I don't see this as an issue for debate.
In this instance there are two photographs of the same model of speed controller, both of which are badly burned. That a number of members may have used this brand for a long time with no problem doesn't alter the fact that these two particular examples caught fire. I know of several other instances of this, all involving this 15A ESC. Our mate Shipmate 60 (aka Bob Blease) will recall his own experience with just such an item. As I drafted this, Sparkey Ray posted his own story about an example he had which did the same thing.
I doubt whether the two owners concerned will gather a crumb of comfort from any number of staunch defences of the marque. Replacing a speed controller which has caught fire and badly damaged a model might seem like a plus point, but it's a bit like Vauxhall saying that if the brakes fail in your Astra and you have a crash which writes off the car then they'll fix the brakes for free. In the case of a FOC replacement speed controller one might take the view that you're being send another potential fire-bomb! (Cynical? Moi??)
Frankly I'm not in the least bit concerned which brand of speed controller anyone uses. I'm not in the manufacturing business any longer so I have no axe to grind, and there are models for which there are no suitable ACTion speed controllers anyway e.g. my model of Vic Smeed's "Twinkler" has an MTroniks 10A speed controller in it. I've had no problem with it and I've not heard of anyone who has.
The point is that if you use this specific model (Viper 15A) then be aware that others have had problems involving them catching fire for no obvious reason, and just because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean that it won't. It's only common-sense - like fitting a fuse, as Ken says.
DM
