RE: tony hawk rc
Yeah, you should use some anti-wear grease (Tamiya makes some great stuff) or silicone spray (I prefer Liquid Wrench) on the bearings, rods, and bushings. This will keep anything plastic from rubbing down. Increasing voltage creates more torque in the drive train without having to perform a messy gearing operation. The Blue Streak Monster Truck I have wouldn't even cut it through the grass when I ran it on the stock power. Now, I have it doing wheel stands and it jumps curbs as well. Just a little gusto in the electrical department does a world of good. The biggest problem these toy manufacturers haven't figured out is that when you place a load/run the motors, there is a pretty significant drop in the voltage as the batteries are under stress from throwing out the amps needed to turn the motors. By increasing the voltage, you offset this drop and allow the motors to pull more efficeintly. The motors will never pull any more amps than what they are rated for, so unless you push this thing up against something and keep hammering the throttle to overheat the motors, you should never blow up the ESC board as there is usually a bunch of fuses or bleeder capacitors in there to prevent this from happening. Bottom line, unless you abuse the product, you shouldn't have any issues bumping up the voltage by 2.4V.
Posted on: 6/22/2009 4:15 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8871949

RE: tony hawk rc
You should be able to overvolt to 9.6V from 7.2 with no issues. I wouldn't cover the holes unless you make new ones to vent the heat. If you get mung from the bottom, see if you can put some in the top.
Posted on: 6/20/2009 4:04 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8867344

RE: 1:10
Well folks, Patto has now placed me in his gallery. This thread is now linked on his site. You should check out the other builds he has listed. You can touch your creative side a bit. http://www.pattosplace.com/gallery.html
Posted on: 6/15/2009 6:56 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8854603

RE: 1:10
I might just do that tonight, Nat. Depends on if my friend who helps me out with the videos is feeling ok. He's been coughing non-stop for over a week. I hope he doesn't have the Swine Flu, but then again, I hope no one catches that stuff. It's pretty nasty.
Posted on: 6/14/2009 12:39 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8850995

RE: General New Bright Chat
I'm sure you'll come back stronger after this, Nat. Don't let an ass keep you down. Keep your chin up. I'm sure there's a lesson learned in this. It's just a rough way to learn it.
Posted on: 6/13/2009 3:56 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8849332

RE: 1:10
Ok ladies and gents, I could not have completed this Aflac project if it wasn't for a very special person who got the ball rolling for me. Patto, who is in Australia, is the person who provided me with the great looking decals. I am deeply endebted to this person. For, it is the decals which make the Carl Edwards #99 Aflac Ford Fusion Monster Car what it is. There was no possible way I could have created all of those sponsorship logos with such attention to detail. Patto even modified some of the decals which I found to be out of whack or missing in the original sheet. There was no way I could end this project without giving Patto major kudos for all the help the PattosPlace.com website provided to me. Even if you aren't looking for decals for your rigs, check this site out. There are numerous tips, suggestions, and recommendations you all might find interesting and easy to apply to your own projects. Everything from painting, to decal application, to other builds using Patto's Place decals are included. I HIGHLY RECOMMMEND THIS PERSON!!! So, to honor Patto, I provide the finishing touch video and pics... the Aflac Monster Car being manufactured back together after the parts modifications have been completed: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOntCEOPI-I[/youtube] [IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd205/KE4QPF/Aflac%20Truck/99AflacMonsterCarandController.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd205/KE4QPF/Aflac%20Truck/99AflacMonsterCarwithAflacDuckdrivi.jpg[/IMG]
Posted on: 6/13/2009 3:45 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8849325

RE: General New Bright Chat
Sorry to hear about your loss, Nat. I hope the Bobbies catch the moron who ran off with your stuff. It's probably in a pawn shop now. :(
Posted on: 6/12/2009 9:27 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8847865

RE: new modification
Still looks awesome. You might want to think about the hardware store shocks I made out of some eye hooks, long bolts, progressive rate springs, wing nuts, and caps.
Posted on: 6/8/2009 10:46 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8837046

RE: General New Bright Chat
Welcome, Mr. Toast.
Posted on: 6/8/2009 10:45 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8837040

RE: The BANDITO
Very impressive work. I'll stay tuned for sure!
Posted on: 6/8/2009 10:44 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8837036

RE: air hogs
I'm wondering if coating the tail with plastic epoxy would make it more resilient???
Posted on: 6/8/2009 10:40 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8837020

RE: i need more
Me either... I don't think you'll have enough force to turn a magneto. If you need help in modding the battery specs on a New Bright, check out the first few pages of my Monster Car/Monster Truck posting.
Posted on: 6/8/2009 10:39 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8837013

