Chucks Hpi Venture
 

My Venture RTR is going great.

I changed the links from the plastic ones to the Crawler Central links, changed to a 30kg servo, added Voodoo KLR tires on beadlock rims, changed to a Hobbywing 1080 and 12 turn motor with a 14 tooth pinion.

So far so good.

I did notice that my drive train is very noisy compared to my other trucks. I've only ran the truck for about 3 full hours on the hills so I guess it will smooth out.

I made some wheel wells and my own styrene jack.

[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4f83be53_h.jpgFJ CRUISER by Charles Daniel, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...719709cc_h.jpgFJ CRUISER by Charles Daniel, on Flickr[/IMG]

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

Very nice!1 Reminds me I must get mine out sometime.

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

I think part of the noise will be the metal on metal gears, that alone is always louder.

I picked up a few sets of transfer case gears and one housing for some scratch builds. Turned out to have a really bad mesh and no matter what I did even the 2nd set of gears was no better. I dont remember my kit being this way.

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

I also had a clicking sound as if the gears were jumping. I took the transmission apart and found that one of the slipper clutch plats was not aligned correctly.

Hopefully that was the only problem. I put it back together, added grease and it's just as noisy but no clicking. I think the metal on metal spur gear is my noise maker. I'll live with it.

A scale truck with scale size tires is a lot harder to drive. I really have to choose my lines.:)

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

You might try loosening your pinion/spur mesh a little, I know if mine is too tight it makes quite a racket but when set just right it's one of my quieter rigs.

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

Hi,
Ok I'll try that. I used a piece of paper between the pinion and main gear.

Is there a better way to get the correct mesh?

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

I wouldnt say better, just different. I use my eye and feel. I also like to check mesh all the way around as most spur gears have some run out (wobble). I find the tightest point and set the mesh in that spot.

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

I've found that I tend to a bit heavy handed when setting mesh and a the paper method has never been quite enough for me. I fold the paper a couple times so it's at least 2 or even 3 layers thick and then when my meat hooks twist the pinion into place with more force than I should use, the mesh turns out about perfect.

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

I found what my problem was. The pinion I had stated 48p.... it was not:roll:

I switched back to the original pinion and it's butter smooth.

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

a few pictures

[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...660b2ba8_b.jpgDesert2 by Charles Daniel, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2c79d2fc_b.jpgDesert2 by Charles Daniel, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3851bd26_b.jpgDessert by Charles Daniel, on Flickr[/IMG]

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

Looks like quite the desert trek.

Surprised you can keep a 12t motor cool in that environment given the Ventures lack of total gear reduction.
You run it on 2s or 3s?

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

I run on 2s -- It looks like the desert but it's a Sand pit. I was probably 50f outside:)

Re: Chucks Hpi Venture
 

Fooled me. Looks like you could easily get lost out there.

Thats one heck of a sandpit. Makes the largest ones up here look like a kids sandbox in comparison.