I just received my Redcat Volcano EPX in the mail. This is my first hobby grade RC. I unpacked everything and I'm not sure where I should start. The instructions are especially lacking for a first time user like myself. Am I correct in my assumption that all I need to do is charge the battery and is stuff the antenna wire into the antenna pipe?

Using the stock charger, how do I know when a battery is fully charged? I have the stock 1800 NiCd and a 3600 Nimh. Should I run the batteries all the way down before recharging? Should the batteries be stored fully charged or depleted?

The antenna wire is longer than the antenna pipe. Should I cut off the excess wire so that I can put the pipe into the receptor?

What are the eight extra c-shaped black clips that came with the volcano for? The best guess that I have is that I am supposed to use them to tighten the shocks. Is this correct?

What extra parts should I have on hand? What upgrades do you think I should look into first?

Thank you!

You won't know exactly when it's fully charged. If it's a 250mA charger and it's an 1800mAh batt, it will take about 7.2 hours to charge.

I would recommend a better motor. Probably a 27t motor (ehroof is probably going to tell you the Brushless)

No dont cut off the rest of the antenna! string it out thru the top wrap it around the tube and you can tape it in place with some electrical tape, And yes the C-shaped things ( i dont even know what there called lol ) are for the shocks

Redcat needs to address the manuals, they are awful and by far the worst I have ever seen in this industry. Their cars are nice but come on guys get with the times.

Agreed! It would be nice to have a better break down and show you which screw goes where, nubs like me take them apart when we get them..well cause you pretty much have to do it to get some locktite on there..and cant remember where all the screws go! lol

While I have nothing to compare it to, the Volcano certainly looks VERY nice to me.

My wife is an editor and proof-reader. Maybe Redcat would like her to do some freelance work for them. :-)

You are kidding me! I just got me new toy and I can't play with it until morning?!? I guess that means the 3600 will take 14.4 hours. :-(

I guess a new charger will be one of my first purchase considerations. Is there a smart charge that I can use will all of my rechargable batteries...not just the RC but for my cordless drills, flashlights and everything else.

I use this charger with no problems http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXXG87&P=ML Charges 2 batteries at once at 3.5A

i notice that you dont seem to own a redcat, or at least you signatures doesnt say it but you always have something negative to say about the redcat product.

i personally have and like this one: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXLCJ6&P=7

Go with any of the MRC chargers and you will be happy! I have no complaints and have being using them for a long time!

this one works great too.. sell a ton of them. http://www.clermontmotorsports.com/s...DC-Peak/Detail

Just curious, I just got my volcano EPX as well...nice lookin thing. I am more into heli's, but this seems to be a good start. eventually I am going to get a nitro car...just starting with what I know first. but...what about lipos? this charge time is ridiculous for the short run time of the thing. its fun for about 10 min, I mean sheesh...I read in the manual (which does leave A LOT to be desired) the the FET is 200A in forward and 100A in rev. so...if I get a lipo that doesnt exceed 200A I should be OK, right? any thoughts, suggestions, ect. would be helpful. I would probably fuse the motor anyways to protect the controller, but 200A seems like a lot to me...of course like I said, I am used to micro/mini helis

Thanks

cars are a totally different thing, well not exactly but you can run any 7.2 or 8.4 with the stock setup. i put in the brushless setup and a lipo battery, made it sick but stock, just get a 3000+mah battery for longer run times and a quick charger, will charge batter in 15-30 minutes.

Ok, so I can get a 3000+Mah lipo without going brushless, right? I was going to consider going brushless, but that might be a lil ways off (til I can talk the wife into dropping a bit more in the car I just got). What do you suggest for brushless on this model?

Thanks

I would suggest you get either the redcat Brushless or this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=330200319353

For lipo, you will need a LVC or LVD

Cool, that shouldnt take too long for me to get . I might have other questions later about it, but you guys have helped a lot and have made me feel a lil better about my purchase.

Thanks

Oh, I forgot to post...what do you mean LVC LVD?

your welcome bro, get that brushless system while there in stock, at that price they dont last very long.

clermontmotorsports.com has the brushless system too, i cant find it on his site now but email him for a price, i dont know where it went. lol

LVD=Low Voltage Detection

LVC=Low voltage Cuttoff

When LiPo's get to a low voltage, they can become dangerous and possibly explode. [link=http://www.maxamps.com/CellProLVC.htm]Here[/link] is a LVC.

Ok, got it. Yea, with helis, you don't need those. it is -very- easy to tell when they are getting towards the low volt end. Thanks again for everything guys.

i run lipo and just run an stop at the first sign of less power.

btw, heres a link for that brushless at a good price: http://www.clermontmotorsports.com/s...s-setup/Detail

I have a shockwave and a volcano epx. They are good cars, but all I was saying is they manuals are not even close to as nice as other brands. Thats all.

Btw the only thing I have ever said is the manuals suck and I would buy a different brand monster truck instead of a avalanche. Yup I constantly slam redcat.

just got a Volcano EPX...awesome truck for a first time user. How large a battery can I upgrade to?? I understand from the thread that 7.2 - 8.4V is about max for my non brushless motor/ESC.

I have access to a Venom Racing 7.2 volt 4600mAH 6-cell battery pack with Tamiya connector. will this work without breaking something mechanical?

What charger/battery combo do you recommend?