RE: i need more
[quote]ORIGINAL: rcToyotaman like a 18V battery ? [/quote] You can only go 2 cells higher than the original... 7.2VDC to 9.6VDC 9.6VDC to 12VDC Otherwise, you'll fry your ESC and nothing will work. This gives the motor extra juice as a motor will drop voltage across a battery like a rock. By supplying the motor with extra voltage, it will offset the drop and allow the motor to work at its peak level constantly. For example, when you gun the throttle, the ampherage load placed on a 9.6VDC battery will drop the voltage being supplied by the battery down to between 7-8VDC. By upping the voltage to 12.0VDC, that loss will be offset, thereby taking the 12.0VDC battery and having it output between 9-10VDC the motor should really be running at. Remember, on your car you have an alternator to return current to the battery so you don't see a voltage drop when it's running... voltage drops only when the car is being started, thus your Cold Cranking Amp rating on the battery. These units do not have alternators to return a flow to the battery, so the batteries are in a constant state of drainage.
Posted on: 6/7/2009 1:00 AM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8831782

RE: 1:10
Hey gang, there's a new ducky commercial out there. He went Back to the Barnyard to talk to his friends. They all know the insurance, but don't know the name. This is funny. Click on the pic and follow from there. [url=http://aflac.com/us/en/content/farm_takeover_0.swf][IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd205/KE4QPF/Aflac%20Truck/e99aadcd.jpg[/IMG][/url]
Posted on: 6/6/2009 12:24 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8830328

RE: 1:10 New Bright Land Rover Mods
The other way to do it is to manufacture body posts from Clevis pins... http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8622984/mpage_17/key_/tm.htm# See Post #409
Posted on: 6/5/2009 7:42 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8828812

RE: new modification
Just can't help but wonder why you put in the effort for the support rods, but no oil shocks.
Posted on: 6/5/2009 7:35 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8828803

RE: i need more
Have you tried overvolting the motors by replacing your battery with one of a higher voltage?
Posted on: 6/5/2009 7:33 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8828797

RE: 1:10
The only change to the tires was painting the rims. They were chrome and the real ones are black with a blue pin stripe. That was one of the last paint jobs. I really don't want to mess with ESCs and motors or changing out the tires as the car does everything I want it to. I am contemplating switching out the plastic oil shocks for the metal ones Duratrax shipped me as replacements. After that, I have to do a photo shoot and send the pics and videos to the guy in Australia who made up the custom decals. As of right now, I've been covered in junk piling up in the house from the two builds and have been actiely trying to clean up before my wife has a heart attack. I've never really needed a stronger motor than the stock 280s because it's extremely flat down here in South Florida. The worst thing a car/truck would have to plow through is the St. Augustine grass. [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Staugustinegrass.JPG/800px-Staugustinegrass.JPG[/img] I am anxiously awaiting the next inspiration. My biggest problem right now is the long hours I work. It's great being able to go into the office late, but that means I get out of the office even later. I'm still dealing with bills and insurance issues after the wreck I had in February. Once I get the house back in order, I'll start going wild on the RCs again.
Posted on: 6/2/2009 4:35 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8815981

RE: New Bright 1:5 Scale Max Electric R/C Mega Buggy
This thing has a nice 280 motor in it. It has been known to break susupension pieces due to the poor spring shocks. I haven't seen one modded yet to oil shocks, but I have the Monster Truck version of this and found upgrading the batteries and suspension sure to go a long way. Check those posts I placed in this post previously. You'll find all the positives and negatives.
Posted on: 5/28/2009 7:11 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8807037

RE: 1:10
If I put a sub in this thing, I think the shell would pop off. :)
Posted on: 5/26/2009 10:03 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8801290

RE: 1:10
[quote]ORIGINAL: texx KE4QPF .. The work you have accomplished on AFLAC / CAR is exceptional [/quote] You can bet I'll be at Carl's feet to have him give this an autograph when they finish the season here at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November, unless he comes to town sooner.
Posted on: 5/26/2009 12:34 AM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8798690

RE: 1:10
Thanks, guys. Now it's going to be back to the Blue Streak for more upgrades.
Posted on: 5/26/2009 12:30 AM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8798686

RE: ((BIG-CRAWLER)) NEWBRIGHT JEEP 1/6 MODS (LOULOU-TEXX)
I wish I could get easy access to some of those, but I think my RadioShack connectors will suffice. Good work, texx. As always, you seem to figure out the complicated and make it easy.
Posted on: 5/25/2009 2:51 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8797202

