The Plan (New Purchase)

[CSDominion]

I'm planning on getting an On-Road (have another thread in on-road) and I'm thinking about the HPI RS4 3 18SS.

In regards to the radio - I've read alot here on the boards in this forum and I think I have it nailed down, and I am looking for opinions (mostly will this be a good fit/use, should I look at something better or is this over-kill)

Heres what I was looking at for the complete package:

Futaba 3PM 3-Channel FM/1 S3305 Servo --- $139.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGAG3**&P=0
Futaba S3305 Servo High-Torque Standard w/Metal Gears
Torque: 124 oz/in (8.9 kg/cm) at 6V
99 oz/in (7.1 kg/cm) at 4.8V

Futaba Transmitter NiCd 700mAh 3PK --- $34.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDKP4&P=7
(I think this is just one battery right? the 3PK is a model identifyer?

Futaba NR4QB Receiver NiCd Square 4.8V 600mAh J --- $16.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXH335&P=V
SPECS: Length: 2.00"
Width: 1.12"
Height: 1.12"
Weight: 3.3 ounce
Ampere: 600mAh
Volts: 4.8
Charging: 60mA for 15 hours
Quick Charging: 180mA for 5 hours

Futaba S3003 Servo Standard --- $10.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXH288&P=ML
Torque: 44 oz-in @ 4.8V
56.8 oz-in @ 6V

Futaba FBC19B4 Dual Charger --- $17.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXNK66&P=V
Output- Transmitter: 9.6 volt DC, 70mA
Receiver: 4.8 volt DC, 100mA

 

[beason]

just a sugestion and I'm not sure if you can fit them in there but i would look for higher mah batterys.. the higher the mah the longer it will last befor haveing to recharge.. you dont want to have to stop halfway through the day to charge the batterys.. and i would find a 6v reciever battery.. the torque on the servos is rated at 6v your not gonna get that at 4.8.. I've heard great things about futaba radios so that should be good but the second servo seems a bit week.. but then again i run MT's so you gotta have a strong one to stop and steer it.. yes thats one battery (the websight says it is anyway) the rechargable in the transmitter is a great idea (i need to get one) but i would look for nmih(?) batterys they seem to last longer and they dont develope a memory like nicd (or so I've heard) if this info is wrong please correct me but from my understanding of the hobby this is right..

 

[CSDominion]

Maybe this then for the throttle/brake?
Futaba S3010 Standard High-Torque Servo
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDTB3&P=7

 

[rossb]

Good radio & servos. You don't need or want the Tx or Rx NiCds. You do not want that charger.

Get a 6V NiMh pack for the Rx. If you run the standard radio box you run a hump pack. You can also use four "AA" NiMh in a dry cell holder for the Rx if you wish for a total of 4.8V. The radio will come with the dry cell holder. If you run the Graphite deck in the car you must run a 5 cell 6V flat pack. You can use eight "AA" NiMh batts for the transmitter. Got the most mAh that is available and is within your budget.

You can charge all of the NiMh batts with an adjustable delta peak charger. You could also get the RayoVac IC3 15 Minute "AA" Quick Charge NiMh setup they sell in Walmart. It comes with Batts and a Charger and it is fairly cheap. The only "problem" is you would have to remove the batts from the radio and the vehicle to charge them. A better setup is to connect a delta peak charger to the vehicle. Removing the batts from the radio is very easy so that is not really an issue.

The radio's charge jack is diode protected so if you want to charge the batts with a delta peak charger while they are still installed you need to modify the radio. It is a simple 5 minute modification if you good with a soldering pencil. You bypass Diode D2 with a small jumper wire (I used a black wire in the image below).

 

[CSDominion]

How do I know what batteries would fit in the reciever box?

would this fit?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLX49&P=0

what do I get from a higher mAh battery? longer use? I know the voltage determines the torque on the server, so I see now that I should have a 6v in the reciever box.


Sorry for all the questions, I'm realizing just how ignorant I am with radios and recievers now, and I thought I was starting to understand all this LOL

 

[beason]

i would go with hitec 645's on both.. 144oz @6v and there like $40 that what i run.. but i dont race so.. onlybatterypacks.com has good prices even if you dont buy from them they should be able to tell you what will fit.. and rememeber the higher the mah the better.. i just use AA in the transmitter, they last a good bit.. but i use rechargable "hump" nmih packs in the receivers because they use alot of power to move the servos.. you can get flat packs.. they look like the one on tower for the transmitter.. or you can get "hump" packs.. they have three cells on bottom and two on top, like a pyramid.. they will fit where the normal 4 AA box fits..

 

[rossb]

How do I know what batteries would fit in the reciever box?
would this fit?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLX49&P=0

what do I get from a higher mAh battery? longer use? I know the voltage determines the torque on the server, so I see now that I should have a 6v in the reciever box.

