Vaterra Ascender Battery Mount

[Olle P]

Looking at this from a mechanical point of view:

First I think there needs to be some definition clearing out what it takes for component A to (not) be mounted on part B. There's something of a grey-scale...
1. A is rigidly bolted/strapped/glued directly onto B. Then A is most definitely mounted on B!
2. A is mounted onto a holder that is rigidly bolted/strapped/glued directly onto B. Then A is usually defined as mounted on B! (Typical battery and servo mount.)
3. A is mounted onto a holder that is attached to B by means of a joint (so that A can move/rotate relative to B in one or more axles)?
4. A is mounted onto a holder that is attached to B via one or more rigid links with joints at both ends? (Ascender's battery tray vs the front axle, as well as the typical chassie's mounting vs both axles.)

As I see it the Ascender's battery tray clearly neither violates rule 7 nor 11, because it is attached to the chassies and nothing in the rule says that the chassis mounting must be rigid nor the only mounting point. If the battery plate is considered as mounted "on the axle" and therefore violating rule 7 then all direct chassie mounts must also be deemed as "mounted on the axle", since they're mechanically mounted the same way with only a stiff link in-between mount and axle.

An easy "fix" allowing the Ascender's battery plate to be banned without having to disqualify most/all other cars is to add that the battery mounting must be fixed relative to the chassie.

[Abavuso]

Originally Posted by Olle P

Looking at this from a mechanical point of view:

First I think there needs to be some definition clearing out what it takes for component A to (not) be mounted on part B. There's something of a grey-scale...
1. A is rigidly bolted/strapped/glued directly onto B. Then A is most definitely mounted on B!
2. A is mounted onto a holder that is rigidly bolted/strapped/glued directly onto B. Then A is usually defined as mounted on B! (Typical battery and servo mount.)
3. A is mounted onto a holder that is attached to B by means of a joint (so that A can move/rotate relative to B in one or more axles)?
4. A is mounted onto a holder that is attached to B via one or more rigid links with joints at both ends? (Ascender's battery tray vs the front axle, as well as the typical chassie's mounting vs both axles.)

As I see it the Ascender's battery tray clearly neither violates rule 7 nor 11, because it is attached to the chassies and nothing in the rule says that the chassis mounting must be rigid nor the only mounting point. If the battery plate is considered as mounted "on the axle" and therefore violating rule 7 then all direct chassie mounts must also be deemed as "mounted on the axle", since they're mechanically mounted the same way with only a stiff link in-between mount and axle.

An easy "fix" allowing the Ascender's battery plate to be banned without having to disqualify most/all other cars is to add that the battery mounting must be fixed relative to the chassie.

I would have to agree with this logic. There needs to be something changed in the rules to clearly define this as legal or not... or perhaps since chassis mounted servos give you scale points where an axle mounted servo doesn't, then perhaps a 100% rigid chassis mounted battery should give you points where the ascender style mount wouldn't...

With that said, there nothing stopping me from allowing the front of the bater try to hang from a string over the upper frame brace so that when the suspension cycles the tray isn't resting on the upper link any how.

Either way, I would personally like to see it spelled out so that I can comply with the rules.

[neilus]

I know this is an old thread, but have there been any updates on this issue? I see the 2017 rules still just say "chassis mounted". Is a flat plate/mount on the rear upper links acceptable?

[boob dude]

Originally Posted by neilus

I know this is an old thread, but have there been any updates on this issue? I see the 2017 rules still just say "chassis mounted". Is a flat plate/mount on the rear upper links acceptable?

No that's not legal it can not be attached to the links or suspension in any way, front or rear doesn't matter either.