Experienced RCer new to crawling and looking for advice

[CaptCrunch]

Hey there folks! First post here. I've gotten bitten by the crawler bug lately and I'm looking for a cure (or a fix). I normally hang out at RCTECH, but I figured if I was going to get into crawling I need to come here to a board dedicated it. I've been around the RC hobby on and off for over 20 years, and have explored ALMOST every aspect of the sport with crawling being one of the exceptions. And I want to change that.

I'm wanting to buy or build a crawler that won't totally overwelm a noob, but will be able to still be usefull once I become more skilled and experienced at it. I don't need or really want an RTR as I have about all the radio equipment that I'll ever need, and I'm also not afraid of a kit. Are there crawlers available that start out reasonably basic but have a full range of bolt on options? I don't think I'd want to get into fabrication or truely custom builds until I get a solid grounding in the sport. And I won't say that money's no object, but I want to end up with a crawler that will both be good quality and durable enough to stand up to the beating that a noobie will subject it to.

All that said, do you folks have any suggestions?

 

[alaskancrawler]

Losi comp crawler. Comes with everything except dig servo,motor,esc. Best platform imo to start with. Ton of aftermarket parts, ton of setup info on here for that car. Good luck and have fun with the new addiction."thumbsup"

 

[MadForce]

My guess would be an axial ARTR since you have good radio equipment and probably at least a decent servo and ESC. They also have huge aftermarket support and equally huge crowd of owners/supporters to draw knowledge from. Actually only thing you'll need to buy is a cheapo 15$ lathe motor.
The losi is also a good starter platform, more competition oriented than a stock ARTR AX10 as alaskancrawler stated. I think the AX10 is a simpler platform to work on and "play" with. Just my 2 cents.

 

[punkfan]

Losi

hey I am new to this addiction as well. I did a huge amount of research before i ended up buying my losi. I found that both the losi and the axial will cost about the same no matter what, so cost is not factor. The Losi imo is the best out of the box crawler. You are going to want dig, and the Losi already has it all you need is a servo. Either way you will have fun, and be warned this will become an obsession. Good luck and welcome to the addiction

 

[CaptCrunch]

Well, I've spent a few hours wandering this board and other forums, and I think that I'll start with a Losi Comp Crawler. It seems to be the most recommended, and it already has the DIG tranny. I will definately need to be getting some new electronics for it. For example, the highest torque servo that I have has about 180oz of torque, and I gather that's not quite enough. So, I'll need to find a higher torque model. Any recommendations? What are you folks using for DIG servos? Mini's?

All I have on the shelf in ESCs are a couple of Novak GTB's and and a Mamba Max. Will either of those work well for this rig? And I have NO appropriate motors at all. All the 540 motors I have are for either TC's or SCT's. Would I be better off going with a sensored or unsensored setup? I don't know if cogging is an issue in crawling.

As far as transmitters go, I'll probably use a DX3r for the time being. I doubt if I will need more tha three channels to start with, and I have plenty of the receivers on hand. Later on if I need something more I can switch to either a DX6i or DX7 and a receiver with more channels.

Are there any other options for the Losi Comp Crawler that are considered MUST HAVE?

Thanks for the help folks!

 

[punkfan]

Capt if you go with the Losi go to the Losi specific thread. It has all the tips/tricks you need to get going with out killing motors/your wallet. # channels is all you need for the Losi so it sounds like you are set. imo drop the money for a brushless system that will handle the 3s lipo batteries. I run a novak goat 18t ballistic, but I know other guys like the tekin setup because of the smaller ESC.

 

[CaptCrunch]

Thanks, that's a good idea. I just thought that I'd start in the Noobie area so folks would EXPECT me to make stupid mistakes without feeling the need to shoot me down in flames.

 

[joe daigle jr]

i spent like 6 months studieing the losi threads before buying it 7950th steering losi mini servo for the dig xceleron 21.5 system and the rc bros dig servo mount love it

 

[punkfan]

one thing I have found is that a majority of the folks on this site are very helpful, and dont spend to much time flaming noobs like us. If you ask a question that has been answered they may tell you to learn how to search, but that is the worst i have seen.......unless you bash this site then all bets are of.

 

[1rcmonster]

I have an LCC, great truck. Be sure to tear the axlaes apart and check the worm drive for proper cut. You can find pics in the LCC section.

As for running gear I am using a Traxxas Titan motor from an emaxx with a 12t pinion. I smoked a 35t and have had no heat issues with the Titan.

I am using a Sidewinder esc with a 3s 1300mah lipo, awesome run time and power.

I like my comp rig a bit lighter so I put 3.5 ozs of lead in the front wheels only. Also relocated my battery to the front upper links.

If you need anymore info just drop me a pm and I will be glad to help you out....

Welcome to the world of crawling "thumbsup"

 

[CaptCrunch]

I have an LCC, great truck. Be sure to tear the axlaes apart and check the worm drive for proper cut. You can find pics in the LCC section.

As for running gear I am using a Traxxas Titan motor from an emaxx with a 12t pinion. I smoked a 35t and have had no heat issues with the Titan.

I am using a Sidewinder esc with a 3s 1300mah lipo, awesome run time and power.

I like my comp rig a bit lighter so I put 3.5 ozs of lead in the front wheels only. Also relocated my battery to the front upper links.

If you need anymore info just drop me a pm and I will be glad to help you out....

Welcome to the world of crawling "thumbsup"

I've got a couple of titans sitting on the shelf, but I doubt if I'll use them. I haven't run a brushed motor in anything in at least 2 years. The titans that I do have came with my RTR slashes and were immediately pulled and replaced with VXL systems.

I've seen a couple of references to the worm gear binding issues. Seems odd that a company like Losi would let something like that slip past their quality control.

About batteries... I have several 3S 2200mah 20C batts that measure 103 X 34 X 22mm that I use with my Blade 400 Heli. Would they fit in the LCC or will I need to get new batteries?

It's going to take me quite a while I'm sure to get up to speed on crawling. I just don't want to make the wrong purchases up front before I do.

 

[88gmchog]

hey fellow okie, losi makes a good comp crawler, you might be able to fit your lipos on the rear axle or maybe front im not to sure. as i run the losi mrc and space is tight in it and my other crawler is a scx10 by axial. you defiantly want to get some weight in the front wheels to hold it down. and for servos i run hitec 645mg in both of mine. enjoy and welcome to the addiction called crawling!

 

[1rcmonster]

Your lipo would be too long, mine measure 74mm in length.

I think the titans you have are 12t, an emaxx is 23t or 21t can't remember right now.

If you plan on running a brushless system I would recommend reading ALOT in the lcc forum..

 

[CaptCrunch]

hey fellow okie, losi makes a good comp crawler, you might be able to fit your lipos on the rear axle or maybe front im not to sure. as i run the losi mrc and space is tight in it and my other crawler is a scx10 by axial. you defiantly want to get some weight in the front wheels to hold it down. and for servos i run hitec 645mg in both of mine. enjoy and welcome to the addiction called crawling!

Is there any way to add weight to the stock wheels that come with the comp crawler? I have seen the aftermarket wheels that you can add weight to.

 

[CaptCrunch]

Your lipo would be too long, mine measure 74mm in length.

I think the titans you have are 12t, an emaxx is 23t or 21t can't remember right now.

If you plan on running a brushless system I would recommend reading ALOT in the lcc forum..

Thanks, will do. I mostly see folks talking about the Novak Goat system. I just want to do this right the first time, and get stuff that will carry me through the learning curve, and still be usable by an experienced crawler.