Inexpensive ESC/Receiver Upgrade for 223s BLX v4?

[oneleven]

I just bought my first RC—a Senton 223s BLX v4. It comes with the Spektrum 2-in-1 80a ESC+Receiver. Which, admittedly, works perfectly fine. But I have a DX6c and would love to be able to see some telemetry data, which I don't believe the 2-in-1 is capable of. I also know these combo electronics are considered one of the weaker parts of the v4 cars, and are often the first thing people are swapping out.

So to that end, I'm wondering what the simplest/least expensive path would be to upgrade to telemetry-capable electronics. I know I'll need to buy separate ESC and receiver, and the ESC will need to be IC5 compatible (to keep using my current batteries, which I'd like to do) and compatible with the stock brushless motor (which I plan to keep). What (relatively inexpensive) ESC and receiver would you recommend in this situation?

 

[305HemiGuy]

I just bought my first RC—a Senton 223s BLX v4. It comes with the Spektrum 2-in-1 80a ESC+Receiver. Which, admittedly, works perfectly fine. But I have a DX6c and would love to be able to see some telemetry data, which I don't believe the 2-in-1 is capable of. I also know these combo electronics are considered one of the weaker parts of the v4 cars, and are often the first thing people are swapping out.

So to that end, I'm wondering what the simplest/least expensive path would be to upgrade to telemetry-capable electronics. I know I'll need to buy separate ESC and receiver, and the ESC will need to be IC5 compatible (to keep using my current batteries, which I'd like to do) and compatible with the stock brushless motor (which I plan to keep). What (relatively inexpensive) ESC and receiver would you recommend in this situation?

The least expensive, yet super reliable upgrade from the 2-n-1 would be a Hobbywing setup. What are you looking for as far as telemetry? That can be a deep rabbit hole. If you just want your battery levels then the Spektrum DX3 with the corresponding receiver might be your way to go. If you do go the Spektrum route then you'll have to go all in on their ecosystem and use the Spektrum smart batteries. If you want detailed data logs and such then a Castle ESC is the way to go. I don't know exactly what real time telemetry can be achieved from Castle products however. Others here who are much more knowledgeable than myself will chime in I'm sure.

 

[BigP]

Just get a Hobbywing 120a g2 non-sensored ESC with a DDF350 (foam wheel, gyro reciever) and solder a EC5 to it. Forget about IC/Smart/Telemetry.

 

[oneleven]

For what it’s worth, I already have two of the Spektrum smart batteries, so I suppose I’m maybe pot-committed to the ecosystem (this is how they get ya, huh?)

 

[GRC]

Stock Arrma 3s (100a) or 4s (120a) from Jenny’s RC. Great ESC’s, you can’t beat the price, AND they mount and fit perfectly. Forget telemetry.

100a $57.97
https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...pmxse1100-100-amp-esc-speed-control-ara4305v3

100a $49.97
https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...ess-blx100-esc-speed-control-granite-ar102696

120a $68.97
https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma-outcast-4s-4x4-esc-firma-120a-brushless-smart-4s-ara4410v2

Transmitters and receivers are also inexpensive from Jenny’s.

https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...ystem-spektrum-slt3-tx-and-sr315-rx-ara4408v2

https://jennysrc.com/products/copy-...ystem-spektrum-dx3-felony-srs6110at-ara7615v2

 

[oneleven]

Stock Arrma 3s (100a) or 4s (120a) from Jenny’s RC. Great ESC’s, you can’t beat the price, AND they mount and fit perfectly. Forget telemetry.

100a $57.97
https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...pmxse1100-100-amp-esc-speed-control-ara4305v3

100a $49.97
https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...ess-blx100-esc-speed-control-granite-ar102696

120a $68.97
https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma-outcast-4s-4x4-esc-firma-120a-brushless-smart-4s-ara4410v2

Transmitters and receivers are also inexpensive from Jenny’s.

https://jennysrc.com/products/arrma...ystem-spektrum-slt3-tx-and-sr315-rx-ara4408v2

https://jennysrc.com/products/copy-...ystem-spektrum-dx3-felony-srs6110at-ara7615v2

Complete novice question: I assume it'd be fine to pair, say, that Outcast 4s ESC with my stock motor (brushless 3100kV) and run with 2s/3s batteries, right? Any reason those all need to match? I know you don't want to run 4s batteries with a 3s ESC and a motor designed to max out at 3s, but I'm not sure if there's any reason for it to be true going the other direction.

 

[305HemiGuy]

Complete novice question: I assume it'd be fine to pair, say, that Outcast 4s ESC with my stock motor (brushless 3100kV) and run with 2s/3s batteries, right? Any reason those all need to match? I know you don't want to run 4s batteries with a 3s ESC and a motor designed to max out at 3s, but I'm not sure if there's any reason for it to be true going the other direction.

It's perfectly fine to run that 4S esc with the 3100kv can. ESC should even run cooler since it's not being pushed to its 4S limits. Take this with a hint of caution, but with proper motor cooling and gearing, you could probably get away with running that motor on 4S for short periods of time every now and then. But ultimately just keep in mind, that motor isn't made for 4S.