Video: Revo in the dunes... and some help.

[jnev]

Well anyways, I was gone the past few days, although I did make it onto the forum a couple times. I went to visit my brother in Northern California and help him move into his new house (renting it out) that he will live in through college so that was kind of fun. But besides for that, I went to Pismo Beach (about 15 minutes away from the college Cal Poly... where he goes) and I got to run my Revo in the dunes. It is one of the few beaches that allow cars to drive on the beach and the dunes are loaded with dirt bikes, ATV's, dune buggies, etc.

As for the Revo, because I was running BowTie tires, I didn't have the greatest traction which meant a lot of full throttle in order to get through the thin sand. Basically, almost the whole run was full throttle which is why my 8000mah pack only lasted about 35 to 40 minutes...

So now to the problems. The motor (Feigao 9xl) was tempted at 220*F 10 minutes after the run, so I can only assume that at the end of the actual run, the motor was even hotter. The battery (TrueRC 4s 8000mah pack - also tempted 10 minutes later) was at 150*F. So I would not be surprised if both items are done and not usable anymore. Unfortunately, I forgot the temp gage at the car so I couldn't take the temperatures of the electronics during the run. The ESC (MM with UBEC and fan) however ran like a champ and was at 126*F (10 min after run).

So it appears the battery puffed and a day later after the run, one side is still expanded. I would like to try the motor though to see if it still works, because if it does, I will be looking to sell it and go to a Neu 1515/2.5d on 6s (a much more efficient set up). What should I do about the battery though? I will happily sell it for very little. It only appears as though 1 cell is damaged, so if anyone wants 3 good cells, please let me know. They have also been balanced every time they were charged...

Anyway, here is the video. It is short, but it shows why the motor and battery failed... the run was almost all full throttle. The dogs seemed to like the Revo very much as well. Keep in mind this is only my 2nd ever edited video.

Hopefully it has finished processing...

[JThiessen]

Nice video. I love running mine in the sand. You need a set of paddle tires for it - you can throw some awesome rooster tails!

Originally Posted by jnev

Well anyways, I was gone the past few days, although I did make it onto the forum a couple times. I went to visit my brother in Northern California and help him move into his new house (renting it out) that he will live in through college so that was kind of fun. But besides for that, I went to Pismo Beach (about 15 minutes away from the college Cal Poly... where he goes) and I got to run my Revo in the dunes. It is one of the few beaches that allow cars to drive on the beach and the dunes are loaded with dirt bikes, ATV's, dune buggies, etc.



As for the Revo, because I was running BowTie tires, I didn't have the greatest traction which meant a lot of full throttle in order to get through the thin sand. Basically, almost the whole run was full throttle which is why my 8000mah pack only lasted about 35 to 40 minutes...

So now to the problems. The motor (Feigao 9xl) was tempted at 220*F 10 minutes after the run, so I can only assume that at the end of the actual run, the motor was even hotter. The battery (TrueRC 4s 8000mah pack - also tempted 10 minutes later) was at 150*F. So I would not be surprised if both items are done and not usable anymore. Unfortunately, I forgot the temp gage at the car so I couldn't take the temperatures of the electronics during the run. The ESC (MM with UBEC and fan) however ran like a champ and was at 126*F (10 min after run).

So it appears the battery puffed and a day later after the run, one side is still expanded. I would like to try the motor though to see if it still works, because if it does, I will be looking to sell it and go to a Neu 1515/2.5d on 6s (a much more efficient set up). What should I do about the battery though? I will happily sell it for very little. It only appears as though 1 cell is damaged, so if anyone wants 3 good cells, please let me know. They have also been balanced every time they were charged...

Anyway, here is the video. It is short, but it shows why the motor and battery failed... the run was almost all full throttle. The dogs seemed to like the Revo very much as well. Keep in mind this is only my 2nd ever edited video.

Hopefully it has finished processing...

I am guessing the ground being as soft as it is and not the right tires did it, running through tall grass will do a number on the electronics. The dunes remind me of an area on the way to San Diego from Phoenix on I-8 just past Yuma as you get into Cali and it is huge in the fall/winter time...its really big at Thanxgiving time

[jnev]

I am hoping to get some paddles for it soon.

I charged up the lipo last night, and it seemed to charge up fine. I just finished testing the motor and battery this afternoon, and both seem to be working just as they did before, so I am very happy that both are working good.

I ran into another problem though. I was installing RPM hub carriers right after the run, and everythign went smoothly, but it seems that I lost a lot of steering. I can not turn sharp at all. I checked the servo, and it is fine, so it must be a mechanical problem with binding somewhere. Any recommendations of what to check first to fix the problem?

[magman]

If you only changed the hub carriers, I would start there. Does the Revo have pillow ball set up? Check the screws that attach the arms to the hub carrier. (pillow balls) In my vehicles, if they are too tight, they limit steering throw. I am not that familiar w/the Revo, so that is my suggestion for what it is worth.

[jnev]

It does have the pillow ball set up. They could be tightened too tight... I'll check that right now and get back to you. Thanks for the suggestion.

[jnev]

I tried that, but it still has limited steering... Anyone know what else I should try? Or have experienced this problem?

[jayjay283]

I love Pismo Beach, used to ride my atv there alot, I actually sank my honda prelude in the ocean there and didnt get it pulled out till after high tide came and went, amazing how saltwater creeps up copper wiring making it necessary to rewire the whole car. Good old college days, Beautiful spot though..

azjc you are talking about Glamis CA MAP thats where the party is labor day - thanksgiving !! youtube it, sick stuff lol

Originally Posted by jnev

I tried that, but it still has limited steering... Anyone know what else I should try? Or have experienced this problem?

have you tried playing with the linkage?

[blueb8llz]

if your not using stock radio, check your steering servo throw.
not sure if the revo is the same as my emaxx, but if your dust plugs ( the bottom is blue, and its plastic, you need the plastic wrench that came with the truck, it goes over the pillow balls) is too tight, then it will limit your steering. loosen that and is should be all good. plus, if those things are too tight in the rear, your shocks may not spring back up fully.

[jnev]

Originally Posted by azjc

have you tried playing with the linkage?

Well before the RPM hubs, the steering was perfectly fine. So I didn't think I needed to mess with the linkages...

Originally Posted by blueb8llz

if your not using stock radio, check your steering servo throw.
not sure if the revo is the same as my emaxx, but if your dust plugs ( the bottom is blue, and its plastic, you need the plastic wrench that came with the truck, it goes over the pillow balls) is too tight, then it will limit your steering. loosen that and is should be all good. plus, if those things are too tight in the rear, your shocks may not spring back up fully.

I loosened them, and it still seems to have the same problem. I will try to loosen them even more, but they are quite loose, so I don't know if getting them any looser will fix the problem. I will email RPM to see what they have to say...

[Mozzy]

Ok, yes, you def need paddles & a smoother area to run.

What I'd do to find the binding is put the car on it's lid & disconnect the servo arm & move it yourself. Then as you go through the steering mechanism, disconnect things as you go & see if it frees up.

I'd remove ball links from steering knuckles & start there, if it binds, you know where to look.
Good luck.