Rustler VXL on A123 cells?

[Arct1k]

Just be careful some of the newer packs are NOT A123 cells apparently

[tino_ale]

Originally Posted by Arct1k

Just be careful some of the newer packs are NOT A123 cells apparently

Thanks for the tip, I got it covered and they are A123 so it's perfect!

[tc3_racer_001]

how can you tell? thanks...

[tino_ale]

Originally Posted by tc3_racer_001

how can you tell? thanks...

It's just that the seller opened the pack to check the cells...
Annoying that not all Dewalt packs have A123 cells in them. What cell type have they replaced them with?

[tino_ale]

Ok I got my rustler running

I really have to say that I'm extremely impressed by this rustler VXL. I mean for the price you get a RTR model that includes everything, to hear it run is as easy as i can get, yet what you get is a BEAST of acceleration and top speed. It's almost criminal to sell that kind of stuff to anyone who has $270 in hands without a background check

I bought the FLM extended chassis along with it. Mounted everything was extremely easy. As I am more used to 4x4, this model just looks so simple and straight forward that my other models actually look very cluttered and messy now.

I initially planned to used two 3S A123 packs in parallel but I have tried to use them one at a time and they work extremely well. Runtime is very useable too, since the car is so lightweight. Unless you are really making speed run repeateadly it's easy to get 20 min of bashing around on a single charge.

Here are a couple of pics of my rustler. All stock except the FLM extended chassis :







My only complains are :
- all the scews run directly into plastic parts, no metal inserts, so you need to be carefull not to strip the threads
- the little protection behind the motor broke quite easily I ordered two spares but might also consider a more robust skid plate or something

Bottom line is I would totally recomment A123 for the rustler VXL. Only the FLM chassis is really needed to make this work, since a 3S pack would not fit in the stock chassis. You get some serious power for a very limited budget, and so far it work fine for me. It was very easy to make the packs from a Dewalt 36V since I kept the stock tabs. The rustler seems to have strong enough parts to take the power without breaking instantly.

Besides, charging in 15 min is just too good to be true, yet it is true. OK maybe 17 min is the pack is flat empty.

Thanks again for your input and cheers!!
Hey do you guys think I am abusing my A123 pack by using them one at a time? Should I stick to two packs in parallel (eventhough the car gets heavier) ?

[tino_ale]

a few action shots

[tino_ale]

Originally Posted by tino_ale

Hey do you guys think I am abusing my A123 pack by using them one at a time? Should I stick to two packs in parallel (eventhough the car gets heavier) ?

Ooops, looks like I have many questions in addition to this one... Let's summerize my ??? and make it simple for someone to reply :

- is it ok to run a 3S1P A123 pack with the stock ESC and motor?
- is it ok to run a 4S1P A123 pack with the stock ESC and motor?

- is it ok to run a 3S1P A123 pack with a mamba max ESC and 7700kv motor?
- is it ok to run a 4S1P A123 pack with a mamba max ESC and 7700kv motor?
- is it ok to run a 2S2P A123 pack with a mamba max ESC and 7700kv motor?

In each setup I'm worried of abusing either the cells or the ESC+motor, or both. Please tell me what I should not do before I fry everything

if anyone has answers to these questions I'd greatly appreciate the info
Thanks!!