Mike Flea
I wanna be Dave
The body has character now "thumbsup"
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Raptor Pre-Runner Build
- Thread starter Raptorn
- Start date
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
Driveshaft is right from RC4WD, dimensions are 106-140mm x 5mm. Solid axles are a good decision, just because of how much easier they are. Your build looks great too! "thumbsup"
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
We're getting closer! After a day of hard thinking, all it took to solve the steering problems was to turn my bellcrank inside out.
This is what I was stuck with, there was just no room for the servo side.
After reversing it, the servo arm is inside the cage, and not colliding with the suspension.
Here is the plate I made to hold all of it together.
On a side note, I tried bench testing my electronics. As soon as I plugged the battery in, both wires got really hot, really quick, and this happened to the ESC wires. It melted the wire right off the solder pad. I hope this is caused by a terrible soldering job by the previous owner (bought it used), and not a short inside the ESC. My MMP seems to be okay, it communicated perfectly over Castle Link.
Next up is bumpers and bedcage!
This is what I was stuck with, there was just no room for the servo side.
After reversing it, the servo arm is inside the cage, and not colliding with the suspension.
Here is the plate I made to hold all of it together.
On a side note, I tried bench testing my electronics. As soon as I plugged the battery in, both wires got really hot, really quick, and this happened to the ESC wires. It melted the wire right off the solder pad. I hope this is caused by a terrible soldering job by the previous owner (bought it used), and not a short inside the ESC. My MMP seems to be okay, it communicated perfectly over Castle Link.
Next up is bumpers and bedcage!
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Bmxreeves
Rock Crawler
We're getting closer! After a day of hard thinking, all it took to solve the steering problems was to turn my bellcrank inside out.
This is what I was stuck with, there was just no room for the servo side.
After reversing it, the servo arm is inside the cage, and not colliding with the suspension.
Here is the plate I made to hold all of it together. The setup has more Ackerman than I'd like, but we'll see if that's a problem when it drives.
On a side note, I tried bench testing my electronics. As soon as I plugged the battery in, both wires got really hot, really quick, and this happened to the ESC wires. It melted the wire right off the solder pad. I hope this is caused by a terrible soldering job by the previous owner (bought it used), and not a short inside the ESC. My MMP seems to be okay, it communicated perfectly over Castle Link.
Next up is bumpers and bedcage!
Heck yeah dude! Your using trailing arms on the rear right?
1.9 Ibex tuber
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
Actually no, the shocks go right the the axle. I'd love to run trailing arms, but I don't think I need any more complications now! They could be an improvement down the road, especially because I don't get as much rear travel as I wanted.
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
Okay, steering is done! All the little connecting rod buggers were a pain; after tons of little adjustments I finally achieved the impossible- the tires are straight! (They don't look straight in the photos though)
I also got the ESC issues mostly solved. The used Mamba Max Pro I got from Ebay was pretty darn dead (even after I corrected the sketchy wiring), but Castle's repair service sent me a new one for a really good price!
As always, another stupid problem cropped up. The ESC only turns on (gets power) when the battery connector is held at a specific angle. It loses power if I fully plug the connectors in. Has anyone else had this problem with deans plugs?
THIS IS THE LAST HURDLE (hopefully) BEFORE IT CAN DRIVE! (If you can't tell, I'm a smidgen excited)
I also got the ESC issues mostly solved. The used Mamba Max Pro I got from Ebay was pretty darn dead (even after I corrected the sketchy wiring), but Castle's repair service sent me a new one for a really good price!
As always, another stupid problem cropped up. The ESC only turns on (gets power) when the battery connector is held at a specific angle. It loses power if I fully plug the connectors in. Has anyone else had this problem with deans plugs?
