Another Crawler

Well I recently picked up another crawler.  This one is the Axial Racing SCX10 Dingo.  Yes, it's the same chassis as the Trail Honcho.  But what can I say?  I had fun building the my first SCX10, and this one looks good.

While building, I started off with my Castle Creations Mamba Max Pro and NeuCastle 1406 Series 4600KV Brushless combo.  But once I was able to do some test drives, this set did not work so well.  The main reason is that the motor is sensorless.  And as it turns out, sensorless is not that great for low speeds.  So I ended up pulling out the Novak Eiger ESC and Axial 55T stock motor from my Venom Creeper and putting them in  the Dingo.  But don't worry, the Creeper will return! (Hey, that could be a good R/C video.)  After testing, I was much more satisfied with the results.  And while I was at it, I also relocated a light set from one of the Creeper bodies to the Dingo.

For the radio gear, I ended up moving the Futaba from the Honcho to the Dingo.  The Honcho ended up with a Spektrum receiver taken from my now broken Micro RS4 (but that is for another day).  A Cirrus servo controls direction.  The RC4WD winch that was going on to the Honcho is now mounted on the Dingo.  All in all so far, this has been a good and long build.  I hope to get it on some rocks this weekend.

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.

SCX10 Interior

I finally picked up an interior kit for my SCX10 Trail Honcho.  It is made by Dinky RC.  Putting it together was actually easy.  I had to do some trimming to get it to fit, but it works.  And some of the Axial scale interior accessories fit good too, but I had to do some modifications to get the steering wheel to fit.

Of course I have some figures that I wanted to use, and they just happen to be the right size to fit.

Now I just need to take it out for a drive and see if the passengers survive.

McRC Project 4WS part 2

Here is the progress so far:

I received in the final part for my 4WS conversion project: the aluminum servo mounts:

Now I get to have fun converting the rear axle for steering function.  Oh how I love to work on such small parts (too bad my hands disagree, and quite "loudly" at that).

Next item on the project check list was to test the electronics to verify they work.

The first nervous item is the brand new LiPo battery.  I got it setup to charge, and kept watch.  With the battery charging and using an extra receiver battery box, on/off switch, and 4 trusty AA alkaline batteries, I proceeded through the necessary steps to bind the receiver and transmitter.  Once I remembered to remove the bind plug, the Tx and Rx now had a solid relationship.  On to the server.  This was the easiest one by plugging it into the channel I want to use, turn on the gear, and move the stick.  Servo is ready for action.  Now on to the next nervous parts: ESC and motor.  I connected up the fully charged LiPo and followed the steps to setup the ESC for 2S LiPo.  A quick power cycle of the ESC and it was time to set it up for the radio. After following the setup steps, ESC is ready.  I turned off the ESC and connected the motor.  Now for the big moment.  I turned on the ESC, moved the stick for the channel I plugged it into, and...IT'S ALIVE!  All parts worked, and nothing smoked or overheated.

(just a little short video to show the success.)

Since the main electronics are working, it was time to install on the micro monster.  The old receiver/ESC was removed quite easily with a small standard screw driver.  With that out, it took me about an hour to figure out how to get the new receiver and ESC mounted.  This involved test fitting with the original body and actually trimming a now un-needed bit off the electronics mount, but I got them to fit though wire management might be an issue.

(rear servo in place only to help decide were to mount Rx and ESC.)

The current battery has also been removed.  I'm still deciding on where to mount the LiPo.

 

Next up is getting the new brushless motor in.  After that comes the rear axle conversion and rear servo mounting.

Once everything is in and working good, I'll get up a video that compares the old with the new.

McRC Project 4WS part 1

It's Summer time in Vegas.  And for me that means really hot days.  A little too hot to be going out with my R/C's during the Sun up hours.  So I have decided to freshen up my little rock crawler.  I have a new body on it, painted up with my own desert paint scheme.  The body is actually for another Losi Micro truck, the 1/36 Micro Desert Truck.  It actually fits on pretty good.  Better than trying to get a Micro-T body to fit.

Now how can I upgrade this little truck?  There really isn't much room to do anything on this micro monster.  After doing some looking around, I figured out how to setup the truck with 4WS.  I know some people look down on 4WS, but I'm an R/C basher and I enjoy this feature.  Unfortunately I only have 1 other truck with 4WS.

Making this have 4WS is a bit of a challenge, especially with the size.  The stock truck has a 2-in-1 ESC/Receiver unit.  That means there are no extra servo ports to add other functions and features.  So the first step is finding a new receiver and ESC that are small enough to fit.  Since I don't want the extra cost of a new radio (at least not for this project), I looked to Spektrum RC for the receiver.  I already have the DX6i radio.   Looking through their inventory, I was able to find a small receiver that should do the trick: AR6115e 6-Channel DSMX Microlite Receiver: End Pin.  It is actually listed as a Park Flyer model.  A check on the specs found that it should be small enough, it uses standard server connectors, and has an input voltage range of 3.5-9.6v.  The stock truck battery is 4.8v.  Perfect.

The ESC is next up.  So I started with Losi.  I knew they have a 1/36 brushless setup: 1/35-Scale Xcelorin sensorless combo.  A quick specs check, and the BEC output is 5V.  Definitely in the range of the Spektrum micro receiver.  I went with the lower KV rated motor combo.  My understanding is that the lower the KV rating of similar sized motors, the more torque you have.  While the higher the KV rating, the more speed you get.

With the receiver, ESC, and new motor (extra bonus), it was time to look into the actual steering of the rear wheels.  First on the list is getting the parts to make the rear wheels have the ability to turn.  After looking through the exploded parts diagram for the truck, I only needed a few extra parts: hardware set, front spindle and carrier, steering links, and servo mounts.  A lot better than having to buy all the parts for a new front axle.

To actually get the wheels turning, I would need a servo.  I already upgraded the front steering servo to one with more torque for the size.  I guess I could use that stock servo for the rear, but why have a truck with one good servo and one mediocre servo.  So I picked up another Hitec RCD HS-65MG servo.  Hitec RCD has been know for some good servos with high torque and decent life span.

After looking through all that was needed, I found that a better battery would probably be a good idea.  Losi also makes micro-sized LiPo batteries: LiPo Charger & Battery: Micro-T/B/DT.  This little power pack should provide enough power for the brushless motor and 2 servos.  After all this is a slow moving crawler.

With most of the parts received, the next phase of the project can begin.  I'm still waiting for some servo mounts to arrive.  I actually got upgraded mounts.

(Yes, I know the radio is way bigger than the truck)

Looking at the picture of parts reminds me of a movie scene from xXx.  The scene were Xander Cage asks his support guy to stuff a bunch of weapons into his GTO.  This ain't a GTO and I don't have weapons, but it sure feels like I'm stuffing a lot of extras into a little package.

Let the fun being!