Any other RC guys out there?

[BuzzKillington]

I've been investing much of my free time towards my RC truck. Going to the track every chance I get, it's a blast! I had to upgrade which was a little pricey but soooo glad I did. :twisted:

[SXRguyinMA]

I haven't been into RC since I bought the first-gen t-maxx, and decked it all out MULTIPLE times (including a .21 chassis with a .24 in it) then sold it. got tired or breaking something every time I drove it lol

[Twigsoffury]

Yo.

1:8th scale Yukon denali 4x4 with dual 351 speed motors and dual 18.2v batteries.


It's basically two dewalt drills on a truck platform. But my front transmission is burnt up and i havent ran it in forever

[msmrx57]

I've got an Ofna Pirate Monster nitro, a RC10 GT electric, a vintage BoLink on road, as well as a custom built outbaord nitro-V. I just don't have the time to play with them as much as I'd like. I run the Pirate the most cuz it's pretty much bullet-proof and reliable.

[Twigsoffury]

i need to take a picture of majorbud's RC helicopter

I think its more glue and epoxy then RC helicopter at this point.

was stuck up in a tree all winter as well hahahaha.

[billygoat333]

RC helos are a bitch to fly hahaha.

I have a losi micro-t, completely stock at the moment but I am planning on buying a lipo battery for it and possibly a brushless motor... eventually.

[diluzio91]

I started to get into it, but i broke a part of the front wheel, and wanted to upgrade to lipo and never got around to it.

[xr4man]

haven't driven them in years, but my fleet consists of a hpi rs4 converted to rs4pro with a custom hand made chassis, a hpi rs4mt with full ball bearings, a kyosho optima mid, and a custom built (only halfway done) 1/12th 2wd chassis that i was planning on using for my tamiya celica grB rally car body or my 1/12th scale sierra cosworth body. i also have a 1/10th scale sierra cosworth body to put on the kyosho optima.

[crenn]

I'm actually about to get into RC plane and helicopters. And I'm going straight to the deep end! I'm being funded purely by donations, and I'm waiting for one last donation before I finish the last order.

The reason why I'm being funded by donations, it's actually a UAV type project!
MEHA - http://crennsmind.com/index.php/future-projects/71-micro-copter
SEPA - http://crennsmind.com/index.php/future-projects/73-small-electric-plane-with-autopilot

I might also do 'normal' RC stuff later, but robotics is probably going to find it's way into all my RC stuff (including an RC Car later).

[luciusad2004]

I picked up a Nitro drift car just to tool around with on weekends a few months back but haven't touched it in a while because it seems like a constant battle to keep it running smoothly. Last time I drove it i lost a set screw that holds the drive axles together and i just never got around to actually picking up a new one. It was just getting to the point when it seemed like it was well enough broken in that i didn't have to struggle to start it.

[Twigsoffury]

RC helos are a bitch to fly hahaha.

I have a losi micro-t, completely stock at the moment but I am planning on buying a lipo battery for it and possibly a brushless motor... eventually.

oh man its one of them 60$ chinese specials to, probably only mean't to last a flight or two.


But we've gotten at least 15 out of it, i flew two successful crashless flights (flight being the whole battery charge)

Boy that wind just takes your a@# sometimes though despite your best efforts at correcting it.

[diluzio91]

Lol... so i started messing around with my truck again and got the wheel fixed.... Then I remembered why I stopped driving it, the battery died after about 5 min... I want to get into lipo's, but dunno what i would need... I guess a 7.4 V battery and a charger would work... my current battery is 1800mAh, so if anyone has advice on a larger capacity battery for cheapish, and a charger for it i'm all ears.

[crenn]

You might want to look at HobbyKing for that!
Maybe this LiPo depending on if you can fit it into your truck:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=16778
And this charger:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=18066
And this power adapter:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6256
And maybe these as well:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8927
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4364

Also if ordering from HobbyKing, look at this:
http://crennsmind.com/index.php/the-blog/74-its-started

[BuzzKillington]

I was thinking hobbyking as well

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__14988__Turnigy_4000mAh_2S_30C_hardcase_pack_USA_ Warehouse.html

[diluzio91]

What kind of connectors does that charger have? My truck has molex style adapters at the moment, so I would have to switch the ends out.

[crenn]

That charger has XT60 connectors, you'll need to buy a set to change your truck over:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9572

Also remember with LiPo, if it goes under 3v per cell, it's time to rip the battery out before it goes lower.

[diluzio91]

alright... also, that batt is only 2200 MAH, is 400 more gonna make that big of a run time difference?

I was also thinking about maybe getting a brushless motor as well... I found this one
http://www.hobbypartz.com/26p-blcombo-60a-13r-3000kv.html

But don't know much about it.

[crenn]

I'm going to guess that your current batteries aren't actually charging upto 1800mAh, which is why you have reduced run time.

Changing from a brushed to a brushless motor is going to give you the biggest increase in both battery life and speed. Do you have callipers you can use to measure the shaft diameter, the diameter of the motor, the mounting holes and the length of the motor? Also remember that you need a specialised speed controller for brushless motors.

