Runaway Nitro Truck
11-29-2008, 05:50 PM
#1
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Runaway Nitro Truck
My t-maxx ran away full throttle and ran into the woods today. What fail safe should it get? Is the futaba fail safe comatible with traxxas?
11-29-2008, 05:54 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
I personally would replace the entire radio suite. RTR radios are good to get you going, but they leave alot to desire once you are going.
I would recommend you get a mid-grade radio like some of teh 2.4GH radio sets out on market today. To my knowledge, they all have built-in programmable failsafe.
I would recommend you get a mid-grade radio like some of teh 2.4GH radio sets out on market today. To my knowledge, they all have built-in programmable failsafe.
11-29-2008, 06:15 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
Is there anything else that can cause my truck to take off on its own? I have been driving in this park for years and today was the first day it took off on me.
11-29-2008, 06:22 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
interference from someone new maybe who didnt check or iv had a cv radio screw with me before. just check around first then check batts they can also be a MAJOR cause in this problem, then check if there is anything in the reciever box that could mess up and cause interference
11-29-2008, 06:27 PM
#5
RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
I had my T- Maxx take off full throttle on me before. It ran full force into a steel 6 inch cement filled post. Shattered the front end. Came to find out tha my onboard batteries were dead. I now charge truck and transmitter 2 days before I run. Have not had the problem since. Not to say that was your problem, just sharing my experiences
11-29-2008, 06:55 PM
#6
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
ORIGINAL: SAVAGEJIM
I personally would replace the entire radio suite. RTR radios are good to get you going, but they leave alot to desire once you are going.
I would recommend you get a mid-grade radio like some of teh 2.4GH radio sets out on market today. To my knowledge, they all have built-in programmable failsafe.
I personally would replace the entire radio suite. RTR radios are good to get you going, but they leave alot to desire once you are going.
I would recommend you get a mid-grade radio like some of teh 2.4GH radio sets out on market today. To my knowledge, they all have built-in programmable failsafe.
11-29-2008, 07:06 PM
#7
RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
If you want to be cheap, get a regular old $20 failsafe. I personally recommend the Ofna Micro unit, I've had nothing but luck with it for 4 years.
If you want to go 2.4Ghz, I'd recommend the Futaba 3PM FASST which I've been running for over a year now, and its absolute bliss. I've never had any glitching of any kind like I used to with my RTR radios, and the convenience and features are amazing. I'd also recommend the Airtronics MX-3 FHSS 2.4Ghz.
Spektrum I'd stay away from, I've seen too many stories on here about glitching and general problems with them. Most people like them, but its not the case with all. Plus, they have a range failsafe, but no F/S for low voltage like the others I mentioned, very handy.
Also- Make sure to run a throttle return spring, this is just extra insurance for battery voltage/ current loss.
Tom.
If you want to go 2.4Ghz, I'd recommend the Futaba 3PM FASST which I've been running for over a year now, and its absolute bliss. I've never had any glitching of any kind like I used to with my RTR radios, and the convenience and features are amazing. I'd also recommend the Airtronics MX-3 FHSS 2.4Ghz.
Spektrum I'd stay away from, I've seen too many stories on here about glitching and general problems with them. Most people like them, but its not the case with all. Plus, they have a range failsafe, but no F/S for low voltage like the others I mentioned, very handy.
Also- Make sure to run a throttle return spring, this is just extra insurance for battery voltage/ current loss.
Tom.
11-29-2008, 07:47 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
ORIGINAL: rcnitrohead
If you want to be cheap, get a regular old $20 failsafe. I personally recommend the Ofna Micro unit, I've had nothing but luck with it for 4 years.
If you want to go 2.4Ghz, I'd recommend the Futaba 3PM FASST which I've been running for over a year now, and its absolute bliss. I've never had any glitching of any kind like I used to with my RTR radios, and the convenience and features are amazing. I'd also recommend the Airtronics MX-3 FHSS 2.4Ghz.
Spektrum I'd stay away from, I've seen too many stories on here about glitching and general problems with them. Most people like them, but its not the case with all. Plus, they have a range failsafe, but no F/S for low voltage like the others I mentioned, very handy.
Also- Make sure to run a throttle return spring, this is just extra insurance for battery voltage/ current loss.
Tom.
If you want to be cheap, get a regular old $20 failsafe. I personally recommend the Ofna Micro unit, I've had nothing but luck with it for 4 years.
If you want to go 2.4Ghz, I'd recommend the Futaba 3PM FASST which I've been running for over a year now, and its absolute bliss. I've never had any glitching of any kind like I used to with my RTR radios, and the convenience and features are amazing. I'd also recommend the Airtronics MX-3 FHSS 2.4Ghz.
Spektrum I'd stay away from, I've seen too many stories on here about glitching and general problems with them. Most people like them, but its not the case with all. Plus, they have a range failsafe, but no F/S for low voltage like the others I mentioned, very handy.
Also- Make sure to run a throttle return spring, this is just extra insurance for battery voltage/ current loss.
Tom.
