ORIGINAL: 3d-wanna-b
If you use a stick radio how do you keep the throtle stick centered for your forward and reverse functions??
Sounds like you have a radio that has an internal spring to bring it back down to zero?
My radio does not have any sort of ratchet or spring at all. When I set the ESC to except the limits for forward, reverse, brakes and neutral I keep the stick in the center and work from there. If I had a radio that had a spring and were planning on using it for a surface vehicle, it would be taken out for sure(open radio up and remove it!). I use the Sidewinder ESC that has tons of settings for dead zones, brake force, drag brakes, timing, throttle punch, etc....When punching up a rock in a tough spot, I can get my truck to stop on a dime before it plummets off the rock forward. I can also traverse super-steep downhill trail sections without sliding too much or rolling over forward.
I don't have a ratchet either but IMO believe it to inhibit a smooth transition from forward to brake to reverse. You need to be able to perform fine stick adjustments all the time. I dance with the stick around the center position constantly, so for me, the ratchet would only make it more choppy. Everyone is different of course and their styles vary...Go with what feels correct to you!
I set mix 1 and mix 2 both to handle the rear steer function, the mix switch is set up to enable mirrored steering to allow tighter turning, one of the switches on the other side is set up to "crab walk" simply because I couldn't figure out a way to lock the rear up, I've got a few setting tweaks to try still because no matter what, the L/R on the left stick still will override whatever I've got mixed...
Since I do not have to crab walk very often, I simply activate it manually using the rudder sticks(while 4WS is off). You can really tackle some crazy lines when you steer the rear independently I have found. Two days ago, I did a little bit of testing with my Crab walking. A simple back and forth with the rear wheels allow the rubber to search and "catch" nubs on the rock eventually....I did all my testing on lines that I previously could not make. Since it is a little awkward to get used to working two sticks, I never really used it much. I keep inadvertently messing with my throttle. I mentioned this before, but I think that moving the rear wheel independent steering to the elevator channel might be a better solution. That's just one more theory I have to test.....
Congrats on getting everything completed! Now go out and kick some arse! Video/pictures of your rig would be appreciated!
Peace,
Z