Brushless Tamtech 50mph!!

[killaj]

I was away from home for a few months, in Japan to be exact. Didn't bring any RC stuff with me because I figured I could buy from there. Well, things were pretty pricey when compared with what you can buy in the US or online.

In any case, I bought a Tamiya Tamtech 1/16 scale RTR buggy for around $130. Performance was dismal to say the least. Oil shocks are a must. 3racing carries a set for $26 that are flawless.

Then I went and bought a brushless set-up for it. Since it has a standard 3-wire steering servo and receiver, all I needed was a motor and esc. I bought what is essentially a Dynamite Tazer esc (for about the same price you can buy them here), a 5200kv outrunner and a 1600mah 7.2v pack. I think in total, this ran me about $85.

The car was pretty snappy. Chassis handles the extra power just fine and transmission/drivetrain is as new. Granted, I adjusted the slipper on the spur gear properly to avoid any problems with that. Even better, I can run for about 35 minutes! This thing is very efficient.

I left Japan and am now working in New York. Still have the car with me and was cleaning it off the other day in my hotel room. Finally, I was poking around and found the manual to the esc. Says that it can handle up to 4s lipo.. Hmm.. I went to a local RC store that carries mainly plane and helicopter stuff. But was able to purchase two 3s 800mah packs from Eflite for $36 each. A charger with AC adaptor was another $42. I end up using only one pack at a time which gives me around 16 minutes of run time before starting to drop off. Plenty for my bashing needs! Motor and ESC are barely warm, it's a happy marriage.

Yeah, it all adds up! But the final result was an ear-to-ear grin that I can't seem to wipe away. This little thing is absolute ballistic! There's a slight push from understeer when applying all that power. Rather than correct it by stiffening up the rear shocks, I left it alone as the car will never turn over during high speed runs and is still manageable around a course. This thing is awesome! I know many people don't run Tamtechs, but I had to post one example of what they can do when hopped up properly.

[ElectricThunder]

Cool! Oople.com has a review of a Tamtech, in which he hopped the little thing up big time. These smaller scale cars and trucks are really easy to get going fast with less money than the bigger 1/10 and 1/8 scales.

Almost makes me want to get rid of my 1/10 stuff....:huh:

[killaj]

I know what you mean. No motor mounts or pinion adaptors, and for this one, no goofing around with another receiver and steering servo..

[killaj]

Rear View..

[ElectricThunder]

Lookin' good! I just re-read your post after looking at your pictures (checking out the motor), and I was like "ooooooh, outrunner!". I have an outrunner in my Vendetta ST; plenty of torque.

Are you going to switch over to deans plugs on the ESC and battery?

[killaj]

Already done that when I bought the lipo stuff. Those pics were taken a few days before. The motor is pretty small actually a 280-size, hence the run times. It has plenty of torque to scoot out quickly and develop some wheelspin if I squeeze it all the way, but not enough to prevent the car from dashing away or even thwarting it from a straight path of acceleration. I think that combined with the apprarent smooth throttle profile the esc uses amounts to what feels like "traction control". It's just smooth as silk and seems like a guided missile as I struggle to watch out for what's in front of it while I drive. I've got a Mini Inferno with a 400-size 5500 kv motor that seems like it's on hot coals compared to this. That thing has to be nursed along until about 30mph and then you're free to punch it.

:D

[killaj]

Again some old shots..

[ElectricThunder]

Nice, looks like an Align 430L sized "outrunner in a can". I have a similar motor, but not rated at 5500kv. Mine is the 3500kv 430L running on a quark 33. I crank down the settings so I don't kill the diffs in my Vendetta ST. I may turn it up a notch with the outrunner (increase the timing or start power or whatever); geared 19/45, it scoots along on the top end nicely with plenty of torque to spare.

Motor gets a tad too hot though; thinking about a smaller pinion and 3s setup.

[rccardude04]

The 430L has silver ends. Unless they have different colors for different kV ratings.
I don't know if they have one quite that high though. Mine is 3550.
-Eric

[ElectricThunder]

Yes, the 430L has silver ends (I also have the 3550...forgot there was a 50 in there.:D).

