Trouble setting up my RC10

[chrisbryan800]

Sorry folks, but newbie here again. I now have purchased everything I need to get the buggy moving. (I think)
However I'm stuck on a few details.

1) I have purchased a Futaba Skysport 4VF 40mhz transmitter and 115F 5 channel receiver. I was told this would be suitable for cars, even though it was intented for planes. However I can't get hold of a manual and am lost without one. Both sticks seem to go up/down/left/right ??
Which slots do I plug in my servo, and which slot do I plug in my speed controller.

2) I have a novak dually speedo, but it is missing a on/off switch. Do I need one of these?

3) The Ariel on the receiver is nearly twice as long as needed. I don't want to cut it incase this has a negative effect. Can I double it up or twist it tight?

4) Can I cut a hole in the bodyshell were the speedo heatsink sits, or is this against the rules? I am intending to start racing beleive it or not.

5) I have some powerful NIMH batteries and wondered if I could leave them discharged for a long period of time (don't have a charger yet!)

Any assistance would be most welcome

[josh_smaxx]

The futaba skysport is unsuitable for cars really. you need a 2/3 channel land only radio system

You dont need an on/off switch, nice to have though.

Dont cut the ariel, its twice as long as normal ones because its for a plane that can travel much further distances.

Not hughely sure on that one.

Best not to leave them for long periods of time discharged, they can be permenantly damaged.

[David Church]

I am sure plenty of people will help you in this forum!!!

You can probably cut the shell for the heat sink, I assume you will be starting racing at club level.

You should not leave cells discharged for longer than 2 weeks or so, many different opinions on this.

You don't need a switch, but as josh has said, it does make life easier.

As far as the other bits, we better wait for more qualified people.

[chrisbryan800]

Thanks folks, think i'll have to get rid of the transmitter/receiver. Shame really as it is in supper condition.

The reason I ask about the cells, is my Uncle is an electrical engineer by trade, and although not a model enthusiast, he belives NIMH cells can be left any length of time as the don't suffer from cell memory problems like NICADs, He also seemed to think that slow low ampage trickle peak charging would seem to better preserve the cells life span. He also said they would hold there charge to quite a high degree. i.e if I charged them the night before a race day , they would still be 98-99% fine? Don't wanna be shelling out 40 quid a set every couple of months if fast chargers are gonna damage them!
Any battery experts here?

Yeah will be looking at club level racing, gonna be pretty ropey at it though.

[David Church]

I am no expert on cells.
I believe he is kind of right in what he says, it depends on what level you are looking to run at.
At club level a good set of Nimh could last you years, buy a good charger, not the most expensive one, and an equalising tray of some sort, and you will be away.
I have never heard of fast charging damaging the cells, well as long as you dont charge them at too high of amps. About 5 amp is good.

[chrisbryan800]

I think I would like to put an on/off switch on the speedo, but don't know where to start

There is a short blue wire and a short red/black twisted wire, Is there any rules of thumb for wiring a switch?

[josh_smaxx]

Racing NiMh cells will discharge over a short period of time (lose there 'punch') and after they go below a certain voltage they can be damaged permenantly

a slow charge is much better for them, yes and they will hold there charge better but by charging them at like 1a as a posed to 5a you will not get the voltage spike out of them which makes the car accelerate.

An equalising tray keeps them in good order as each cell goes out of balance through charge/discharge cycles, an equalising tray brings them back together again.


No real rule of thumb for wiring a switch i dont think, i believe the switch is in the BEC circuit going to the Rx, but not sure. I dont run a switch and am happy with it like that, always reminds you to take your cells out.