RE: Post your favorite quotes
There are no stupid questions, there are, however, a LOT if inquisitive idiots...
Posted on: 5/31/2012 4:21 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11101694

RE: Post your favorite quotes
There's no dumbass vaccine - Jimmy Buffett Beat to fit, paint to match - my Dad, usually while frustrated building something. Hold my beer, watch this - too many youtube videos to count There are two possabilities; Either we are not alone in the universe, or we are. Both are terrifying Probably my favorite one though is the Arthur C Clark quote in my signature.
Posted on: 5/25/2012 7:41 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11094916

RE: Car Trouble
Have you checked for spark? Low fuel pressure will cause all kinds of running problems but should not keep it from starting. Have you checked all of the fuses under the hood? If you truly think it's a fuel delevery issue you might try putting a small amount of fuel directly into the throttle body. If it tries to fire then you may be on to something. If not, have you checked for spark? Other things I can think of that may cause crank but no start would be Cam and/or crank sensor but those things stop the spark... Maybe TPS, ASD relay also. Have you tried reading for any stored codes?
Posted on: 5/20/2012 6:37 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11088208

RE: 97 Cougar 4.6 V-8 question
I am guessing there was no check engine light? I'm not sure how that engine is set up but if it has a distributer cap I'd check that for burned contacts, loose plug wires, etc. If it has coil packs then a quick visual of those for excess dirt build-up, loose wiries good grounds, etc. Also, look for plug wires that may be rubbing on metal. Check that all plug wires are tight at both ends. Other things that occur to be would be; Maybe a piece of trash made it to an injector. Loose wiring to the computer Low fuel pressure Since it appears to be intermittant and clears itself up it may be a PITA to find untill it starts doing it more regularly. Also, maybe hook up a code reader with real time readouts and watch it when/if it does it again.
Posted on: 5/18/2012 7:21 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11085638

OBD code reader?
Ok, for the last few years I've been fortunate enough to be able to borrow/use a code reader when I needed one. But now, for various reasons, it's time to buy my own. The ones I've borrowed range from very simple readers up to the Snap-On reader - which I cannot afford or justify buying. My budget looks to be about $250 tops but I'd rather come in under that. My list of "must haves" for the reader include the ability to read engine, transmission and ABS codes. It should also be updatable. OBDI would be nice but I won't give up ABS for it. Wanting the ABS capability seems to drastically limit the the number of possable reader pool but it also gives many other nice features that non ABS units don't always have. I do not want any gimmiky bluetooth or computer based software, I want a good, seperate, handheld tool. Anyway, my short list right now is: Actron CO9580 - approx $150-$160 Equus Inova 3160b - approx $200 So, anyone with experience with these units or suggestions on something else? Thanks in advance for your input Dave
Posted on: 5/18/2012 7:11 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11085624

RE: Is it possible to run 4 motors in a car
Failures can be every bit as enlightening as successes. Not as satisfying but hopefully every failure teaches you something. Just look at WD 40, it's very name tells of 39 failures...
Posted on: 5/12/2012 4:49 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11078393

RE: Is it possible to run 4 motors in a car
Having a go at you?? Not so much really. It's just that your posts sounded so down on the OP and his ideas and I just think that the whole wasted time thing is so subjective... There are just so many things we have today because someone said "What if" and then tried to do it... All while someone else said "What a waste of time". I just don't understand how anyone in the hobby can call any part of it a waste of time when, for the most part, the world considers the whole hobby just a bunch of toys and a waste of an adults time, kind of a pot & kettle thing really... Personally, I don't think I'd use any gear boxes. I'd go straight to the wheels with the motor shaft. I'm not an engineer but I don't see the usefullness of a 1:1 gear box in this application. And losing any gear boxes/diffs should be about a wash on weight. Advantages? Well, off the top of my head, I'd think that independantly controled wheels would promote greater traction and control in turns, especially if a programable controler was used. Maybe even just a more sophisticated radio system with multiple channels and mixing would work. It should also be possable to either compensate for or fine tune suspension weaknesses for individual tracks. For rock crawling I could see where it would be a big advantage to be able to apply controled power to a single, or multiple wheels.
Posted on: 5/12/2012 10:26 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11078078

