First up, this is the kit. These kits are one of the cheapest RC's you can get. This one was $100 at the local hobby shop. They can typically be found for around $60 USD on the net.
The electronics part needed for this kit will most likely cost more than the kit itself. The cheapest option would be to go with a Futaba MCR-2MS set, which includes a servo and an Electronic Speed Control(ESC)/Receiver unit. These usually run around $60 USD. In addition to the Futaba MCR set, you would need a 2-channel AM transmitter, which shouldn't cost much ($10-$20~).
However, for my build, I will be using separate electronics. The orange Novak XXL is the receiver I will be using. Attached to it right now is a Novak Spy ESC. The Spy is a ESC for brushed motors. To the right are the brushless motor setups.
The difference between brushed and brushless is exactly what the name implies. The advantage of brushless is much lower maintenance and increased efficiency which leads to longer motor life, longer runtimes, and more power. A few years ago, the price of a brushless motor setup may cost 2-3 times as much as a brushed setup. But due to the advancement in technology, the price difference is miniscular compared to the benefits of the brushless setup.
The brushless ESC here is a Castle Creations Mamba-25. This model have already been canceled and replaced with one called the Sidewinder. The cool thing about brushless technology is that you can connect the ESC via an USB to your computer and play around with settings such as the following:
- Throttle Response Curve
- Brake Response Curve
- Saved profile setup files
- Punch control
- Separate brake strength
- Separate reverse power
There are also a lot of brushless motors to play with since the same motors are used in small RC helicopters. In addition to the efficiency benefit, most of them can handle a higher voltage compared to brushed motors which opens the option to use LiPo batteries (more on that another time).
For this build, the ideal motor would be the purple one from Feigao since the speed is not insane and the extra torque would be great for the bike. The green one is the Mamba 8k which is basically high speed and low torque. I think this one might be too fast for the bike as it propels 18th scale to speeds of 30mph. However, I just noticed that the Feigao is longer in length than the Mamba and might have trouble fitting in the bike.
Now finally to the upgrades for this build. Here I have a Kyosho alloy front damper set, an alloy rear damper, ball bearings, and some goodies from my buddy, Chris Cazan at Rogue Element Components.
This first part is a 2-piece sprocket composed of an aluminum hub and a titanium (YES...SUPER DUPER METAL TITANIUM) gear. If I remember correctly, this piece was made in 2005. It was designed and CNC machined by Chris Cazan. I think a total of 25 units were made with 20 of them for customers and the remaining for the machinist himself. The 20 units were all sold before they were made. I was lucky to have bought two of them myself. There are aftermarket companies which have made this part, but they are all 1-piece and made of 6061 aluminum alloy. Mr. Cazan followed this limited Ti sprocket release with another limited release of alloy brake disks (more on those when I open them).
I just LOVE this piece. For some reason, it reminds me of the arc reactor Pepper Potts put in the glass display case in the movie Iron Man LOL
That's it for today, more coming soon, stay tuned!
Bro you have to paint the figure later as well or it already painted? With stickers?
ReplyDeleteYup, the whole kit is in white plastic, have to paint everything yourself.
ReplyDelete