Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
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Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
I have what I think is a first generation Traxxas Bandit that has been sitting in the closet collecting dust for close to 10 years. I would like to get back in to this hobby but need some advice on getting this car close to todays standards if possible without emptying my wallet. I need to get a new battery (the old one was a 1500mah 6cell which only gave me about 15 minutes of running time on one charge) with todays new batteries out is it possible to getmorethan roughly 15 minutes of running time on 1 charge? if so what will I need to acheive this? Motor?ESC? This car is totally stock and I have been out of the RC Car hobby for over 10 years. Any advice would be greatlyappreciated. the only thing I would rather avoid is buy a new car all together since i am on a tight budget and want to spend as little as possible (hopefully ($100 maximum if possible). Attached is a pic of my car.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Thanks in advance for any help.
#2
RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
ORIGINAL: DEMON1C
I have what I think is a first generation Traxxas Bandit that has been sitting in the closet collecting dust for close to 10 years. I would like to get back in to this hobby but need some advice on getting this car close to todays standards if possible without emptying my wallet. I need to get a new battery (the old one was a 1500mah 6cell which only gave me about 15 minutes of running time on one charge) with todays new batteries out is it possible to get more than roughly 15 minutes of running time on 1 charge? if so what will I need to acheive this? Motor?ESC? This car is totally stock and I have been out of the RC Car hobby for over 10 years. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. the only thing I would rather avoid is buy a new car all together since i am on a tight budget and want to spend as little as possible (hopefully ($100 maximum if possible). Attached is a pic of my car.
[img][/img]
Thanks in advance for any help.
I have what I think is a first generation Traxxas Bandit that has been sitting in the closet collecting dust for close to 10 years. I would like to get back in to this hobby but need some advice on getting this car close to todays standards if possible without emptying my wallet. I need to get a new battery (the old one was a 1500mah 6cell which only gave me about 15 minutes of running time on one charge) with todays new batteries out is it possible to get more than roughly 15 minutes of running time on 1 charge? if so what will I need to acheive this? Motor?ESC? This car is totally stock and I have been out of the RC Car hobby for over 10 years. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. the only thing I would rather avoid is buy a new car all together since i am on a tight budget and want to spend as little as possible (hopefully ($100 maximum if possible). Attached is a pic of my car.
[img][/img]
Thanks in advance for any help.
They still sell every part you will need if you break anything seeing they still sell that model virtually unchanged
A 5000mah batter would probably give around 40 minutes of run time if you were hitting 15 on a 1500mah battery.
Just buy a good charger should cost like $30-40 for a charger.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
Man that thing looks like its in good shape for a bandit that usually get thrashed hard and put away wet. I agree w/ syco-just buy a new nimh and drive-just don't try someone else brushless/lipo cars/trucks if you know anyone that has one b/c the next thing you know your dropping $200 for chargers/lipos and brushless systems-its that addicting.
#4
RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
ORIGINAL: guys2nv
Man that thing looks like its in good shape for a bandit that usually get thrashed hard and put away wet. I agree w/ syco-just buy a new nimh and drive-just don't try someone else brushless/lipo cars/trucks if you know anyone that has one b/c the next thing you know your dropping $200 for chargers/lipos and brushless systems-its that addicting.
Man that thing looks like its in good shape for a bandit that usually get thrashed hard and put away wet. I agree w/ syco-just buy a new nimh and drive-just don't try someone else brushless/lipo cars/trucks if you know anyone that has one b/c the next thing you know your dropping $200 for chargers/lipos and brushless systems-its that addicting.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
OK I finally found the quick charger and charged the old battery up to see if the electronics work and low and behold........they work! of corse I only got less than 5 minutes out of a charge LOL. I thinktomorrowI'll take a trip up to the local Hobby shop and see what I can pick up. The 5000mah batteries will they work on the same electronics I have in the stock car and will I be able to charge it with my Hobbico 900 AC/DC charger or will I need to get a new charger? Or how high can I go on mah battery before I need differentelectronics?
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
just charge the new battery until it's warm, and you won't have any problems, though with nimh batteries it's a good idea to let it cool off after a run before you recharge it.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
ORIGINAL: zman5000
just charge the new battery until it's warm, and you won't have any problems, though with nimh batteries it's a good idea to let it cool off after a run before you recharge it.
just charge the new battery until it's warm, and you won't have any problems, though with nimh batteries it's a good idea to let it cool off after a run before you recharge it.
Here it is.
#8
RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
I'd get http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html it charges all battery chemistries, and has free shipping
Or if you are sure you are only going to use NiMh http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTSA4&P=ML is a good charger
Don't take this the wrong way BUT that charger you have looks pretty crappy. I looked up it says compatible with NiMh...
SPECS: Pack Rating Charge Time in Minutes:
1300 to 1500mAh: 15 - 23 minutes
1700 to 2000mAh: 28 - 33 minutes approx.
so for a 5000 NiMh you would have to reset that thing around 5-6 times...