RE: Is it possible to run 4 motors in a car
[quote]ORIGINAL: phmaximus Everything is possibel but sounds like a bit of a wast of time... To what advantage would it have appart from a increase in weight [/quote] Much of what is done for fun and for research is, on one hand, a tremendous waste of time and on the other hand extremely necessary. This is after all a hobby and if this project has captured the OP's imagination and he is having fun with it then who are we to say it's wasted time. And just because you don't see an advantage to the project does not mean there are not advantages. Personally I can see applications where independantly powered wheels would prove a distinct advantage. And if they could be coupled to a programable controler the advantages multiply rapidly. And, really, weight gain will not be all that much if done right.
Posted on: 5/11/2012 7:49 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11076888

RE: Another Innovative Suspension Design
That suspension is interesting. I could see if it were on production cars that it may help keep tire wear more even. On the subject of missed oppertunities... Who here is old enough to remember the first Atari game system, the first one with interchangable cartridges? When I first saw that I thought "Now why couldn't we put music on something like that?" No more tape jams (this was the era of 8 track tapes, before even cassette tapes became popular), no more scratches on records (the vinyl kind), small and easy to store, easy to transport, etc, etc, etc... I still wonder why I didn't patent the idea. Heck, my Dad owned a couple patents so it's not like he wouldn't have helped me with the process. Believe it or not I still think "Dumbass" everytime I play an I-Pod or any kind of digital music. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Thanks for reminding me about this...
Posted on: 5/4/2012 8:44 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11068207

RE: How to remove the engine from a Volkswagen...
Wow, I didn't really expect that either and I'm kinda surprised how completely it destroyed the front end... On a related note, back in the day I owned a '72 Beatle. I could literally go from running to the engine on the ground in 18 minutes. Putting it back didn't take much longer, 30-35 minutes or so unless I had trouble lining up the throw out bearing.
Posted on: 4/30/2012 9:54 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11062630

RE: Things you've found...
I was a contractor for 15 years. Our main clients were realtors that handled forclosed properties. Among many other things we cleaned the properties for them. You'ld be hard pressed to name something I have NOT found. In fact, one of the hardest things about the clean-outs were keeping the cleaning crew cleaning and not scavagining for goodies. I do have to say though that every "find" was not a good one.
Posted on: 4/5/2012 7:58 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11029254

RE: This happens when a GY6 moped engine sucks a valve at 50mph
That looks a lot like the VW Bug engine I had that ate a valve many years ago. I still have the valve head somewhere - it was pretty firmly imbedded in the piston. I kept it to remind me exactly what the consiquences of misadjusted valves were. And, yes, I had adjusted them myself the day before... Apparently very poorly
Posted on: 4/4/2012 3:33 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11028446

RE: Faulty starter solenoid??
I know it can be just the solinoid but my experience (40+ years of fixing my own vehicles) leads me to just replace the entire thing the first time around. I have found that the cost is not all that much greater and I know that I've got a working system - barring getting a bad part that is...
Posted on: 4/3/2012 4:13 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11027161

RE: battery adapter
Do NOT try to use an adapter! Do as the guys above have suggested and change out the ends as needed so the batterys, charger and vehicle will all work togeather. If you try to use and adapter you will have an inferior connector (the Tamyia one) and be adding extra resistance to a high current circuit. That is something you really, really want to avoid! The actual plug you use makes very little difference as long as it is for high current applications. Personally, I use Deans plugs because, when I changed everything over, they were the best out there. Now you have other choices like the Traxxas ones. My only reccomendation is to use a plug that is easy to get so that future batterys and accessories can be made to fit the other stuff you have. One last thing. If you cannot solder then it's probably a good idea to learn. It's a skill that will come in handy for more than just swapping plugs.
Posted on: 3/28/2012 4:39 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11019108

RE: Servo Horn Adapters
Well, you might be able to make the wheel work. It's a bit hard to tell from the pics but the offset (center of wheel to center of hole used) looks close to the same. If it's pretty close then try the wheel. If not then, yeah, as proanti said, pick up a set of airtronics horns.
Posted on: 3/11/2012 6:23 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10996117

RE: Servo Horn Adapters
Are you trying to use the horn that came with the car, the one that was on the stock servo? If so, that may not be possible. If the stock one is not fitting then I'd use one of the ones that come with the servo and adapt it to fit the situation. I believe that the new servo comes with a wheel and a 6 arm horn?? I'd think that the 6 arm one could be adapted to fit. Maybe post photos of what's in the car and the new horns and we can give suggestions.
Posted on: 3/11/2012 1:04 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10995659