THIS IS THE LAST HURDLE (hopefully) BEFORE IT CAN DRIVE! (If you can't tell, I'm a smidgen excited)
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Have you tried to sand the male lugs that go into the female
And remove the silver coating so the brass is exposed
Cause I bought some Deans connectors in bulk on Ebay
But turned out to be Chinese Knock offs
And had to sand the lugs to get good contact
Good thing I only used 1 or 2 male/female sets
And found the problem early and not out on the trail
I bought different Deans connectors and replaced the knock offs
And remove the silver coating so the brass is exposed
Cause I bought some Deans connectors in bulk on Ebay
But turned out to be Chinese Knock offs
And had to sand the lugs to get good contact
Good thing I only used 1 or 2 male/female sets
And found the problem early and not out on the trail
I bought different Deans connectors and replaced the knock offs
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Raptorn
Rock Stacker
Thanks for the idea, but sanding didn't work. After unsoldering the Deans from the battery, it turns out that the connector that came on it is defective (not continuous with a multimeter). I have now learned not to buy cheap batteries.
I couldn't fix the connector today because I bought too small of shrink wrap. :x I'll be running tomorrow though! :mrgreen:
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
It lives!
https://youtu.be/4mvrzyMKWzE
The front suspension is still too soft, the turning radius is about 25 feet wide, and it has gobs of body roll, but whatever. Could not be happier now!
https://youtu.be/4mvrzyMKWzE
The front suspension is still too soft, the turning radius is about 25 feet wide, and it has gobs of body roll, but whatever. Could not be happier now!
Bmxreeves
Rock Crawler
Looks good! Can you get a vid for whoops?
1.9 Ibex tuber
1.9 Ibex tuber
Mike Flea
I wanna be Dave
It lives!
https://youtu.be/4mvrzyMKWzE
The front suspension is still too soft, the turning radius is about 25 feet wide, and it has gobs of body roll, but whatever. Could not be happier now!
Looked tighter than 25 ft right there!"thumbsup"
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
I have some more video, but it might be a while before I can edit and post it.
It sure is tighter when I drive sideways! :mrgreen:
Super happy with the truck, despite its flaws (mainly the steering, it's terrible). I ran it today until the motor got too hot- but I think that's just a throttle position issue!
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
Well its been a while (would post the running video aforementioned, but my brother accidentally deleted it :evil
. It wasn't that fast anyway...Too hot is for sure- that motor is absolutely fried. I turned the innards into magnetic dust with just one finger and a few to many electrons. I can't find any pictures of the dissection, but it was crispy.
It sucked to break the truck that bad after like 1/2 an hour of running, but I'm healing well and on my way to a full recovery. Funny story, the truck is too. A total rethink ensued, and V2 should be WAY better.
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
Actually just found photos of the dissection. WARNING: Major Carnage!
Artillery shell casing. 1945, Colorized.
What are the silver dots, you ask? The short in the motor was so bad it unsoldered its own connector.
Artillery shell casing. 1945, Colorized.
What are the silver dots, you ask? The short in the motor was so bad it unsoldered its own connector.
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Mike Flea
I wanna be Dave
Ouch! 
, super melt
, super meltRaptorn
Rock Stacker
Well now I have go back on myself again..
I found the videos from the one and only run this pile could muster. "thumbsup" At least it looks really cool in the thumbnail...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vZGv5fH3ogU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I found the videos from the one and only run this pile could muster. "thumbsup" At least it looks really cool in the thumbnail...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vZGv5fH3ogU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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67mustang
Quarry Creeper
Looks great. The tires have good action and it looks like the steering geometry and the bellcrank make it steer pretty good. Looks like you need some stiffer front springs? Is this top speed? What are the near-future plans?
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
Thanks! It does need stiffer springs, but those were the stiffest in the shock tuning kit I had. That was petal to the metal basically the entire time.
I'm currently trying to decide on a new motor. I'm thinking about a high kv motor on 3s, with a bunch of gearing. I want speed over torque down low.
Raptorn
Rock Stacker
Time to get going again!
I debated improving the existing chassis, but since every part needed improving, it ended up as a new chassis.
The Layout:
The Build:
I also got a few new tools to play with, Type 2 CAD license generously provided by Honey Nut Cheerios;
And a cheap little bender. Shout out to repeatable bends! This little thing was the only reason that chassis came out looking good.
I debated improving the existing chassis, but since every part needed improving, it ended up as a new chassis.
The Layout:
The Build:
I also got a few new tools to play with, Type 2 CAD license generously provided by Honey Nut Cheerios;
And a cheap little bender. Shout out to repeatable bends! This little thing was the only reason that chassis came out looking good.
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