Throwing my batteries all over the place

[godale03]

Well guys,

Got the motor and electronics installed in the TC4 yesterday so I figured I would take it for a spin. Well everything was going well except I couldn't keep the batteries in the damn car! I have the bar as tight as I can get it.... is there anything I may have forgotten to do or anything I can do to stop this? Thanks

Tom

 

[Lessen]

I am by no means an expert touring car guy but how about a couple small pieces of velcro?

 

[robmob]

First thing you have to do is poop can the body clips that hold down the battery hold down bar.

Next is add some 1/8” self stick foam pads on the underside of the hold down bar.

Lastly, add washers under the heads of the screws that hold down the bar.

The bar will now permanently stay on the car. You use the screws to raise and tighten the bar enough to install and remove the batteries. The foam pads add a little grip and compression points to the underside of the battery. You will actually see the bar bow down at the ends where the screws are.

None of my batteries have ever even budged since I switched to this system.

Let me know if you want to see some pics of what I am talking about.


I am actually getting ready to modify my 18T in the same manner. I ejected a battery and ended my race on Saturday when one of the clips popped off somehow. It has only happened once and I am not going to give it a chance to happen again.

 

[godale03]

Thanks for the info Rob... I apreciate it. I know I was a bit pissed when my pack went sliding around on the pavment. Pics would help as I am more of a visual learner when it comes to RC's. Especially mods. Where did you get your foam? I am guessing you can use something like weather stripping or something of that nature? Also I am guessing the washers would have to be of the type with a relatively small center hole?

Tom

 

[robmob]

Any 3mm washer will work.

The foam I used came from my gorillamaxx project. The foam battery pads on the chassis had cutouts for the batteries but they did not remove the cutouts. I saved the cutouts just in case I needed them for something. Sure glad I did. Any flexible but firm 1/8" foam will work as long as it is self adhesive.

I snapped some pics and just need to convert them for web posting. They will be up shortly.

Here are the pics.

In the last pic you can see how the foam pads have molded themselves around the cells.

You don't have to completely remove the screws to install the battery. You loosen them enough so you can slide the battery in from the side then tighten them down.

 

[godale03]

Cool! Thanks for the picks my friend. Other than the foam.. I think I have exactly what I need to get this job done. The pictures were worth a thousand words my friend. Thank you!

Tom

 

[FastEddy]

There is a delicate balance between tight and to tight.
Evenly tighten the screws until the foam compresses. You dont want to crush a cell.

 

[godale03]

There is a delicate balance between tight and to tight.
Evenly tighten the screws until the foam compresses. You dont want to crush a cell.

Leave it to me to crush a cell! I have a real tendancy to put the gorilla grip on things. Do you have to put anything on the chassis to cushion?

 

[robmob]

No pads on the chassis required.

 

[FastEddy]

Pretty much the same as Robs.
I used stick on Velcro pads. The soft part.

 

[godale03]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I have some velcro strips at home somewhere. I will check it out. Thanks again guys.

Could one of you guys take a close up shot of your chassis where the batteries go? I don't think I have filed mine down enough. I am worried about puncturing a cell.

Tom

 

[FastEddy]

All you need to do is take the sharp edge off the CF, nothing more unless you want to seal it with CA.
You can see it in my 2nd photo.

 

[godale03]

All you need to do is take the sharp edge off the CF, nothing more unless you want to seal it with CA.
You can see it in my 2nd photo.

I took the sharp points off and have sealed it with CA. So I should be ok?

Thanks my friend.

 

[robmob]

You should be fine.

Foam pads or pubic hair like Ed used and you will be good to go.

 

[sweetdiesel]

You should be fine.

Foam pads or pubic hair like Ed used and you will be good to go.

LMAO I was thinking the same thing. That must have been painful to rip off and explains all the scratching he was doing this weekend at the races.

 

[godale03]

LMAO I was thinking the same thing. That must have been painful to rip off and explains all the scratching he was doing this weekend at the races.

Bet he has the best bikini wax at the track though!