Or if you are sure you are only going to use NiMh http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTSA4&P=ML is a good charger
Don't take this the wrong way BUT that charger you have looks pretty crappy. I looked up it says compatible with NiMh...
SPECS: Pack Rating Charge Time in Minutes:
1300 to 1500mAh: 15 - 23 minutes
1700 to 2000mAh: 28 - 33 minutes approx.
so for a 5000 NiMh you would have to reset that thing around 5-6 times...
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
ORIGINAL: SyCo_VeNoM
I'd get http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html it charges all battery chemistries, and has free shipping
Or if you are sure you are only going to use NiMh http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTSA4&P=ML is a good charger
Don't take this the wrong way BUT that charger you have looks pretty crappy. I looked up it says compatible with NiMh...
SPECS: Pack Rating Charge Time in Minutes:
1300 to 1500mAh: 15 - 23 minutes
1700 to 2000mAh: 28 - 33 minutes approx.
so for a 5000 NiMh you would have to reset that thing around 5-6 times...
I'd get http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html it charges all battery chemistries, and has free shipping
Or if you are sure you are only going to use NiMh http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTSA4&P=ML is a good charger
Don't take this the wrong way BUT that charger you have looks pretty crappy. I looked up it says compatible with NiMh...
SPECS: Pack Rating Charge Time in Minutes:
1300 to 1500mAh: 15 - 23 minutes
1700 to 2000mAh: 28 - 33 minutes approx.
so for a 5000 NiMh you would have to reset that thing around 5-6 times...
About the types of batteries though..... Can I run any type of battery with what I have in the car now? or will I need to change something out before I use a better battery thanTower Hobbies 6-Cell 7.2V 1500mAh NiCd Stick Std Plug[/b][/b]TOWC1030 Which is what I have that is over 10 years old. I still can'tbelievethat they still sell this thing.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
Yup! In fact this old thing has evolved into a brushless buggy that can reach speeds of 70mph! Before this thing would be lucky at 26-30 LOL. And I have that same charger only it's a little newer looking.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
that hobby partz charger is really nice for the money, i have it right now
ORIGINAL: SyCo_VeNoM
I'd get http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html it charges all battery chemistries, and has free shipping
Or if you are sure you are only going to use NiMh http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTSA4&P=ML is a good charger
Don't take this the wrong way BUT that charger you have looks pretty crappy. I looked up it says compatible with NiMh...
SPECS: Pack Rating Charge Time in Minutes:
1300 to 1500mAh: 15 - 23 minutes
1700 to 2000mAh: 28 - 33 minutes approx.
so for a 5000 NiMh you would have to reset that thing around 5-6 times...
I'd get http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html it charges all battery chemistries, and has free shipping
Or if you are sure you are only going to use NiMh http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTSA4&P=ML is a good charger
Don't take this the wrong way BUT that charger you have looks pretty crappy. I looked up it says compatible with NiMh...
SPECS: Pack Rating Charge Time in Minutes:
1300 to 1500mAh: 15 - 23 minutes
1700 to 2000mAh: 28 - 33 minutes approx.
so for a 5000 NiMh you would have to reset that thing around 5-6 times...
#12
RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
ORIGINAL: DEMON1C
About the types of batteries though..... Can I run any type of battery with what I have in the car now? or will I need to change something out before I use a better battery than Tower Hobbies 6-Cell 7.2V 1500mAh NiCd Stick Std Plug TOWC1030 Which is what I have that is over 10 years old. I still can't believe that they still sell this thing.
About the types of batteries though..... Can I run any type of battery with what I have in the car now? or will I need to change something out before I use a better battery than Tower Hobbies 6-Cell 7.2V 1500mAh NiCd Stick Std Plug TOWC1030 Which is what I have that is over 10 years old. I still can't believe that they still sell this thing.
Outta curiosity is it an old yellow XL-5?
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
ORIGINAL: SyCo_VeNoM
The ESC should accept anything. It don't give a damn about battery chemistry, only as long as it get the voltage it likes. Any 6-cell NiMh would be safe seeing its voltage would be the same as a 6-cell NiCd. Mah doesn't matter think of the mah like a cars gas tank. More mAh's the larger the tank, and farther you can go
Outta curiosity is it an old yellow XL-5?
ORIGINAL: DEMON1C
About the types of batteries though..... Can I run any type of battery with what I have in the car now? or will I need to change something out before I use a better battery than Tower Hobbies 6-Cell 7.2V 1500mAh NiCd Stick Std Plug TOWC1030 Which is what I have that is over 10 years old. I still can't believe that they still sell this thing.
About the types of batteries though..... Can I run any type of battery with what I have in the car now? or will I need to change something out before I use a better battery than Tower Hobbies 6-Cell 7.2V 1500mAh NiCd Stick Std Plug TOWC1030 Which is what I have that is over 10 years old. I still can't believe that they still sell this thing.
