Help with upgrade (newcomer)

[maker]

So i took my rc boat down from my shelf and wanted to fix it, my main problem is that i can walk faster then the boat goes.

Its a Traxxas IV if i got it all right, it's some years old (by some i mean 10+)

I have figured out that its "mechanical" speed control on it with the standard remote and receiver.

So im pritty new to this been looking around on the internetz and found out its hard to know what i need and what i should get to make it faster. would like to atleast get it to human running speed or more.

If i have to modify and get watercooling i think i would be able to fix that ^^

Could anyone reccomand 2 or 3 different builds i can do with different prices?

Would be gratefull just to get any info at all really =) or if it will be alot cheeper just to get a new boat.

Beforhand ty for any respons what so ever.

[Make-a-Wake]

Is it a Traxxas Villain IV? I've done two mods of Villains with brushless motors converted to single drive, worked out well and im pleased with the speeds....right at 40. Started with 4s ended up with 6s.

My build thread on RCG - http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1265497

and a vid:

[maker]

Yupp it's an Villain IV, found the manual to it now =)

I see with your build it seems like you have done alot to it and it looks nice.

But i was looking forward to have 2 motor's in it, and looking for 1 or 2 ways to do it, one by using the "speed control" i have now and one with e new "speed control" (50-100 dolar) and one abit highter (150-200 dolar) if i have to go higher then i gess a new boat is better?

Here is some pic's of the boat (found my camera today =) )

If you need more info i can try to get it ^^

[Make-a-Wake]

You can turn it into a Villain EX by replacing the ESC with a 14 cell Traxxas marine ESC and the 23T turn titan motors.....................should get you mid 20's.

[Jesse J]

, that is probably the best suggestion. Without significant overhaul, I wouldn't recommend adding copious power to existing system. I did the above (plus other stuff) and have a fun scale runner that looks great on the shelf/trailer too.

Here she is (actually stock IV motors... but EVX2 speedo) still needs some tuning for the bouncing, but pretty scale speeds! (the second half of the video shows full power)

Oh ya, and WELCOME to the forum!!

[maker]

So been looking around and if i go for the new motor's 23T titan x2 do i then need to get two ESC or can i use only 1 ?

And here is a little film clip from my villain, and yes its full speed :S

[Make-a-Wake]

Yeah, they're slow, but thats probably scale speed of about 30 mph. You only need one ESC to run both motors, here's an EVX, note the two sets of motor output wires. You can probably find a used one for 50 bucks or so.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Traxxas-EVX2-Forward-Reverse-Marine-ESC-NIB-/290490955472?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43a29c36d0

motors, i think they make a reverse rotation one as well............not completely sure.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Traxxas-Titan-Marine-23-TURN-550-Motor-Villain-EX-1585-/360336105003?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53e5b49e2b

[maker]

Nice! tthanks for the links.

think this is going to be a fun boat to run, going to see if i can get the kid to control it :P hes 2years old and love boat's even tryed to ninja the boat when i had my back to him ^^

payed around 150 dolar on it, dont know if that was much or what but everything is expensive around here hehe. :P

[dana]

there is something wrong with that thing. it should be alot faster than your video. granted by todays standard it is a slow boat, but not that slow.

[forescott]

No doubt the old school mechanical speed control has got to go!!

[Make-a-Wake]

there is something wrong with that thing. it should be alot faster than your video. granted by todays standard it is a slow boat, but not that slow.

That about what it does, its only got two 540 size brushed motors puttin' out about 100 watts each at most, and on 7.2v.

[maker]

So i mounted in the new motors "titan 550" and a "Traxxas EVX-2"

also went and got 2 new batteri's "Enrichpower 4000" 8.4v

when i turn on the ESC i got a green light for 0.3 sec and then it goes dark again, when i hold it on i get a red light that SHOULD blink and then i should be able to progran the controller.

But the red light stays on and nothing happens, tryed to figure it out but so far no luck, so im therefor asking in the thread and hoping for some awnsers =)

[wparsons]

Do you have the manual for it? If not, you can find it here:

http://traxxas.com/sites/default/files/3019_manual_operating-instructions-2008_0.pdf

By the sound of it you have to hold the button longer to get it into calibration mode, the red flashes might be hard to see unless you're in a dark room though.

Have you tried reversing the throttle channel? How about the trim, it should be centered to start.

[maker]

had it down for 2minutes and still it was black (going past the red light that DONT flash), tho i tryed to go true the programing like in the user manual but still nothing.

Going back to the shop tomorrow and see if thay can find the problem will keep posting when i know more :)

[wparsons]

Do you have both packs plugged in?