clayrace24

iTrader: (46)

Well I'm having a great time doing wheelies up and down the street with our new mini T. I've converted it to decent electronics(Atom esc and Tekin receiver) and am running a two cell LiPloy 1320 pack for 8.4 volts of lightweight power. This pack weighs 3.75 ounces less than a 7 cell pack of 1050mah Kan cells. That means my truck weighs nearly 20% less than my buddy's with his 6 cell pack . With the big block motor, well, it's just a hoot.

Anyway, I'm writing to see if there's been any more ideas on the steering hop ups. I decided to try a Hitec HS-55 because it's a good fit and it's relatively quick(.01 secs 60 deg.) I just used servo tape on the bottom and the servo brace on top. Had to carefully cut down the splines in the 55 shaft into the hex shape of the servo saver, then the saver went on no problem. Even the screw form the kit servo worked holding the saver on!

Although the servo has great throw and response, it doesn't center well and I'm constanly having to readjust my trim. It's a new servo so I'm trying to figure out whats up. I'm thinking that it's possible that the servo arm hole that goes on the servo's shaft may be a little too deep and is rubbing on the top of the servo case. I'll check it. Anyone else tried this servo with luck? Anyone else tried using metal gear servos and no servo saver?

Ideas appreciated. Here's a pic of the radio gear setup. All up weight of the truck is 18.5 ounces w/ 8.4V of go juice!

clayrace24

iTrader: (46)

other side...

clayrace24

iTrader: (46)

...backside...

clayrace24

iTrader: (46)

Here's a look at the Thunder power 1320mah 2 cell pack. BTW, I'm not recommending this setup to anyone new to lipoly use. You must have a specific charger for these packs, you must monitor the charge cycle, and you can't run them down too low or you'll reverse the pack. Since this motor stays below 10 amps under all conditions, overheating isn't a problem. I know that there are many naysayers on this topic, but I really believe that the problems with lithium cells was more of an issue with the Lithium Ion cells and the fact that our knowledge of these batteries was so limited. I've seen world class pilots flying $3000 aircraft using 20 cell lipoly packs with out any problems, so I think we've come far enough to try it in a mini. OK off the soapbox!

If there was a way to set the BEC shut down voltage so that it would kick in at 5.4 volts, then we could eleviate the problem of running the pack too low. But Novak tells me it's more like 4.8 volts, which is much too low for a 2 cell lipo pack(shouldn't go below 2.7 V a cell) Anyway, try this at your own risk( and have fun )

rice

clayrace24,

bro question your 1320mah 2 cell pack have more punch?

RCGaryK

iTrader: (3)

I use a BlueBird 380MG in mine and love it. I raced it this weekend and did more than my fair share of endo's, and it held up fine...and I wasn't using a servo saver! Great speed, great torque, centers nicely.

AreCee

iTrader: (1)

Futaba 3107, sliced and diced the output shaft to fit the servo saver. Servo taped into place with no chassis cutting and top brace fits fine. Faster, stronger and centers much better than stock. Cost was $22.00.

clayrace24

iTrader: (46)

Definitely punchier than the 6 cell pack i was running. One thing that I noticed is that the truck handles much quicker on the street with the lower weight battery pack, and it wheelies twice as far. I am concerned that on the dirt track that the truck might actually be too light to put the power to the dirt and get good traction. I think I'm going to have to soften the suspension to get it to hook up.

xxxtracer32

i used hitec mg-81 metal geared servo. i havent put a servo saver on it yet, its metal geared to im in no real hurry to put one on. i had to cut the chassie and top plate but the servo works great. plus at $25 its a great deal.

Cain

iTrader: (294)

losi needs to come out with some standard stuff that will allow you to run your own electronics. I know its not hard to do, but I think that would get me off the fence as far as getting one. Kit form would be great too.

clayrace24

iTrader: (46)

Ultimate Hobbies in Orange CA sells the Mini-T for $119. For that price it's worth it to yank the stock electronics and put your own on. Can't imagine Losi offering a roller for much less.

2Fast4U2

Clayrice. I have been using Li-poly's for a while as well, they are great. The two cell you have 7.4 volt. Not 8.4, I looked at your pic. of it and it says 7.4. on the battery. Just clarifying a typo.

clayrace24

iTrader: (46)

Good point on the 7.4 V as they are rated at 3.7V/cell. They charge to 8.4V on the charger - that's the safe cutoff. Kind of like the 6 cell nimh packs that charge to 9+ volts peak, then rest at 7 volts until used.

hobbyman_7

iTrader: (9)

RC Driver Gary - where did you get the Bluebird servo?