OK Ill try to make this SHORT... but story is kind of long..

Ive been running a sphere comp and 4300 for a while... It seemed to me like no matter how I geared and how well the car was set up the car would surge in and out of power.. I asked people watching about it BUT they claimed it was in my head... But my lap times would jump all over reguardless of the line I ran..

I just kind of dealt with it thinking it was in my head..

THEN this weekend... I dropped in a 3.5 motor.. Its not in my head... My car off the line would be a TURD... it would slowly build speed then Like someone hitting the nitrous button the car would take off like a freaking rocket*****NO ITS NOT OVERGEARED... anyway when I would go back and look at my lap times I would run like 8-10 laps 2.3 sec per lap... then 3.3 2.7>>>then back to 3.3.. everyone kept saying they could see my car just come out of the corner and start slowing down.. then coming out of the next corner it would rip out of the hole like a rocket..

Then During 1 of my runs at about 2 minutes in the Car just went nuts.. I had FULL steering response BUT not control over the throttle at all.. the motor would pulse on and off at full speed... When I checked my battery voltagge there was TONS of battery left...so it wasnt dumping... BUT for good measure I added a receiver pack...

I ran again and the same thing.. **** I was using a borrowed 3pk with a 2.4 futaba system**** Since my PASTT with DSM was riddled with problems I decided to replace the radio and receiver with My stuff and switched to PCM... This was my radio I run Brushed mod with.. Ive never had an issue EVER with this radio setup.. I run the next round and I get the pulsing BUT I finished the race and while it surged it was still VERY competitive... So I figured I would run the setup in the main....

In the main the car took off like a turd again.. Pulsed up front.. then MID race it was running .10 per lap faster than everyone else... then for whatever reason the car at the 3 minute mark takes off again.. pulsing throttle BUT steering response... AND i know IT WASNT MY pcm RADIO BECAUSE THE FAIL SAFE WAS SET TO fULL BRAKE AND CENTERED SERVO. no brakes and full steering control...

So this begs the question.. anyone else having this issue.. I had 180 seconds @ 35 amps left in my pack.. My receiver pack was still fully charged.. Im stumped.. I love brushless BUT this is turning me sour on it...

My guess would be that the Speed Control is really close to letting the magic smoke out. I know a ton of guys use the Sphere in 4300, I haven't seen anyone use one with the 3.5 yet. I sounds like you're having the same thing with 4300 but the mod motor made it more apparent.

I bought one LRP speedo in my days and it let the magic smoke out on the 4 run. This was a Qc2 at Snowbirds and It was just slow then on that last run it finally put some juice to the motor and it was on fire by the two min. mark. And when I took it over the the LRP Rep. he told me he only had a "few" left and they had to keep them in case a team driver needed one. He wouldn't do anything for me, just said to send it in for warrenty(like that is a easy thing with LRP). So a Novak Team driver lent me his back up for the week. Besides the literally dozens of LRP's I've seen let the magic smoke out over the years, compared to just a handful of Novak failures(I've personally never had a novak fail) that experience left a bad taste in my mouth.

That's the worst part is it sounds like it's time for a new speed control.

I had a similar problem with my first 4300 system. Sent it back 3 times. Tried 4 receivers, (all old school Tekins, 27, FM) but they all worked fine with the brushed stuff I ran but didn't like the brushless stuff at all. Tried different servos, bought a new radio system. All the while I thought it was the B/L system. I can't run a short antenna either. Everything works fine with the Futaba receiver and the lonnnng wire. Did you try a different ESC? :confused:

Just a stab in the dark here but the LRP's have a motor limit that says over 3.5 on there web page. Maybe they mean 3.5 and over but that's not what it says. They also have an over 5 turn brushed limit. GTB has no brushed motor limit and says runs all Novak brushless motors. My guess would be that you are a little past the the speedos motor limits with 3.5R and like Danny said you will see the Magic smoke very soon if you keep pressing your luck!

People that run the sphere comp defend it to the end but how could anybody looking to spend over $180 on a speedo buy this unit after all the posts and problems people have made and had with them?

Kenwood,
My Sphere comp did a very similar thing at the first BRL race. It would serge on and off power. Ran it again the next round and basically needed a push start to make the motor run. I did however get hit pretty hard right before I noticed a problem.
It's out for repair now!

Well, you really haven't verified anything here...the only thing I've seen is people making "hmm, I left this out intentionally" accusations at the problem. Not to ACCUSE anyone because of their opinions, but have you tried the obvious?

1. Go through the entire setup on the speedo and see if it still occurs. Start to finish, as their have been problems if you exit out in the middle somewhere. Make sure the speedo is not on LiPo mode.

2. Have someone else try your motor out.

3. Verify all your wiring. Bare wires especially.

4. Try a different speedo and see if the problem still occurs. If it doesn't, then most likely it is the speedo. It IS possible the speed control is bad, things do happen!

