ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade    Gallery
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
    Search This Thread  
 
Printable Version



All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> 1/16th, 1/18th, Mini & Micro RC Cars >> ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade Page: [1]

Tower Hobbies Get Coupon Codes Brands  
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/25/2013 1:23 AM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hi.  I just recently ordered an ECX Smash (to start with).  I wanted to upgrade to a 2.4GHz radio but that means that I'd have to replace the ESC since the smash has a 2-in-1 esc/receiver.  I noticed that Hobbypartz.com had some combo specials for motor+ESC.  I ended up purchasing a GT3B transmitter along with a EZRUN 7800KV motor with 25a ESC.
This is where I am a bit confused.  I read that lower KV usually meant more torque, less speed; and higher KV means more speed, less torque.  I didn't really care about doing wheelies but I liked the idea of having a high speed; so I decided to go with the higher KV motor.  But now I am reading here and there that the lower KV should have been the way to go?  Also, that the high KV motor will give me less run time which is actually important to me as well.  Did I make the mistake of ordering the 7800kv motor when I should have ordered a 5200kv motor?

I apologize for the stupid questions; I just got into the hobby...


Hide Signatures
       Post #: 1

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/25/2013 1:40 AM   
nitrosportsandrunner



Posts: 8016
Score: 296
Joined: 9/1/2007
Last Login: 5/25/2013
From: skowhegan, ME, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: krillin

Hi.  I just recently ordered an ECX Smash (to start with).  I wanted to upgrade to a 2.4GHz radio but that means that I'd have to replace the ESC since the smash has a 2-in-1 esc/receiver.  I noticed that Hobbypartz.com had some combo specials for motor+ESC.  I ended up purchasing a GT3B transmitter along with a EZRUN 7800KV motor with 25a ESC.
This is where I am a bit confused.  I read that lower KV usually meant more torque, less speed; and higher KV means more speed, less torque.  I didn't really care about doing wheelies but I liked the idea of having a high speed; so I decided to go with the higher KV motor.  But now I am reading here and there that the lower KV should have been the way to go?  Also, that the high KV motor will give me less run time which is actually important to me as well.  Did I make the mistake of ordering the 7800kv motor when I should have ordered a 5200kv motor?

I apologize for the stupid questions; I just got into the hobby...


its more common to go with the 5000ish kv motor on 1/18 models, but nothing wrong with using the higher kv. It will reduce runtime some, but not a ton.
It will require use of a smaller pinion. and using a temp gun to check temps on initial setup is a good idea.

If I recall, the smash is basically a modified losi mini-t chassis. I think alot of the mini-t upgrades can fit it.

_____________________________

Redcat Mirage Pro, Tornado EPX Pro, SC10, TTR Phoenix XB. Redcat Racing Dealer.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to krillin)
       Post #: 2

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/25/2013 3:07 AM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: nitrosportsandrunner


quote:

ORIGINAL: krillin

Hi.  I just recently ordered an ECX Smash (to start with).  I wanted to upgrade to a 2.4GHz radio but that means that I'd have to replace the ESC since the smash has a 2-in-1 esc/receiver.  I noticed that Hobbypartz.com had some combo specials for motor+ESC.  I ended up purchasing a GT3B transmitter along with a EZRUN 7800KV motor with 25a ESC.
This is where I am a bit confused.  I read that lower KV usually meant more torque, less speed; and higher KV means more speed, less torque.  I didn't really care about doing wheelies but I liked the idea of having a high speed; so I decided to go with the higher KV motor.  But now I am reading here and there that the lower KV should have been the way to go?  Also, that the high KV motor will give me less run time which is actually important to me as well.  Did I make the mistake of ordering the 7800kv motor when I should have ordered a 5200kv motor?

I apologize for the stupid questions; I just got into the hobby...


its more common to go with the 5000ish kv motor on 1/18 models, but nothing wrong with using the higher kv. It will reduce runtime some, but not a ton.
It will require use of a smaller pinion. and using a temp gun to check temps on initial setup is a good idea.

If I recall, the smash is basically a modified losi mini-t chassis. I think alot of the mini-t upgrades can fit it.


Thanks for the reply.  So other than the runtime and heat, are there any other disadvantages?   Is a 7800kv motor less likely to wheelie compared to the 5200kv?  My order has already shipped so there is nothing I can really do unless I just place a new order for a lower kv motor.