11-29-2008, 08:46 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
Just to add, if your not running a rechargeable receiver pack it would be a good idea to pick one up. Here is the link. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFJT1&P=0
11-29-2008, 09:56 PM
#12
RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
It is the spring right under the horizontal yellow tubing, right above the bar code on the transmssion
[link]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/daddimikey/T-MaxxThrottlereturnspring003.jpg[/link]
[link]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/daddimikey/T-MaxxThrottlereturnspring002.jpg[/link]
[link]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/daddimikey/T-MaxxThrottlereturnspring001.jpg[/link]
One end of the spring hooks behind the linkage collar and the other end hooks onto a plate on my transmission
[link]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/daddimikey/T-MaxxThrottlereturnspring003.jpg[/link]
[link]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/daddimikey/T-MaxxThrottlereturnspring002.jpg[/link]
[link]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/daddimikey/T-MaxxThrottlereturnspring001.jpg[/link]
One end of the spring hooks behind the linkage collar and the other end hooks onto a plate on my transmission
12-01-2008, 05:42 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
ORIGINAL: Soppy
I have a ofna failsafe from tower. If you don't feel like spending $100 on a new radio, pick one of them up for $20.
I have a ofna failsafe from tower. If you don't feel like spending $100 on a new radio, pick one of them up for $20.
I second this Failsafe. It works great and won't cost you much. That said a new radio system is always a great idea seeing how the stock radios signal is pretty weak and can pickup lots of interferance.
12-01-2008, 08:39 PM
#18
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
ORIGINAL: donkeymaxx
yeah... i picked up a fail safe and a throttle return spring. Its nice to not worry about it anymore.
yeah... i picked up a fail safe and a throttle return spring. Its nice to not worry about it anymore.
12-01-2008, 09:05 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
airtronics has a radio that is the exact same as a futaba radio
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXSGB0&P=0
^^^^^ same as \/\/\/\/\/ pretty much the same i think i might be wrong but its a cheaper radio but its a 2.4
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPZT7&P=0
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXSGB0&P=0
^^^^^ same as \/\/\/\/\/ pretty much the same i think i might be wrong but its a cheaper radio but its a 2.4
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPZT7&P=0
12-02-2008, 03:19 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
Another note dont get the stock revo return spring too hard on the servo and me and lots of people have experence dead throttle servo on almost new trucks. The traxxas 4tec has the perfect return spring for the Revo.
For $150 that airtonics is diff a bargain at that price. Crazy range and no crystals, a steal for an entry 2.4g radio.
For $150 that airtonics is diff a bargain at that price. Crazy range and no crystals, a steal for an entry 2.4g radio.
12-02-2008, 03:37 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
I have that Airtronics MX-3 radio and it has a failsafe built in the radio where you can set it that if you lose the signal the brakes will come on. 2 things tho. I've had problems with that radio and I read where a few people have had the same problems with losing the bind. I've lost the bind a bunch of times while driving. But lately it's been problem free. Another thing is that it doesn't come with any servos like with the Spektrum. And extra receivers are about $90.
12-02-2008, 03:38 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
This is the one I use:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXJDF8&P=ML
It can be used with either 4.8 or 6 volt NiCds. It says it won't work with Alkalines (because the voltage drops so much under load...when the servos operate, that the failsafe thinks it's a low battery and kicks in), BUT it will.
Here's how.....Using regular alkaline batteries, install only 3 and in the 4th battery spot put a shorting strip. Now set up the Failsafe for the 4.8 volt mode (it will think there is 4.5 volts there, so it will accept the 4.8 volt setting). Once you're done, you can remove the shorting strip and put in the 4th battery. You can now run 4 alkalines (total 6 vdc unloaded) but the failsafe will kick out when the battery drop is what it expects from a 4.8 volt NiCd.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXJDF8&P=ML
It can be used with either 4.8 or 6 volt NiCds. It says it won't work with Alkalines (because the voltage drops so much under load...when the servos operate, that the failsafe thinks it's a low battery and kicks in), BUT it will.
Here's how.....Using regular alkaline batteries, install only 3 and in the 4th battery spot put a shorting strip. Now set up the Failsafe for the 4.8 volt mode (it will think there is 4.5 volts there, so it will accept the 4.8 volt setting). Once you're done, you can remove the shorting strip and put in the 4th battery. You can now run 4 alkalines (total 6 vdc unloaded) but the failsafe will kick out when the battery drop is what it expects from a 4.8 volt NiCd.
12-02-2008, 05:01 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
What fail safe would you get for a revo 3.3 and how hard is it to install and what fail safe would you get for it? Do you need to change ou the radio to?
12-02-2008, 05:03 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
I have the Ofna and I love it. Really easy to program and works wonderfully. Nice and small too. As far as installation, it's probably the easiest thing I have put in my truck. Of course all fail safes will have roughly the same install procedures.
12-02-2008, 05:06 PM
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RE: Runaway Nitro Truck
I got a duratrax fail safe. It is extremely easy to install, almost like a servo wire extension. My fail safe works great. I even turned on 2 radios with the same frequecy to make sure it would cut out and it did. Definatley get a throttle return spring though. I destroyed a truck because i started it without turning it on.