Any R/C car people here?

[Mr N8]

I just got into R/C, and picked up an HPI Dash from a local shop. I figured I would start learning the ways on something more a little more controllable than the nitro cars that do 45mph+. I ran it for about 20 minutes the other night, and it was a blast.

Anyway, what kind of maintenance is involved with these electric RTR cars? Is it bad to throw it in reverse to spin the car around (especially when new)? Also, are the engine / gears upgradeable in this car, or is it limited to body / tires & wheels / shocks?

 

[mcvickj]

Well I am more of a Nitro guy myself but I have thought about getting into electrics for the winter months. I would think with throwing the car into reverse while its moving forwards would but some unnecesssary stress on the gears. It might cause a premature failure. I know I did something similar on one of my nitros and I managed to strip out the spur gear. I'm pretty certain the motor / gears are upgradable. Check your manual that came with the Dash. They might have a list of option parts in the back.

I would also suggest stopping over to http://www.rcnitrotalk.com. A great bunch of guys over there who love anything RC. Don't be fooled by the word nitro in the link. We talk about electrics just as much as the nitros.

 

[bunker]

I don't know about the Dash, but the RC10 I had when I was growing up was fully upgradeable.

I would have to think slamming it into reverse while moving forward is not the best of ideas if you want your gears to last for any amount of time .

 

[FrustratedUser]

Don't know anuthing about electrics but right now I'm having a blast with the 1/8 scale 4WD buggy.

 

[NutBucket]

Eh, the worst you can do is strip a $3 gear. Hell, one of my Tamiyas had an intimate encounter with 2 wheels of a Subaru. Total cost of repair: $25. (needed a new servo or it would have only been $5)

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Eh, the worst you can do is strip a $3 gear. Hell, one of my Tamiyas had an intimate encounter with 2 wheels of a Subaru. Total cost of repair: $25. (needed a new servo or it would have only been $5)

That's what I was thinking, but I'm not sure if you can get to the gears or not in this particular car. I suppose I'll just ask the guys at the hobby shop when I go in to pick up a couple of extra batteries. Oh, how long do your batteries last? <20 minutes seemed like a really short time for them to last, but I'm just starting in R/C, so maybe that's all the longer most care to use them.

 

[NutBucket]

If they last 20 you're ahead of the pack. I haven't fired up my electric in quite a while but I know it never ran that long. Then again, when I was more into the hobby 1500 mAH packs were the norm

 

[brian_riendeau]

With the Dash, just keep it the way it is and it should be fine. For basic maintenence, keep the car clean (especially rotating pairs). A cheap bushing lube will go along way to keeping the car running well. The Dash is basically just the type of car you would buy at Toys R Us. It is not really a hobby RTR as much as it is a toy, so keep that in mind.

I would be gentle on the Dash, the type of plastic used and how it is put together is not going to hold up in rough behavior.

With a true hobby RC car, you can really beat the snot out of them. I have a XXX-NT (kit), Tamiya TLT-1, and I had a HPI RS4 Rally in the past, all can survive a tremendous ammount or impact without much of an issue. When you do break something, usually it is a $3 suspension arm.

 

[funboy6942]

Website for you on your dash.

It is not upgradeable but it is a great first timer car. At the cost of only $100 with everything included is not all that bad at all. I would give it time though and Im sure some one aftermarket will find a way to upgrade some things and youwill be set. If cars are your bag then check out tower hobbies for they havea great online selection. As for what to do with the car and what not to thats the joy of being new and I am not sure but I wwould think the HPI will make replacement parts for the car so experiment.
I used to be really big into electric years ago till I got my first nitro. Nitor is the best but you need to learn the basics first and a little mechanical know how is a must. For a few dollars more lter you can always upgrade to something better with the ability to upgrade parts but kill the one you have first and pratice bringing the car towards you because the controls are reversed and can be a pain for newbies.
I cant play with that stuff anymore because I got hurt and cant get around all to well anymore and sold it all off. But later may want to check into mini monster trucks. I am loking to hopfully get the Duratraxs Mini Quake. Inside a nd outside ride I can run the kids toys over with .
Enjoy the hobby and it wont be long and you will be spending all your money on it and watch out once you find a inside or outdoor track and go to your first race. It will become a obsession needing to have the fastest car out there and next thing you know your broke.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
If they last 20 you're ahead of the pack. I haven't fired up my electric in quite a while but I know it never ran that long. Then again, when I was more into the hobby 1500 mAH packs were the norm

So, how many battery packs do you carry? The one that came with it is a 1300mAH, and thinkin about it, it lasted no longer than 12-15 minutes. My local shop carries some 1500, 2400, and 3000mAH packs that will work.