RE: Solar flares, magnetic fields and a broom
I've been able to make one broom stand up. It was a metal handle, plastic bristle broom with a straight bottom. A similar brooom but with angled bristles almost stood up but would not quite make it. The third, an older straw bristle, wooden handle broom that would not even consider standing at all. So, from this I am concluding that the whole standing thing is more a function of the broom bristle style/material/cut than a cosmic phenomenon. I will repeat the whole three tests again in a month or so...
Posted on: 3/11/2012 9:51 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10995432

RE: Servo Horn Adapters
[quote]ORIGINAL: proanti1 That servo horn kit should work, they include adapters for all the major brands. JR/Spektrum/Airtronics - 23 splines Hitec - 24 splines Futaba - 25 splines [/quote] I agree, I've never seen one that could not at least be adapted. Sometimes I've had to trim a horn/adapter to fit a particular application though. Have you tried calling the Airtronics and asking them which one to use or how to make it work in your vehicle?
Posted on: 3/11/2012 9:30 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10995406

RE: New color for plastic
[quote]ORIGINAL: Clmbngfrk18 [quote]ORIGINAL: cumminspower5.9 [quote]ORIGINAL: Clmbngfrk18 You could always use plastic paint i believe they sell it at walmart its supposed to bond to the plastic not sure how well it works though its called krylon fusion [/quote]  I thought about that. the paint works quite well on plastic, but when the truck flips and scrapes the bumper or other parts, there goes the paint probably. unless you throw several coats on. And im sure if the plastic were to flex from something, the paint would crack and start to peel. [/quote] According to ther site its chip resistant but after a week i remember from a commercial when it came out its supposed to bond to the plastic not just stick to the surface i got a spare bumper i think ill give it a go and after a week crash it into a few hard objects see how it holds up http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/ [/quote] I used that stuff a few years ago on a SeaDoo. Painted a plastic cowling with it. Followed the instructions for prep and drying exactly. It did not hold up well even though the cowling was not a "high traffic" area. I cannot imagine that it would do well at all on the plastic used in rc's. Maybe they have improved the formula since then, IDK, I was so disapointed in it that I have not bought it since.
Posted on: 3/8/2012 5:37 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10992137

RE: If not here where?
[quote]ORIGINAL: JohnP2 I've mentioned it before, but I am in IT and I can assure you that if our web-site has ANY sort of a glitch all sorts of bells and whistles (alerts) are fired and if it is not rectified immediately, we are in a ''war room'' until we figure out the problem and ensure it does not happen again. [/quote] The difference there being that your work web site is a source of, well, work. Meaning that it is a buisness that is meant to bring in buisness, revinue and service paying customers. RCU is not a buisness as such. It's a site that is put up by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. I seriously doubt that much, if any, profit is realized by the owners. Still, it would be nice if the site were a bit more stable...
Posted on: 3/5/2012 8:01 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10987320

RE: What is the definition of a roller?
[quote]ORIGINAL: Shabbernigdo IMO  a roller is a vehicle with everyting nessary to run it minus the electronics.    motor / esc / reciver / transmitter / battery    [/quote] That would be my definition as well. It also seems to be very close to what manufacturers sell when you buy a new roller or kit. However, it is always a good idea to be sure that the definition you use matches the definition that the seller is operating under. I have seen "rollers" advertised that are not much more than just a chassis up to including everything exceptt he electronics or motor. [quote]ORIGINAL: Shabbernigdo for nitro just replace motor with engine. [/quote] That part is mearly semantics. If you look up motor and engine in Mirriams you will find very little difference in the definitions. Both are devices that convert energy into movement. I will grant that a sub-definition of engine says that it is usually used when a device uses fuel as the energy source. But no matter, I refuse to call my Harley an "enginecycle"... It's a motorcycle all day long![:)]
Posted on: 3/5/2012 7:35 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10987268

