HPI, Losi, Futaba: a Hattrick!
Three brands, three breakages…
I went racing today, touring cars, outdoors at SHMCC. My aim of the day was to play with the set up of the Tamiya TRF415MSXX, I have removed the roll bars, and wanted to try it without.
I stiffened up the springs a little, and it generated a lot more grip than with the rollbars, much more stable. A little too stable, I was struggling to get it to turn in, but some fiddling with springs, droop and roll centres and I think I sorted that.
But, the day was marred by breakages. I seem to have damaged my Losi Xcelorin 17.5 brushless motor, it ‘went soft’ the last time I used it. But first run today and it was great, strong, fast, everything seemed fine. But 2nd, 3rd and 4th runs were ruined. A solder connection came off in run 2. Run 3 I thought it was a sensor lead. Run 4, it confirmed that it was the motor, it would do 5 laps, then come off the track too hot and no longer working. That’s dead then.
I borrowed an identical motor for run 5 (final 1) and that ran fine, so the speedo was okay, thankfully. I borrowed another brand of motor too, a Trinity DUO 17.5, and that was very strong indeed in run 6 (final 2), and had a great race, popped in a 19 lapper, no mistakes and a nice close race with someone using an identical motor.
The final run of the day I did half a lap and it stopped. Closer examination and it looks like the Futaba receiver isn’t working.
And then, I took my HPI E-Savage, and a friend broke the rear differential! It’s supposed to be a weak point, so I’m surprised it’s not broken before now.
Still, I had a good day!
Written by simon.
Mirage Support of HPI Issue
Wen I recently lost part of the steering on my HPI E-Savage, I contact the importers and distributors, Mirage to see if they could help.
82024 bushing shown sticking up, half undone
The part I lost was the steering bush (Part No, 82024) and the corresponding screw (Z528). They should be firmly attached to the steering ‘rack’, and they just vanished! I guess they should have been threadlocked from factory, the one on the other side was, but it didn’t seem very firm when I checked it.
So I asked them to send replacements, and they did, Free of Charge. They took a little while to arrive, but only because they didn’t have them in stock at that time.
Thanks guys!
HPI Parts 82024 & z528 from Mirage
Replacing them was fiddly, I managed to do it without removing the whole steering from the car, and I ensured I used threadlock on them. Fingers crossed I wont lose any more.
Written by simon.
The Schumacher E-Manic Concept Car
Shared by simoncrabb
This looks like a direct E-Savage / Savage Flux / E-Revo / E-Maxx competitor…
“Schumacher have been working hard with various brushless motor/Speed control companies to best use those systems in many of our vehicles. The latest concept idea is the E-Manic. The E-Manic is a sensational 4wd ready to run 1/8th scale monster truck designed to accept high performance electric brushless systems. It can take up to 14.4v lipos and with a high performance brushless system such as the Castle Creations Mamba Max and new 2200 motor, the speed and acceleration is staggering. With a rugged suspension, and strong 4wd transmission it is designed to handle the roughest ground and most challenging obstacles. Its impressive speed and handling make the Manic an outstanding choice for any conditions. The fantastic Schumacher reputation for quality and support will make the Manic a favourite for all monster truck owners.”
[Our thanks go to Schumacher for this news]
Go to Original External Article
Written by simon.
HPI E-Savage 14 Cells How To – Add 2 cells!
A really easy way to go quicker, just add an extra couple of cells! The standard E-Savage is powered by 12 NiMh cells (14.4v), in 2 stick packs of 6.
I had lots of stick packs, which I wanted to keep standard, as I use them in other vehicles, and I have a balancing tray for stick packs. I wanted to run 14 cells in the E-Savage, to make 16.8v, so thought of ways to add two more.
HPI E-Savage 14 Cells How To from rcLazy on Vimeo.
The standard speed control can handle 14 cells okay, and it has two plugs on it, but effectively two of the wires are joined in a loop, so you end up with 12 cells in serial. I figured I could add two more cells to the chain to make 14.
The VERY IMPORTANT thing to consider though, is that the 2 extra cells must be of a higher capacity than the 2 x 6 cell stick pack. This is so that the 2 cells don’t dump first, when you’d hardly notice it wilth 12 cells still powering the car, thus damaging the cells.
So I had pairs of cells of 4200, 4500 and 4500, and I got hold of another 4600 pack, so split it into 3 x 2 cell packs.
Then, I made up an adaptor to plug the 2 cell pack in series with one of the 6 cell packs. It doesn’t really matter which side, as they are treated in series by the speed control.
Then I charged up all 3 packs separately, the six cell packs on the standard dual output GT charger, and the 2 cell pack on my other (Graupner) NiMh charger.
A simple bracket was made for the 2 cell pack to sit in, secured with a velcro strap.
UPDATE:
HPI E-Savage 14 Cells How To UPDATE from rcLazy on Vimeo.
After making this video, I went to the forest and tried the car, and I wacked the 2-cell bracket on a rock and ripped it clean off. I think it was perhaps too low, and that servo tape was not strong enough to hold it.
So I have to go back to the drawing board and modify my design. I figured I needed a 3 sided bracket, higher up out of the way, and fixed more firmly.
Written by simon.
RPM Bumpers for HPI E-Savage
The VERY FIRST TIME I used my E-Savage I broke the front bumper, I tried superglue to no avail.
I discovered that RPM had produced some bumpers that were claimed to be unbreakable, and they had shiny nudge bars too. I ordered some up and they weren’t cheap at $17.95 each, cost me £20 shipped…
They arrived, and look great, they’re solid, well made, the usual good RPM product.
One nice feature is that it moves the switch from the rather exposed position on the standard bumper up onto a nicer position on the rear shock mount.