Outta curiosity is it an old yellow XL-5?
#14
RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
get a ESC
longer run times less parts to break
Look on ebay you can sometimes nab Traxxas XL-5's for around $20
longer run times less parts to break
Look on ebay you can sometimes nab Traxxas XL-5's for around $20
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
+1 on that...that is how much I paid for mine....and it rides happily in my re-release Frog (A 20 + year design) and it is chanelling 8.4 volts, 5000 mahinto an Orion brushed Method Rmotor. When I gun the car with the rearwheels off of the ground, the tires ballon like a top fuel dragster!
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
Oh man, this is making me want to find where I stashed my Tamiya Hornet I got back in the 80s... lol
Good luck DEMON1C! Please keep us updated!
Good luck DEMON1C! Please keep us updated!
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
ORIGINAL: efuseakay
Oh man, this is making me want to find where I stashed my Tamiya Hornet I got back in the 80s... lol
Good luck DEMON1C! Please keep us updated!
Oh man, this is making me want to find where I stashed my Tamiya Hornet I got back in the 80s... lol
Good luck DEMON1C! Please keep us updated!
In order heres the cars I had
1.) Tamiya Hornet
2.) Tamiya Blackfoot (original one)
3.) Kyosho ZR1 Corvette
4.) Cant remember the name of it 4wd full metal chasis 2 speed gear box truck I think it was a toyota? but I cannot remember what it was. I got it off of a friend. Maybe a Tamiya?
5.) Kyosho Big Brute (I still have this one)
6.) Traxxas Bandit (use to be my sons till he gave it to me)
I'lldefinitelykeep you updated as to what I end up getting for this one.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
Just an FYI
It'll be cheaper to go buy a Bandit VXL than update that car.
Or cheaper to buy an Associated RC10B4.1 brushless.
set aside 400 bones, buy a car, charger, and a couple batteries.
And on another note...ThunderbirdJunkie has successfully run 12 cells on the Traxxas MSC.
It'll be cheaper to go buy a Bandit VXL than update that car.
Or cheaper to buy an Associated RC10B4.1 brushless.
set aside 400 bones, buy a car, charger, and a couple batteries.
And on another note...ThunderbirdJunkie has successfully run 12 cells on the Traxxas MSC.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
Update:
I have a friend at work that is going to upgrade his slash to the Velineon VXL-3m Brushless Power System, waterproof (includes waterproof VXL-3m ESC and Velineon 380 motor) and I am giving him a set of spare crystals from an old radio for his XL-5 & Titan 12T motor. so all I need to do is get a couple of LiPos and I will be set for a while till I can afford the Slash 4x4 VXL. I really like that Stadium Truck ever since checking out videos about it on YouTube.
To be continued when I get my XL-5 & Titan 12T. I'll keep you posted
PS
I took my Bandit out today and ran it on the old battery I had and it lasted less than 2 minutes LOL.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
listen to thunderbird junkie
you'll easily be out $150 for a brushless setup and the upgrades required to handle the power in that bandit
for just a few bucks more, (if you want another buggy) that RTR brushless associated B4.1 is about $230, you get a whole new RC with better suspension, 2.4 ghz radio, brushless motor
dont' try running lipo's on the Xl5, it doesn't have a low voltage cutoff
you'll easily be out $150 for a brushless setup and the upgrades required to handle the power in that bandit
for just a few bucks more, (if you want another buggy) that RTR brushless associated B4.1 is about $230, you get a whole new RC with better suspension, 2.4 ghz radio, brushless motor
dont' try running lipo's on the Xl5, it doesn't have a low voltage cutoff
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
I could have sworn that he has XL-5 & Titan 12T in his slash (could be another car he has. He has several) that I am getting from him.
sloppyG: I thought I read somewhere that the XL-5 does have a low voltage cut off for LiPos.?.? If not no big deal Ill just get a good NiMh. Also I don't plan on going brushless with this Bandit. After I get the ESC and motor from my friend all I plan on getting for it is a couple of batteries for it. Then I'm gonna start saving for a new truck.
After I get the ESC & Motor talking battires if I end up getting NiMh's ...... will 8.4v give me a little more speed than the standard 7.2? I'm trying to understand the battery voltages and how it will effect the car speed. I'd really like the car to be faster than it currently is without having to totally replace the gearbox with more durable parts. Any suggestions?
If I haven't already mentioned it you guys are awesome for the input and I really appreciate all the advise.
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RE: Need Advice Coming back to rc cars after 10+ years
I think the old bandit looks better than the new one.
You could get a brushless system and lipo for your old bandit.
Or you could go with a different company and get a Hpi Blitz or something good like that.
You could get a brushless system and lipo for your old bandit.
Or you could go with a different company and get a Hpi Blitz or something good like that.