Total new guy - questions

[mt threat]

My son and I are starting out with a Team Losi XXX-T Sport RTR truck that was given to us for X-mas. We are starting with a 1500 NiCD stick pack. This has only been giving us run times of about 7 minutes. My thoughts are to upgrade to a 3000 NiMH battery. We already have a Duratrax NiCD/NiMH Peak Charger, so we're set there.

1. Will we sacrifice any performance for the longer run time?
2. What kind of run time could we expect from the 3000?
3. Is the Epic 3000 NiMH available at Tower an O.K. battery?
4. Are NiMH batteries more trouble than they are worth, or are they actually more user friendly than NiCD's?

We were also given an Orion revolution 12 turn motor for my son's birthday. I understand we will need to replace the ESC to use this motor. I'm considering the Associated A.I. Automatic Pro Reverse ESC. Is this a good unit and will it play nicely with the motor and battery combo I'm considering? We are probably a long way off from racing, so I'm not too concerned about race-rule requirements.


Sorry if these are lame questions, but we are fresh off the turnip truck in this hobby and the hardware options available are absolutely mind-numbing. :D

Thanks, in advance!

[ducati777]

First off, welcome to the boards.

My son and I are starting out with a Team Losi XXX-T Sport RTR truck that was given to us for X-mas. We are starting with a 1500 NiCD stick pack. This has only been giving us run times of about 7 minutes. My thoughts are to upgrade to a 3000 NiMH battery. We already have a Duratrax NiCD/NiMH Peak Charger, so we're set there.

1. Will we sacrifice any performance for the longer run time?

Far from it. You'll pick up performance and run time. Nimh are a newer technology than Nicad and will give you much better performance.

2. What kind of run time could we expect from the 3000?

Typically expect double the run time when you double the capacity. If you got 7, expect 14.

3. Is the Epic 3000 NiMH available at Tower an O.K. battery?
4. Are NiMH batteries more trouble than they are worth, or are they actually more user friendly than NiCD's?

Haven't used that battery. However there are only a handful of companies actually making batteries, and a ton of them putting stickers on them. That Epic is probably a fine battery pack. The high price race packs do perform better, but that Epic will be a big increase over your 1500 sport pack.

NiMH are less trouble than they're worth. No memory, long lives, all around good battery. The only downside is they can't be charged as fast as a Nicad. A sport 1500 nicad can be charged at probably 4 amps and be done in a matter of minutes. A Nimh shouldn't be charged at above 1C, which is 1 times capacity. Thus your epic 3000 battery should be charged at 3 amps. Pretty easy eh? But charging at 1C means a completely dead battery will take an hour to charge.... probably the only downside there is to Nimh.

[bsoder]

try www.maxamps.com - I've purchased several packs of 3300's from them now, their service is very good and the batteries are great (then again, as ducati777 said, the batts are mostly all from the same source anyway...)

Their prices are very good as well.

[JonBoy]

In my opinion its kinda a bad combo running that motor and only having one 3000mah pack. With the 12T that might put you back down to around a 7 min runtime again. The orion motor is a expensive motor, Id sell it buy a new stock motor, save on having to buy a new ESC, and then buy a couple decent batteries. Then that way if you wanted to you could go racing.

[fs454]

GP3300 packs(Over standard "3000" packs)are definately the way to go, and if you can solder, get Deans connectors all around on the ESC and batteries. It's a definate upgrade in the torque department.

I use an Intellispeed 8T ESC with my 13 turn double...$79, very reliable.

[fs454]

And if you ever wanted to, you can get an SS5800 brushless system. I know irecommend this everywhere, but it's an awesome system, but it's $200. It runs like a 10 turn motor, and is very efficient. 15+ minutes of runtime on a GP3300 pack.

[SteveK]

I agree with the above statements: 12 turns is a lot for newer drivers, both in performance and maintenance. Stock motors are plenty powerful, especially compared to what came with the truck. For more speed, a machine-wound modified in the upper teens will work well, won't sap as much run time, won't need quite as much upkeep as the 12 turn would, and you might be able to keep that stock ESC.

[adam lancia]

another motor option would be the reedy quad mag 19 turn. i've got a pair of them and they are awesome.....great power, low maintainence plus you'll get much better run time that with the orion 12 turn. welcome to the boards,

adam

[mt threat]

Thanks, guys!

I went ahead and ordered the Epic 3000 NiMH battery - couldn't beat the price. I'm keeping the thought of getting a GP3300 battery in the back of my mind. That'll be my next battery.

Sounds like we need to keep the Orion 12 turn in the box and maybe trade it for something more realistic. I really wasn't thrilled with the idea of buying another ESC, anyway.

A very enthusiastic Brother-in-Law gave us all this stuff, without doing a lot of research. We're extremely happy with the basic chassis, though. We just need to work out the best upgrade plan.

I can't believe how steep the learning curve is in this hobby. :eek:

[tadium54]

You learn fast in this hobby usually. just practice and read up on your stuff and you'll be fine. PM me, I may have something for you

tadium

[John2005]

I'm using a Trinity Monster and a P2K2 motor, both 27T.. I like both.. the P2K2 offers more torque for big jumps..and the Monster offers more top end.

[desfjr1300]

Ack! Didnt catch your post in time to respond before you bought the epic. Being the el cheapo sort myself I picked up a couple of those on sale, and while the run time is fine they are very lacking in "punch". Ah well, too late now....

[mt threat]

Ack! Didnt catch your post in time to respond before you bought the epic. Being the el cheapo sort myself I picked up a couple of those on sale, and while the run time is fine they are very lacking in "punch". Ah well, too late now....


Don't sweat it, it should be a step up from where we're at now. I don't think my 9 year old son will care much - he just wants it to run longer. ;)

[John2005]

I agree about the lack of punch. I had some Epic 3000s and ended up buying some matched cells (non-sticker) on Ebay that work awesome. Run time is long and lots of punch. I let my kids use the Epics for bashing around the house.. other than that, can't stand em. I'd rather have two assembled 3300 packs than four Epics...

[mt threat]

I agree about the lack of punch. I had some Epic 3000s and ended up buying some matched cells (non-sticker) on Ebay that work awesome. Run time is long and lots of punch. I let my kids use the Epics for bashing around the house.. other than that, can't stand em. I'd rather have two assembled 3300 packs than four Epics...

Oh, sure, NOW you guys start coming out of the woodwork answering my question about the Epics. :D

Oh well, it should tide us over for a couple of months till I decide to spring for something better. :)

[John2005]

Like I said, the one thing nice about getting some cheapos is that you can set your kids wild with em. While you are at work, he/she can charge em and you won't worry about them damaging the batteries so much...which is fine for them to learn on and bash with. When you want some serious run-time and punch, get some matched 3300s.. but then you've got to get familiar with the charging/discharging/equalizing etc etc. I guess I was a bit harsh when I said "I can't stand em". That said, when I read your original post, I don't think I would've recommended matched cells right away, because more equipment is needed to do it right.. and that can turn off a person new to the hobby.