New XRTs... what will I need/want?

[slw2206]

Back into RC after a 20+ year hiatus, as my 13 year old is into the hobby and I'm jumping back into it with him!

For his birthday I've bought him an XRT (bought myself one too, funny how that worked out ) but he won't get it until May 17th so I've got a little ti.e to plan some things out.

For questions for our XRT members:

1) What common parts do I want to stock as spares to minimize my downtime? I'll have a spares / tools box that goes with the RCs so best to take the next mo th and bud up that spare inventory.

2) What parts should I just upgrade right from the start? Every truck has a few parts that are more trouble than they're worth, so what's that going to be on the XRT? This will give me a chance to get my son familiar with his truck and disassemble / reassemble it when learning how everything goes functions. Best part, we can both replace the same parts on our trucks so I'll be able to teach him while I upgrade my truck as well.

3) I ordered 4 extra 6700mah packs so we each have 2 full sets of batts. That'll set us up for a good start, but eventually it'll be time for additional packs. What other brands should I be looking at, what capacities can I expect from other brands, and do I need to REWIRE the connectors? I have no problem rewiring packs, just want to know what to expect.

4) Is there anything else I should know about the XRT or LiPo electric RC in general? I was big into RC 20 years ago and am an automation engineer, so not a newbie; but LiPo powered RC wasn't a thing 20 years ago (brushless motors in RC were a rarity) so just curious what else I might want to know and/or research.

Thanks!

 

[ZaneC]

Back into RC after a 20+ year hiatus, as my 13 year old is into the hobby and I'm jumping back into it with him!

For his birthday I've bought him an XRT (bought myself one too, funny how that worked out ) but he won't get it until May 17th so I've got a little ti.e to plan some things out.

For questions for our XRT members:

1) What common parts do I want to stock as spares to minimize my downtime? I'll have a spares / tools box that goes with the RCs so best to take the next mo th and bud up that spare inventory.

2) What parts should I just upgrade right from the start? Every truck has a few parts that are more trouble than they're worth, so what's that going to be on the XRT? This will give me a chance to get my son familiar with his truck and disassemble / reassemble it when learning how everything goes functions. Best part, we can both replace the same parts on our trucks so I'll be able to teach him while I upgrade my truck as well.

3) I ordered 4 extra 6700mah packs so we each have 2 full sets of batts. That'll set us up for a good start, but eventually it'll be time for additional packs. What other brands should I be looking at, what capacities can I expect from other brands, and do I need to REWIRE the connectors? I have no problem rewiring packs, just want to know what to expect.

4) Is there anything else I should know about the XRT or LiPo electric RC in general? I was big into RC 20 years ago and am an automation engineer, so not a newbie; but LiPo powered RC wasn't a thing 20 years ago (brushless motors in RC were a rarity) so just curious what else I might want to know and/or research.

Thanks!

1. Suspension arms, bearing carriers, caster blocks, and c-hubs. Also keep some hardware on ya at all time.
2. I dunno, but there are a few guys here that would.
3. Ovonic batteries (from my experience) are solid and affordable. From what I can tell, the capacity is pretty close to what they claim.
4. KEEP AN EYE ON THEM BATTERIES WHILE THEY'RE CHARGING AT ALL TIMES.
@Greywolf74 has a good article on LiPos (and everything electronic) here:

Thread 'Everything You Want To Know About RC Electronics'

Jul 26, 2024

Welcome to our comprehensive RC batteries and motors resource hub designed to help you get the most out of your RC experience. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of radio-controlled vehicles, this thread aims to provide you with all the essential information and expert advice you need.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• The Ultimate Guide to Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Batteries for RC Enthusiasts - Dive deep into the world of LiPo batteries, understanding their benefits, safety tips, and how to maximize their performance in your RC models...

• Greywolf74
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Electronics

• 
• 

Hope this helps!

 

[PaPa K]

Welcome, can’t help you on spares , but well done on getting into the hobby with your son. Many good times to be had and memories to make.

 

[WickedFog]

I think Zane touched on the more common wear/breakage items. These being Traxxas, replacement parts are super plentiful. So unless your nearest hobby shop is 70 miles away, I wouldn't get too carried away stocking up on parts.

Traxxas does sell heavy duty arms for most of their kits. So maybe that could be your first upgrade.

The X-Maxx has upgraded carriers available from RPM that use larger bearings. And since the X-Maxx and XRT are similar, maybe they will fit the XRT?

To verify this, you can download all the exploded views from Traxxas for their different RC's. You will find that Traxxas uses the same parts on various kits. So it might be worth noting the interchangeable parts from X-Maxx to XRT. Since the XRT came out later, some of the aftermarket guys may nit have updated their descriptions to include XRT compatibility, or have no intention of doing so. Worth looking into.

As far as LiPo batteries, I am going to assume you bought Traxxas batteries and a charger?

 

[AjDale]

As Zane said, suspension arms, caster blocks, bearing carriers, and C hubs. I would also add front upper and lower bulkhead to the list, stock electronics geared 20/50 seems to do very well. I have also ran 23/46 and that performed good as well. My XRT has got a lot done to it now but I still rock stock plastic bulkheads. Something has to give eventually, swapping to aluminum is more weight and makes a weak point elsewhere

 

[AjDale]

Also, you will want to upgrade the spur and pinion gear right away. They’re made of horrible material and crumble apart. Get a hot racing spur and a hardened pinion gear!

 

[slw2206]

I think Zane touched on the more common wear/breakage items. These being Traxxas, replacement parts are super plentiful. So unless your nearest hobby shop is 70 miles away, I wouldn't get too carried away stocking up on parts.

Traxxas does sell heavy duty arms for most of their kits. So maybe that could be your first upgrade.

The X-Maxx has upgraded carriers available from RPM that use larger bearings. And since the X-Maxx and XRT are similar, maybe they will fit the XRT?

To verify this, you can download all the exploded views from Traxxas for their different RC's. You will find that Traxxas uses the same parts on various kits. So it might be worth noting the interchangeable parts from X-Maxx to XRT. Since the XRT came out later, some of the aftermarket guys may nit have updated their descriptions to include XRT compatibility, or have no intention of doing so. Worth looking into.

As far as LiPo batteries, I am going to assume you bought Traxxas batteries and a charger?

My nearest hobby shop is about 79 miles away No big deal though, that's why I stock spares. Sounds like the usual culprits are still needed in the spares bin so I'll look at getting a few parts in the box.

I'm sure the first few weeks with the cars will teach us a lot about what we need vs. want.

My old HPI NMT was all aluminum and titanium parts, which looked awesome and was very durable. Problem was, when something did break, it got expensive fast. I would leave the controls arms as stock plastic as that became the point of failure that was easy to replace and the best "sacrifice part".

Very much looking forward to getting started again and it's great knowing my son will be learning now!

 

[Mike-h]

First items I would upgrade on an XRT would be the gears to mod 1.5 and replace the hinge pins to the upgraded GPM ones

(Later on look at the motor and esc)

Some nice upgrades available, but you can end up spending more than the purchase price of the truck.. (take it from someone who knows )