Scale RC/ RC crawlers
- Thread starter lt1fire
- Start date
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So, a Tamiya CR01 FJ40 is on its way to my house now. I'm thinking my old Novak and Tekin speed controllers probably aren't right for it... Technology has come a long way since I've been involved in the hobby. Does anyone have suggestions for radios/speed controllers/batteries/chargers?
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
I remember Novak and Tekin. I used to race modified Associated RC10s both outdoor off road and indoor carpet in the winter. We raced two winter seasons indoors at a roller skating rink. Mastering the opposite lock and steering through the corners with throttle took some doing. Al Holbert used to come and bring his young sons.
My father and Al's father were pals and I spent more than a few nights hanging around the race shop. Al died in 1988 in a plane crash, he was in his early 40s. The Porshe/Audi dealership is gone as is the old race shop.
The Lowenbrau Special. I ran this body and paint scheme on my indoor cars for a couple seasons, this was one of Al's cars.
My father and Al's father were pals and I spent more than a few nights hanging around the race shop. Al died in 1988 in a plane crash, he was in his early 40s. The Porshe/Audi dealership is gone as is the old race shop.
The Lowenbrau Special. I ran this body and paint scheme on my indoor cars for a couple seasons, this was one of Al's cars.
jfz80
Cruisin’
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
I just recognize the names, this was in the mid to late 80s. I was sponsored by Pactra Paint and Badger Airbrush. We used to buy batteries by the case and match them ourselves. We'd break brushes in, in a glass of water.
BenMara
Asian Redneck
i have a Axial Wraith that i havent driven in years sitting in the closet..
lumbee1
Native American
Are you looking to sell it?
Helios RC was awesome for me when I bought my radio a year ago. The FlySky GT3C. I found a cheap motor locally that has been working well. Not sure what speed controllers are ideal yet:
Radios
One tap reverse is key
This is what I always wanted. Santa did not listen and brought me a surfboard instead. ;<(
The rc offroad racing scene was big on Hilton Head Island from 1983 to 1987. I attended all the races when I visited my grandmother down there. Big RC shop and track out back. Tamiya videos constantly playing inside the shop.
http://www.iconicrc.com/2011/02/58059-tamiya-porsche-959/
The rc offroad racing scene was big on Hilton Head Island from 1983 to 1987. I attended all the races when I visited my grandmother down there. Big RC shop and track out back. Tamiya videos constantly playing inside the shop.
http://www.iconicrc.com/2011/02/58059-tamiya-porsche-959/
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We lived in Germany in the 80's and I remember that Porsche at the German hobby shops. The exchange rate was not in our favor and the thing was expensive to begin with... Needless to say, I didn't get in to the hobby until we returned to the states. I owned a couple of Tamiya cars, several RC10's, (2) Yokomo YZ10's, and a few Team Losi JRX-Pro's. Still have a few but never owned that 959...
Novak and Tekin are still at the top of the heap quality-wise. As the others have said, you want an ESC that is capable of running at least a 2 cell Lipo. You want a drag brake and no double tap for reverse. Spend your money on a quality steering servo. Go cheap on your TX and RX. I 2nd the Flysky as the bang for buck winner. Any decent brushed motor will do. For crawling, 55 turn for bashing/crawling I'd go with a 21 turn.
So this raises a question... I had some very good ESC's back in the day... But it's technology from the 80's and it worked with NiCad batteries. Would it work with Lipo? I'd assume not, but thought I should ask...
The old ESC should work BUT the main difference between an ESC for NiCad or NiMH and a Lipo ready ESC is the low voltage cut-off feature. Basically the ESC senses battery voltage and shuts off before voltage dips low enough to damage Lipo batteries. If you use a Lipo in an old ESC just take the battery out and charge it as soon as you feel it getting slower (weaker). That will keep the Lipo healthy. Run time with a 2 cell Lipo in a 55t crawler will be a matter of hours, not minutes. We run ours 2-3 miles On a single charge on local mountain bike trails.
little_joe
SILVER Star
Those old esc's probably won't work with LiPo, but if you have model # info should be easy enough to research. Getting a quality esc nowadays is not terribly expensive, some of the newer Axial units are waterproof and people yank them for whatever bling-du-jour is, so they're inexpensive. Even a Castle Sidewinder 3 new is under $70, and waterproof and fully programmable.
Definitely reach out to Nick @HeliosRC, he can set you up with the FlySky, some quality inexpensive LiPos, and he may have receivers and esc's laying around.
Definitely reach out to Nick @HeliosRC, he can set you up with the FlySky, some quality inexpensive LiPos, and he may have receivers and esc's laying around.
jfz80
Cruisin’
Great info here
And look back a few pages as well because lots of tx/Rx and battery/charger options discussed.
You can find package deals as well. On one of my early crawlers I got. Novak rooster esc and 55t motor together for under 75
If you want to start cheap grab a take off from an axial (rebadged castle? i believe) or the like. Waterproof. Lipo. Cheap to start with.
The castle sidewinder is pretty darn nice and about $100 Concrete runs one in his xr-10. Plus the castle units have a USB cable that allows you to tune parameters to your liking.
Lots of info online but I've enjoyed hitting up the local hobby store as well ands he's done well to try and match prices.
Oh and don't forget the forums
RCcrawler.com has good info and even a tamaya forum. Plus good classifieds.
There is a nc clubhouse as well but not quite the same pool of info and parts.
And don't forget rock lights
And look back a few pages as well because lots of tx/Rx and battery/charger options discussed.
You can find package deals as well. On one of my early crawlers I got. Novak rooster esc and 55t motor together for under 75
If you want to start cheap grab a take off from an axial (rebadged castle? i believe) or the like. Waterproof. Lipo. Cheap to start with.
The castle sidewinder is pretty darn nice and about $100 Concrete runs one in his xr-10. Plus the castle units have a USB cable that allows you to tune parameters to your liking.
Lots of info online but I've enjoyed hitting up the local hobby store as well ands he's done well to try and match prices.
Oh and don't forget the forums
RCcrawler.com has good info and even a tamaya forum. Plus good classifieds.
There is a nc clubhouse as well but not quite the same pool of info and parts.
And don't forget rock lights
That's sick. Underwater Go Pro time!