RE: 1:10
Finally, the build is complete. Now the Duck can JAM OUT! [url=http://s223.photobucket.com/albums/dd205/KE4QPF/Aflac%20Truck/?action=view&current=d47da072.flv][img]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd205/KE4QPF/Aflac%20Truck/th_d47da072.jpg[/img][/url] I thought this was hysterical! Have a good Memorial Day, everyone.
Posted on: 5/25/2009 2:05 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8797096

RE: 1:10
OK guys, I finally found what I really needed after consulting another RadioShack store with better help behind the counter. Granted, this is a one-stage amp that only produces mono sound, it's good enough for this job as the speakers are so close together, they'd cause a phase cancellation if I went with pure stereo. This was US$14 cheaper than the "Boostaroo", and provides boatloads of amplification. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062620 [img]http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2160530w345.jpg[/img] I pulled the guts of the internal speaker out as I wouldn't be using it. It's a 7W monster that would have weighed down on the car and not have done much else as I already have lighter speakers going in. I then put everything back together nicely, and put it in front of the car seats betwen the body posts. It is held in place with some RadioShack/3M SuperLock strips ( http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103345 ) that are much better than Velcro. I mounted the MP3 player on the front of the amp using the same strips. Now I need to make a custom mono 1/8" plug to 1/8" plug cable to send signal from the MP3 player into the input of the amp. This will eliminate any extra cable dragging around. The speakers required a tiny mod as they were hooked up stereo originally. To make them mono, I soldered a piece of wire between the tip and the center ring conductors on that big honking 1/8" gold plated plug shown in the pic above. Wallah! Instant mono plug without having to pay for one. These speakers, albeit one Watters, are REALLY LOUD NOW!!!! :)
Posted on: 5/25/2009 1:29 AM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8796021

RE: 1:10
Those speakers above, although they claim to run on a 6VDC adapter, actually run on 9VAC.  Not good for battery powered mods.  I also tried the "Boostaroo" headphone amp from RadioShack, but it acted more as a load balancer for plugging in 3 headphones to one device, rather than an amplifier.  So, I decided I'd just up the amplification of the .MP3 files using the WavePad Sound Editor software on my computer which will amplify up to 4x over the original.  I now have the tracks red lining on the volume meters of the computer, so I hope this will be good for making things loud into the speakers.  I'm still working on the playlist.
Posted on: 5/25/2009 1:23 AM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8793914

RE: 1:10
Thanks for the well wishes, texx. I think I might have stumbled upon something that might work at the good ol' CompUSA store... Cyber Acoustics CA-2014 2-PC Desktop Speakers http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=495615&Sku=C375-2014 [img]http://images.compusa.com/skuimages/large/c375-2014-main2.jpg[/img] They're nice and cheap at US$12.96, so I won't cry to hard if things don't go as planned. Detailed Features: Specifications Drivers: 1.5" x 3" high efficiency drivers Power Output: 3 watts Connectors: 3.5mm stereo plug Drivers: 4 ohm drivers Power Adapter: 6 volt AC/DC included Dimensions: (H) 8.5" x (W) 3.25" x (D) 4.5" Features Stereo speaker system Cloth grill Magnetically shielded Bass ported Headphone output jack Power On/Off LED power indicator Volume control Is this what you guys had in mind? It doesn't look like it would be too much to yank the amp out of the things. I'd just have to cut off the cloth grill, undo the screws, and cut the needless cables to the speakers as mine will plug into the headphone jack.
Posted on: 5/22/2009 10:37 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8791407

RE: 1:10
Well, I went rummaging for a pair of computer speakers to steal the amp out of, but found the majority of the "El Cheapo" models run off of USB power (I've had issues converting this over in previous projects due to circuit detection), or stepped down AC current. None seemed to have a DC wall wart with them. I guess it's off to looking for a cheap headphone amp before Aflac can rock out.
Posted on: 5/22/2009 9:06 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8791200

RE: ((BIG-CRAWLER)) NEWBRIGHT JEEP 1/6 MODS (LOULOU-TEXX)
Nice work, texx. Those poor Ritz crackers. I feel bad for them. [:o]
Posted on: 5/22/2009 2:15 PM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8790356

RE: ((BIG-CRAWLER)) NEWBRIGHT JEEP 1/6 MODS (LOULOU-TEXX)
Permatex has always made top of the line make-a-gasket sealing compounds. You'll find that product to be very durable and last a very long time. The only issues I've ever had with the stuff is that once you get it on something, it's a royal pain to get it off... then, once you start peeling it back, you're in an all-or-nothing type situation as you've broken the seal and this stuff will not seal to itself very well.
Posted on: 5/20/2009 11:10 AM by Author "KE4QPF" in the forum "Toy-Grade RC Products"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8784433