Hello there, looking for some advice.

iclebyte · #1 10-03-2013

Hello There,

I raced 1/10th scale cars in the local RC club about 10 years ago but the club shutdown, a few of us are trying to start one up again and I have a few questions as technology has undoubtedly moved on since the 90's.

I used to race a Schumacher CAT2000 EC with a 12turn brushed motor and Orion 2000mah NiCad saddle packs.

Now it seems everything is brushless and I'm looking to go for a Schumacher CAT SX3 Pro CF. My question is what 'class' of brushless motor and speed controller would I be looking at for this - and what kind of LiPo's?

Could you post up links / examples as to what I really need to be looking at to complete the car?

Thanks in advance.
Jamie

cutting42 · #2 10-03-2013

Hiya

Sounds like you had a pretty quick car back then so I would recommend the following:

6.5 turn brushless (could try 5.5t if you are feeling brave).
120 to 150amp speedo or therabouts. Get a decent make, LRP, Speedpassion, Dualsky or Vampire and you will probably be able to get a combo with a motor as well. Other makes are available but those are good IMO.

Lipo capacity is mostly around 4000mah to 6000mah which is way more than you need for a race but you can top lipo's charge up between races no problems. The biggest thing to watch is the ability to deliver amps which is the "c" rating, look for anything above 50c, preferably higher - I use Orion 5500mah 90c. If you are going to race at BRCA sanctioned events you will need batteries and electrics from the recommended list.

http://www.brca.org/index.php?q=cont...-updates/14218

Chris56 · #3 10-03-2013

Hi Jamie, as Cutting42 said.

With Lipos/Brushless motor, don't be scared to buy 2nd hand if you want to save a few £££ - brushless motors don't need as much (if any) maintenance as brushed motors and Lipos last a hell of a lot longer (several years from a single pack is possible) than Nicads. They don't need to be (and mustn't!!) discharged before recharging and can be recharged straight after a race without having to let them cool. Do bear in mind, however, that you will need a Lipo charger as charging them on a Nicad cycle may cause bad things to happen!

Welcome back to the hobby

crazyken76 · #4 10-03-2013

welcome back from a long break . i was in the same position as you are now was about 12 years since i raced i had the lazer zxr . the motors and batteries are a lot better now if you are looking for a good buggy id go for the tamiya trf 511 with a 6.5 brushless motor this is what i race and i admit now im not the best out there but the 511 is so nice to drive it will make it easy for you to get back into racing

iclebyte · #5 11-03-2013

Chaps,

Thanks for all your replies.

This is not going to be a cheap endeavour.

I'm looking at either this combo: http://www.modelsport.co.uk/fusion-e...products/34311

Or the following separate items:

Motor: http://www.modelsport.co.uk/dynamite...roducts/369231
ESC:
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/novak-gt...roducts/368877
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/orion-vo...roducts/367634
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/castle-m...products/35299

I've done more research and I've got a much better idea what I'm looking at now but I'm still struggling to make a choice on the ESC. Do I really need something which can do 120+ amps? I can't help but feel that some of these higher end ESC's which can take a much higher input voltage are wasted if I'm only pumping in 7.4v 2S lipo's?

On the topic of LiPo's I'm looking at these: http://www.modelsport.co.uk/voltz-45...roducts/370644 - would they be suitable with the above setup?

Also, back in the day Apex models were the place to go - model sport seem quite expensive on some products. Where do you guys shop?

Thanks again,
Jamie

Dudders · #6 11-03-2013

Apex are still very much in the game and are our club sponsor at Surrey and Hants. Give Richard, Jon or Dean a all with a list and they'll do a deal for you

Chris56 · #7 11-03-2013

Those Lipos seem good value. Although not BRCA approved these are also worth a look as they are highly regarded:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Turnigy-Na...item4ac200a72f

On the esc front, a 120A esc is advisable when running a 5.5/6.5T motor - especially in a 4wd. The Fusion combo is good for the money, but a mate of mine has been through a few of them in his 2wd buggy.

I can certainly vouch for the Dualsky escs. The new 870 is brilliant

On the second hand market, a Speed Passion GT2.0 pro is a good buy. They will take a 4.5t, are very smooth, reliable, and come with a nifty programming box.