Rustler VXL on A123 cells?

[Sammus]

I run 4s A123 with a unmodified sidewinder and a 2700kv motor. It's fairly insane. temps are no problems, I have two packs and can go straight from pack to pack and run for as long as I want, one on charge, one in the car. Nothing gets too hot or anything, and that was running out in the sand dunes with paddles (ie a lot of load!). Gearing is 30/86.

I also have the extended FLM chassis, I recently installed the FLM gearbox but havent run it yet. I wasn't too impressed with it to be honest, the gear mesh was a lot better in the standard plastic gearbox. I guess I'll see how it goes though. Also, for some reason the shock tower screws you have to use nuts on the other end, the tranny isnt threaded there. I much prefer to use loctite than locknuts. Oh well, its still pretty good. As with all FLM parts I used I had about a million screws and nuts and left over that didnt seem to have a place anywhere on any of the parts I have. Oh well...in the misc screws box they go :)

And for your questions, I havent run those particular combos before, but I wouldnt run anything over 2s (maybe 3s if you want to push it) with the 7700kv motor - or else youll get some serious heat issues. 2s2p is fine, just higher capacity. 3s A123 is less than 3s lipo, which apparently the stock esc/motor is OK with, so 3s A123 would be too. I'd assume 4s would be OK as it is in the castle speed controllers, but couldn't be sure having never used the traxxas one.


Another thing, I noticed you have your batteries very far forwards. This is opposide to me, I put them as far back as I possibly could, and I still have trouble holding traction anywhere but on asphalt. More weight over the rear I say! Wheelies only become a problem when you have traction.

Nice photos btw :)

edit: I forgot to say I've only ever ran 1p, I was running 3s for quite a while, and I agree with you 100%. I think a lot of people on here just want to do ridiculous speeds on ashphalt back and forth with extremely tall gearing - noone seems to think 1p is enough. I even run 7s1p in my revo and it is more than enough power on tap. I don't care how much more power I would get with enerland Lipo cells, I've got more than enough already :P

[tino_ale]

Thanks for your reply;

you're right, I have some room between my pack and receiver, I will try to push the batteries backward. I have maybe almost an inch of room to adjust. I would like to keep current ESC and receiver arrangement since I find it looks very neat as it is.

Now about the 1P vs. 2P battery configuration, as you said the 3S1P is already a GREAT setup with the stock ESC and motor. Honestly I don't need or want more.

My only concern with 3S1P would be to pull too much current from the cells, which voltage would repeatedly sag under 2V (when under heavy load or accelerations on concrete)... I don't want to abuse them, I know they are robust but I just don't want a reduced lifespan

So : is the stock Rustler too hard on a 3S1P A123 pack sums up my thoughts

thanks for all the other answers. I don't think I'll try the 4S.