New Revo Owner

[MetalMan]

For now, I'm not so sure. But I have an idea - let my ICE charge the 5s2p pack as a 10 cell NiMh pack at the full 8 amps. I don't know when the ICE will cut off for the voltage getting too high, but when it does I'll swap the pack over to my Multiplex LN-5014 charger and charge it at the maximum amp rate until it reaches 18v.

Later on (in a couple weeks or so) I'll get an Astroflight 109. Word on the street is that AF is working on a new chip for the 109 that will allow you to charge A123 cells to 3.6v/cell.

As far as low Ah for the physical size, I'm not worried. The way I see it, as long as it's better than NiMh, then it's all good.

[BrianG]

Something else you could do to charge those M1 cells is simply use a CC charge until the voltage hits 3.6v/cell and then keep reducing the charge current to keep the voltage at 3.6v/cell. Sounds like a lot of work and wasted time just sitting there watching it, but it'll work (provided your charger lets you change the current on the fly).

[MetalMan]

Yeah, I'll do that with the ICE if it will allow the voltage to go high enough. If it doesn't, then I won't do it because the LN-5014 doesn't allow you to alter the charge rate during the charging process.

[MetalMan]

Update! (after a month and a half).

The Revo is operational, and about 96% complete. The other 4% includes minor details, like increasing the strength of the battery hold-downs. It's running 5s2p A123 cells with a Mamba Max and Feigao 540C 7XL with my custom "slipperential" on pre-3.3 extended chassis (aftermarket). So far, it runs very well. I have 30,000wt. oil in the center diff, but unfortunately it is leaking pretty badly (I gotta get a new case and o-rings for it). As it is, it will wheelie, lifting the front tires up a couple inches from a stand-still, and then it quickly sets them down and takes off as the front tires gain traction.

Unfortunately, I was having problems with the Mamba Max thermalling after a few minutes. Part of the reason may have been starting and stopping very quickly with Maxx Mashers in the street (HIGH traction). But that problem has been resolved by mounting a 40mm 5v fan over the heatsink of the MM (a screw threads into the fins of the heatsink). And now, the MM is running at something like 135-140 deg.
As for the motor, it has hit something like 150 at the highest. I would say that's pretty good, considering that the gearing on the Revo right now was an estimate from before I ever ran the truck. The gearing is 20t pinion/40t spur, and then for the "slipperential" it has an 18t pinion on a 44t spur. The estimated speed is at 38.5mph with the battery voltage at 2.8v/cell, and assuming no tire ballooning on 6" tires (they're duct-taped on the inside).

Pics should come soon :).

[BrianG]

How dare you post that and supply no pics at the same time! Shame! ;)

J/K. Good job! How much runtime do you get on that setup? I was thinking of going with a 8 or 9XL with 6s2p on my Revo, but still on the fence about it.

The fact that the MM thermals so quick, but then the addition of a simple fan makes it run that much cooler makes think a larger heatsink would do wonders. Too bad the current heatsink wasn't epoxied on the FETs...

[MetalMan]

At this point I'm not too sure on the runtime, but I think it's about 15mins. The last time I ran the Revo, I was having a small problem that made a bigger problem. There was a loose contact on the UBEC input connector that was causing intermittent power to the receiver. Well, it cut out at one point and allowed the Revo to go into the curb at 25-30mph. At the time there was no front bumper either (just the mounts and the skidplate). The impact caused the 3s2p pack to slip forward, and it hit the receiver on its way forward. This caused the receiver's antenna to rip. Now I'm waiting for funds to get a new radio with (looking at the Nomadio React and an extra receiver).

[jhautz]

Originally Posted by MetalMan

At this point I'm not too sure on the runtime, but I think it's about 15mins. The last time I ran the Revo, I was having a small problem that made a bigger problem. There was a loose contact on the UBEC input connector that was causing intermittent power to the receiver. Well, it cut out at one point and allowed the Revo to go into the curb at 25-30mph. At the time there was no front bumper either (just the mounts and the skidplate). The impact caused the 3s2p pack to slip forward, and it hit the receiver on its way forward. This caused the receiver's antenna to rip. Now I'm waiting for funds to get a new radio with (looking at the Nomadio React and an extra receiver).