Just trying to help out, it's better to check the normal things first.

At this moment I am trying to diagnose the same sort of issue. But I run a 13.5 with my Sphere Comp.

I have not narrowed it down 100% yet but, I think one of the wires that enters the side of the ESC is damaged inside of the insulation. I can move the wires around while the motor is running and get it to "glitch" some of the time. The motor 'glitches' and the light on my RX blinks.
Yesterday, at the track, I thought I was getting radio hits on my Spektrum! I thought it was going into failsafe. I think I was actually was losing power to the RX.

I have been running my LRP COMP for 3 or 4 month without any problems. I was thinking I got a good one.

So far I have swithed receivers - still have the issue.
tried different battery packs - still have the issue.
unplugged the servo and transponder - still have the issue.
tried a different motor - still have the issue.

switching to a SS Novak ESC next.

1. Go through the entire setup on the speedo and see if it still occurs. Start to finish, as their have been problems if you exit out in the middle somewhere. Make sure the speedo is not on LiPo mode.


I was waiting for someone to say that. I wish I had a GTB for every 10 times people asked me if my Sphere Comp was setup right!! If so I wouldn't have only ran my brushless setup for a total of 15 minutes since the end of August when I bought it. It's been in CA the rest of the time. I'm on my 3rd trip back and 2nd one to smoke.

Here's an answer to why it's happening.

THE LRP SPHERE COMP IS A $180 PIECE OF JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now you are stuck doing the repair shuffle with AE. I would seriously like to get everybody that has had issues and has to wait a month for a repair or replacement together for a class action suit against them. That's how PO'd I am about this. But I guess I'll just consider my $180 a lesson about a crappy company with crappy service that I will never do business with again, LRP and AE.

FYI - USPS Priority is the best option from Ohio, trust me, I have experience. Don't forget delivery confirmation and tracking so you can see how long it takes them once it's received.

OK enough about that
Later
Jay

Okay, here's what I've done.

I took the thing apart. snooped around inside. checked the wires. I could not see any obviously broken wires. But, in my opinion they have crammed too many wires through too small of a hole. Also, the wires that went to the RX had been pinched beyond my liking.

I desoldered the RX wires and cut about 1/4" off the ends and resoldered them to the board.
I also pulled out the stupid blue wire that I [nor does anyone I know] use. I tossed that one in the can.

I very carefully widened the hole in the upper part of the case with a dremel.

It's back together, and I have not been able to get it to glitch again.

I'll keep trying to get it to glitch.

I have probably voided any warranty by opening up and tinkering inside this thing. But, I'll be darned if I am going to send it back to AE, wait for weeks to get it back only to have them say "we found nothing wrong with it".

here is one thing I have learned after I burned 3 motors up, if you are using long motor screws and they make contact with the thing that looks like a timing ring, the motor will do weird thing's, I was quick to blame my lrp, but after I disassembled my motors did I notice just the smallest contact with that ring will make a motor studer and run like crap. x2 4300 & x1 13.5 becouse of to long of motor screws

I dont race brushless but up here at pitroad raceway they have had at least 4 spedos go back to AE and they all came back and they still dont work. I am holding off before I purchase one till they get the things figured out, I mean it definetly will save time and money if they would correctly. Jay D. I know you have had tthe most problems and you have probally spent alot just in shipping cost so maybe you are correct by saying filing a lawsuit against them for faulty craftmanship. I wish you all good luck and have a Merry Christmas.

From what I have seen over the last year the Novak GTB seems to be a more reliable set up. As we all know ESC’s brushed or brushless can sometimes have issues, but if you should have a problem Charlie and the rest of the Novak Customer Service team seem to do a great job helping the racers out.

My other racer observation is that a 4.5 is probably the limit for a Sphere Comp. The 3.5 seems to push it past what it can currently handle.

As far as trying other motors Mine seemed to surge even with other motors..But the 3.5 is so fast that it becomes more apparent ...a surge in 4300 is not as abrupt as a 3.5 surge..

Wiring.. The wiring is great... I checked and rechecked everything.. I used 2 different receiver and radio setups... I added a receiver pack.... then 1 round.

reprograming...LOL.. read my 50000 other posts telling people to reprogram it.. I USED to be the guy telling everyone to check the program.. I reprogrammed it 3-4 times that day...

ALSO in ROUND 2 I but my trusty KEYENCE ESC and Brushed motor in and the car ran like a champ..

Looks like I need to send this back and Order a novak so I can run BRL in a couple of weeks.. :(

Sean Ive had tose type of problems like you are describing with a Sphere (non-comp). Mine would lose its program once in a while, and would surge, and once the car went wide open in reverse!!! This was all with a 4300 motor.
You could try a reciever pack. I've seen a couple people solve the issue with that.

I had a receiver pack.. LOL... But Im going to follow your plan.. Ill let them fix it and sell it when I get it back on ebay...