Hide Signatures

(in reply to nitrosportsandrunner)
       Post #: 3

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/25/2013 10:16 PM   
westoakmech


 

Posts: 11
Score: 100
Joined: 1/13/2012
Last Login: 5/22/2013
From: Woodward, OK, USA
Status: offline 		If you gear it low it enough it will probably stil wheelie. Also will depend on battery selection. A 2s lipo will be more likely to wheelie than a nihm. I have the smash also, got it for my daughter. I am running a 7.4 lion battery out of an old helicopter. It will wheelie on the carpet with stock gearing, and stock motor. As mentioned you will need to keep an eye on temps with that high kv motor. I would start with a pretty low gear to start off with and work up from there. I am not sure what the stock gearing is for sure. I think you will have to buy some pinions that have a grub screw, pretty sure the stock ones will not stay on a brushless motor. Good luck, and let us know how it works out.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to krillin)
       Post #: 4

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/25/2013 11:12 PM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I just received my smash this morning in the office and was pretty excited.  The kit I ordered came with the NIMH battery pack and peak charger.  I charged the battery right away and happened to put it in the truck to try it out a few minutes ago before seeing this post.  I didn't get a chance to really run the car around a whole lot but the truck seems pretty peppy.  It makes me wonder if I should have waited on the motor and esc combo... but I wanted to ditch the AM radio and go with the ever so popular 2.4ghz  GT3B. 

I've never played around with gearing on RC cars before so I'll have to read up on pinion sizes and stuff.  The motor I ordered is 12T 7800KV.  I was debating whether to just purchase the 18T 5200KV motor to use instead.  It feels like such a waste of shipping because the motor is so cheap as it is.  I've already paid for shipping on this one and  I'd have to be responsible for shiping it back AND also paying shipping for the new motor;  so I'd probably just end up keeping both. :P

I also ordered the programming card for the ESC.  I was doing a bit of reading and saw a setting for 'PUNCH'.  I am assuming if I set it to the lowest that it may give me a noticeable control with wheelies; maybe also loosening the gear mesh?  Again, I am not really interested in popping wheelies.  Any more comments? Thanks! 

quote:

ORIGINAL: westoakmech

If you gear it low it enough it will probably stil wheelie. Also will depend on battery selection. A 2s lipo will be more likely to wheelie than a nihm. I have the smash also, got it for my daughter. I am running a 7.4 lion battery out of an old helicopter. It will wheelie on the carpet with stock gearing, and stock motor. As mentioned you will need to keep an eye on temps with that high kv motor. I would start with a pretty low gear to start off with and work up from there. I am not sure what the stock gearing is for sure. I think you will have to buy some pinions that have a grub screw, pretty sure the stock ones will not stay on a brushless motor. Good luck, and let us know how it works out.



Hide Signatures

(in reply to westoakmech)
       Post #: 5

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/25/2013 11:34 PM   
westoakmech


 

Posts: 11
Score: 100
Joined: 1/13/2012
Last Login: 5/22/2013
From: Woodward, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Yes punch control wil reduce how hard it hits on take off, kinda like a delay. I think, if remember correct the higher the number the more punch control.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to krillin)
       Post #: 6

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 12:00 AM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Sounds good.  I'll check it out.  Do  you think I should get a lower KV motor? 

quote:

ORIGINAL: westoakmech

Yes punch control wil reduce how hard it hits on take off, kinda like a delay. I think, if remember correct the higher the number the more punch control.



Hide Signatures

(in reply to westoakmech)
       Post #: 7

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 1:13 AM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: westoakmech

Yes punch control wil reduce how hard it hits on take off, kinda like a delay. I think, if remember correct the higher the number the more punch control.


Ahh.  Yeah I just don't want to punch it and end up cartwheeling 30 feet. lol  :P



Hide Signatures

(in reply to westoakmech)
       Post #: 8

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 3:21 AM   
FenDogz



Posts: 14
Score: 100
Joined: 1/20/2013
Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Bronx, NY, USA
Status: offline 		 I have an ECX smash and enjoy it. I bought the toro motor 4300kv and ESC combo from hobbypartz and its amazingly fast. I use a 3 cell 1600 lipo. Its a willy machine. I can't imagine how fast that 7300kv motor is going to be. All losi mini t parts fit. I got the aluminum spur gear for the mini t on it. 

_____________________________

Exceed MadBeast
iMex Renegade and ECX Smash

Hide Signatures

(in reply to krillin)
       Post #: 9

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 3:59 AM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Cool.  I got home from work not too long ago.  I can't run the truck outside since it's raining though. :P 
I tried running it in my living room but I don't have enough space.  Does anyone know if reverse and forward have the same amount of power?  I almost seems like reverse is stronger but it could be me. /shrugs
quote:

ORIGINAL: FenDogz

 I have an ECX smash and enjoy it. I bought the toro motor 4300kv and ESC combo from hobbypartz and its amazingly fast. I use a 3 cell 1600 lipo. Its a willy machine. I can't imagine how fast that 7300kv motor is going to be. All losi mini t parts fit. I got the aluminum spur gear for the mini t on it. 



Hide Signatures

(in reply to FenDogz)
       Post #: 10

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 3:51 PM   
FenDogz



Posts: 14
Score: 100
Joined: 1/20/2013
Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Bronx, NY, USA
Status: offline 		 You'll need to program the esc. You can lower the reverse and give the Throttle more punch. Every esc has different settings so you need to find out what are your settings and program it to your liking. 

