Notices
RC Electric On-Road vehicles, race cars and more Discuss electric RC on-road vehicles here. Also discuss brushless motors, speed controllers, brushed motors, etc

Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Old 10-13-2009, 07:29 AM
  #1  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Hey guys. So My first RC car was a HPI Nitro RS4 3 Evo, I got it around 3 years ago. Anyway it died a while ago so I've decided to convert it to electric. I don't know if anyone has done this or knows about it being done before but I thought I'd share my progress with you and hopefully gain some opinions along the way!

Here's some pics of the journey so far.

The first pic is of the car after I pulled it apart to get some pieces fo my TT-01

Second pic is of the stock 2 speed transmission

Third pic is of the transmission converted to single speed. I used some stock wheel bushings from a TT-01 as spacers.

Fourth and fifth pics are of the steel mount with a spare motor I had. Its not the motor I will be using. The pitch of the spur is 24 so I had to find a pinion with the same pitch. I got a 15 tooth one but the whole diameter is 5mm. So I now need a motor with a 5mm shaft. I think I've found the one I'm going to get on ebay.

Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Qo38960.jpg
Views:	1363
Size:	50.5 KB
ID:	1294046   Click image for larger version

Name:	Je99512.jpg
Views:	1413
Size:	61.5 KB
ID:	1294047   Click image for larger version

Name:	Sx63164.jpg
Views:	1358
Size:	53.6 KB
ID:	1294048   Click image for larger version

Name:	Uo35308.jpg
Views:	2790
Size:	53.3 KB
ID:	1294049   Click image for larger version

Name:	Ug53109.jpg
Views:	3151
Size:	53.5 KB
ID:	1294050  
Old 10-13-2009, 07:42 AM
  #2  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

I think I'm going to get this motor/esc combo:

Ezrun 1/8 Car Truck Brushless Motor 2300kv + 80A ESC (the 3665 one)

I was originally looking at this for my E sav. Not sure how well it would work with what I'm doing. Any suggestions/help? But I figured if I wanted to take it out and put it in my E sav then I could.

Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Bz77954.jpg
Views:	1031
Size:	71.0 KB
ID:	1294065  
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Ni25016.jpg (1.73 MB, 137 views)
Old 10-13-2009, 06:41 PM
  #3  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

I ordered the shocks today

Yeah Racing 55mm damper set
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Mk25381.jpg
Views:	657
Size:	29.9 KB
ID:	1294543  
Old 10-19-2009, 01:04 AM
  #4  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

So the suspension arrived and is installed. the last pic is of how I'm thinking of mounting the Receiver.

Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Ki18832.jpg
Views:	752
Size:	106.9 KB
ID:	1297942   Click image for larger version

Name:	Zu65266.jpg
Views:	840
Size:	75.0 KB
ID:	1297943   Click image for larger version

Name:	Xc78190.jpg
Views:	1269
Size:	113.7 KB
ID:	1297944   Click image for larger version

Name:	Cw64553.jpg
Views:	1531
Size:	110.1 KB
ID:	1297945  
Old 05-06-2010, 08:13 AM
  #5  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

So. Finally some progress.

Got the motor and ESC. Turnigy 3500kv motor and 150A HobbyWing ESC. I will be using them in my E-Savage also. Here's how the basic set up will look.

Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Nl30823.jpg
Views:	3017
Size:	88.8 KB
ID:	1431618   Click image for larger version

Name:	Yu63547.jpg
Views:	2028
Size:	90.9 KB
ID:	1431619  
Old 05-06-2010, 04:46 PM
  #6  
somerenegade
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ..., MN
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

That's pretty cool. What r u gonna do for the battery?
Old 05-06-2010, 05:15 PM
  #7  
MTboy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Missoula, MT
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Wow that does look cool. Will be interesting to see how it works out, you will have to get vid of that for us. But am wondering were your batt will go and what your looking at using?
Keep it comming..
Old 05-06-2010, 07:06 PM
  #8  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Haha yeah battery placement is going to be an issue, its a fairly large battery also. I'm going to be using a 3 cell LiPo for now. Although the brushless system is capabale of using 5 cell, so I might venture there in the future. I think im going to make a brace that goes over the top of it all and just rest the battery on top of that. It might make it a bit top heavy but it shouldnt be too bad.