Although, I just found this site: http://www.modelhelicopters.co.uk/acatalog/Engines_Electric.html

Scroll down until you find the 430L and check out the color of the front and rear end caps (kv options range up to 4050). Maybe the newer ones have the silver or something.

[TheSteve]

I've seen the 430L with both silver and gold ends, both 3550kv.

[killaj]

Actually, you're both right. That IS an Align 430L. That motor comes with both silver and gold ends. I think the kv varies from 3200-3700 depending on which suffix the model # uses. In any case, wrong photo. I also have a Mini Inferno St. THIS one has the 5200kv motor. I have both cars in a handy case to carry around and play with. As well.. I started working on a Micro-T with at 10k brushless motor and lipo battery in it. Haven't run it yet, but from what I hear they are a blast..

[ElectricThunder]

I have a micro-t (not the desert stadium like you have) with the 1000+kv motor on 2s lipo. The little bugger is just so uncontrollable now. I have to run it outside now, or in the driveway at the very least. I use the largest stock pinion, and the thing pulls wheelies like mad still. It's a little beast.:D

What kind of motor is that in your Inferno ST? Looks interesting.

[killaj]

I bought it in Japan. Not sure who makes it. It was on sale for $35 at a heli shope because of the high kv. Lucky me! It's similar to your micro experience sans the wheelie action. Just a beast..

[killaj]

I think an open hotel conference hall, fully carpeted with chairs stacked and out of the way awaits that little Micro-T...

[ElectricThunder]

That DT should be a lot more stable than my regular Micro-T since yours is longer. Mine is a wheelie machine. I wish I had bought the 8000+kv motor instead. It's fun though!

[killaj]

Didn't want to follow up on this in your other thread. But the little Losi Micro is absolutely incredible! I thought it was pretty decent until I realized that power comes on smooth and then boosts up as you "keep the throttle open". You should have seen folks who passed by the conference hall. One lady watched for a few minutes and called it a "wild little weasle". I think the name shall stick. Wheelies are the name of the day, but I think I'll mount a spare wheel/tire on the body's hood to keep it to a minimum.

[ElectricThunder]

Oh yeah, it sure is a hoot. Watch the motor wires coming out of the motor can though. Another member on here warned me about 'em, and now I can see why. Apparently since they are part of the windings, they're a tad stiff, and they can get moved around and messed up. Maybe some elmers glue on the little area where they come out would be a good idea to help keep them all steady and prevent them from moving around.

I had mine up here at college, but left it at home after spring break by accident. Oops...:(

[killaj]

Had great fun with all three cars over the weekend. Once I programmed the quark correctly, the car seemed much easier to control. It is definitely faster than the Tamtech. I found a link to the motor:

http://www.enroute-rc.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=224


Also.. I'm heading back to Japan this weekend! This time I'm going to try to get a Lynx from the Japanese company Enroute. It looks just like an AE RC18T. Only.. it comes stock with a brushless set-up and a 3s lipo for $200. Also comes with cvds, full bearings and ball-diffs. Think of how many brushless RC18Ts there are on fleaBay, USED, with no battery and people are bidding up to $300+ for them..

[ElectricThunder]

Nice. I've heard of the Lynx. RC-mart sells them I think. They claim it as "brushless ready".:D

[killaj]

They are.. check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8WzcU8fRpM

[killaj]

On ebay, there's one offered for $220 shipped. Comes with the same esc and a 3200kv version of the motor I'm running in my tamtech. This AND a radio.. 3s lipo and charger.

[ElectricThunder]

Wow! That's a fast little guy. Sounds noisy though. And you say it still has ball diffs huh? Suprised they hold up (RC18 has issues with its diffs).

[t3oc45]

Wow! That's a fast little guy. Sounds noisy though. And you say it still has ball diffs huh? Suprised they hold up (RC18 has issues with its diffs).

rc18s have issues with diffs? news to me!

[ElectricThunder]

rc18s have issues with diffs? news to me!

HAHAHAHA! Still have that dang thing huh?

[t3oc45]

HAHAHAHA! Still have that dang thing huh?

unfortunately :(

[ElectricThunder]

Shwoogy.