Merry Christmas to me!

[wdavidhicks]

The kids had their Christmas. Now I got mine!

This thing looks amazing. The manual is 37 pages long and made for excellent night-time reading last night. The stock Traxxas TQ3 has all the functionality of a light switch compared to the features they pack in this XS3. (Why would anybody buy the XS3 AM model, by the way? ..unless they had two or more AM models and didn't want to buy additional receivers...)

Still researching chargers and nimh hump packs.

I like the features that this Triton field charger has. AC/DC chargers don't seem to be able to match it.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCJG7&P=7

Does anybody see a problem with powering this through a good 10-amp automotive battery charger? I don't want to be restricted to popping the hood of the car to charge battery packs and I don't want to buy a 12-volt power supply if I don't have to.

 

[robmob]

Great radio. I have one and I love it.

 

[olds97_lss]

I have the Xr2 that came with the losi. I use it for both the xxx-nt and the maxx. I really like it. I sacrificed reverse to use it, but i think i got more benifits out of that than just using this radio.

 

[Waste Land]

Score! I got one with my storm and I love it. 3 Channels, Hold data for 4 diffrent cars. You can adjust the steering trim or the actualy percent it turns for diffrent racks so you wont spin out. I love mine...Hope you like it man

 

[nitro dave]

its about time hicks

 

[gutterboy]

I have the one where the screen is on the back side and the controls are in the front. It is on my Mugen now but was thinking about putting it on my T Maxx.

 

[Wardo]

The only problem with powering a charger off of a car battery charger is that the power is unfiltered. The power will jump around a bit from the car charger and sometimes trip peak chargers off and not charge at a consistant rate through the charge.

 

[wdavidhicks]

Originally posted by nitro dave
its about time hicks

I know...

Originally posted by Wardo
The only problem with powering a charger off of a car battery charger is that the power is unfiltered. The power will jump around a bit from the car charger and sometimes trip peak chargers off and not charge at a consistant rate through the charge.

This charger has a manual switch on it. I'm thinkin' this should push a steady voltage no matter what the power consumption.

I found this on a distributor's website about it:

published Schumacher charger specs
The Ship 'N Shore model is a state-of-the art charger for boats and RV's with deep-cycle batteries.Circuit-controlled fully automatic. Never worry about overcharging. Use it for onshore charging needs. Can also be switched to manual mode for special uses. For conventional 12 volt batteries.

http://www.batterychargers.com/details.cfm?prodid=SS-51A-PE&catid=20

I know, I'm way too anal.

 

[Wardo]

All that means is as the voltage in the battery comes up, it slowly changes to trickle, kind of like a peak charger. In manual it just keeps charging. It is still unfiltered power.

 

[wdavidhicks]

This is one of Tower's recommended accessories for the Triton, a Hobbico 12v power supply. Is this unfiltered power?

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXL356&P=V

 

[Wardo]

Just about any true power supply is filtered.


Don't get me wrong, I've seen people use battery chargers and not have any real problems. Some don't work at all, the fluctuation(sp?) brings the voltage up and down in the pack and sets peak dectectors off.


That's a nice power supply because it is small. If you are gonna be transfering it to the races and what not, it's a good idea. If you just need a workbench power supply, I'd suggest looking into a Pyramid 10-12 amp or better supply. They are bigger but much cheaper.

 

[wdavidhicks]

Thanks Wardo! I appreciate the help.

And yeah, those Pyramids are significantly cheaper. Probably because there's no inference anywhere to the word "nitro", huh?

 

[Wardo]

You could also prolly find who makes that supply for Hobbico and pay 2/3rds the cost.:thumbup:

 

[mtman50]

nice looks great
-tyler:censored:

 

[lillightingboy21]

Howmuch do those radios run?

 

[wdavidhicks]

Originally posted by lillightingboy21
Howmuch do those radios run?

$239

I lucked out! My company used some base-station type Nextel radios which have been lessening in popularity because they have to have their presets programmed manually. I was showing our fleet manager where I had stashed the retired radio equipment and saw these power supplies for the old base stations.

It was a smack in the face... "Holy poop! I can use that!"

http://www.chq-inc.com/astron/rs-20a.html

Astron's website classifies these as "linear power supplies". 13.8VDC 16A continuous. Big quarter-inch copper studs out the back for ring terminals.

Score!