The standard RS4 radio box fits a 5-cell NiMh hump or the 4-cell "AA" dry holder that comes with your radio. The optional RS4 graphite deck fits a 5-cell NiMh flat pack. Here is a hump that will fit the stock radio box (one item with a slow charger). You would need a Futaba J connector. You can use the slow 12 hr charger if you like but a delta peak charger like an MRC Superbrain 59 or a Duratrax Pirana Digital is a much better solution.

http://www.onlybatterypacks.com/showitem.asp?ItemID=10542.17
http://www.onlybatterypacks.com/showitem.asp?ItemID=10161.17


Higher mAh batts means longer run time before you have to recharge. A high torque servo draws more current than a standard servo. That is why I use and recommend a standard servo for throttle/brake. You will get longer run time. You really only NEED a HT servo for steering. A Futaba S3003 is fine for throttle/brake. I use one in my Savage SS and I have no issues.

 

[CSDominion]

Thanks rossb - I've seen some of your other build pages - VERY nice work.

I thought the S3003 would be enough for throttle and brake, but wasn't sure. Its not like theres a lot of weight there, but at 50MPH I wasn't sure if it would be enough torque to get it stopped quickly. Hell if it isnt, I can always upgrade the servo, right

I like that radio combo as it comes with the metal gear 3305.

Regular AA's in the radio make sense. I just thought it might be nice to have the rechargeables (and carry regular for backups in my field kit). I'm hoping to convert my MT2 to work with the new radio as well, but that will be a seperate post asking stupid questions Your description on the "hump" batteries makes sense now, I just wasn't sure how large the battery box would be for sure. My MT2 box has 4 AA's so I couldnt "see" how the nimh would fit in there.

I would like to have the quick chargeable versions, as I am notorious for waiting until the last minutes before remembering to charge batteries. I'm not apposed to pulling out single AA batteries, but battery packs are just more convinient.

 

[rossb]

>>I thought the S3003 would be enough for throttle
>>and brake, but wasn't sure.

It will be more than adequate. I have an HS-322HD in my RS4 18ss and it is similar to the S3003. This servo is strong enough to easily lock up all four tires when running at top speed (even on foams). Braking power will not be an issue, tire traction is more of an issue. As I said above I have the S3003 in my Savage and I can flip the heavy truck up on its lid if I tighten up the brake linkage.

>>Regular AA's in the radio make sense. I just thought
>>it might be nice to have the rechargeables (and carry
>>regular for backups in my field kit).

I meant to say that you can use rechargeable "AA" NiMh batts in the radio. I personally use these batts in my radio. They last a LONG time (at least 5 hours, probably more). I peak charge them with a Super Brain 959 at 0.5 amps while they are still in the radio (modified charge port diode). I got a cheap Futaba charge connector from TowerHobbies (made by Duratrax) that already had a Kyosho connector on the other end. The connector cost about $5 and I can now plug my peak charger right into the radio.

>>I'm hoping to convert my MT2 to work with
>>the new radio as well

You will just need a new FM receiver and another crystal. I also use my radio with 2 vehicles. I went with a Hitec IPD receiver (and crystal) on the second vehicle because it had a built-in failsafe. After I installed it I found out that the Hitec IPD failsafe does not go to safe mode when the receiver battery gets low. It just lights up a warning LED on the receiver. With that in mind I think that the Ofna mini failsafe in my Savage is probably better than the IPD failsafe setup. The Ofna will not allow you to drive if the receiver batt drops down past a certain level. This helps to prevent a loss of control but it is not a deal breaker. You can tell when your batts are getting very weak (slow steering, bad brakes). The Ofna mini failsafe does cause some VERY, VERY MINOR twitching near idle in my Savage, so it is not perfect either.

>>I just wasn't sure how large the battery box would be for sure.
>>My MT2 box has 4 AA's so I couldnt "see" how the nimh
>>would fit in there.

The RS4 batt box should be nearly identical to the MT2 batt box. It will fit a 4-cell dry holder or a 5-cell NiMh hump. The optional graphite deck fits a flat pack.


>>I'm not apposed to pulling out single AA batteries,
>>but battery packs are just more convinient.

The Futaba NiCd charger is a SLOW charging setup. It is just a low current wall wart transformer (about 70 mA) with no peak detection and no timer. You are on your own with timing the charge. It will take over 10 hours to charge a dead NiCd pack with that charger. The 700 mAh Futaba NiCd pack also has MUCH less capacity than the latest NiMh "AA" batts. Bottom line is you have long charge times and shorter run times. The "AA" NiMh batts I am using have over 3 times the capacity as that Futaba NiCd. The 600 mAh Futaba NiCd receiver batt is also very weak. Most NiMh receiver packs have double the capacity. You will be much happier with peaked NiMh cells.

 

[Revo Rancher]

rossb has you going the right direction. I have an RS4-3 SS 12, same kit, smaller motor. I run a 1200mah, 6v hump pack for the Rx, and a standard Airtronics servo for brake/throttle. Car stops from full speed like spit on a hot sidewalk. Good modulation, too. No need to get fancy on the servo there. Save the expensive servo for the steering. As far as charging, I use the Revo charger, and wire in a new swtich which has the extra charge plug so I do not need to take my batts out everytime I charge.

