Motion B pack burst into flames!

[ChrisWahl]

Hooked up my new motion packs for the second time to try and figure out why the turret motor and elevation motor aren’t moving. I can hear the turret motor buzz but no movement. After moving the transmitter sticks a few times the motion pack b just burst into flames!
I scrambled to turn off the power and disconnect and blew out the flames. Luckily it didn’t start the rest of the room on fire.
WTH?
Let me just add I just have the motor motion and pack B. I don’t have the audio module or the gun recoil.
Am at a loss for words for what just happened……

[Paul Sparkes]

Inside motion B is a very simple and reliable esc.

The only thing I can think of is that the polarity of the connection between the power supply and the module is reversed somehow.
Or a wire is trapped on the red casing causing a short circuit.
I’m also surprised this didn’t blow a fuse before it fried.

[ChrisWahl]

It had to be something wrong with the internals of unit. Everything was plugged in according to the manual.
I’m lucky it didn’t burst into flame when I had my ear next to it trying to locate the buzzing sound.

[John Clarke]

Unless you've fitted your own supplmently fuse, there are no fuses except for the smoker supply (15amp) on the red boxes.
I think the ESC's circuit board is designed to protect itself if over current is detected. It should for a short while because of the limitations of gun elevation.
There are no micro switches on the later models with red boxes like on the silver box good old days.

As Paul says reverse polarity or short circuit is most likely the problem. Check wiring and screwed terminals.
Check motors run freely and are not binding, if you can, connect them to a lower voltage battery and observe operation.

Before connecting another ESC to the main distribution red box, check the output socket polarities.

Otherwise it could get a little expensive.

It is possible to replace the circuit board in the motion B red box, but it's not a simple task. You'll need tools and heat transfer paste.

[ChrisWahl]

These are brand new units. I just received several weeks ago. I didn’t have the motors even connected for this bench test because they worked on the first test. The motion B pack never worked. All I got was slight buzzing. No movement from elevation or the turret motor.
I would hope that Armortek would honor a warranty with this.

[Paul Sparkes]

Chris,

It's hard to tell from the pictures but the connections should be left to right:
Motor +
Motor -
Battery positive (larger Red)
Battery Negative. (larger Black)
Motor +
Motor-

I would expect Armortek to warranty this, unless its something obviously done wrong which would be quite hard for you to do.

Now its a 3 week wait as armortek are on holiday.

[John Clarke]

Well that's well and truly cooked!
No problems with warranty, Armortek will sort it out for you.

[Raj Gopaldas]

So, did it get sorted out yet. Any definite answer on the cause and did you get a replacement unit ?

[ChrisWahl]

I was sent a replacement from AT but haven’t tested it out yet. Haven’t had the courage yet. Don’t know the cause of what could have caused it.