Traxxas Titan

[mickvk]

thanks mate, that helps a bit, I guess I'll just get the gear ordered and wait (hopfully not too long) to play around with it all when I get it. Is it really just as easy as swapping the battery types, theres no program cards needed or anything? and any idea of the runtimes with the 3s 5000mAH? and just to go on a little, I've read a bit about the hitec x4http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/1574_116/products_id/184860/n/Hitec-X4-Four-Channel-Multicharger-6S-6A-50W would this charger do the job well enough for the venom 3s 20c 5000mAH batteries, or what would you suggest in the charger wourld, I would rather buy one kickass one rather than get a few months into it and need somthing else(I've already done that with my swallow AC/DC2 as it'll only charge one battery at a time)?

I expect it will be like previous VXL models where you press and hold the power button following a procedure to get a red light for non low-voltage-cutoff and a green light for operating with LVC..

Run time: Depends on training mode and how you drive. I don't know what the system will draw, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was in the six minute range. I have a couple of the popular 4S models like the UL-1 hydro using a shorter motor that consumes 500-600 mAh's per minute on average. I prefer to run about 80% of the battery's capacity though - if you run them until they "dump" I believe it shortens their life. Just guessing that it might average 800 mA per min then 4000 mAh is used at the 5 min mark. You will be able to gauge runs by how much current you put back into the batteries.

Chargers: To a degree it's personal choice. I hate the 50 watt barrier. if you charge a 3S 5000 mAh battery on a 50 watt charger at 1C, the rate should be 5A. But the unit will supply less than that due to the wattage limitation. So it will take a little bit longer. This gets more significant as you work with more cells and higher C charge rates. For example, to charge a 5A 5S pack at 2C you would need about 200watts.

I would rather get a few of these: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=11444

[Brushless55]

Please be nice as I am very new(don't even have a boat yet)
Im very impressed with the sparton and will be getting on the backorder list soon, I've spent a long time reading this thread and it's sold me. I would like verify a few things as I've never had an rc boat or ran lipo's. As I understand the traxxas ESC has three modes, sport, race and training. I would suppose that the "training" mode on NIMH would only run about 15mph and be good for teaching my kids? The sports mode on either NIMH or lipo would be quicker and the "Race" mode would be were they get the 50mph on 6s lipo's. I think I'll be using both battery types as I'll let the kids learn with the NIMH and then let rip myself with lipo's. Is it as easy as taking out the NIMH and plugging in 2 3s lipo's and away I go?? I also have no understanding of lipo batteries and need to know what the best match for this boat, I'm guessing the higher the mAH the longer run times? Would this battery be overkill ?http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...-ROAR-Approved or would somthing like these be fine?http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...r-5000mAh-111V What sort of run time should I get from these batteries?
I need to learn alot about lipo's but a few quick answers would be a great help so I can get my order going.
It's a lot of questions I know, the way I see it is "you don't know if ya don't ask"

I don't think anyone on this site has talked about the different settings in the esc for the Spartan?
and I'm not so sure that's a good idea with a brushless boat of this size, it could smoke the esc..
and with batteries, these are good and will give great runtimes if ran in parallel

http://hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14329

and for a charger, this one is a 200watt charger, it will charge those packs fairly fast, and it's cheap!

http://hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=12105

amain is a little over priced on some things and others way over priced
Hobbycity is a great place to get great stuff and even better prices
B55

[mickvk]

I don't think anyone on this site has talked about the different settings in the esc for the Spartan?

Right, there are no specs. Just guessing based on the other VXL surface system I used.

