Castle Creations is "working things out" right now with it. I would guess that the finished product should be out around 3 months after beta testing starts.