Getting Started

[jkonline]

I am just getting started in RC Cars and had various advise from people on what eclectics to put in my B4 chassis but just had some more questions.

As I am starting from a blank canvas what direction should I start from. For example should I pick a esc** in my price range then buy a motor based and batteries on what it can take or work from the other direction.

Also are there any components it is worth spending that little bit extra on?

Finally as I am buying everything I want to keep the overall cost down should i not stick to well known brands?

Any other general advise would be great too.

Thanks in advance

John

**narrowed it down to brushed motor with fwd brake and reverse like the Metronick Viper RV 11 (http://www.mtroniks.net/details1.asp/ProductID/172/sid//Viper-RV11.htm)

[Chris Green]

Hello,

what is your budget? are you planning on racing too?

[jkonline]

I don't plan to race I am fairly flexible on budget.

I really want to buy stuff that is not going to limit me upgrading in the future but is not going to cost the £100's per component. Also nothing too powerful as I am new too all of this.

I don't see me buying brush less motors straight off nor lipo batteries but may be in time.

As I said I am very new to this so picking it up as I go along.

[Chequered Flag Racing]

**narrowed it down to brushed motor with fwd brake and reverse like the Metronick Viper RV 11 (http://www.mtroniks.net/details1.asp/ProductID/172/sid//Viper-RV11.htm)

That brand of esc can be a bit fickle. Well known for the Magic ESC smoke.

used to have a good back up service for when things go wrong but it may have changed

you may be better off buying a used full spec esc as they can be more reliable, like the LRP, Nosram brushed esc with warranty card

[Chris Green]

I'm not really sure about battery choice, but perhaps a couple of sport stickpacks would be a decent enough starting point.

For the motor and speedo, I would definitely consider a brushless setup. Brushless doesn't necessarily mean fast.
Brushed is almost a thing of the past now (Might get slated for saying that!). Motor maintenance isn't fun, and the last thing you want to be doing is replacing brushless and skimming commutators after every 3-4 sets of cells through the motor.

If you'd prefer to buy new, LRP, Nosram and Novak offer a budget range of brushless speedo's. The nosram system is called the Evil, and the Evil Power if i remember correctly. These are pretty much fit and forget, with limited setup options. that said, they have a near automatic setup.

There are some 2nd hand bargains to be had too. decent speedo's are around £80-110. LRP and Nosram are a good option, as are Novak. an LRP Sphere, Nosram Matrix, or Novak GTB would be a wise choice if looking 2nd hand.

Motor choice is good too. Again, there is a budget range of Nosram and LRP motors. The nosram used to be the dragon range, not sure if this is still the case. a 13.5T motor would be a good starting point. It is worth getting a speedo that can handle down to maybe an 8.5T brushless motor however, as it is inevitable that you will want to upgrade in the future.

As I don't really understand bashing, I'd also pop along to your local racetrack. :)

[stox217]

might as well go lipo as you need to get a charger ect so it may be worth going that route?

[stox217]

I'm not really sure about battery choice, but perhaps a couple of sport stickpacks would be a decent enough starting point.

For the motor and speedo, I would definitely consider a brushless setup. Brushless doesn't necessarily mean fast.
Brushed is almost a thing of the past now (Might get slated for saying that!). Motor maintenance isn't fun, and the last thing you want to be doing is replacing brushless and skimming commutators after every 3-4 sets of cells through the motor.

If you'd prefer to buy new, LRP, Nosram and Novak offer a budget range of brushless speedo's. The nosram system is called the Evil, and the Evil Power if i remember correctly. These are pretty much fit and forget, with limited setup options. that said, they have a near automatic setup.

There are some 2nd hand bargains to be had too. decent speedo's are around £80-110. LRP and Nosram are a good option, as are Novak. an LRP Sphere, Nosram Matrix, or Novak GTB would be a wise choice if looking 2nd hand.


Motor choice is good too. Again, there is a budget range of Nosram and LRP motors. The nosram used to be the dragon range, not sure if this is still the case. a 13.5T motor would be a good starting point. It is worth getting a speedo that can handle down to maybe an 8.5T brushless motor however, as it is inevitable that you will want to upgrade in the future.

As I don't really understand bashing, I'd also pop along to your local racetrack. :)
Stay away from the dragon range no good to newbie's as you need to gear them just right one tooth out ect and thats it bang the sensor's have gone! or is that just me??

[Chris Green]

Stay away from the dragon range no good to newbie's as you need to gear them just right one tooth out ect and thats it bang the sensor's have gone! or is that just me??

Umm, I'm not sure. I ran a 10.5 Dragon for quite a few indoor meetings, including the Newbury Open. Its still going strong now in a mates car.

I could have been lucky though, and had a good one.

[jkonline]

Thanks for the replies.

I like the look of the nosram Evil, and the Evil Power or at least at the moment seems quite well priced and the esc supports all battery types and both brushed and brusless motors.

[mikeyscott]

If you are looking at the B4, I'd race it.

Pop down to Titchfield and we can help and advise further

[jkonline]

Funny you should mention that as I went down last Sunday and chatted to people. Since then I have bought a b4 chassis and am now fitting it out with the electrics. Must say everyone was really helpful, very friendly and lots I gained lots of useful advice. It was there actually they someone suggested the possibility of going down the brushed route to keep costs down.

Since then I have done further research and just weighing up the options. I think I will go brushless due to the no motor maintenance and cost is not too much extra. Still unsure about the other bits.

I didn’t really mean to say I was not planning to race more that I did not want an over powered car or one dedicated to racing with an esc that has no reverse etc. as I am just learning.

[reg]

**narrowed it down to brushed motor with fwd brake and reverse like the Metronick Viper RV 11 (http://www.mtroniks.net/details1.asp/ProductID/172/sid//Viper-RV11.htm),


i would stay away from this,its the worst speedo iv ever had and is not worth the money,its got no brake only initial brake,after that it just free wheels,i would spend a bit more on a second hand lrp sphere,if you can find the 2007 version they are very good for the b4,thay still sell them new but the new prices are silly,
good luck and have fun