Takin' it to the E-side....

Originally Posted by BrianG

I think it depends somewhat on how you have the stock Nitro mount situated. I had mine as low as it can go and it rubbed a little. I just muscled it in though. :)

BTW: your Revo looks nice (but wayyy too clean :))! I take it you are keeping the 2 speed tranny and using mechanical brakes? I'm sure you know this, but you won't be able to use reverse with the stock tranny without mods...

Well I just bought it. Last Monday it was still in the box. I wasn't going to post about the project till I had it running, but you asked.

Yes, I'll be using the 2-speed trans with mechanical brakes (both front and rear). I wanted to try high voltage so I am using CC PHX 110-HV with a PiStix adapter. Power will be from a single 6S1P 3700 EVO-20 pack. I wanted to start off slow so I'm using a BK 12XL which at 22.2v shouldn't be too bad.

I should still have reverse with the use of the 3rd channel. Unless the servo Y connection for the throttle doesn't work and I have to use channel mixing. I'm new to RCs so I'm still learning what works and doesn't. But isn't that what all of us are doing here? Seeing what works and how well. I still have more to put on the truck but it's getting there. I don't have as much time to work on it as I would like. Work looks like it's going to be slowing down this week. So I might be able to knock out some mounting plates for the ESC and batt and get it running.

[BrianG]

Cool.

6s on a 12XL should be gentle on the batts and give you ~25 minutes (maybe 30) runtime. Sounds nice.

Be careful with mechanical reverse, it's quite weak. Many people wreck the reverse gear. But yeah, it should work.

Good luck and keep us posted! Looks good so far!

[Serum]

are my eyes playing tricks on me?



Looks like the motor is at an angle?

Originally Posted by BrianG

Cool.

6s on a 12XL should be gentle on the batts and give you ~25 minutes (maybe 30) runtime. Sounds nice.

Be careful with mechanical reverse, it's quite weak. Many people wreck the reverse gear. But yeah, it should work.

Good luck and keep us posted! Looks good so far!

Right, long run times, cool temps and good speed.

I don't think I'll need reverse much. I'll mostly be running it in fairly open areas. But for those rare times it might be nice to have. This isn't a racer so a little weight for some added convenience is fine. I plan on hanging around and keep you all updated with progress. This is a nice forum with a fair bit of knowledge and talent so I'll be around.

Originally Posted by Serum

are my eyes playing tricks on me?

[img]

Looks like the motor is at an angle?

No, you are correct the motor was at a slight angle. There is a blurb in the post about it just being set in there. I did bolt it on today though.

Originally Posted by BrianG

If you go with a single stronger steering servo, you can ditch the one in front of the batteries to make room for your receiver box or whatever (don't forget the Proline Al steering arm if you do this). The way I have my tray made, I have room for 14 cells or 5s1p 10Ah maxamps lipos.

I do plan to go to a single steering servo eventually, but the budget may keep it double for a while. I have two HS645MG servos a buddy gave me, that I may swap out for the stockers just to get a little more pull out of the steering and drop in a HD servo saver spring for the time being. Next on the list is the motor and ESC and all the little particulars to get it under power. I'm hoping to have her up and running by this time next month.

[Finnster]

Have you decided on the batt tray material yet? Let me make another suggestion vs alu.

I used UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, see item 4296A22 from Mc Master Carr.) A 12"x12" sheet is only ~$10. I orig did mine with 2"x2" angle to make lay-down style trays on ea side and it worked extremely well. The angle only comes in white however, but sheets are available in a number of colors (if you care.) The motor side was slightly wide, but this wouldn't be a concern in your case or by not using angle.

Not only inexpensive, the plastic is rated as "unbreakable" in impact tests, is easy to work (much like wood) and is light. 1/4" is recommended, but its half the weight of CF 0.91 g/cc (floats), so its no more than 1/8" CF (@ ~1.7 g/cc.) My two batt tray weigh less than 100g, and has lot of material to trim if I cared.

It can also be drilled and taped as well, and is pretty strong, but I used 4-40 standoffs (also from MMC) & flat head screws which fit perfectly in the 4mm mounting holes for the rx boxes/ gas tank. Its extremely strong this way, I could beat my trays with hammer and bend the chassis 1st I bet. with a little work, the trays would be trimmed to mount the chassis tabs flush for a smooth bottom as well.

That's really interesting, could you post some larger photos?

[Finnster]

Originally Posted by Cajun

That's really interesting, could you post some larger photos?

stupid thing, thumbs were supposed to link to originals.

Links instead:
http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/639/img2927tg3.jpg
http://img330.imageshack.us/img330/5204/img2925bm7.jpg
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/8093/img2924xj5.jpg

That stuff's really interesting. Do you by chance know how hard it is to bend? I'm assuming it'll take some heat. I'd like to try the 1/8" thick black sheet and see if I can make the tray I was thinking out in aluminum as well as getting some 1/4" x 2" x 1" channel that I know will work. As cheap as it is I'll probably get some angle too, while I'm ordering I might as well make it worth while. I would like to move my E-Maxx batteries below the chassis and I think this stuff might do the trick.

[Finnster]

Originally Posted by Cajun

That stuff's really interesting. Do you by chance know how hard it is to bend? I'm assuming it'll take some heat. I'd like to try the 1/8" thick black sheet and see if I can make the tray I was thinking out in aluminum as well as getting some 1/4" x 2" x 1" channel that I know will work. As cheap as it is I'll probably get some angle too, while I'm ordering I might as well make it worth while. I would like to move my E-Maxx batteries below the chassis and I think this stuff might do the trick.

You can bend it, but it depends on the thickness. 1/8" is fairly easy to bend, I would not recc that for batt trays, it won't be stiff enough. I actually use a 1"x1/8" strip as a roll hoop that goes across. Its very tough, but has enough spring and flexibilty to absorb those bad lid-down landings or flips and keep everything safe.

1/4" is quite stiff tho and will not bend easily. If you really wanted to shape it, you may be able to use a heat gun to soften it, bend it and let it cool. Just be careful tho. Softening temp is 150F, and deforming temp is ~180F. Not super high, but way higher than your batts will ever get.

I tried some channel, but was not to satisfied w/ it. The dimensions are not quite right (~1.5" inner width,) and the bottom ends up being very thick, ~3/8" even on "1/4" " channel. 2x2" (and cut down) angle is the easiest way to go for that shape, if you don't mind the white or care to dye it (RIT won't dye this tho.) I used some small velcro strap to secure the batts width wise instead on the second wall. The material cuts easy, a wood saw and other wood tools work well w/ it.

[suicideneil]

I do enjoy reading about other peoples projects, and this one is yet another great example of..... something cool.
On the E-maxx battery mounting front, have you seen this?-

Nice trays Neil and I think I'm going to give the stuff a try Finnster. Thanks again.

Well, I just ordered the rest of the stuff to get my Revo together. I got a 9XL Wanderer motor, RCM XL heatsink and clamp, the MM ESC, UBEC, and a couple of 5mm pinions (a 20T & an 18T). I have all my trays and brackets mocked up in card board and I'm about to start fabbing them. I should have the stuff by mid-week, so hopefully I'll have her together in a couple of weeks. If you guys can think of anything I missed, let me know.

:004:

Cajun

The mail lady (oxymoron? :D ) just dropped my stuff off at my house! WOHOO!

The bad news is my new kitchen cabinets were delivered today as well and most of my time for the next couple of weeks will be spent installing them. :031:

But did I mention my E-Revo stuff came in today! :004:

[Serum]

Who cares abut ladies and kitchens when RC arrived at your doorstep..