Any Nitro Rustler driver experience radio failure / WOT runaway?

[Steamdonkey]

My son got a Nitro Rustler for Christmas and everything seemed normal until the 5th tank when it experienced some kind of radio issue and went WOT into a curb. We did range tests at twice the distance and it was glitch free. We checked the failsafe several times before the incident and it always went to the neutral position / closed throttle. Just before it went out of control it was driving on grass that was a little bumpy, but nothing that should jar anything loose. We used the OEM RX battery holder with AAs instead of dropping in a 4 cell NiMH pack. Could that have caused this? I honestly can't think of anything else.

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

WOT runaway with a programmed TX failsafe indicates RX power failure, rather than out of range. I've never ran those 4xAA packs but imagine it certainly couldve been the culprit. Try some small rubber bands around the intake and slide pin. Just enough to be able to pull it closed with no power, but not too many that the throttle servo is working too hard against them.

Oh, and merry Christmas! Great choice with the nitro rustler, theyre a blast.

 

[Chubaka]

Hard to tell. I've been running a traxxas nitro sport 20 years. That being said I used to use the aa holder but dont no longer. Although i had no issue todays servos are hungry for power. I dont trust traxxas servos either.

I'm assuming this is a 2.4 model? How does the antenna look? If its nicked or if the radio is old school am it could be thst. If not id go beers' route.

 

[Steamdonkey]

WOT runaway with a programmed TX failsafe indicates RX power failure, rather than out of range. I've never ran those 4xAA packs but imagine it certainly couldve been the culprit. Try some small rubber bands around the intake and slide pin. Just enough to be able to pull it closed with no power, but not too many that the throttle servo is working too hard against them.View attachment 261031

Oh, and merry Christmas! Great choice with the nitro rustler, theyre a blast.

Thanks we'll definitely give that a try.

 

[Steamdonkey]

Hard to tell. I've been running a traxxas nitro sport 20 years. That being said I used to use the aa holder but dont no longer. Although i had no issue todays servos are hungry for power. I dont trust traxxas servos either.

I'm assuming this is a 2.4 model? How does the antenna look? If its nicked or if the radio is old school am it could be thst. If not id go beers' route.

Everything is (well, was) brand new. 2.4 GHz radio with no antenna damage and the radio / servos operated normally after the crash. We tried a range test after the crash and it passed with flying colors. We'll try a 4-cell NiMH RX pack and Beer's rubber band system once I get it patched back together.

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Rc specific bands are available from Beach RC

 

[Littlemotor]

I use these from Bezo-zon. Not all servo’s require the same torque. With these, I can simply add just enough to do the job, the price is right, they’re inconspicuous, and they’ll last a lifetime.

 

[BustedAw11]

I say you most likely lost rx power as mentioned already.

If your gonna run the aa packs, tape them with electrical tape so they can't jar loose..

The rubber band trick is awesome. I've always added a spring to do the same thing. Just something strong enough to pull the throttle back if the servo has no power.

 

[Steamdonkey]

Thanks guys!

 

[Steamdonkey]

We got the Nitro Rustler repaired and running again, this time with a thin safety rope attached. Everything worked normally. The only difference (other than the rope) was the 4-cell NiMH pack that replaced the 4 x AA holder. I think for rubber bands to help we'll need to upgrade at least the throttle servo as the Traxxas servos take a ton of torque to move manually.

 

[Steamdonkey]

NiMH RX pack seemed to fix the issue. Several tanks now with no safety rope and no runaways. We also swapped out the throttle servo with a slightly better Hitec BB servo which made it possible to use failsafe rubber bands.

 

[Littlemotor]

NiMH RX pack seemed to fix the issue. Several tanks now with no safety rope and no runaways. We also swapped out the throttle servo with a slightly better Hitec BB servo which made it possible to use failsafe rubber bands.

Awesome news! I know that dog’s happy to be off the leash!