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Old 01-05-2012, 08:31 PM
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nitrosportsandrunner
 
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Default Tricks and Tips to keep your Redcats running!

Ive been running Redcats for awhile now. I like them. But I have also been in the hobby for ahwile and now how to figure out what may be wrong with a model and how to fix...or rig it to work till i can order new parts.

And I know some simple things to do to make a model more durable.

Since many new to the hobby purchase a redcat (cause the cost is lower) many run into a wall when issues come up.

So I though it would start a thread, where tips and tricks could be shared.


1st: Check all screws. Look for any excessive play in the wheels.

camber and steering linkage: Move them to the hole closest to the hub. The further out the linkage is placed, the more likely the hub arm is to break.

Bodies: They will break. Doesnt matter the brand or make, all bodies break at some point. Simple things like covering the inside with duct tape (or better yet, gorrila tape) can help. Also, if you put a thin washer over the body post...this will spread the load of an impact over a larger area of the body.

Dogbones: Many models have some play with the dogbones...more than is needed. small pieces of nitro fuel tubing in the drive cups allow the dogbones to move some, but not so much that they wear out quickly.

Along with that, is dogbone angle. If you raise you suspension up as high as it can go...the dogbones are at a greater angle and thus more likely to bind or rub against the edge of the drive cups, thus causing more wear. Not saying you should drop the suspension all the way down, but in the middle is best.

Jumping: Do not have the throttle pegged when your model lands! Whether its a nitro or electric, this will cause drivetrain damage...usually spur gear or diff gears. sometimes a dogbone can snap from a bad landing with the throttle on.

Water: Well its a bad thing with any redcat, as none are waterproof. The 2.4ghz reciever in particular HATES to get wet. But accidents can happen....so wrap your reciever in a ballon, or use tape or something else to prevent water from getting to it, should you run threw a puddle you didnt see

Keep it clean: Kinda speaks for itself. Think to check around the inside of the wheels if you went threw any tall grass as it can get caught up between the hub and wheel. that will cause drag.
For nitros this is tougher, as dirt likes to stick to the parts. Use and old tooth brush, get that dirt away.

Keep fresh AA's: Dont ignore that blinking light on your radio....and keep in mind how long you have run with the same "AA"s on your nitro's reciever pack. Dont want those to die on you.

When you go out to play: Take basic tools. A wheel wrench, screwdriver, pliers and zipties can save the day and keep the fun going!

Dont be cheap When buying tools: Should you decide to buy some RC tools, dont go cheap. If your tool is cheap, it will be far more likely to strip out the head of your screw. Thats a headache you dont want!

Dont let your buddy drive your model: Unless you are certain he would pay for any damage he may cause.....

Dont get frustrated: Hey, it happens to long-time RC'ers. Dang nitro wont start, or why wont my ESC calibrate. Dont rush to find a solution, this will often cause mistakes! Making large adjustments to your nitro's needle settings cause it wont start....when it could just be a bad glow plug, or an igniter that needs to be recharged! Cool down, and take the time to look things over 1st.
For me, I know frustration has caused me to snap a pull cord! If only I had taken the time to check my igniter[:@]

Keep organized: I personally fail at this. Keeping parts, tools, your model and any accesories in a safe place that is organized will save you a ton of time and help to keep your model up and running.

Find the manual: Most models come with a manual. Sometimes these dont show us everything we need to know. But a google search can ofter find an online manual or exploded view that will show just what you need.

Upgrading: Dont assume that all upgrades are good. Sometimes plastic is better in some areas than alloy is. Think about what the function of the part is, and what kind of loads are put on that part.
Do reseach before dropping money on batteries, motors, alloy parts ect.
Personally, I perfer to use stronger plastics in most places...but shock towers and wheel hubs are often good places for alloy upgrades.

Visit your local hardware store: This may sound funny, but I dont know how many times I was able to find a screw, bolt or pin at my hardware store that could patch up my model. And often these parts may be higher grade steel than the original was.

Dont get shocked: I have seen some young people put on connectors with electrical tape, and then not do a good job at that. Almost any ESC will fry if it gets reversed voltage(wires crossed) from a battery. Its always best to put on new connectors with solder. Its not an easy thing for some to learn, but most any hobby shop will help you learn or do it for you.
And if you find a servo or ESC wire has a nick in it, then cover it up with electrical tape. Dont leave it so that it can get wet or touch another wire.

Dont leave batts: NIMH batteries dont like to be left in the cold. Nor do they like to go months without being charged. Lipo batts dont suffer from these things, but thats a whole nother lesson. So, keep your nimh batts in a warm place and fully charged.

Use youtube: Wanna know how to program your ESC, radio or how to replace the spur or diff....chances are you can find a video of someone showing you how! And when people find a cool mod that improves a model, they will often post on utube.

Bumpers: Often ignored but very important. nearly every model there is an aftermarket bumper for. Sometimes the after market ones are wider and thicker...to provide more protection. T-bone racing makes bumper for several redcat models.

Alloy parts: Sometimes they may bend. Its often possible to bend them back, but keep in mind that doing so weakens the part further. So go ahead and order a replacement, dont assume the part you just bent back will last a long time.

Bearings: A very important part of any model! They do wear out, or rust if they get wet. When this happens, the parts they support will suffer as well.
If you have excessive tire wobble, or your center driveshaft or spur gear wiggles about...a bad bearing could be to blame. Replace it before the wiggling and wabbling result in damage to other parts.

Wiring: Keep it neat. zip ties, tape or whatever you want to use, but keep wires so that they do not flop about when the model is running. servo and esc wires are often longer than needed, and if the extra is allow to move about alot, they could snag something and get damaged.

Thats all I could think of right now.

Add any other tips...even if they apply to a specific model.