_____________________________

Exceed MadBeast
iMex Renegade and ECX Smash

Hide Signatures

(in reply to krillin)
       Post #: 11

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 5:47 PM   
mrbonez



Posts: 1038
Score: 105
Joined: 6/30/2007
Last Login: 5/15/2013
From: smithsburg, MD, USA
Status: offline 		one thing to keep in mind when changing the pinions on the smash is the motor mount plate . if you look at it you will notice you can NOT adjust the gear mesh as the motor mount plate has no slot cut as the mini t plate does no worries tho . just grab a motor plate from a losi mini t and it will bolt right up and your all set . also most of the mini t hop ups will fit your smash . the only thing i noticed to be different is the servo tie down. it is a separate piece on the mini t and on the smash the breast plate is all one piece with the servo tie down other then that its exactly the same as the mini t . sorry but i am terrible at explaining thing

_____________________________

is smoke supposed to come from there ?

Hide Signatures

(in reply to FenDogz)
       Post #: 12

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 9:57 PM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Yeah, I've read about that.  I actually went to two LHS in my area and none of them had the motor plate.  I guess I may have to get it online.


quote:

ORIGINAL: mrbonez

one thing to keep in mind when changing the pinions on the smash is the motor mount plate . if you look at it you will notice you can NOT adjust the gear mesh as the motor mount plate has no slot cut as the mini t plate does no worries tho . just grab a motor plate from a losi mini t and it will bolt right up and your all set . also most of the mini t hop ups will fit your smash . the only thing i noticed to be different is the servo tie down. it is a separate piece on the mini t and on the smash the breast plate is all one piece with the servo tie down other then that its exactly the same as the mini t . sorry but i am terrible at explaining thing



Hide Signatures

(in reply to mrbonez)
       Post #: 13

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 11:01 PM   
FenDogz



Posts: 14
Score: 100
Joined: 1/20/2013
Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Bronx, NY, USA
Status: offline 		 I just drilled the hole longer until it meshed.

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


_____________________________

Exceed MadBeast
iMex Renegade and ECX Smash

Hide Signatures

(in reply to krillin)
       Post #: 14

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 1/26/2013 11:11 PM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I don't own any power tools. :P
There is a home depot across the street though. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: FenDogz

 I just drilled the hole longer until it meshed.



Hide Signatures

(in reply to FenDogz)
       Post #: 15

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 2/6/2013 10:49 PM   
krillin


 

Posts: 12
Score: 100
Joined: 7/22/2010
Last Login: 2/23/2013
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Status: offline 		So I ended up completing my motor+electronics swap.  This thing is really fast (makes me wish I had a radar gun laying around).  I was afraid that the 7800kv motor would be overkill, but I set the punch control low so it helped out a lot with the wheelies.  I noticed my tires and bumpers are getting eaten up quick, which brings me to my next question:

I was looking at picking up spare tires, body, bumpers.  Those items altogether add up to $50+.  The truck itself can be bought for mid-50's brand new.  Would it make sense to just buy a second truck and use it as spare parts?  The only thing that bothers me about this is that I would have a lot of extras that I feel would go to waste.  Unless someone can recommend better wheels/tires and body that would fit with this truck.  Thanks!




Hide Signatures

(in reply to krillin)
       Post #: 16

RE: ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade - 2/7/2013 4:33 AM   
onestillme


 

Posts: 1
Score: 100
Joined: 2/7/2013
Last Login: 5/22/2013
From: , WI, USA
Status: offline 		I am going to upgrade aluminum for my spur and pinion. What "t" would be a good start for both? I ordered the toro 5###k brushless set for it. I am just running a 1600 nimh battery not sure how much difference that makes. Thanks,

update; sorry should mention im not racing with it just some normal basement. parking lot bashing mostly so want more durability of engine than for speed.
quote:

ORIGINAL: FenDogz

 I have an ECX smash and enjoy it. I bought the toro motor 4300kv and ESC combo from hobbypartz and its amazingly fast. I use a 3 cell 1600 lipo. Its a willy machine. I can't imagine how fast that 7300kv motor is going to be. All losi mini t parts fit. I got the aluminum spur gear for the mini t on it. 



Hide Signatures

(in reply to FenDogz)
       Post #: 17



Page:   [1]
All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> 1/16th, 1/18th, Mini & Micro RC Cars >> ECX Smash - questions about brushless upgrade
Page: [1]





Jump to:


 
Google 



Search | Marketplace | Event Calendar | Local Clubs | Magazine | Product Ratings | New Products | Discussion Forums

Photo Gallery | Instructor Search | Field|Track|Marina Search

Advertisers | Hobby Vendor Resources | Rate Manufacturers | Sign In/Sign Up

SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

RC Universe is a service of Internet Brands, Inc. Copyright © 2001-2013.

Charities we support that also need your help
Yorkie Rescue | Humane Society | ASPCA | Crohn's-Colitis America


0.750RCU1