R/C Update

I have decided to utilize this blog for all my R/C stuff.  The Rad Electrons blog will now be everything else.  And now for some R/C stuff.

Traxxas E-Maxx:
I enjoy this big monster truck.  It's fun to drive and very durable.  There hasn't been much upgrading don to it.  The only thing is some RPM Racing skid/wear plates, black ones.  RPM Racing offers several after market parts, and I might eventually get more.  Just wish the made green parts for the E-Maxx, then I could make it like Grave Digger.  I finally decided to get a new 2.4Ghz radio as a sort of birthday present to me.  Horizon Hobby has a good deal on the Spektrum DX3C, including a 2nd receiver for free.  And since this is a 3 channel radio, that made it a good selection.  So I got it in and installed on the E-Maxx.

Heli-Max 1SQ V-Cam Quadcopter:
One day, I was looking around at some r/c helicopters and came across this one.  It's a small quadcopter that also has a video camera, and at a reasonable price.  Unfortunately it's a different brand than my other helicopters, which means that it uses a different 2.4Ghz protocol (the one downside to 2.4Ghz is that most manufacturers use their own protocol and therefore are not compatible with one another).  I don't like the included radios on many of the RTF (ready to fly) aircraft kits as they seem to be a little toy-ish looking and don't offer a lot of adjustments.  Well Heli-Max has some models in a Tx-R (transmitter ready) version that can link up to a Tactic R/C AnyLink module.  What this module does is it connects to most major brand aircraft transmitters and uses their SLT 2.4Ghz protocol.  In easy terms, you connect the module to your favorite radio and you can fly any aircraft with SLT.  I have a great radio already, so I got the quad and AnyLink adapter.  However, when I was ready to do the setup I found that my DX6i had a technical problem and needed to be repaired.  So i sent that in, but couldn't wait the 2+ weeks it would be out and ordered the Tactic TTX650.  I got that in a few days, linked it to the 1SQ, and was up and flying.  Turns out this one is actually easier for me to fly than the Blade mQX even though it is smaller.  I have been having lots of fun flying this little thing, but it turns out that the camera needs plenty of light to give you a good picture.  Here is video of my 3rd flight.

 I did actually have a crash against the yard wall.  The only damage was 2 rotors completely shattered.  Luckily the kit came with some extra blades.  I installed them and was able to continue flying.
This movie is my first with using multiple cameras.  For the editing, I used Pinnacle Studio for iPad.  This app made editing the movie very easy.

Tactic TTX650 4WS setup

Here is my write up to configure the Tactic TTX650 for crawler 4WS.  This is based on my Venom Creeper.

Mode 2 Channel setup:

Channel 1 – Aileron – Rear Steer

Channel 2 – Elevator – ESC (forward/reverse)

Channel 3 – Throttle – Remote Diff Lockers (down=locked/up=unlocked)

Channel 4 – Rudder – Front Steer

Channel 5 – AUX5 – Remote Light Switch > Switch B (2-position switch)

Channel 6 – AUX6 – Remote Dig Unit > Switch E (3-position switch)

Radio setup steps:

1. Turn on radio and select model.
2. Press ENTER to enter menu.
3. Scroll down to PROGRAMMABLE MIXER and press ENTER.
4. Select Mix1 and press ENTER.
5. For input channel (mix left selection), press ENTER.
6. Scroll through to CH4 (rudder), press ENTER.
7. Scroll to output channel (mix right selection), press ENTER.
8. Scroll through to CH1 (aileron), press ENTER.
9. Scroll to RATE L, press ENTER.
10. Change percentage to +100, press ENTER.
11. Scroll to RATE R, press ENTER.
12. Change percentage to +100, press ENTER.
13. Scroll to INH, press ENTER.
14. At prompt to “Chose the Control Switch”, moves desired switch for mix. For me, this is Switch A.
15. Press ESC to exit Switch settings.
16. Press ESC to exit Mix1 settings.
17. Scroll down to PROGRAMMABLE MIXER and press ENTER.
18. Select Mix2 and press ENTER.
19. For input channel (mix left selection), press ENTER.
20. Scroll through to CH4 (rudder), press ENTER.
21. Scroll to output channel (mix right selection), press ENTER.
22. Scroll through to CH1 (aileron), press ENTER.
23. Scroll to RATE L, press ENTER.
24. Change percentage to -100, press ENTER.
25. Scroll to RATE R, press ENTER.
26. Change percentage to -100, press ENTER.
27. Scroll to INH, press ENTER.
28. At prompt to “Chose the Control Switch”, moves desired switch for mix. For me, this is Switch D.
29. Press ESC to exit Switch settings.
30. Press ESC to exit Mix1 settings.
31. Press ESC to exit PROGRAMMABLE MIXER.
32. Press ESC to exit SETTINGS menu.

This setup allows the following steering options:

1. Switch A and D off (set to 0 position) = Independent control of Front and Rear steering.
2. Switch A on only (set to 1 position) = Crab Crawling.
3. Switch D on only (set to 1 position) = Tight steering.

With this setup I have the most control I can get with the steering.  This, for me, is a massive improvement over having the 4WS modes cycle through by repeatedly pressing a button.  I can near instantly access the steering mode I want to use.

An R/C update

Well a lot has happened for me in R/C since my last post.

McRC update:
I finally got my 4WS conversion completed and working, which also included upgrading to a brushless motor and LiPo battery.  This gives the little monster more power, longer run times, and some good maneuvers.  But before I could do a full run, something happened to my DX6i, and the rudder control was full right.  So I had to ship it to the transmitter in for service.  It's been out for 2 weeks, finally got repaired, and is on it's way back today.  Hopefully all is good and I can run my little crawler again.  Until then, here are a couple of "test" videos.

This is a run with original motor, battery, and ESC/Receiver:

This is with brushless motor and ESC, LiPo battery, and new receiver:

Venom Creeper:
With my DX6i out for repair, the Creeper was down.  I really needed to get a 2nd aircraft radio.  There's actually another reason for getting a 2nd radio, but later on that.  So I looked around and found a good deal for a Tactic RC TTX650 that came with 2 free receivers.  Checked the details on it, and it has two 3-position switches.  Perfect for the DIG unit.  Got it ordered and received before the DX6i was received at the service department.  After getting it in, swapped out the receiver and got everything setup.  It's nice to have the DIG unit on a 3-position toggle.

SCX10 Trail Honcho:


For my SCX10, I picked up a scale winch, round light buckets, and new bed siding.  I'm slowly working on getting these upgrades added.  And yes the scale winch is functional.  One thing that is nice, I can connect it to the receiver and control it through the transmitter.  Once these are on, the truck will look better.

While on vacation recently, we went up to St. George and I brought along my Creeper and SCX10.  I got some more crawling video as usual.  but I tried a new shot with the SCX10.  Once I get the videos all edited, I'll get them posted up.