grumpygramps

Go GX-5Rs are amazing for the money, very powerful and reliable. They look the bees knees as well! I've just got a Nova Rossi N21R http://www.modelsport.co.uk/index.php?CallFunction=BasicSearch&TextString=n21r, which is also amazing for the money though not as powerful as the Go. No idea about the reliability yet, but they have a very good reputation as being a great entry level racing engine.

Yep, all very embarrassing... Strangely things like this often happen to me, kinda got used to feeling like an idiot now!! Still, like you say at least its sorted, plus I've learned some valuable stuff about the strange behaviour of the traxxas electronics which might well help out in the future. Hopefully I'll have got it all back in time for the weekend and a proper bash with some bigger batteries that I'll have then as well, just hope that Modelsport has plenty of Stampede parts in stock!!

Ok.... Found out what the problem was and it was very embarrassingly me, naturally.. Just to make sure that I'd make a complete idiot of myself I sent the ESC and motor back to Modelsport, saying it was definitely the ESC and nothing else could be at fault as I'd tested every other possibility/settings blah blah... Got a phone call this morning from a chap at Modelsport saying that there was nothing wrong with it, it just needed calibrating back to my controller properly. For anyone, like me (thought I knew but didn't and have lost the manual somewhere already), who didn't know what the correct procedure to do that it is as follows (please correct me if I'm wrong, as when the guy phoned I'd just woken up! I think this is right though..):- 1- Turn on transmitter 2- Hold down button on ESC until the red light comes on and flashes once 3- Put the throttle full down on the transmitter 4- Wait for the red light to flash again 5- Put the throttle into full reverse on the transmitter 6- Wait for green/red light will come back on constantly (depending on whether you're using lipo/nimh) and you're ready to go again. Apparently the problem is often caused if the throttle trim is moved even slightly when the ESC is turned off, then when switched on again it gets confused and refuses to do anything. Hope that's of help to others in the same predicament. Lawrence.

Thunder Tiger SSK V2 for sale. SOLD Nearly new condition, hardly used. I bought it as part of a bulk purchase and think it was run in then used once (by the guys who run Maxbashing). It's just been fitted with new front uprights, has some spacers on the shocks now to tighten the handling up and suprised me by just how quick it is when I had it running briefly. Includes everything you need apart from fuel.

You can buy a "waterproof" velineon combo from Modelsport:- http://www.modelsport.co.uk/?CallFunction=ShowSpecification&ItemID=34207 Personally I'm not too sure that they are actually waterproof! The motors are apparently fine fully submerged, but in my recent experience the ESC doesn't seem to be. I think that splashproof might be more like it... The receiver boxes are pretty good in the VXL and should do a good job of stopping moisure getting to the Rx, just keep a decent dollop of grease in the bit where the wires enter. Hope thats of some help, Lawrence.

@ Ben,- Think there must be something funny in the air mate... They're dropping like flies!

Just tested the motor, its fine. The esc is obviously not... Tried everything with it settings wise, with lipo and nimh,- the light comes on but nobody's home!! Just taken it apart to see it there's any dodgy connections/dry joints etc and can't see anything that could cause a problem, could be a pcb or chip damaged I guess but I'd need a microscope or degree in electronics to find it! The VXL esc doesn't have a great reputation, but I'd thought that it should last alot more than 3 outings.. Fortunately I've got a Mamba Max on the way, so won't be long till I can go and break some more stuff!

The cells are freshly charged, right up to max voltage (just tested both of them, used an NiMh as well with same results, i.e. nothing from motor!). Tried fiddling around with the esc settings and and no luck as yet, will have another fiddle now though but pretty sure I've done all I can..

Yeah, thats well O/T.. Remove it immediately!!!!

I'm running LiPos... So yep, light is green. Gonna phone up Modelsport tomorrow and see what they say as I think I've had it just less than a month (which is how long Traxxas guarantees electrical parts for). I'll post up what the diagnosis is when its been sorted. Your Stampede looks luvly btw Empyfree! Been looking at new shells for mine and the one you've got (Pro-line early 50s style pickup?) made top of the list. When mines sorted I'm gradually going for RPM all round though as things break I think.. Any ideas how the FLM stuff compares out of interest (price, quality and durability wise)? Cheers, Lawrence.

