Steve's VS410 Phoenix Build

[Steven McKay]

I ordered my steering servo T-440, it comes with a 20mm servo horn. I was going to order two T-180 lo-pro too but there out of stock and the lowest price
I could find elsewhere is $20 more. X2 is $40, normally I would just do it. But I'll wait, I'm not going to throw away $40. So I ordered the RX4 too. I'll be ordering my paint too.

[Steven McKay]

My Team Garage Hack H.O.Beadlock wheels won't fit my F10 Portal axles.
I have figured out that I need the SLW 600 wheel hubs to clear the knuckles.
I'm also going to tryout the XD series center hubs, just don't know what
color to get. My steering servo and ESC come tomorrow.

[twade984]

FYI the xd style center caps mount between the wheel and the slw hub, so those will add some width also.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Steven McKay]

Originally Posted by twade984

FYI the xd style center caps mount between the wheel and the slw hub, so those will add some width also.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Glad you mentioned that cause when I saw the offset was .100, for some
reason .01 stuck in my head. So I dismissed it as insignificant. Now with
eyes open it may be possible to use the .475 offset, which would make it
.575. I used the longer of the two plastic factory hubs for figuring out
what length I needed. It measured approx. .625-.630 (plastic) and there
was ample space left but I didn't measure it. The bolt pattern was off a
little but it being plastic gave me enough leeway to make that work.
So, thank you. Also I should mention that when you purchase the center
caps you do get the hardware needed for hubs and caps.

[Steven McKay]

Steering servo and ESC arrived, I learned today that you have to let the
servo find it's center before installing the servo horn and linkage. So that
will have to wait. I bet the next build will not start until I have all the
electronics and goodies, that's #1. #2 is slowing down, laying out all the
parts, #3 double checking #2. So far I think I've proceeded fairly well for
my first build with a little help from forum members. Thank you all. The only
real mistake I've made is forgetting to use the free machined gears (idiot
and I wasn't drinking JB either). So evidently if I put the stock wheels on
it, it really will be stock. And lastly it looks like I'll be buying the VP 20mm
servo horn. The 20mm servo horn that came with the T-440 sits too low
and might rub the servo mount. The VP servo horn is offset slightly, possibly
because of this anomaly.

[B-MOW71]

Nice choice on the ESC and servo. I've never used them, but heard they are nice!

Yeah, best to use the VP 20mm servo horn. It does fit the best. I have it on all of my VP rigs and it fits and works like it's made for it!

[Steven McKay]

Originally Posted by B-MOW71

Nice choice on the ESC and servo. I've never used them, but heard they are nice!

Yeah, best to use the VP 20mm servo horn. It does fit the best. I have it on all of my VP rigs and it fits and works like it's made for it!

Thanks.

I did remove the fan and fan cover in front of the steering servo. My OCD
wouldn't allow the binding. I have the rest of the electronics figured out.

NSDRC RS400 Low Pro Servo x2.
Spektrum DX5 Pro 2021 5-Channel DSMR Transmitter.
Spektrum SR515 DSMR 5-Channel Sport Receiver.
Spektrum S155 G2 1x55W AC Smart Charger.
Spektrum 7.4V 5000mAh 2S 50C Smart Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC3
Spektrum 11.1V 5000mAh 3S 50C Smart Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC3

Please feel free to criticize the selection especially the cheaper battery
charger. Do I need more watts. And lastly from the looks of it I'm going
to have to tighten up the drag link to get a near perfect 90 degree.

[Steven McKay]

Ok, I admit I don't mind spending good money for a good product. The first
info (vid) I ran across after buying my Phoenix was the Tekin build with
T-440 steering servo and two T-120 dig and overdrive. So I thought ok
that's what I'll do. I bought the T-440, I saw that the T-180 was $40 less
than the T-120. That's a savings of $80 for two. Yesterday I went to Tekin
to buy two T-180 servos. Now there the same price as the T-120, that's
the second price change since starting this build. At this writing the cheapest
servo Tekin has is the T-130 at $120, the rest of the servos are over $160.
That's when I started looking at this more objectively. I went to Spektrum
since I want to use some of their products. They have servos with a varied
price range. I thought I might use either the S6230 or S6240. Ok now I
need two 24mm servo horns. With 23T output shaft, are you kidding me.
23, 24, 25 and maybe more. What part of universal do they not understand.
On top of that Spektrum doesn't even sell metal servo horns. Gee it might
be me but if it was my company I would at least outsource them. I spent
about 30 min googling 23T, 24mm servo horn to no avail, I'm sure there
out there or there are 23T ones that would work but I'm looking for 24mm.
Not just 24mm but 24mm C to C, you know like the ones VP has.
Unfortunately VP doesn't have 23T servo horns and I don't blame them,
why should they cater to companies that " just have to be different".
It's as bad as going woke (MPFO). So that led me to you guys and girls.
What are you using, decided to use two NSDRC RS400 Low Pro Servos.
Thanks B-MOW71 for ideas and support. VP has 25T, 24mm C to C servo
horns that will be just fine. Now before I end this, I'm sure Tekin and
Spektrum make good products but they have more work to do. Ok, I'm
finished crying.

[casco_bay_rc]

Originally Posted by Steven McKay

Thanks.

I did remove the fan and fan cover in front of the steering servo. My OCD
wouldn't allow the binding. I have the rest of the electronics figured out.