RE: Engine break in (Follow Manufactures direction) or (Heat Cycle IT)?
[quote]ORIGINAL: silverman1 I've seen and heard about many nitro engine break in methods but what do you feel based on your expereinces really is ultimately the best. I would think the the manufacture of the engine would know the best, rather than some people that feel they are nitro engine gurus . what has worked best for you? [/quote] EVERY break-in method is some form of heat cycleing, period. The important thing is that the engine gets a break-in period. Whether that is a factory reccomended method or some other form is really, really subjective. If you want to be able to tell a manufacturer, with a clear concenious, that you followed their break-in if you have a problem then do the reccomended break-in. Personally, I use a form of the heat cycle method that I have put togeather from the many, many different ones out there that gets me up and running pretty quickly while still giving the engine a good break-in. In the 47 years I've been in this hobby I've never had an engine fail from a lack of, or poor, break-in, and I have a couple of engines that are 25 years old that still run strong...
Posted on: 3/2/2012 8:23 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10983820

RE: Who stole the GPS?
Well, it is off topic... Way off
Posted on: 2/28/2012 8:32 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10979939

RE: Accidentally ran drill-roto backwards for a few turns...
[quote]ORIGINAL: 1ne8ighty2wo Okay thank you. That's what I was thinking, but the posts I saw seemed fatalistic. [/quote] Yeah, there's lots of mis info and people in the hobby for three days that think they are experts out there. pronati1 and shark gave you good information.
Posted on: 2/28/2012 6:09 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10979754

RE: HEELLPP
If you're running the stock 540 motor and the new motor is a brushless motor then yes, you would have to get a new esc as well.
Posted on: 2/27/2012 5:03 AM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10977921

RE: DURATRAX Kwik-Pit Super Start Switch Gone "SUCKS"
Glad you found the part. But, if it's the same part how likely is it to last? What I'd do is to cut a piece of plastic or metal to fit the existing switch opening and mount a good quality momentary on push button switch in it.
Posted on: 2/26/2012 4:18 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10977185

RE: Tell me there is another way! Garage Door Lost Power!
A lot depends on how the opener is attached to the door and the door itself. There are usually 2 or 3 bolts that hold the lift bar to the top of the door and they usually go through the top of the door. Drill or cut the heads off of those, drive them out and you can lift the door. By the same token, you could do the same thing to the hing and roller bolts, remove a whole panel and go in that way. Also, if it is a wooden door then the individual panels of the door may be able to be removed/cut out and replaced later. If the overhead door is your only access in then I'd reccomend that you cut the plug off and hard wire the power. Of course that still leaves you vulnerable to a power failure/outage/blown fuse or circuit breaker.
Posted on: 2/24/2012 9:39 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10974754

RE: Dynamite 19 vs Traxxas' 3.3
[quote]ORIGINAL: On2_n_On4 and I didn't have a temp gauge back in the 80's [:D] [/quote] I've been running nitro engines since about 1965. Temp guns didn't start showing up untill the late 90's. I've got a Kyosho nitro Corvette that I bought in the late 70's/early 80's that still runs strong when I take it for the occasional run. It has never seen a temp gun and has several gallons through it. I cannot comment on the two engines in question as I don't have either. But I have a couple 2.5's and have a dynamite engine in a boat and both brands have given me satisfactory performance Though I doubt the OP will see any of this as he got his panties in a twist and says he's left for good...
Posted on: 2/22/2012 6:50 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10971470

RE: Home audio question
[quote]ORIGINAL: proanti1 Oh, my bad. I guess you're SOL then, unless you want to buy an [link=http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Optical-Analog-Converter-Adapter/dp/B005DIRI6I/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_2]optical adapter[/link], which is not going to be even close to true 5.1. Buy a better TV. [/quote] The system he was given only has RCA inputs. How high tech would it have been anyway??? At least with a converter he'll be able to use it...
Posted on: 2/22/2012 5:35 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10971371

RE: nitro fuel brake in
I never preheated any of mine. If you want to preheat then a heat gun or even a hair dryer will do it. I also don't do a full tank at idle. I really don't idle much at all, pretty much get the engine running and throw it on the ground and start running gently, getting it up to temp and running for a few minutes then cooling completely at BDC. Repeating this several times and gradually tuning the engine as the process goes along. I'll do this for about 3 tanks. By the time I'm near the end of the process the tune is decent and just needs some fine tuning to be run ready. After rereading that method it looks like a combination of the sit & idle method and a heat cycle process. Once again, if you are in any doubt at all, do what the engine maker says. If you're that new to nitro the method you use won't really matter that much as long as you do break it in. Once you're more experienced with nitro engines, how they tune and perform you'll be better able to tell what you want and develope your own "style", so to speak...
Posted on: 2/21/2012 8:12 PM by Author "DaveG55" in the forum "RC Car General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10970120