BenCode

Tamiya DF-02 Lipo and Gyro

ben — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:12:01 +0000

We added a few more toys to our new toy. Our Brushless Tamiya DF-02 Plasma Edge is now equipped with:

Exceed RC Drift Pro GD-4 RC Car Drifting Gyro
GENS ACE 4000mah 2S1P 7.4V 30C Hard Case Lipo Battery ROAR Approved

From RC Car 2012

To charge the new battery we also got:

Thunder AC680 Professional Dual-Power LiPo Balance Charger/Discharger w/ AC Adapter for 1-6 Lipo/1-15 Nimh + USB to PC Software
Li-Po GUARD 25x33cm Safety Battery Charging/Storing Bag

After figuring out how and where to install the steering gyro, I also had to custom fabricate a battery strap for the larger and differently shaped 2S lipo battery. I used some straps from an old camelbak bag and some washers. It holds very tight and also works with the 6-cell nimhs.

At this point I better explain what a steering gyro does. It senses side to side motion, and attempts to correct when that motion is not inline with the desired steering direction. At high speed it can keep the car going straight even if it hits bumps or sand or other obstructions. When turning, if the whole car slips (drifting) it can help maintain the desired turn amount. Because it is in the car it can account for “feeling” that you just can’t get from watching the car from a distance. Plus it’s a techie gadget and gadgets are cool for nerds like me! However, they are completely outlawed from racing and poo-poo’d by serious “drifters.”

My first run with the gyro was a little strange. The default setting was too sensitive, and it would over-adjust at high speed. The car would go in a straight line, but the steering was wobbling extreme left to right as it kept trying to adjust from its own adjustments. I turned the sensitivity down and now it seems to be behaving very well. I can send it across a grassy lumpy field and it holds a perfect straight line.

As for the power of lipo… after a few test runs I turned up the ESC’s punch setting. Acceleration was amazing for about 5 minutes, then the motor and 16 tooth pinion ripped the spur gear apart. I ordered a replacement spur gear (stock 70 tooth, actually ordered three to be safe), and have now re-assembled with the stock 19 tooth. This higher gear ratio should have less acceleration but higher top speed – and hopefully less tendency to blow up the transmission. I also decreased the ESC punch again until I can control myself a little better.

I’d like to get a radar or gps reading on the speed, but my calculations, based on gear ratios, battery output and motor capacity have it topping out at 35 mph. I don’t know how some of these guys can drive 60mph (or 100mph in the Traxxas XO-1). I’m guessing most of those speed runs are only done once before the car hits a curb and is obliterated.

Introducing: Tamiya Plasma Edge DF-02 Brushless

ben — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:49:54 +0000

I recently got a new battery and fixed up the radio-controlled car I built 18 years ago (a Tamiya Toyota Hilux/Nissan King Cab – 58086). My kids enjoyed watching me drive it up and down the street and around a parking lot. I gave them a few pointers and they started to learn to drive it. I did some research about new cars, and I was amazed at how much the technology has changed. My son and I decided to start a new project.

The majority of RC cars now seems to be sold as “ready to run” (RTR) rather than “build from a kit.” We were on the brink of buying a RTR Traxxas Stampede VXL 4×4, but we really had our hearts set on building. So, after about a month of research, design, various orders, shipping and finally assembly and customization, we now have our very own RC monster buggy.

(Photos: Picasa RC Car 2012)

(Video: YouTube Maiden Voyage New Tamiya Brushless DF-02 Plasma Edge)

The kit started as a Tamiya Plasma Edge, one of the three models Tamiya sells on their DF-02 chassis – all identical except for bodies and paint schemes. That didn’t matter to us because we weren’t going to follow their schemes anyway.

At a bare minimum we needed a new radio system and steering servo:

Flysky FS-GT3B Digital 3ch 2.4ghz TX & RX LCD Transmitter & Receiver
Futaba S3004 Standard Ball Bearing Servo

We replaced the stock electronic speed control (ESC) and motor that came with the kit with:

EZRUN Brushless System Combo B5 w/ 60A ESC and 8.5T@4000KV 3650-Size Brushless Motor

Upgraded the wheels and tires:

HPI GT-2 4″ Tires and 2.2″ Black Chrome Warlock Wheels (from a Savage XS Flux)

Because of the increase in the wheel diameter (from stock 3.5 to 4″) and the stress this would put on the drivetrain and motor, upgraded the following:

Tamiya Metal Motor Mount
Thunder Tiger 5X11X4 Ball Bearings Tomahawk
Robinson Racing Metric Pinion Gear 16T (down from the stock 19T, kept the stock 70T spur)
Tamiya Aluminum Propeller Shaft & Joint TT01 Type E
All Aluminum Motor Heat Sink

For overall durability:

Aluminum Front Shock Tower With Aluminum Collars & Screws
Aluminum Rear Shock Tower With Aluminum & Bronze Collars & 3mm Lock Nuts & Screws
I custom fabricated and painted a sheet metal rear hinge pin brace

To power all this we went with:

10 Pair T Plug Connectors Deans Style Male and Female Connectors
DuraTrax Onyx 6C 7.2V 3000mAh NiMH Stick
7.2V Tenergy 3000mAh Flat NiMH High Power Battery Pack

And most importantly, gotta have some LED lights!

Ultra Bright LED Light Bar Set – 1 Pair With Adapter Blue

To show off the LEDs, we painted the car black and translucent purple. The lights shine through the translucent paint, very cool.

Tamiya PS-45 Polycarb Spray Trans Purple 3 oz
Tamiya PS-5 Polycarbonate Spray Black 3 oz

For phase 2 we’ll be upgrading to a new charger and some 2C 5000mah Lipo batteries. The car is already too fast to control with just a 3000mah NiMH – need to practice driving! Also on the “next” list:

Aluminum suspension arms
Aluminum shocks
Universal shafts to replace stock dogbones
Higher power ESC fan
Steering assist gyro
Slipper clutch/spur or ball differentials
Other size pinions
GPS
HD video camera

We’ll also be using some of our spare parts and some new parts to hop-up my old RC car, we don’t want it to feel left out.

Keep tuned in for more RC car updates, pictures and videos on both our new DF-02 and our old Hilux.

Where’s the I don’t care button?

ben — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:53:05 +0000

I was so tired this morning, I forgot to put coffee grounds in the coffee maker. I didn’t realize it until half way through my first cup, I wondered why it tasted so weak.

ben — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:28:32 +0000

American Girl Dolls, made in China

ben — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:30:08 +0000

See the full gallery on Posterous

Looking to fill open positions for a web interactive/flash developer and a teamsite developer

ben — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:20:24 +0000

Enjoying new local restaurant, Zarape on Maple St. Marlborough

ben — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:58:11 +0000

See the full gallery on Posterous

Cub Scout overnight on the USS Salem, 1AM symphony of snoring.

ben — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 06:22:10 +0000

Halloween in New England

ben — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:48:14 +0000

Jedi Matthew, ready for candy.

ben — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:43:45 +0000