Mini Brushless Goodness
 

Hey, guys -- it's been a while since I last posted here, because I've been out of the country on business.

I'm actually considering scaling things down a bit from my E-Maxx...literally. I've been looking at the new Duratrax Mini Quake SE platform with the intent on going brushless, and I saw that MGM has the 4016-3 Car/Boat (s) controller. I think this would be perfect for a BL motor that's 380-sized.

Mike, can you get this controller, and if so, how much does it run? Also, do you carry any 380 or 400 sized brushless motors? For the near future, I anticipate running 6-cell NiMH GP1100 packs until I can go LiPo.

I've also been eyeballing this BL motor:
Golden Horizon 4700rpm (Duratrax recommended)

I considered the Castle Creations Mamba25 systems, but I read that the Mamba motors are just too small to replace the 380 stocker without serious cogging and overheating issues.

Any thoughts?

Megazone23. In the October issue of RC Driver page 102-106 they do an article on the Duratrax Mini Quake SE and they use a 6800 Mamba 25 system in it. They said it ran very good using a 6 cell nimh and a 3s lipo pack

heheh.. it's Duratrax recommended... hahaa :) some 370/380 motors pull a lot of amps.... I had the himaxx 2825, and that thing pulls over 60Amps....

The thing with the mamba is, that it had a bad cogging, i personally experienced it too, but with the new software update those controllers come with, they run smooth.. (for as far smooth is possible with a mamba 8000 on 3S lipo..)

Just out of curiousity, what Mamba would you suggest for an RC18T? NiMHs assumed.

6800 , though Ryan is using his with an 8pack GP1100's with the mamba 8000 (with great succes)

If I went Mamba with my 18MT, I would go with the 5400 because it'd be a bit more controllable. I've seen the 8000's, they're retarded, can't even hit the brakes without the thing doing a forward cartwheel. Plus, the little guys can barely absorb hard landings as it is, maybe I'd up the shock oil to 60wt like a guy at Hobby People did though.

CrayJr - I saw that article, and I was surprised that they didn't mention any of the problems that I've read about over at one18th.com.

Serum - So latest software has pretty much eliminated the cogging? Did you have any trouble getting pinions to fit the Mamba motor?

I don't know much about a mini. What does a mini weigh?

According to TowerHobbies, the RTR Mini Quake is 25 oz., but I don't know if that is with the battery. The Mini Quake SE should be similar but will vary due to the fact that you provide your own motor, esc, electronics, and battery.

I came across this listing on eBay and am somewhat intrigued:
RC Smart 4890 Brushless Motor & 30A ESC

Looks like a longer can than the Mamba, but its shaft diameter is the same as the Mini Quake stock motor (2.3mm vs the Mamba's 2mm). From what I've read, 48 metric pitch pinions are easier to find for 2.3mm shafts.

My complete hopped up T weights 18.5 oz, and that's with the 3S lipoly.. (that's heavy for a T, the stock is lighter)

@dabid, you can tune the brake power, just the way you like it. Get the USB programmer, i personally love it.
It's not hard to get pinions, most 1/18th cars use the pitch the mini-t does. i got titanium pinions, they are good to go. I lube them with a a dry lube..

Here is my mini-t, you really can enjoy a little car like that. Just don't take him offroad, but it's really nice for an onroad blast..

I had some issues with wind coming underneath the car, when it was running 1/2 wot, and punched the throttle for about .25 second and full wot, it was sliding on his back... it was the wind underneath the car that made him flip that easy. A wheeliebar didn't helped, so i used some very small steel wires to get it lower on the front.

http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/05.JPG\
http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/06.JPG
http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/07.JPG
http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/08.JPG
http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/09.JPG
http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/10.JPG
http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/11.JPG
http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/12.JPG
http://www.serum.demon.nl/mini-t/MKII/13.JPG

Nice Mini, Serum. Makes me wanna get an RC18T even more!
There's more and more hopups available for it.

I like your Mini-T alot, but I would take the AE and see what I could do with one of those.

the thing about the ae is there 4wd. much better than 2wd. i to was thinking about the miniquake se and going brushless.

Squee, that's the direction I'm heading, but all the things I've read re: the Mamba and the Mini Quake (well, except for RC Driver) lead me to believe that the Mamba motors are simply too small for the size and weight of the MQ.

i would go with something like what you linked from ebay but maybe a little higher kv. alot cheaper also. anybody want a xxx bk edition? lol