Show us your RC
Discussion
blueST said:
Nice one, I’ve been following Iconic RC on FB for a while. Looks great fun and more interesting/exciting to me than the identikit modern buggies. I’ve an Optima that I bet would be fun, but I know nothing about how you get into racing.
If you have a local RC club, then it's worth seeing if they have a Facebook page - most clubs have practice sessions which you can pop along to and chat to people at the very least, which should give you some good advice about how to get into it. Many clubs run a vintage class, so you may be able to race regularly.Otherwise, the Iconic RC events are open to everyone, regardless of skill or ability and they are the most friendly, welcoming events you'll find. Again, pop along to one first if you can just to chat to people.
Basics are that you will need modern 2.4ghz radio gear to avoid interference (doesn't have to be expensive). You can run brushed or brushless electrics with nimh or lipo batteries - you can even run a mechanical speed controller if you want. You won't be winning anything first time out, so don't go buying loads of gear just to get started - just make sure what you have is reliable.
Vintage racing is about the fun and nostalgia first and foremost.
groomi said:
blueST said:
Nice one, I’ve been following Iconic RC on FB for a while. Looks great fun and more interesting/exciting to me than the identikit modern buggies. I’ve an Optima that I bet would be fun, but I know nothing about how you get into racing.
If you have a local RC club, then it's worth seeing if they have a Facebook page - most clubs have practice sessions which you can pop along to and chat to people at the very least, which should give you some good advice about how to get into it. Many clubs run a vintage class, so you may be able to race regularly.Otherwise, the Iconic RC events are open to everyone, regardless of skill or ability and they are the most friendly, welcoming events you'll find. Again, pop along to one first if you can just to chat to people.
Basics are that you will need modern 2.4ghz radio gear to avoid interference (doesn't have to be expensive). You can run brushed or brushless electrics with nimh or lipo batteries - you can even run a mechanical speed controller if you want. You won't be winning anything first time out, so don't go buying loads of gear just to get started - just make sure what you have is reliable.
Vintage racing is about the fun and nostalgia first and foremost.
blueST said:
I really should make the effort, there is a club not too far away. I just feel a bit self conscious being 40+ and going out play with cars! I’m waiting for my son to get a bit older and hopefully take an interest so I have an excuse to go
If it’s vintage though I expect everyone turning up will be 40+. Now thinking I should restore my CAT XLS. Aside from dodgy shock seals, I think it would be generally ok (plus all the electronics of course).So, Groomi or anyone else, what’s the cut-off for vintage?
I'm quite a big Tamiya fanboy, and I'm into Traxxas too, but I don't think I've had as much fun with an RC in 20 years as I had today. Guess what the model was? A £50 WPL D12, also known as a Suzuki Carry pickup. Part of the enjoyment is the realism - I particularly like the little leaf springs. Apart from that it's just so much fun to drive!
I've flipped the rear axle upside down for a muscle car stance. It was on its arse before I did that.
I've flipped the rear axle upside down for a muscle car stance. It was on its arse before I did that.
gl20 said:
If it’s vintage though I expect everyone turning up will be 40+. Now thinking I should restore my CAT XLS. Aside from dodgy shock seals, I think it would be generally ok (plus all the electronics of course).
So, Groomi or anyone else, what’s the cut-off for vintage?
1998 is usually the cut-off for vintage (certainly is for any events under the IconicRC rules). Some of the larger events then break it down into different age groups based around when there were significant design changes.So, Groomi or anyone else, what’s the cut-off for vintage?
Not connected to your XLS, but in the past couple of years there has been a bit of a resurgence for rear motor 2wd buggy racing too, so a few events are pitched as rear motor only with a vintage and modern class. So this gives an opportunity to race things like an Associated B4 or Schumacher Cougar SVR which would ordinarily be too modern for vintage and too old-hat for modern racing.
Wanted something to replace the Acme conquistador nitro car , but less fragile and temperamental so went for a brushless model.
Opted to start with 2S batteries and it still absolutely flies.
Pics don't do justice as to how big it is.
A few questions if i can hijack the thread for a moment..
1) is it better to fast or slow charge lipo batteries ?
2) do I need to worry about storing them - ie are they still a fire hazard at rest ? I only have one and have kept it in a fireproof pouch in the garage.
3) are other centre diffs available? A locked or limited slip would work better as an open centre diff isn't very effective when the car gets stuck with the front wheels raised off the ground.
I do miss the noise and drama of a nitro , but this is a) something the kids can have a play with as you can limit the top speed and b) won't annoy any neighbours even on a Sunday.
Opted to start with 2S batteries and it still absolutely flies.
Pics don't do justice as to how big it is.
A few questions if i can hijack the thread for a moment..
1) is it better to fast or slow charge lipo batteries ?
2) do I need to worry about storing them - ie are they still a fire hazard at rest ? I only have one and have kept it in a fireproof pouch in the garage.
3) are other centre diffs available? A locked or limited slip would work better as an open centre diff isn't very effective when the car gets stuck with the front wheels raised off the ground.
I do miss the noise and drama of a nitro , but this is a) something the kids can have a play with as you can limit the top speed and b) won't annoy any neighbours even on a Sunday.
Is your center diff case pretty well sealed? - you could try some 1,000,000 CST silicone oil in it.... It's almost a putty, try quarter filling it and go from there.... I think tamiya used to do a diff putty as well?...