EDIT: This might work:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=16020 ($29.58 on 'special')
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=17228 ($22.26 on 'special')

[diluzio91]

the motor i linked to comes with an esc,

can diameter == 36mm
length is == 52 mm
shaft is == 3mm

Dunno about the rest, i've never disassembled my truck...

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228800_10150270578598426_601993425_7606408_5296529 _n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/198649_10150270578638426_601993425_7606409_2949744 _n.jpg

[Twigsoffury]

20 turn motor is a pretty damn good motor, dunno the brand but i bet its already a kick ass one


yea you'll see a difference between the crap 1800 and a spanking new 2200


a place called "Batteries plus" (actual stores, not online) can build you what ever battery you want, and do it at a respectable price.

http://www.batteriesplus.com/


heres a lame video i made with majorbud's futuba striker.

XgRRfxyE8_4

[diluzio91]

Lol... thanks... I just ordered a new set of Carrier hubs for the front wheels to replace my quick fix, Also a new clear body for the truck, as my original one met a railing at high speed...

This is where i got my truck

http://www.electrixrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ECX2000&view=test

Pretty cheap, My esc burned out a week after I got it, but they replaced with a nicer model for me as soon as I contacted them.

I'm now running with this

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=DYN4925

and the old am remote they shipped with it was aweful, so i got this guy

http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-gt2-blue.html

Awesome remote... No interference issues, and the truck is out of sight before it gets out of range. lol... Not bad for $20

I waas kind of thinking of getting this for use at a track we have locally.

http://www.nitrorcx.com/51c802-bahared-24ghz.html

[BuzzKillington]

If you want to be competitive on the track on a budget, check out an SC10 RS (Race Spec) RTR package. Brushless motor, 2.4GHz controller and pretty beastly.

Here's a video of some dude with a stock SC10RS
4719jPtBnbQ

I just dropped a grand on my setup and I'm not even dialed in so the hobby can get quite expensive if you want to win races.

SC10 4x4, Mamba Max Pro, Hitec 7955 steering servo, oversized shocks, Airtronics MX-3X radio, Barcode's soft front, supersoft rear, x12L brushless modified motor, front and rear stabilizers, 5000mah 35c lipo, 13/40 gearing, etc.

A new *secret*motor is on its way along with a 6000mah 60c lipo. Hopefully I'll remember to get some video next practice session.

[diluzio91]

Lol.... Noope. I don't race at the track, Just tool around and enjoy the jumps and stuff that are hard to find in the back yard.... When my parts for the ruckus come in I'll take it out to the skate park, thats always lots of fun. lol... I just kind of want to get a short track or buggy for the higher speed. My bashing truck has monster tires and cushy suspension, so speed isn't it's forte. If that one isn't any good let me know before I drop $100 that I could put towards something like a traxxas or a losi.

I tried joining an RC forum to ask these questions, but for every helpful answer, there was a dozen idiots just being tools. So I havn't been back since.

Suggestions for a less than bashing truck (maybe $200 max, which is about all my "spare" cash atm) And i still have to get a lipo setup... so maybe i'll save up, but i couldn't bring myself to spend much more than 200...

[crenn]

Buy a LiPo setup now and get a new truck later. Once you have a LiPo charger and equipment to store LiPos, generally getting new trucks and other RC stuff become cheaper to setup.

I know because I spent about USD$100 on the gear needed for LiPo, which means that I can work with any LiPo upto 6 cells providing I don't need a faster charge rate.

[diluzio91]

Sounds like good advice when you put it that way

[BuzzKillington]

Keep an eye out for used trucks or even go to your local track and ask around. I'm willing to put money on it that nearly every guy there has dupes of cars they've acquired in trades/deals/tourney's that they'd be willing to sell you at a great price.

You get what you pay for and I personally don't see you having much fun bashing that exceed unless you mod it. If I were you I'd set aside another 100 bucks and go to the track and talk to people.
$300 bucks will definitely get you a bad ass truck that is:
A)popular (can be resold when you're done and may possibly even make a profit on it) B)upgradeable/easily accessible parts/kept in stock everywhere.

I would look towards these guys for under 200:
http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php/rc-cars-trucks/cars-trucks-buggies/electric-offroad/traxxas-bandit-rtr-buggy-w-7-cell-and-charger.html#

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php/rc-cars-trucks/cars-trucks-buggies/electric-offroad/traxxas-rustler-rtr-electric-truck-w-xl5-7-cell-and-charger.html


You could always go 1/16th scale. Those things RIP on my local track. They can be made ungodly fast and somehow handle like a 1/10scale.

[diluzio91]

Lol... I was actually thinking about getting a 1/16, my 1/10 is kind of largish... I was also looking at traxxas because they are waterproofed, which would be nice living in wisconsin. lol... the rustler looks sweeet... i assume the wider tires would be better for driving on snow? but first things first, The liPos, anyone disagree with crenn's suggestions?

[Twigsoffury]

Lol... I was actually thinking about getting a 1/16, my 1/10 is kind of largish...

Hah my 1:8th denali is a beast then.

Actually Skinny tires are better in the snow then big flappers.