NSDRC RS400 Low Pro Servo x2.
Spektrum DX5 Pro 2021 5-Channel DSMR Transmitter.
Spektrum SR515 DSMR 5-Channel Sport Receiver.
Spektrum S155 G2 1x55W AC Smart Charger.
Spektrum 7.4V 5000mAh 2S 50C Smart Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC3
Spektrum 11.1V 5000mAh 3S 50C Smart Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC3

Please feel free to criticize the selection especially the cheaper battery
charger. Do I need more watts. And lastly from the looks of it I'm going
to have to tighten up the drag link to get a near perfect 90 degree.

I'm personally a fan of Spektrum's electronics. If I'm not mistaken, the motors and ESCs are made by Hobbywing in the crawling category.

I might suggest the DX5 Rugged instead of the pro. They can take knocks and are largely the same as the pro.

Steering servo and ESC arrived, I learned today that you have to let the servo find it's center before installing the servo horn and linkage.

In a similar Spektrum vain, I suggest picking up their "XBC100 Smart LiPo Battery Checker & Servo Driver" so that you can center this servo, and any other, just by using this checker and a battery. It's very useful for builds, and it can balance your batteries.

[Steven McKay]

Originally Posted by casco_bay_rc

I'm personally a fan of Spektrum's electronics. If I'm not mistaken, the motors and ESCs are made by Hobbywing in the crawling category.

I might suggest the DX5 Rugged instead of the pro. They can take knocks and are largely the same as the pro.



In a similar Spektrum vain, I suggest picking up their "XBC100 Smart LiPo Battery Checker & Servo Driver" so that you can center this servo, and any other, just by using this checker and a battery. It's very useful for builds, and it can balance your batteries.

Thanks. One reason for the pro is that I could use LIPO batteries but is
an additional $100 worth it.

Checking out the XBC100 now, sounds like it would be quit useful.

[Steven McKay]

I think I've said enough for today and spent enough too.
SUB TOTAL 1386.49. so far for my Phoenix.

[Steven McKay]

Originally Posted by casco_bay_rc

I'm personally a fan of Spektrum's electronics. If I'm not mistaken, the motors and ESCs are made by Hobbywing in the crawling category.

I might suggest the DX5 Rugged instead of the pro. They can take knocks and are largely the same as the pro.



In a similar Spektrum vain, I suggest picking up their "XBC100 Smart LiPo Battery Checker & Servo Driver" so that you can center this servo, and any other, just by using this checker and a battery. It's very useful for builds, and it can balance your batteries.

Going to stay with the pro for my first transmitter. No, on the XBC100.
The only use I see for me is the servo center, I'll wait until I have all
my electronics hooked up. My charger will do the balancing and I
believe it only tests your end points not sets them. Thanks though.

[Steven McKay]

Servos and servo horns came, so I installed them temporarily. The steering
servo horn can be installed without uninstalling the servo. The Crawler
Innovations Tall Cell Block Crawler Stand is a nice addition but I would
like jack stands too.

[B-MOW71]

Nice progress is being made! I see you opened up the money gate! Crazy how fast all of the "extras" add up!

Nice choice on the Cell Block. They work great! I bought a few of them back in the day. I found out that yoga blocks are made of the same material and a way cheaper. I've been buying them on Amazon ever since.

[Steven McKay]

Originally Posted by B-MOW71

Nice progress is being made! I see you opened up the money gate! Crazy how fast all of the "extras" add up!

Nice choice on the Cell Block. They work great! I bought a few of them back in the day. I found out that yoga blocks are made of the same material and a way cheaper. I've been buying them on Amazon ever since.

Thanks. I think it will be close to 2 grand with the added wheels and I do want
a winch. Pic for B-MOW71.

[Steven McKay]

There's talk about cantilever rear suspension, and my next build will be
including this feature. So I'm going to play around with it now. Can't say
I'll add it to this build as it is not needed but who knows.

[Ots]

Those dig and OD servos are really nice and beefy. I will be buying four dig/OD servos for my two Phoenix builds and was wondering how much torque is actually needed. I think yours are about 400 o-i at 8.4 Vdc or something like that, which should certainly get the job done I would think. I don't really want to shell out $400 for that unless there's no other option. Did you consider any lesser cost options? I have no experience with what is needed for these applications.

[indybama]

Originally Posted by Ots

Those dig and OD servos are really nice and beefy. I will be buying four dig/OD servos for my two Phoenix builds and was wondering how much torque is actually needed. I think yours are about 400 o-i at 8.4 Vdc or something like that, which should certainly get the job done I would think. I don't really want to shell out $400 for that unless there's no other option. Did you consider any lesser cost options? I have no experience with what is needed for these applications.

No real need for that much torque/power on those shift servos. I use the nsdrc micro servos on mine n they do the job perfectly. Theyre about $50 a pop, just make sure u order the adapter plates so they fit in place of the full size servos

[Ots]

"...adapter plates"

OK - makes sense, but are these Vanquish parts? Or the NSDRC ones for $13.99?

[Steven McKay]

Originally Posted by Ots

Those dig and OD servos are really nice and beefy. I will be buying four dig/OD servos for my two Phoenix builds and was wondering how much torque is actually needed. I think yours are about 400 o-i at 8.4 Vdc or something like that, which should certainly get the job done I would think. I don't really want to shell out $400 for that unless there's no other option. Did you consider any lesser cost options? I have no experience with what is needed for these applications.

NSDRC RS400 Low Pro Servos are only 98.99. B-MOW71 used RS100 HIGH TORQUE MICRO SERVOS for 54.99 so you know those are good to go. So
either way its $400 or $200 respectively. I do like the beef and evidently
spending money so I went with the RS400. Thanks.