Lipos.... I've been using them for nearly 20yrs
Modern ones are (imo) pretty safe.... I've never had a lipo fire whilst charging or in storage.....I crashed an infraction Into a wall at 80mph...... That caused a fire!
You should invest in a decent lipo charger that can show you the voltage of each cell in the battery and balance them accordingly when charging and discharging.....This will be a sound investment......
Your new charger will have a "storage" setting - this will charge (or discharge) your battery to the correct voltage for storing.....
Charging lipos and not using them or discharging to their limit and storing them fully discharged will kill them ....
you just have to get in the habit of keeping them in storage charge and they will last many many many charge cycles
If your lipo goes puffy/soft or gets got when charging...... Take it outside and shoot it with an air rifle🤣
Fast/slow charging - either is fine... Lipos should have a label that may say (sometimes in tiny print) "do not charge above 2C or 5C or whatever.....
Simply speaking....
C = your capacity.... So if your battery is 1300mah and it says 2C max charge you can charge it at 2.6A.... do not exceed and you will be fine.....
Discharge rates are measured in C too.... More C's = more "punch" or power depending on how you perceive it... Don't confuse discharge C and charging rate......
Lipos.... I've been using them for nearly 20yrs
Modern ones are (imo) pretty safe.... I've never had a lipo fire whilst charging or in storage.....I crashed an infraction Into a wall at 80mph...... That caused a fire!
You should invest in a decent lipo charger that can show you the voltage of each cell in the battery and balance them accordingly when charging and discharging.....This will be a sound investment......
Your new charger will have a "storage" setting - this will charge (or discharge) your battery to the correct voltage for storing.....
Charging lipos and not using them or discharging to their limit and storing them fully discharged will kill them ....
you just have to get in the habit of keeping them in storage charge and they will last many many many charge cycles
If your lipo goes puffy/soft or gets got when charging...... Take it outside and shoot it with an air rifle🤣
Fast/slow charging - either is fine... Lipos should have a label that may say (sometimes in tiny print) "do not charge above 2C or 5C or whatever.....
Simply speaking....
C = your capacity.... So if your battery is 1300mah and it says 2C max charge you can charge it at 2.6A.... do not exceed and you will be fine.....
Discharge rates are measured in C too.... More C's = more "punch" or power depending on how you perceive it... Don't confuse discharge C and charging rate......
Thats really good info thanks a lot !
Yes , charger (skyrc 65) that came in the bundle has a storage charge mode , will check out the C rating on the battery , for now I've been charging the battery at 2A.
I'll have a look at the diff at some point to see if I can have a play with thicker oil/grease.
Yes , charger (skyrc 65) that came in the bundle has a storage charge mode , will check out the C rating on the battery , for now I've been charging the battery at 2A.
I'll have a look at the diff at some point to see if I can have a play with thicker oil/grease.
I dusted off the Losi XXX-SCB and took it for a run on the North Sea coast...
BlackSeaRC / NorthSeaRC
See the video here:
https://youtu.be/z4b6vegYmn8
BlackSeaRC / NorthSeaRC
See the video here:
https://youtu.be/z4b6vegYmn8
I need a bigger runway. This was with the Hobao on road, didn't even manage to hit full throttle!
Some skatepark bashing damage from last night with the Typhon. Unintentionally launched it off a half pipe
Wasn't even that high, but landed proper rough.
The bolt sheared off at the head and the standoff is bent. Will get those bits ordered and it'll be back in action. For bashing, 3S is plenty, 6S gets a bit lary!
Some skatepark bashing damage from last night with the Typhon. Unintentionally launched it off a half pipe
Wasn't even that high, but landed proper rough.
The bolt sheared off at the head and the standoff is bent. Will get those bits ordered and it'll be back in action. For bashing, 3S is plenty, 6S gets a bit lary!
"Unintentionally launched it off a half pipe hehe"
That happens to me a lot too.......6s is better for quickly adjusting attitude in the air....
Meanwhile my local cricket club have been cutting the grass very short in the hot weather....this combined with the hard ground means a new off-road speed record for the infraction........
For tyres I have found the Dboots used on the Typhon 3s are nice and light and can be banded with braided Kevlar thread to stop ballooning and then wick thin Ca into the thread.... Works well up to 80mph.....next step....8s!!!!
That happens to me a lot too.......6s is better for quickly adjusting attitude in the air....
Meanwhile my local cricket club have been cutting the grass very short in the hot weather....this combined with the hard ground means a new off-road speed record for the infraction........
For tyres I have found the Dboots used on the Typhon 3s are nice and light and can be banded with braided Kevlar thread to stop ballooning and then wick thin Ca into the thread.... Works well up to 80mph.....next step....8s!!!!
That's a damn good speed "off-road". Did you tie the kevlar weave then CA it? What ESC and motor combo are you using?
Typhon is fixed, the replacement shock stand-off turned up today.
Infraction + BittyDesign Destroyer body is on my list. Or may go for a Felony and put the Infraction e-Brake on it. Plus a TRX4 that I want to mod with a front axle on the rear for 4WS. And a FlySky NB4.
My wallet wishes I hadn't gotten back into RC.
Typhon is fixed, the replacement shock stand-off turned up today.
Infraction + BittyDesign Destroyer body is on my list. Or may go for a Felony and put the Infraction e-Brake on it. Plus a TRX4 that I want to mod with a front axle on the rear for 4WS. And a FlySky NB4.
My wallet wishes I hadn't gotten back into RC.
Edited by tafkattn on Saturday 27th August 15:53
Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff