So i decided to blame the flipshit VX1. because on inspection it’s wires seemed sketchy despite my previous inspection and hotglue. one wire at the pot was pretty weak and broke off looking at it. 
I redid the wiring. took it out for a test run… and…
the whole thing locked up a wheel. metr and remote disconnected. it’s dead. the one wheel drags the way it feels when you connect to phase wires on an unhooked up motor. I’m guessing I actually do have a phase short or something and i probably just fried my vesc.
I should have opened it up and inspected it depsite suspecting the flipshit.