Building an Axial SCX-10 Rubicon... The Beginning?

[Beowulf]

Ok, so my son is saving up his money to buy an Axial Rubicon. I know that I will be helping subsidize this endeavour as I'm sure I will play with it more than he does. I see that the first thing I need is a battery.

Since I'd rather buy once, what is the recommended battery and charger? I know absolutely nothing about batteries for RCs. Do I go with a 2S Lippo or 3S? Can the stock components handle larger packs? Is the larger the mAh the better when it comes to RCs? Ok, too many questions. I'm sure this question has been beat to death. Just a general recommendation please. I was on a thread about batteries around a year ago, so maybe something has changed.


After we get this going I plan on starting a build thread to chronicle the process of going from complete Noob to fully buiding out a nice scaler.

 

[Beowulf]

Sweet! I found the old thread and that should help.

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/axial-scx-10/372395-best-battery-charger-setup-new-scx-10-a.html

http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-lipo-batteries.html

 

[k7zpj]

The right size battery is really a matter of personal opinion. A 5000mah lipo will run a SCX10 for nearly 2 hours. However its weight and size make it harder to find a place to put it and harder to tune the weight distribution of the chassis. A smaller Lipo 1300 to 2300mah is easier to find mounting locations but you only get around 45 minutes run time.

I run smaller batteries do to the smaller size and that I can get 2 smaller batteries for less than one big one.

If you do go with a smaller battery you probably need a 35C or more battery where if you are running larger battery you will could get by with 20 to 25C battery.


Lots of choices and no real right answer. Part of the fun of the hobby is trying to figure questions like these.

 

[Beowulf]

The mounting location comment has me curious. Isn't there a battery mount location with brackets already set in the RTR units?

 

[FlipItOver!]

The mounting location comment has me curious. Isn't there a battery mount location with brackets already set in the RTR units?

They do! But you can relocate the batt. Tray to the front of the chassi better distributing the weight, so it doesn't do wheelies lol. Note sure if that helps"thumbsup"

 

[k7zpj]

The mounting location comment has me curious. Isn't there a battery mount location with brackets already set in the RTR units?

Moving the battery so it is crosswise to frame just in front of the transmission will lower the center of gravity and help reduce the tendency for the SCX10 to roll over. Moving the battery to the front reduces the tendency for the front end to lift going up hills.

Here I am running a 1300 mah battery up front with a 45t HH TorqueMaster Expert motor / BR-XL esc.



This setup will allow the use of a 5300 mah battery with either a Honcho or Rubicon body with this chassis. To change to using the Honcho body all I have to do is change the bumpers and the rear body posts.


The battery tray in the Rubicon is in the rear. The RTR should have the posts to move the battery tray to the front. You can shave about 1/4 off the posts to lower the battery a little bit. There are several threads about moving the battery location.