center diff / slipper question -
03.06.2009, 12:37 AM
Do center diffs have any type of protection that a slipper clutch on a transmission would offer? I think the answer is no, but Im just curious as Im new to center diffs.
Do center diffs have any type of protection that a slipper clutch on a transmission would offer? I think the answer is no, but Im just curious as Im new to center diffs.
By nature of the diff action the center diff will be easier on the motor than a solid center will. You will not get a slipper action, but any 1 wheel can slip and release load when you run a center diff. Generally the center diff has heavier fluid to limit the amount of front tire unloading, and that fluid is thicker than nitro setups use, as brushless has more torque.
Directly, no. Indirectly, yes. They do not offer any slip protection, but they are able to transfer power from a higher concentration to a lower concentration.
So if you jam on the throttle, naturally the rear takes more power. The center diff attempts to equalize the power concentration between front/rear by sending some power to the front. How much power it sends is adjustable according to the viscosity of the fluid in the center diff.
SH Z-Car, Custom Crawler, 8s Savage, 12s XTM XLB 1/7 buggy, 4wd 4-link rear/IFS Pro4 truck, Custom Hyper 10 Short Course, Belt-Drive Mammoth ST 1/8 truggy, 4s 17.5 MM Pro HPI Blitz
So what does that mean for front/rear diff "safety"? Slippers absorb the power when too much is sent to the tranny... if you have a CD and start in a straight line with heavy CD fluid and lots of power... pretty much all four wheels will get lots of power right? So theres nothing to absorb the "excess" power going into the diffs??
BTW thanks for the fast reply.
EDIT: Just read metalmans response also.. makes sense.
Is the losi 8ight-t center a strong diff? Im getting one for my savage x BL conversion.
Just about any 1/8 scale center diff will be suitable. My extended Savage has a Hyper 8 center diff, and the gears inside are of a cheap material (I think "pot metal" is what we used to call it). No issues, despite repeated 4.5HP peaks.
SH Z-Car, Custom Crawler, 8s Savage, 12s XTM XLB 1/7 buggy, 4wd 4-link rear/IFS Pro4 truck, Custom Hyper 10 Short Course, Belt-Drive Mammoth ST 1/8 truggy, 4s 17.5 MM Pro HPI Blitz