Never thought Id say this but it looks like Im getting a novak ESC.. I said in 1990 that I would never buy another one.. BUT It looks like I have no choice.. LOL

Sean's went wide open going forward while he tried to pick it up off the track.....he has the bruise to prove it lol:jest:


yup sent my LRP back yesturday and got a GTB today :thumbsup:

Also motor temps NEVER went over 120 degrees ... and ESC temp while I did not measure it... Was NEVER HOT... the heatsink felt cool after a run... So I never bothered to shoot the temps on it..

Well, as I said, things just happen. I feel bad that you are having a bad experience with LRP, but there's not much I can do. As much as I support them, one would think they would give me a sponsorship! :) I'm just on the opposite side of the Novak people...as I've had nothing but bad experiences with Novak products and great experiences with LRP. That said, if I had the financial backing to develop a speed control, it wouldn't be anything even close to LRP or Novak, as they both have crappy exterior engineering. I do hope your luck turns around, though, whichever path you choose.

Different people make the world go 'round...

As for filing a class-action suit, I wish all the taxpayers would get together and file one against the government for vandalizing the Constitution. :dude:

You may have damaged the speedo when running the 3.5, and know it surges no mater what motor you use. I had a GM speedo do that to me when I put a mod into it, then it would even have problems with a stock motor after that. I know it was with a brushed motor but may apply to what your seeing with the brushless also.

Trust me... Ask anyone I race with... Im not a Novak fan.. thats why I had an LRP.. I had a defective novak ESC back in the 1990's go up in smoke 2 minutes into a run... It was 2 weeks old.. Novak said it was MY FAULT and that I wired it wrong.. I said IF I WIRED IT WRONG how was I able to race for 2 minutes with it"wired wrong" they sent me this letter basically calling me an idiot..and wanted to charge me the FULL retail price of the ESC to get it fixed... ***In talking to people who raced back then I was not the only one getting this letter**** Anyway I switched to Tekin back then and vowed never to buy another one.. But right now my choices are limited.. Based on what Ive heard LRP will take 3 months to get mine fixed or replaced.. The BRL race at my home track is just a few weeks away.. Ive got to do something..

You may have damaged the speedo when running the 3.5, and know it surges no mater what motor you use. I had a GM speedo do that to me when I put a mod into it, then it would even have problems with a stock motor after that. I know it was with a brushed motor but may apply to what your seeing with the brushless also.

Id agree with you except that it surged BEFORE I owned the 3.5... So my guess is I Put the nail in the coffin with the 3.5... LOL.. I was convinced by others the surging waas in my head with the 4300...

xxxxx

It seems by hearing of all these problems with this brand and that, the better thing to do would be to stay with a brushed motor. On the East Coast,( Mid Atlantic) the ORL is going to start running a Brushless class and the more I read the more I think that I will stay in Stock Brushed class. I was hoping that by going to the Brushless class alot of the problems of stock racing would be gone, but it's just another set of problems. These problems cost a whole lot more when you have lay out the money to get started in this form of racing. Is this something that goes on alot, or to just a few? ........ :wave:

How often are you guys going through speedo's. I know I go through a brushed speedo about every 8 months no matter what brand.

Joe DiGirolamo

How often are you guys going through speedo's. I know I go through a brushed speedo about every 8 months no matter what brand.

Joe DiGirolamo

You have a dirt issue I would have to think to burn a speedo up in 8 months!

I have had my GTB for a year and have had no problems. $155 for a GTX or $165 for a GTB boy big difference???

My Sphere is the first one I've had a problem with and I have been running it weekly for about a year...since the Comp was released. Prior to that I ran the non-comp version and it still works great. I really dont have an issue with it breaking down (I know it's been whacked a few times), just trying to help figure out if its a common problem. Sending it back once a year to get the fets tested probably isn't a bad idea either.

Mine just started acting flaky a couple of weeks ago... Im sure a majority of the damage was my INABILITY to read the directions where it talks about motor limit.. LOL Apparently competition does not involve 3.5... LOL

Myself and a few of us out here in So. Cal. have ran the sphere comp with the 3.5 without any problems, but now that I think about it Ive been thinking after running the last 2 races my car just felt flat. I was thinking that I had a bad cell in 2 batt packs but who knows could be the sphere comp. Anyone else not have any problems???

Mine had been flawless until this past Saturday. It developed a glitch or something. But, I was still running good lap times!

Now I'm getting a little bummed.

losi888,

Yeah, I'd say you've got other issues...I've got speedo's that are pushing 10 years old and work just fine. Even my sedan speedo's are 3+ years old.

Well then its time for one of these........

FLAT is how mine was...at times.... Ill see if I can link you to the main results... If you look at my lap times you will see WHEN running right I was turning MONEY lap times.. BUT the car would surge on and off... one lap it was just flat.. even in practice like 20 seconds in guys on the stand would ask>>>DID I JUST SEE YOU DUMP ALREADY..?? it was wierd..