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Jul 2018
12:39pm, 31 Jul 2018
29,003 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Swapped out the receiver and steering servo last night. My first piece of build work on the car! At the end I confirmed that steering turned and throttle and brake worked.
However, I have a few concerns about what I did - servo was attached with 6 screws. When I put it back in, I hadn't fully tightened 2 of them then couldn't access them without taking front wheels, axles, wishbones and possibly shock towers off. This may cause problems. Also, the steering arm that attaches to the linkages looked like it might be a bit off centre. Not sure what to do about that.
Receiver was stuck down to chassis with double sided tape. I removed it with a knife but scratched chassis a bit. Then when I sat the new receiver in I just reused the double sided tape (as I have none), so that's probably not very secure. And the wiring isn't as neat as it was before. So a bit of help with tidying up required. Hope it will be OK though.
So now I have the stick transmitter instead of the wheel one. I now need to sell spare transmitter, receiver and servo. To offset the extra 200 quid that the replacements have cost! It's not cheap this game!
Track practice with two other guys tomorrow night. Hope it stays dry.  G
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Aug 2018
11:20am, 1 Aug 2018
29,015 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
We went a day early, because forecast was drier last night than tonight. Though we did have a shower at start. Dry for rest though.
Great fun! My tech changes held together. So new transmitter, receiver and servo combo checked by David, including end point adjustment and trim (and reverse swap - no idea why steering was backwards!). Slightly pulling left, so had to trim right more than I should. Might need to re-centre servo arm. And battery cutting off set, so only got 7 or 8 mins on each battery charge.
David and his wee brother on track too, so had a bit of practice of "racing". But mostly just trying to get the lines and speed right. We'd set up a bit of a random track configuration - a jump with a turn straight after, and some bumps on the straight. And a very weird chicane that you could straight line if you got it right.
So, successful, all in all. I have now purchased a hauler (basically a mini chest of drawers on wheels) to make transporting everything easier and to protect kit. I want a second charger and 3rd battery too, just so I always have a battery ready to go. Need to get a transponder (for auto lap timing) as I'll be taking part in the club race on Sunday (hoping it stays dry).
Need to get some confidence to do proper repairs and prep, taking things to bits. But I'll get there. Lots of fun. G
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Aug 2018
10:13am, 2 Aug 2018
29,019 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Argh, that was a lesson learned. Went to buy a bargain hauler. It was a bargain, except it turned out to be too small. The guy raced 1/12 and my 1/10th off road didn't fit in it! Only 30 quid wasted but now I need to sell it or bin it. Sheesh! And I need to see Transmitter, receiver and servo. I'm determined to do so. I don't want to be like MrsS(rrr) and just buy, buy and never sell. (That's not fair, she does occasionally get rid of a saddle. But very little else. It's like a horse junk yard in the tack room and garage!) G
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Aug 2018
4:16pm, 6 Aug 2018
29,039 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Report from the weekend and my first race!
3 rounds for my group. (There were only 6 2WD cars racing, so we did 2 x heats of 3 cars, 3 rounds, then a final). 7 cars doing 4WD, similar format.
I was last in 2WD! But I wasn't miles behind! I improved my best lap times, and generally avoided crashing too often. Need to get a bit more consistent and a bit more attacking.
But happy enough with that for first time out. Car went fine. Just me that needs to improve! I'm getting hang of settings on transmitter. No need to increase speed on car. Just softened steering a bit initially as one guy said it was a bit twitchy, but then sharpened it up again!
I've bought more kit (again!!) A 3rd battery and another charger, so I can charge 2 at same time. Didn't really need that in races because there's time between heats and rounds, but need it when practicing constantly. And had to get personal transponder. That was pricey too. But these are not consumables, they are things that I should only need once and should last.
Going up to track again tonight to practice! Hope it stays fine weather. Got my USB interface for computer so I can also use my real transmitter to control Virtual RC on the screen. Got it Friday night and spent far too long mucking about with it! G
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Aug 2018
10:33am, 7 Aug 2018
29,041 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
I know I'm only talking to myself here, so may just make this a (private?) blog!
Another practice night at off road car track. (The running website relevance here is only that I cancelled my gym that I would normally do on a Monday, to go to this. And I ran at lunch on Monday, which is normally my rest day, because I did bleep all running at weekend to rest from!)
Back to cars - got early train, home 5.45, had to take dog out quickly and give her tea, as she'd been on her own since lunch time dog walker had left, as MrsS(rrr) was actually out at work.) But still got to track for 6.20 or so. By 7.30 we were driving and didn't finish until 9.30. So a good set of runs.
3rd battery and 2nd charger paid off as I didn't have to wait for battery to charge, mostly had one when I needed it. Car was going fine. Changed the initial "punch" setting from 1 to 4 (of 9) so that it accelerates more immediately. Timing is set to 8 of 9 already, but I don't think top end speed is a problem.
Simple, small course, with one natural jump. One very tight hairpin before long straight. A double bend before jump. And a left right that wasn't as sharp as I thought before the short straight. By the end I'd sussed that I could go quicker and get power down earlier on that more sweeping bend. And that I could sort of do same on the double corner. I learned that there's no point in pushing too hard on the jump, as the landing area was a bit random and you could roll it quite easier. And it was coming up to sharp bend anyway, so why not just take slowly.
Main learning was that you can put the power down even if you are slightly turning, and correct it. Don't have to wait for 100% lined up straight. Track evolved quite a lot as dew came down as it got dark, which made for some great fun slipping sliding around, power slides and drifting the corners. Bad habits, because not quickest way to get around, but great fun!
And good practice with David and younger brother John driving at same time and seeing how I reacted to other cars on track. Not well, is the answer! Very hard to keep concentration with cars coming up from behind (or ahead!). Mostly need to just drive your own lines, but be prepared to back out if someone gets in your way, because almost never worth tangling. With no marshals, it was good practice to not crash!
Anyway, all good fun. G
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Aug 2018
10:39am, 7 Aug 2018
10,828 posts
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Girlie
Does building an Eaglemoss 1/8 Back To The Future Delorean count? Just got latest box of bits for 80-84 ish. But need to strip the doors from the upper frame as it's twisted and ive got a replacement.
First build I've done and enjoying the challenge (even if wires in issue 48 were a nightmare)
Done a few mods along the way.
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Aug 2018
10:43am, 7 Aug 2018
29,043 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
I would say so Girlie! Impressive model building! When you say "issue 48" is it one of those magazine subscription things? Doesn't that work out really expensive? (Says he, having spent and continuing to spend a fortune on own model!)
What kind of tools do you need? Do you have to paint or is it all pre-painted parts? Looks cool. Just googled it! G
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Aug 2018
10:47am, 7 Aug 2018
31,117 posts
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Nick Cook
You're not talking to yourself Happy. I'm finding your posts really interesting.
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Aug 2018
10:56am, 7 Aug 2018
4,752 posts
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Northern Exile
I'm a model aircraft (the flying variety) enthusiast from way back. I am considering a comeback and building some vintage control line aircraft, if I do I might post details here. I still have an attic full of old RC stuff.
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Aug 2018
11:00am, 7 Aug 2018
109 posts
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Maccatheknacca
Another one enjoying reading the thread. I’ve just assembled a Tamiya Lunchbox with my lad as a way of trying to spark some engineering interest & get him off the laptop. Although entry level I’m impressed with what it can do compared to an off the shelf rc car, admittedly it should impress for the price. I’ll stick a pic up when it’s in paint.
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