XRAY XB8 Conversion Suggestions

I am just starting my XB8 conversion after spending a few weeks reading and researching on the forum. There is a lot of info on here. I just ordered a motor mount and some gears from Mike, so now I am stuck! No turning back! I also planned to order the motor at the same time, but I am struggling to choose with so many different variables to address. Hopefully, some of the experiences from board members can steer me in the right direction.

My current idea is to put together a solid 4s system. The car will only see use on the track, so speed runs are not a concern. I hope the 4s system will be a good compromise between efficiency, controllable power, and weight. It will also allow me to keep cost down using the MM controller, as well as the charger (4S max) I already own. I already have a CCBEC ready to go, and fans from previous ESCs to hopefully keep temps in check with the MM. With all the positive feedback on the Neu motors, I think that is the direction I am leaning. I am aware of the cogging issues to watch for, but it sounds like people have been able to address them (or alteast reduce them) with ESC settings and proper gearing.

My main hiccup now, is which motor best fits my application. The 1512 and 1515 seem quite popular in the truggy conversions, but I am also looking at the smaller 1509. My thought is to use a 4s, 1509 combo in a lightweight buggy setup. I hope this would be a smaller load on the MM and battery. The lower power motor might allow me to use a smaller capacity battery and still get decent run time, again to reduce weight. Has anyone tried the 1509 in a buggy? Am I asking too much from that motor? I did find one post from a while back that referred to a 1509, 4s setup that worked well, but not much else to read up on. I have seen some of the video clips from the other larger motor conversions with very impressive power, but I am more concerned with controllable power on the track instead of wheelies down the straight!(Although doing a wing stand across the finish line would draw some attention!). I will have a wide range of gearing options as the XT8 ring/pinion ratios will drop into the buggy without any modifications if I need to gear down (XT8 4.3:1 compared to the XB8 3.3:1)

Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions. I will be sure to post some pictures once I get it together.

Bryan

[Dafni]

Hy Bryan, just out of curiosity: do you have a TQ or an EC coming?
I have an XT8 (you ma yhave seen my thread here) and an XB8TQ too. I use the 4S/MM combo myself too.

Personally I would not yet use a Neu on the MM, because of the problems you heard about too. I like the Lehner motors. But for budget setups, I have great success with the Wanderers.

Daf

[captain harlock]

If you want, you can go with a 120.18 MGM controller( slightly pricier), two trakpower lipos and a 1509 Neu, but then again, the MGMs aren't really that smooth. The Mamba Max is much smoother, but it doesn't like the Neu.
I would go for a MM, Lehner 1930/10( if you can find one) and two TrakPower lipos for your case.

[Dafni]

I'd not take 2 Trakpowers, but 1 4S battery for a buggy/truggy conversion.
But that's up to you. I just like the ease of only having to charge one batt.

Daf

Thanks for the input.

I currently have a TQ. If the brushless conversion goes well, I may add the front tower and new shocks to bring it close to the EC spec. I haven't been racing for a while, so that is the only reason I have not updated to the EC yet. If I was going to continue with nitro I would definitely update to the EC spec as it has made a noticeable improvement with on track handling. If the TQ handles ok with the new weight and balance, I may just leave it be, and start to work on the XT8! Yours conversion looks great, very clean and well done. Hopefully mine will resemble yours when I am finished!

That was a concern of mine with the Neu/MM combo. Some posts said it won't work at all, others seemed to say it will work ok with some adjustments. Do you think the general concept of a smaller output motor, low weight design is viable in a buggy?

I am not fixed on the MM or Neu if there is a better pair to put together. Is the Lehner in a similar power category as the 1509's power output? Do you have any suggestions for a place to purchase a Lehner? It is a 2-pole motor that works better with the MM, correct?

Thanks again,

Bryan

[jhautz]

Yes the MM / Neu combo is not good IMO. I would recomend a different speed controll or a different motor. The MGM or Quark speedo with the Neu. The Lehner or Wanderer with the MM. Either way you will be fine.

Yes the MM likes the 2 pole motors. If you are looking for a 2 pole motor that is comparable to the 1509, that would be the 1930. I think someone already recomended a 1930/10. I have acctully run a 1930/10 in a buggy with some good success. For a while there i was in love with the small motor lightweight setups, but in the long run the bigger motors just run cooler and you really arent gaining a really noticable amount of run time. In the end it takes a certain amount of energy to propel your 8lb buggy at the rate you want. You can make a smaller motor work harder to do it or a bigger motor do the same amount of work with less effort. Either way it takes the same amount of wattts to get the thing moving the way you want it to move.

That being said... You could really split the difference and go with something like a 1940/8, target a 30K (or even a little less) rpm motor speed and and have a nice cool running efficient race machine with conservative smooth power and more than enough speed for the track.

Then if you ever did want to go crazy just bump yourself to 5s and let er rip.

[captain harlock]

Yeah, I agree. The bigger motor( 1940) won't tire out the MM that much.

Also, I think I made a mistake when I recommended 2 TrakPowers( you'll need to make a center motor mount which is way more difficult to make than a standard one, since you'll put the batts in a parallel configuration).
Get a FlightPower Evo25 5000mah 4s1p pack.
Thanks, for the note, Daniel!:)