Just look at Rally cars

http://www.autoracingdaily.com/images/featured/Subaru_World_Rally290x320.jpg
http://www.autourheilu.fi/images/2008-01-28T10-33_1604032968_155.jpg
http://rallye-info.com/images/photos/general/2004sweden/sd_1_740_269.jpg
http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/plugins/PostviaEmail/images/1963_Volvo_1800S_Rally_Car_For_Sale_Snow_Jump_resi ze.jpg
http://www.wrc.com/news/big/tyres.jpg

they use 6" wide tires in the snow.

[msmrx57]

Hah my 1:8th denali is a beast then.

Actually Skinny tires are better in the snow then big flappers.

Just look at Rally cars

http://www.autoracingdaily.com/images/featured/Subaru_World_Rally290x320.jpg
http://www.autourheilu.fi/images/2008-01-28T10-33_1604032968_155.jpg
http://rallye-info.com/images/photos/general/2004sweden/sd_1_740_269.jpg
http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/plugins/PostviaEmail/images/1963_Volvo_1800S_Rally_Car_For_Sale_Snow_Jump_resi ze.jpg
http://www.wrc.com/news/big/tyres.jpg

they use 6" wide tires in the snow.


My Pirate is truly a monster then, it's 1/8 monster truck. :D Those tires are a little over 4" wide.

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/429/pirate5.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/pirate5.jpg/)

As far as tires for snow goes skinny tires are used to cut through the snow and make contact with the suface underneath. While this is highly desirable in a real car not so much for an RC car. I've tried playing with some of the cars I've had in the past in the snow. The 4x4 trucks work ok with wider tires. Buggys with thier skinny fronts just sink in. Haven't bothered trying the Pirate as it's nitro powered and a real PITA to start when its cold.

As far as buying a LiPo/brushless setup goes I'd say if you have the $$$ go for it. My next RC will be LiPo/brushless. Just can't afford it for awhile.

[diluzio91]

Yeah, around here floating over the snow is easier than cutting through it... lol

[BuzzKillington]

If you drop a lipo in your current setup you may fry it your electronics. It's also a wise investment to spend an extra 10 bucks on a lipo meter. If you drain the cells below 3v it can limit the lifespan on your battery.

If it were me and I lived where it snowed, I'd either buy used or I'd buy one of the waterproof traxxas trucks and play around with it for a bit while setting money aside for upgrades. Once you see brushless+lipos, you'll NEVER look back.

Hit up your local track and see if anyone has any spare motors or chargers. Most of these guys have so many cars, trucks, truggies, and buggies than they know what to do with. They wanna get rid of them but everyone else in their circle is in the same situation. (Might sound familiar with some of you guys with computers :P )

Battery: buy new. ~$30 bucks for a 5000mah 30c pack.

Charger: The new RTR brushless kits come with a charger... ya, it's slow but someone will probably give you one. It'll hold you off for a while.

Motor: Someone would probably give you one of their old brushless motors or even the brand new ones from the RTR brushless kits.

[diluzio91]

If you drop a lipo in your current setup you may fry it your electronics.

My ESC says it's rated for lipo? its the dynamite tazer 10T, not the stock one that came with the truck. I wish the guys at the track were as cool as they are around you, but the only person i've ever seen there is the owner of the hobby shop. :/ Lol.... I know it probably sounds nublet-ish, but i was under the impression that my esc was lipo compatible just because the word lipo is printed on it. lol : banana:

[Twigsoffury]

My Pirate is truly a monster then, it's 1/8 monster truck. :D Those tires are a little over 4" wide.

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/429/pirate5.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/pirate5.jpg/)

As far as tires for snow goes skinny tires are used to cut through the snow and make contact with the suface underneath. While this is highly desirable in a real car not so much for an RC car. I've tried playing with some of the cars I've had in the past in the snow. The 4x4 trucks work ok with wider tires. Buggys with thier skinny fronts just sink in. Haven't bothered trying the Pirate as it's nitro powered and a real PITA to start when its cold.

As far as buying a LiPo/brushless setup goes I'd say if you have the $$$ go for it. My next RC will be LiPo/brushless. Just can't afford it for awhile.


hah it'd be one hell of a fight between our trucks.

we had a tug of war between major buds two 1:10th RC cars and my RC truck.

I let them both go full throttle and try to tug my truck a bit.

Well then i hit the gas while they were already at full throttle and dragged there a@#es across the street, through the front yard, across a ditch and back onto the street.


Oh OH OH OH

way back when we used some rubber flappers, and glued those to a set of tires so we'd have paddle tires. But they make legit ones as well.

http://powerslideracing.com.au/images/4741.jpg

Thats probably the best tire possible i've ever came across for off roading use (wouldn't run them on the street unless you want some future race slicks in a hurry) they work excellent in the snow and mud, but dirt and sand as well (not one for runnin RC vehicles in the sand, but it'd work)

Ours weren't near as cool looking as that, but the paddles were also bigger.


I also took a pair of tires off, and shoved about 20 thumb tacks through the tires, that worked great as hell on dirt, but its first 10 seconds on the street folded those thumb tacks over in a totally kick ass spark filled burn out.