For my Tx, which is an MX3-S from Airtronics, I use their charger, plug in, to externally charge 8 nicd's that fit into the factory dry cell tray. Works great, holds a charge for a long time, easy to use.

 

[CSDominion]

>>I'm hoping to convert my MT2 to work with
>>the new radio as well

>You will just need a new FM receiver and another crystal.

I looked a little deeper and I think I may go this route. Its another $20 for the same servo and basically same radio but with the Synthesized so that would negate the need for additional crystals.

Futaba 3PM-TFS 3-Channel FM/1 S3305 Servo

again - thanks a ton rossb

 

[beason]

i guess the MT's need a bigger bad asser servo to stop.. mine wont stop for poop with one of those punny ones..

 

[CSDominion]

ok - so I'm pretty set on the Futaba 3PM-TFS with the S3305 and the S3003

That leaves batteries. NiMH for sure in the car (I might use reg AA's in the radio for a bit to save initial cost, I already have the AA's at home) but I'm pretty sure I want the 6v from the NiMH pack in the car. So will this pack work? what specifics on the batter pack am I looking for? Higher mAh for longer duration, 6v for the torque, hump pack to fit the battery box. But how do I know what size(s) will fit? (physical dimensions of the pack)
Peak Performance Blitz - 1400 NiMH
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJRA8&P=0
Team Orion Marathon - 1400 NiMH
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJRB1&P=0

I'm ordering it all from Tower, so I'm limiting myself to their selections (theres several reasons to this)

what does Standard Hump and 1/8 Hump refer to - 1/8 as in the scale like the Savage?

This the charger you use rossb?
MRC Super Brain 959 AC/DC Delta Peak Charger with LCD Display
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAVN1&P=7

 

[rossb]

>>I looked a little deeper and I think I may go this route.
>>Its another $20 for the same servo and basically same
>>radio but with the Synthesized so that would negate
>>the need for additional crystals.
>>Futaba 3PM-TFS 3-Channel FM/1 S3305 Servo


That would be a good move. I would have purchased the synthesized radio if it was available when I got my FM radio. Keep in mind that only the radio is synthesized in that package. The package comes with an R133F Rx which requires a short crystal. If you want to go totally synthesized then you would need to purchase a different Rx.

 

[rossb]

i guess the MT's need a bigger bad asser servo to stop.. mine wont stop for poop with one of those punny ones..

Thats odd, my Savage stops awesome with the dual disc brakes and a standard (cheap) S3003.

 

[rossb]

Those humps will fit, but IMO they are very expensive. You can get them a lot cheaper elsewhere. Plan ahead, if you want to upgrade to the graphite upper deck then you want a flat pack. If you are short on funds you could run "AA" dry cells for now in the batt holder that comes with the radio. 6V is for the torque and the speed. Touring cars do not really need a ton of torque for steering, not nearly as much as a Monster Truck.

That is the charger I use. You can find that charger on eBay for about $30. It is pretty good, but the Duratrax Digital Charger is better. If you do decide to find a SB 959 on eBay try to find the newer version. The newer version does not require a special adapter for charging glow sticks and it offers more Delta Peak settings.

 

[CSDominion]

Order placed today - can't wait till next week when it all comes in
I think have everything covered here:

Placed First order - Just the car Kit ... $264.99
HPI Nitro RS4 3 18SS Kit w/Lamborghi Gallardo Body ... $304.99
$40 Promotional Discount ... -$40.00

Then placed a Second order: ... $232.53
Peak Performance Blitz 1400mAh Standard Hump Rx Pack ... $29.99
Pactra Polycarb 3 oz. Outlaw Black ... $4.29
Pactra Polycarb 3 oz. Fluorescent Green ... $4.29
Pro-Line Attack Wheel Chrome 26mm (4) ... $10.99
MRC Super Brain 959 Charger ... $41.99
Futaba S3003 Servo Standard ... $10.99
Futaba 3PM-TFS 3-Channel FM/1 S3305 Servo 66 ... $159.99
$30 Promotional Discount ... -$30.00

I stayed under the $500 I had set as a limit

The radio will eventually be setup for my MT2 - when I do that, I'll put the hump pack in the MT2, and I'll get a flat pack and the graphite upper for the RS4

So next purchase is an Rx that will fit the MT2 for FM, and the graphite upper for the RS4 and a flat pack I love it when a plan comes together.

Thanks again for all the help -

 

[jgrs4]

Deleted Post

 

[Revo Rancher]

Don't get to anxious on that graphite upper deck. They were to fill back orders by May but I just heard from an HPI rep that now they do not know if they will even get to them by the end of May.

 

[CSDominion]

It'll be a while till I get it - I'll probably have a couple quarts through the car before I think about the graphite upper