[Snowride]

Actually there is a tremendous amount of info on the Spartan Site. This is what they say about the ESC specifically in the Spartan

Velineon® VXL-6s Marine ESC

Innovative waterproof design
integrated water cooling
Three programmable drive profiles:
Sport Mode – 100% FWD / 15% REV
Race Mode - 100% FWD / No REV
Training Mode – 50% FWD / 15% REV
High-efficiency MOSFET transistors
Built-in two-stage low-voltage detection for LiPo batteries
Thermal overload protection
Voltage overload protection
Locked rotor protection
Throtle Neutral Setting protection
NiCad and NiMH battery packs: 6-18 cells (7.2 to 21.6 volts)
LiPo battery packs: 2-6 cells (7.4 to 22.2 volts)
12-gauge Maxx Cable wire
Traxxas High-Current Connectors

[Diesel6401]

I don't think anyone on this site has talked about the different settings in the esc for the Spartan?
and I'm not so sure that's a good idea with a brushless boat of this size, it could smoke the esc..

I would imagine you would be correct, running 50% throttle KILLS esc's. Unless their is something we don't know about

I for sure would not run 50%. If you want to teach your kids play the safe route and get a brushed boat like the RIO EP to learn on. Sure beats smoking an esc although I would imagine traxxas would cover it on warrenty.

[hyrulejedi86]

There's no way they would say you could do that (Just like they have said on most of their other vehicles) if you couldn't. They would have to cover it on warranty since they said you could do it.

[Diesel6401]

There's no way they would say you could do that (Just like they have said on most of their other vehicles) if you couldn't. They would have to cover it on warranty since they said you could do it.

They would have to cover it, I just hope they aren't settinng themselves up for a issue with that 50% mode. it might be a land version esc they converted to marine. It maybe a complete new design though. Hell if I know, I just don't want people to have an issue and loose interest in the hobby.

[hyrulejedi86]

That's definetly true, some might get discouraged and quit. Not me but others could.

[BakedMopar]

I understand how esc sorta work and I agree that running partial throttle makes them work a little harder. With that said. My cars and helis don't run at full throttle the whole time and I have never ever have an issue with them running hot and burning up.

[properchopper]

I understand how esc sorta work and I agree that running partial throttle makes them work a little harder. With that said. My cars and helis don't run at full throttle the whole time and I have never ever have an issue with them running hot and burning up.

Sorry for the thread Hijac , but George, how'z the 180Z doing, and have you seen the XTM Sand Rail ? I'm in LOVE & have to have one (with paddles !)if I could only afford it.

[BakedMopar]

Sorry for the thread Hijac , but George, how'z the 180Z doing, and have you seen the XTM Sand Rail ? I'm in LOVE & have to have one (with paddles !)if I could only afford it.

Tony, Tony, Tony, I actually didn't get the CB180z. When I went to make that order at HK I saw the BNF UFLYS for really cheap. I just couldn't pass up that deal. Its a BIG jump from the Lama2-1 but it's fun and fast (although that's what gets me in trouble).

I have seen the XTM sand rail. Im still trying to finish my scratch built one that I started about a year ago. It's based on a four seat rail. Its being built with 1/4" steel tubing throughout with a XTM straight axle and Baja5 front aluminum arms. It was going to be powered by a 19 series Neu on 6s. Should be a blast in the sand ....if I ever finish it.

[Rumdog]

Reverse? LOL. Can you say cables unwinding?
Also, when running part thottle on a boat, you're pulling way more current than with a land R/C.

[Diesel6401]

I understand how esc sorta work and I agree that running partial throttle makes them work a little harder. With that said. My cars and helis don't run at full throttle the whole time and I have never ever have an issue with them running hot and burning up.

I agree, I fly a little with a F4U Corsair and I run 50-75% more then full thottle, but we are also not pulling 80-100+ amps constant...

[BakedMopar]

But are you still pulling 80-10 at partial throttle? I'm not disagreeing here but is it really that bad? I've recently switched my rescue boat to brushless too. No more sticking brushes in the middle of the pond.

[Diesel6401]

But are you still pulling 80-10 at partial throttle? I'm not disagreeing here but is it really that bad? I've recently switched my rescue boat to brushless too. No more sticking brushes in the middle of the pond.

Not sure good question. But you think the fets constantly cycling to maintain the requested throttle range + higher amps pulls over land/air vehicles would =

Until we get the boats all we can do is guess...
Not sure, most people and traxxas guys are smarter than me so hell if i know...