I'm waiting on a new pinion gear to arrive, should be here in about a week, so once that arrives , I just have to put it all together and she'll be ready to go! Will definately get some footage for you!
Old 05-06-2010, 10:31 PM
  #9  
somerenegade
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ..., MN
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Maybe you could move the steering servo and cut a slot in the battery tray so you can insert the battery on its side. Then you'd have to figure out the linkage for the steering as well as the mounting for the servo. Maybe right on top of where it is currently and shifted as far as possible forward with the servo horn sticking up in the air?
Old 05-06-2010, 11:17 PM
  #10  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion


ORIGINAL: somerenegade

Maybe you could move the steering servo and cut a slot in the battery tray so you can insert the battery on its side. Then you'd have to figure out the linkage for the steering as well as the mounting for the servo. Maybe right on top of where it is currently and shifted as far as possible forward with the servo horn sticking up in the air?
Nice idea! Not sure if it would work/fit though. The battery is almost 15cm long. Plus I don't want to have to do much more modification. Plus the receiver still needs to go in! Haha.

I'm going to have to raise the ESC up a bit too so that it isn't directly mouned to the purple chassis base- plate of the RS4. It would be too close to the wheel and it'll also be scraping on the ground as part of the ESC hangs over the edge, as seen in the pic.

Oh well...we'll see how I go. It'll get done, one way or another. lol
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Lj22913.jpg
Views:	1188
Size:	85.4 KB
ID:	1432173  
Old 05-07-2010, 02:23 PM
  #11  
prestonlal
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

hey there Andyjk,
nice job so far....i have also done a couple of nitro conversions using my HPI Super Nitro RS4 Rally as the base. these are closer to 1/9 scale so its more accomodating.... i also ran into the issue of battery placement and well i'll let the pics do the talking....hope you dont mind me posting some pics..
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Rp42138.jpg
Views:	1252
Size:	139.0 KB
ID:	1432426   Click image for larger version

Name:	Kf13744.jpg
Views:	1318
Size:	121.8 KB
ID:	1432427   Click image for larger version

Name:	Bg93707.jpg
Views:	1875
Size:	116.1 KB
ID:	1432428   Click image for larger version

Name:	Au55575.jpg
Views:	1332
Size:	83.6 KB
ID:	1432429   Click image for larger version

Name:	Hs96865.jpg
Views:	1151
Size:	99.8 KB
ID:	1432430  
Old 05-07-2010, 02:54 PM
  #12  
prestonlal
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Also did an 'on road' conversion last year....again, another Suoer Nitro Rally..but this one had an after market chassis...i shortened the shock length to drop it lower so i could use the Lambo body and i modified a battery box from the savage flux (i think). i had to use a piece of aluminum to to support the box... hey just remembered... if you haven't run yours as yet.. you gonna want to belt your tires... cause they will balloon at full throttle... which results in the car flipping over as well as the ballooning tires are gonna rub on the paint on the wheel wells.....
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Wt58989.jpg
Views:	1148
Size:	106.9 KB
ID:	1432460   Click image for larger version

Name:	Ez81335.jpg
Views:	1065
Size:	88.1 KB
ID:	1432461   Click image for larger version

Name:	Fk15739.jpg
Views:	1013
Size:	82.3 KB
ID:	1432462   Click image for larger version

Name:	Ib82061.jpg
Views:	1033
Size:	95.9 KB
ID:	1432463   Click image for larger version

Name:	Kv16524.jpg
Views:	838
Size:	85.9 KB
ID:	1432464   Click image for larger version

Name:	Aq98349.jpg
Views:	865
Size:	95.3 KB
ID:	1432465  
Old 05-07-2010, 04:44 PM
  #13  
somerenegade
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ..., MN
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion



Yeah I thought about the receiver as well. The throttle servo isn't necessary anymore so it could go there. Or you could mount it on top of the steering servo itself (if you did mount the battery sideways). Thechallengeis that center gear mount and working around that.I have an Nitro RS4 3 which I convertedto rally but seeing this thread I'm starting to thinkmight be better if it was electric lol.

