Couple of newbie questions

[Lloydness]

I would like to know why my "mock" clod (modified stock) is faster in reverse than it is going forward. Do I need to re-wire the motors, reversing the polarity on each?

Second, I quickly noticed why a differential provides very limited traction when trying to drive over things. What is the general consensus on locking the diffs? Lock both or just one and if so, front or back? is there any preference on what compound to use in locking the diffs?

Thanks! Awesome rides, everyone.

[firstumustcrawl]

well im not a "pro" like some of these other guys but this is waht i learned from sitting back and reading:
well the motor issue yes reverse both of them and they should run faster
locking diffs-if you feel like this clod will be for crawling only do both but if your gunna take it anywere but the rocks id do just the front beause the front tires almost are always touching somethings
what to use: id suggest jb weld for a permantetly locked diff but you can use hot glue to try it out see if yah like it or not.
also idk if you know this but here are some more suggestions narrow the rims and cut a nice tread pattern on the stock tires its nice and cheap that way and get great performance also use the stock motors just brake them in in water to get a lil more juice outta them then do as low as gearing as possible. if you guys can think of more to sat please add in id like to know also if i mad a mistake or something

[skoolbus]

I locked only the rear on the one I'm building right now. That way your steering isn't effected as bad. Some people use silly putty to add some umph, but I think JB weld is the standard.

[4x4x4fan]

What's the point of reversing both of the motors? One is always wired up normal (the rear, I think) and the other always wired up in reverse (the front). Granted, silver cans run faster in reverse, but for a clod you've got one forwards and one reverse and I can't imagine that the difference in the performance on them would be that marked when pushing around 10 pounds of clod.

Is it a speed controller problem? What speed controller are you using, three speed wiper or ESC? Perhaps the end points aren't set properly, or there's a problem with the contacts (wiper) or FETs (ESC).

And for diffs, it seems for better bashing just lock one diff (tends to be the rear from what I've seen), and for crawling both diffs are a must. Although I've fitted RC4WDs trac gears (solid alu. gears that don't diff, cos there's nothing to diff with) I've used JB weld on my TLT, and that's holding up fine.

[Lloydness]

I have a Super Rooster installed, wiring the motors in parallel. At first, I had the whole thing running forward, but steering design changes made me switch the direction the truck was going when going forward. So I had to reverse the throttle control at the radio, no problem. Anyway, now I have the rear motor wired normally, and the front wired in reverse polarity. If I didn't reverse the throttle control at the radio, I would be going in reverse when I pulled back on the trigger of my remote.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I can fix this problem, I just have to find some time.

[Grizzly4x4]

You did reprogram the SR after throwing the reversing switch right?! 8O Otherwise forward on you transmitter is still reverse to the ESC (internally). It dont know what direction the truck is going.

[Lloydness]

I know, I am confusing! I had to reprogram the Rooster every time because as soon as I flipped the reverse switch, the forward and reverse endpoints were all messed up. It jumped off the table on me a few times!

I think I know how to fix it right, I'm going to try it out tonight.

[Grizzly4x4]

Let us know what the problem is if you fix it and how you fixed it.

I am very curious.

[Lloydness]

ironically I DIDN'T switch the motors yet, but I did take the rear diff out to lock it up. I used some hardening gasket sealant. It's still curing I guess, because as of this morning it's still kinda soft. But hopefully it will harden up nice and I'll have a locked diff in the rear.

This weekend I'll definitely get the motor situation taken care of. Keep an eye out for my update!

[Lloydness]

Okay, so I re-wired the motors, still seems to be faster in reverse, but not by much. I'm not going to worry about it for now, I plan to get some Magnetic Mayhems in the future anyway.

On another note, I was in Virginia over the weekend visiting a buddy of mine, and tried crawling up the small slab leading up to the back deck and couldn't get the front tires to get any real traction. So I've gone ahead and locked the front diff last night. So now both diffs will be locked. I am also almost done with the new links for my chassis that I'm designing, although I need ball ends for them (money!)

I'll post some pictures when I have something put together, which should be soon.