You should be able to fix the antenna of your current receiver. Just solder it back together and put some heat shrink around it. As long as you dont change to total length of the antenna by alot you should be fine.

Cant wait to see the updated pics. I like this project.

[MetalMan]

Originally Posted by jhautz

You should be able to fix the antenna of your current receiver. Just solder it back together and put some heat shrink around it. As long as you dont change to total length of the antenna by alot you should be fine.

Cant wait to see the updated pics. I like this project.

The antenna is fixed, and the receiver worked in my TC4 yesterday (drifting). However, with the Revo I was only getting about 50ft. of range in each direct before the antenna ripped. In the TC4 my range was at least 100-150ft (for me distance is harder to measure as things get further away). I will have to find the cause of this glitching, as it has been affecting my cars (Revo, Rustler, X-Terminator) for years now. It's a MX-3 75mhz FM with a Novak XXL using "genuine" Airtronics crystals.

[jhautz]

I think you have the right idea. If your having glitching problems like that just go Nomadio or Spektrum and call it a day. Actually I think Airtronics is comming out with their own version of the 2.4ghz technology. Its supposed to faster that the existing stuff (like thats necessary). They have a 2.4ghz version of the MX3 comming out (or out already not sure).

Nothing more frustrating than radio poblems. Its always a PITA to figure out whats causing the issues.

[MetalMan]

The React has been top on my list, but now that I think about it, it's more than I need. Then I too remembered the MX-3 2.4ghz version and looked at it on Tower's website:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...4&I=LXPNM6&P=K
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...4&I=LXPNT0&P=K
It's a heck of a lot cheaper, and I know I would like it since I use a MX-3 right now. For the price of the React ($300), I could get the MX-3 2.4ghz and 1 1/2 extra receivers (assuming the prices don't change). I just wish it would come in stock NOW!

[jhautz]

Damn!!! The prices doo look good for that. Spektrum DX2 prices with more than the DX3 features. Plus it based on a quality radio like the MX3. Sounds like that could be a real winner to me.

I wonder if the Aitronics will work with spektrum RXs like the Nomadios do.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by jhautz

I wonder if the Aitronics will work with spektrum RXs like the Nomadios do.

If they were smart they would. Like me, a lot of people already have Spektrum receivers in their trucks and would be a smart way to get people to switch without forcing them to buy new receivers all over again.

[MetalMan]

That price listed is the price before Tower has actually received it. Usually the price decreases when Tower actually gets that type of thing in stock.

Well, I'm feeling pretty good right now. I FIXED the glitching problem! With night driving I could only see the truck so far, but at about 150ft there was not a hint of glitching. Turns out the UBEC ($15 generic one from XUS Hobby) was the culprit - as soon as I put a receiver pack on the truck, the range increased. However, I would much prefer to use a UBEC, so we'll see what I can do about that.

For now, this means I can spend my money on things other than a new radio. Like a couple Mamba Max ESCs :).
And since I just ran into a pretty decent amount of money, I will be getting two Mamba Max ESCs to share with my 6 other cars that do/will use them. Another Dewalt 36v pack is on its way, so I can make another battery setup for the Revo (since the X-terminator and Revo share the same battery).
Then, to charge the extra 5s2p A123 pack, I'm going to get a new charger. Right now I'm looking at the Hyperion 1210i and LBA10 combo for $182. But I can get an AF109 for $90, and AF is soon going to be releasing an updated charger to charge A123 cells, so I might wait for that instead of getting the Hyperion. Tough decision if you ask me!

Anyways, here are the long-awaited pics, as well as my freshly painted body (Crowd Pleazer 2.0 for MGT/LST, didn't have one for the Revo 3.3):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4932.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4937.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4937.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4938.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4940.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4944.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4945.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4947.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...o/IMG_4948.jpg

[Sylvester]

Looks good MM!

That body looks BIG on that revo ; where are the stickers at? ;)

[BrianG]

Nice!

BTW: One of your pillow ball boots is torn...