Old 05-08-2010, 01:38 AM
  #14  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

I thought the same thing regarding the throttle Servo. I initially removed it but in fact it will be needed. The spur gear is on a one-way bearing that spins freely one way and locks the other, so that it may have forward drive, but not reverse. Now seeing as all the braking in an electric vehicle is controlled by the motor, nothing will happen to the rs4 when u go to brake. So the throttle servo is needed for braking but not acceleration. The only other way I can think of would be to weld the spur to the drive shaft. That way i would have reverse also. But I can't weld haha.

Yeah my LHS told me about the problem with the tyres ballooning. What is or how do you belt the tyres?
Old 05-08-2010, 01:42 AM
  #15  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Forgot to show my ESC moutn that I made.

Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Lj21440.jpg
Views:	1164
Size:	93.4 KB
ID:	1432803   Click image for larger version

Name:	Dy79761.jpg
Views:	968
Size:	82.6 KB
ID:	1432804  
Old 05-08-2010, 02:00 AM
  #16  
somerenegade
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ..., MN
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

This is the stock spur gear for the RS4 RTR 3 (single speed).

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXBSZ5&P=7

I think it may be the solution to the one way bearing hurdle.. I bought a 2 speed for my RS4 but never got around to installing it so I'm not totally sure where the bearing is. If you need to replace the two outer bearings I'll find the part number for ya.I think you can re-use the shaft and drive cups with that spur gear. But if you want me to find the part numbers for them I'll post them tomorrow.

If you want some more torque, the MT spur gear has the same dimensions.. aside from the number of teeth of course.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXTB39&P=7

Old 05-08-2010, 09:01 AM
  #17  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Dude! Thanks heaps for your help! That's what I love about this place. People's genuine interest in helping others! I'll have a look into it. I can't go any lower on the spur gear as it wont meet with the pinion. The motor is already over as far as it can go. I think I'm going to keep it how it is for now and just get it up and running and see if not having reverse annoys me enough to fix it lol.

Thanks heaps once again mate!
Old 05-08-2010, 09:41 AM
  #18  
prestonlal
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

to belt the tires , you need to stop them from expanding so i used some duct tape on the insides of each tire. In my case they were mostly all off the rims anyway from a few speed passes.... basically took the tire off the wheel removed the tire insert, then turned the tire inside out (not as easy as it sounds ha!) then covered the inside with duct tape, be sure to put just one layer of tape and try to do all the tires as evenly as possible...then flip the tires back, reseat the inserts and re-glue to rims...


Old 05-08-2010, 09:47 AM
  #19  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion


ORIGINAL: prestonlal

to belt the tires , you need to stop them from expanding so i used some duct tape on the insides of each tire. In my case they were mostly all off the rims anyway from a few speed passes.... basically took the tire off the wheel removed the tire insert, then turned the tire inside out (not as easy as it sounds ha!) then covered the inside with duct tape, be sure to put just one layer of tape and try to do all the tires as evenly as possible...then flip the tires back, reseat the inserts and re-glue to rims...


