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Overheated Electronic Speed Controllers
Speed controllers overheat for a number of reasons. An over-geared motor can draw extensive current through the ESC causing heating. Also, the ESC can be placed improperly in the vehicle, resulting in a lack of airflow around the piece or the ESC can go into a stuttering mode between stop and start due to radio interference. Regardless the reason, an overheating ESC will cause your vehicle to react erratically, leading to a loss of vehicle control.
Compatible Heatsink Types
There are two common choices in heatsink materials for your vehicle: copper and aluminum. Choosing the material that̵7;s right for you depends on two primary factors: cost and extensiveness of overheating. A copper heatsink can be three times the cost of an aluminum heatsink for the same size, however, copper can remove about twice the amount of heat as aluminum. As a result, you can balance the cost considerations with just how much heat you̵7;re dealing with.
Installing Heatsink
The more surface space of the ESC covered by the heatsink, the greater its effectiveness. Whether you̵7;re using a peel-and-stick prepared heatsink or gluing a do-it-yourself model in place with thermal compound, always choose the largest flat area of the ESC possible for the heatsink placement. Cover the entire ESC/heatsink combo with shrink-wrap tubing to hold the pieces together, but alter the tubing to free the heatsink fins for heat dissipation.
Best ESC Positioning
Positioning the ESC in your vehicle after installation of the heatsink can have a large effect on the heatsink̵7;s efficiency. When mounting the heatsink, always choose an area in the vehicle with an open space around the heatsink. This lets heat dissipate from the ESC without affecting nearby components. Position the heatsink so any airflow around the heatsink is directed between the fins of the heatsink for greatest efficiency.