Brushless XLB...

[Trip]

I have an XLB that I bought new from my local hobbyshop back in 2003 and I've ran about 15 gallons of nitro through this old buggy before I swiped the SH .28 motor to put into my Savage. Now it's been sitting for about 4 years and I've decided to knock the dust off of it and convert it into a brushless ass kicker! Now I know some purists may scream that it's not a large scale because it was marketed as a 1/7 scale. XTM was going to label it as a 1/6 scale, but they labeled it as a 1/7 scale because it was a nitro and most 1/6 scales were gas. XTM didn't want any problems so they labeled it as a 1/7 scale. They were also working on releasing the Grizzly and as many of you know, that was a Smartech Truck the same as the Firehammer and they didn't want any conflict in sales. The XLB was $500 and the Grizzly was $1000...

Here is a pic of it next to my FG M/T body.

As you can see it's not a "Little Nitro"

Here's a pic with it wearing my FG M/T body.


Yes I am well aware that the body is too big for this buggy and it looks funny. I am just pleading my case to not be bitched at for the buggy not being a "Largescale"...

To continue.
I've debated on what motor/esc to run and I really haven't come up with anything exclusive. I have narrowed it down to a few different choices. I'm thinking about the Hobbywing 150a esc and the 4274 sensored motor. http://www.hobbywing.com/english/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=459 I'm looking at combo M6A (ebay $245.) Just as a heads up, the new Redcat electric buggy runs this same ESC... The motor I'm looking at is bigger than what's in that redcat buggy though.

I'm also thinking about the Castle Creation Mamba Monster. http://www.castlecreations.com/products/mamba_monster.html (Ebay $285.) I should note that the Savage Flux is a CC Mamba Monster setup. Which is the same as this http://www.leopardhobby.com/product/index.asp?functionID=01020207

I haven't narrowed it down yet and the prices are pretty close. Both setups are made in China (yes even the CC is Chinese) and both are close in price but the Hobby Wing has better specs.

Ok well here are some pics of the buggy that I plan to install the brushless setup. The good thing is this buggy is only about 4 pounds as a roller and maybe 6 pounds with radio gear and electrics! So it's super light compared to gas 1/6 or 1/5 scales.





Here's some pics of the nitro stuff removed.



Here are some pics of a basic layout that I've been thinking about...

The first person to comment on how a toilet paper tube and some 1500 nicads won't power this buggy gets the smackdown! They are for size only. The toilet paper tube and nicads are about the same size as the motor and (2) 3s lipos I plan to run. The monster Traxxas receiver is about the same as the Hobbywing receiver that I'm looking at. That's why there is 2 receivers in these pics. The Novak receiver is about the same as the Airtronics receiver that I plan to run.




Ok so I'm looking for some advice from anybody that has experience with big brushless setups.

I'm not looking to set any world speed records with this setup, but I am looking for about the same performance as the Savage Flux with a 6s.

All comments are welcome.

Trip..

 

[atom3624]

Hi Trip.
Welcome back - long time and that !!

Looks good.
Always got to leave room for cooling air on motor, ESC and even cables.

I run 6S on a Castle Monster (think it's the same as the 6S Flux and Traxxas 6S) and have a Feigao 580XL motor.

I gave up on the HVMaxx Novaks as I kept on blowing either the motor, ESC or both - need for speed! These were 4S but it was probably me always over-gearing them.
They always appear to pull perfectly, then overheat.

The E-Maxx (extended chassis, Ti arms, alloy wheels with '40' Big Joes ..... yawn ... ) seems fine, but the gears, supposedly hardened, etc., whine like buggery, so it's a balancing act.
Al.
Al.

 

[atom3624]

Hi Trip, to complete my 'state the obvious' (!!) don't forget to get good quality connectors, wire, and high 'C' rating batteries - generally the higher the better.

Al.