Looks tasty, lucky git!!

Savage Flux is MENTAL!!!! Problems are supposed to be sorted with the new models, I want one now.... Don't think there's anyway they handle as well as the E-Revo, but the Revo's just aren't the brute that the Savage is and I've never seen anything else electric that is.

Never used the HNs but I had the ST pro for ages, it took LOADS of abuse and I never broke much at all. Parts were easy to find and relatively cheap, same with the normal ST. I've got an ST roller for sale BTW if you know someone who might want it?!?

No loose wires coming out of the esc to motor... Just checked the receiver wires and put the reciever in another car just to make sure and it works fine (along with the transmitter).. Bit rubbish all this considering its only the 3rd time I've actually had it out since I got it new, hasn't even had a really proper hammering yet. Hopefully I'll wake up tomorrow and it'll have come back to life all magically while I've been asleep!

@ Simon- The truck doesn't do anything when you try and turn it over.. No sounds, no nothing, seems like there is no current getting to the motor. I'm using the standard transitter and receiver in there that it came with, so can't reset them.. @ Challis- The esc is in the same channel that its always been in, I think..... Will just have a fiddle to make sure though!

There's no funny smell from the motor and it turns very smoothly.. I've not held the esc button down either, I don't think.... Doesn't it flash or something if you do that? Just comes on green as usual when I do switch it on

The motor turns by hand, already had it out to check it.... Taken the receiver out and checked that too with another motor/esc and its fine as well. Only thing left is the esc apart from the motor, but that seems to be behaving itself, I haven't got another compatible motor to test its output with though. Any more thoughts? Cheers, Lawrence

Took my Stampede out for a bash this afternoon after putting on some new bits, found some great jumps and bashing spot at the local village rec where they've built a little bmx thing (not exactly a track, just some big mounds of earth where kids ride their bikes) and all was good! Had a great time belting about on the grass and the bmx "thing" gave me the first chance to get some proper jumps in since I've had the truck. Problem came when I got home... The truck was covered in mud so a took the battery out and then carefully washed the mud off in the shower, making sure I didn't get any water on the electrics, but a bit (not alot, just a sprinkle) went on the motor. I left it to dry near a radiator for a few hours and have just gone back to it. The ESC comes on as usual, steering works fine but their is not a hint of action from the motor. I've checked all the connections, made sure there's no water lurking about anywhere and still nothing from the motor.. Any ideas? I'm hoping its nothing as serious as the motor having died especially as its supposed to be waterproof. I've left it near the radiator again now in the hope that it might just dry out some more and be fine tomorrow, when I hope to use it again.. Thanks, Lawrence

They're both obviously very good machines. I think the Losi 2.0 is slightly more competitive and likely to win races in the right hands, but the Xray will take more abuse and won't require as much work as the Losi, so probably the better choice for someone stepping up to that level. Xrays are expensive for spares, but then you probably won't need so many of them! Hope thats of some help

-ALL SOLD-

The Hong Nor looks a bit cheap IMO (not just the price).. Apart from the shell, which I think a 5 year probably won a competion at school with when they designed it, I'm worried about the motor mount (you can zoom in on the pic of it), which looks like its only got 1 hole to bolt the motor in with. Surely thats not right? Hyper SC looks much better all round to me, but will no doubt be more expensive, probably well worth it though. With the MM ESC and 5700kv motor it looks well impressive:-

Blimey thats quick... Mmmm! Has it got one of the X engines in it from the company in the link that you posted up or something bespoke?

Bump! Come on guys, dig deep, those hop-ups can wait till next month

Rolling chassis and spares package sold. Hooray! Just got engine/pipe and servos left now.

The XTM 457 is basically the same engine as the LRP.28 but cheaper, has 3.8hp and very reliable. The O.S will cost you alot more, but really not give you much more on any level than the XTM, just the O.S name and bling factor...!