Oh ok. Yeah I usually use foam tyres so I don't think I'll have a problem. I occasionally use rubber tyres on my TT-01 which ha a 4300kv motor and does around 80km/h, they stay stuck on fine but the tread doesn't last to long lol. Thanks for your help!
Old 05-08-2010, 09:53 AM
  #20  
prestonlal
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

i think that somerenegade is right about the spur gear.... HPI has made the RS4 models based on one basic platform so alot of the parts are interchangeable. i'm also running
the RS4 3 EVO + diffs in my brushless super nitro rally...the entire diff assembly bolted right in..! the reason im using these is that they are heavy duty (hardened steel) and have a faster ratio.....
that being said the center diff/spur for the nitro mt or mt2 should work .....i'm running the mt2 center diff assembly as well and it bolted right in....
Old 05-08-2010, 11:35 PM
  #21  
somerenegade
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ..., MN
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion



I'll help u just a little bit more then I'll be done. Lol

But yeah the RS4 3 RTR has the same design as the RS4 3 EVO except without upgrades like the 2 speed, hardened diffs, and the bigger engine. Otherwise they are identical. Think of the EVO as the souped up 3rd or 4th generation of the RS4 3 (pretty sure there were 12ss and 18ss versions a while back). FYI my version came stock with the weak 15FE engine.. shudder.

Those hardened diffs can be expensive if they aren't stock! Whew! I still can't believe how much they were when I added it all up but it was a need when I upgraded to a 3.0 engine.

I got a look at the one way bearings on the 2 speed. They are in the purple hubs that hold the spur gears right? Well I looked at the shaft and it probably won't work with the spur gear I linked in my previous post. There's a ridge in the middle, no doubt to seperate the 2 gears. But I do have the part number for the single speed shaft so I will link it thru the Tower.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&FVSEARCH=a832

You will be able to reuse the output cups and the outer bearings (HPI #B030) slide onto the ends of the spur gear. I'm not sure how much the shipping would be (I see u live in Australia) or if u can find these parts locally but its like $12 for the parts themselves and you will have reverse.  

Overall this is a great idea. I think I might have to do this down the road once I have some spending money.  

Old 05-11-2010, 08:53 PM
  #22  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Awesome, thanks heaps for your help mate! I'm going to keep it the way it is now and just see how it goes but will definately change it so that I have reverse in the future.

So I made a mount for the battery. I actually made two. I didn't like the first, it stuck up too much and it was heavy. This thing is really turning out to be quite a heavy car.

Here's some pics of both the mounts I made. The second one is the one I'm going with.

Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Tr49871.jpg
Views:	966
Size:	94.0 KB
ID:	1434614   Click image for larger version

Name:	Hd94688.jpg
Views:	877
Size:	80.1 KB
ID:	1434615   Click image for larger version

Name:	Ek14938.jpg
Views:	948
Size:	85.6 KB
ID:	1434616   Click image for larger version

Name:	Fy72452.jpg
Views:	1083
Size:	97.5 KB
ID:	1434617  
Old 05-13-2010, 01:51 PM
  #23  
somerenegade
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ..., MN
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Nice! You angled the second one to move the weight more towards the center. Its looking good!
Old 05-13-2010, 03:33 PM
  #24  
rc18junky
 
rc18junky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: denham springs, LA
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

if you wanted to open up a little more space you could move your receiver to where i did on my tc4 on the front bumper. you battery is set a little high which will affect the center of gravity a bit just watch you high speed turns or the car will roll. you could try to mount the battery on the side between the wheels would help the COG with the battery monted on it side the body should clear it just find. if you got you a stale pack you would have a little easy time fitting it in the car
Old 05-13-2010, 05:48 PM
  #25  
Andyjk
Thread Starter
 
Andyjk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nitro RS4 Electric conversion

Hey, thanks for the ideas. There's a few problems with mounting the battery between the wheels, outside the chassis. It will have no protection. If i get hit by one of my mates cars from the sides, LiPo GONE! Or if I slide into something, GONE!

Mounting the receiver at the front like you have wouldnt really give me any more space, as the plastic moulding that holds the servo would still be there. Plus I'd have to put another hole in the body for the antenna, which I don't wan to do. Can I ask why you mounted the receiver like you have, why didnt you put in on top of the servo?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.