XTM X-Terminator BL and Lipo 1/8 Buggy

[MetalMan]

Hope this is in the right place :W:

So anyways, this is my BL and Lipo buggy with some custom stuff.




It has:
-Blue Bird BMS621mg servo
-Custom modified upper deck (now only includes a mount for the servo)
-Hitec 75mhz FM RX
-Warrior 9918 (that I burnt out yesterday :mad: )
-Feigao 8L motor (bit too hot for this setup)
-Custom slipper clutch design (read below)
-Monster GT 52t
-Custom aluminum center supports/motor mount for use with the center "transmission"
-Industrial strength Velcro for mounting the battery(s)
-Ofna rear "Super Shocks" with TiNitride shafts and teflon coated bodies
-Custom made BEC unit

The center slipper clutch was based off of the one for the Ofna Dominator. The reason why I made my own is that it costs a lot less, and I can better customize it. The slipper clutch itself is from the Revo, but the spur gear I am using is a Monster GT 52t one. The holes on it line up well with the holes already there on the slipper clutch unit. The spring is one that I bought from http://www.mcmaster.com where I often buy things in bulk (like bags of 100 screws or nuts). The collar is just a 6mm steel collar with a set screw. The center shaft is a modified one from the HPI R40. I tighten the slipper clutch by sticking one end into the vice, and use a hand clamp (the kind that you pump) to put the necessary pressure on the spring. Then I tighten the set screw down, and everything stays tight until I loosen the set screw. Here is a pic of it:


Now for some miscallaneous pics:
This one shows how low the motor is (about 5mm):

This one shows the center unit (before I had the slipper clutch):

A close-up of the electronics side:

[Dafni]

Thank you, looks good!

Too bad about your ESC! Can you guess a reason for its death? How many Volts have you ran thru it?

Man, those tires are worn down.

[MetalMan]

Well, I was jumping the buggy off of a jump I had made, and it landed, but then the 9918 just stopped working. I know it is the controller since one of my other motors wouldn't spin. But, the BEC works on it. I was only running 4s Lipo.
Yep, the tires are worn down. They work pretty well on the street though.

[Dafni]

Oh, crap! Take the shrink off and see if you can find an obvious damage. I've heard some SMD components can pop off.
Do you have the ESC directly on the chassis with those zip-ties, or do you have some foam underneath it.

Already your second BK mishap, right? Sorry to hear.

[MetalMan]

The reason why I haven't taken the shrink off is because I don't want to go through any problems when it gets sent back (extra charges). But if you are sure that they won't charge much extra, then I will do it. The controller was zip tied on, but I had industrial velcro underneath to keep it more secure on the chassis. Yep, 2nd Warrior 9918 to stop functioning... The first one took 4 months to get back to me.

[Dafni]

Actually, the BK people are really nice. I met them last weekend on a boat race, and they replaced my 9918 with the Brake Fade (altough, I sent it in once, and got it back unmodified, but got told if the problem persists, I can change it)
However, about taking the shrink off. You gotta have a look at it. I think re-shrinking is not that much of a deal for BK. And if you see something obvious, you might fix it yourself.

So far, the BK support was always very quick for me, but I live in the neighboring country. You could always go thru Mike, they respect him alot.

[MetalMan]

Then I will try it.

[Dafni]

Yeah, have a look. Won't hurt.

What Lipos are you using? (sorry if I missed that bit somewhere else)

Do you like Lipo? Would you sugest it to me?

[MetalMan]

I think I found 2 problems on the circuit, but only one of them is for sure. Here is an overall pic, with the 2 areas circled:

This first part looks obviously broken. Dafni (or anyone), would you be able to take a pic of your 9918 so I can see if I could order that part?

The second thing I am not so sure about. It does look like there could possibly be a surface mount capacitor/resistor missing, but I can't tell for sure:


Dafni - I am (was, lol) using 2 custom made packs. The one in the pics is a 3s2p configuration of Maxamps 2250mah cells (11.1v, 4500mah). It works well. I customized it with taps to each 2p group, as well as a whole pack tap so I can plug in a LVC (low voltage cutoff) device. The other pack is made from 8 Dymond 2000mah cells in a 4s2p configuration. I got each Dymond cell for $12, which was a steal. This pack has taps for each 2p group. In case you don't know what taps are, they are just a way for me to monitor the voltage/charge each group of cells in parallel, so for a 4s pack (4 cells in series), there are 4 taps. Same goes for any pack with a certain number of cells in series (6 for a 6s pack).
I would definately suggest Lipo, as long as you are willing to make sure that each cell doesn't go below 3volts, and that you take caution with them.

[Dafni]

Metalman, I would rather not open my warriors tonight. I'm sure Mike will get back on this.

This first part's definitely damaged. And the second could indeed be a missing resi.

Wonder what Mike will say.

Thanks for the info, I'll have to re-read the Lipo part.

[MetalMan]

I think the second part is in fact a surface mount resistor. I think it is possible that the controller got hot enough that it melted the solder on it slightly, and then it got knocked off by the jump. If I had to take a guess, I would think that the part is this one:
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?hand...oductid=313900
The first one is so badly broken that I can't tell what it is. And I would definately rather replace it than send it to BK and wait mroe than a month (don't have that kind of time).

[Dafni]

With Mikes help and a bit of SMD soldering skill, you will be able to fix this yourself.

BTW, nice and quick foto-job! I like the circling. I don't have a camera of my own, unfortunately. But it would be handy. You made me think...

[RC-Monster Mike]

The first part is the problem. Please e-mail me the picture(mike@rc-monster.com) and I will have BK send the part with my current order. I can then send it to you. I may have the part on another controller (I keep some controllers around for parts, incase these situations come up-I would rather fix myself and get the controllers back to my customers than pay the high shipping cost and wait the time to get it back from Germany). You could also send the controller to me and I will fix it for you.

[MetalMan]

Dafni - I actually took ALL of the pictures with my video camera... They are pretty low quality. My dad just ordered the Canon Powershot G6 last night ;)

Mike - sent you an email with the picture. How soon will your next BK order be shipping? Also, my soldering skills aren't too bad. I've done circuit board work before, so I think I can handle it.

[RC-Monster Mike]

the soldering is pretty easy, actually. I got your e-mail, etc. and will get the part on its way to you.