Mario, thanks!

I would guess then that the discharge rate of these cells is what is really important then. Resistance will slow discharge rate (I am assuming).

Anyone have any discharge rate numbers? I mean, what is the optimum dischage rate for speed? I know that the Sanyo cells are very popular and I am assuming that they have a fast discharge rate. For longer run times, I will just use the higher capacity Nimh cells. For home bashing, you oviously want longer run times but for racing faster discharge rates are warranted (as long as you can last the entire race!)

Thanks again for the help! If anyone has any tech specs or a site I could go to that would give discharge rates, I would appreciate the link!

Thanks,

Chris

I found this site: http://www.powerstream.com/tech.html

Although it isn't RC specific, it does give a lot of tech info. Still would love to hear what discharge rate optimum is for speed from someone in the know.


Thanks,

Chris

hey Bud i have an idea how bout have a series of races at different hobby shops across the country and then have a national championship race in clevland each year to crown the 1 1/18th scale national champion. kina like tamyia does each year I think that would be a very cool idea and maybe get some hobbyshops to start raceing your cars. maybe get in with a chain like maybe hobbytown or something i dont know just a thought

I don't think there is anyone matching AA cells, maybe Orion is. If there is you would want to look at the internal resistance numbers. The lower the IR number the more punch a cell will have. Most of the people I know use Sanyo Nicads to race with. Lower capacity generalymeans more punch and voltage.

Hi all
I have a question about the new XP magnets. Are they for the green endbell motors that come with the BRP sc18 or for another motor?
Also does anyone know where to buy replacement armatures for these motors. We smoked the one in my wifes car.
Thanks Bill :roll:

I hope to have the new wheel hubs online this weekend! They are a complete set F/R with a diff hub front bushingsretail $29.95 you can use ball bearings in the front wheels 5/16th OD 1/8th ID flanged. The SC18 hooks up well with the stock HPI rubber tires don't know about life of tires since out weather is not great for outdoor running yet.
Use foams on carpet and I believe GMP is selling outer wheels with foam mounted.
We will also have the rear pod conversion for the SC18 that will allow you to use the Orin big block or a speed 300 motor! This motor is way fast!
Later :wave:

We did some comparisons between 800mah NiCADs and 1200mah Nimhs and found that the average voltage to be higher around the 5 minute mark with the NiMH. They really seem to work well on the track where it counts, too. KSG tried matching some AA's also, but I think it was turning his hair gray so he gave up and just decided to have FUN!

The XP magnets will work in any 16d motor. You can get 16d motor goodies from Mad Mike at FasTrak Hobbys:
www.cyberslot.com

I use 3.5 - 4 Amp discharge rate, it seems pretty close to what the motor draws on the track.

I started using Shoe Goo to glue my tires on, so far none has come loose and it makes reusing the wheels a snap.

Check out my pit tips page, it beats scanning all those messages (there are some building tips also):
http://pennswoods.net/~fortner/BRPittips.html

:devil:

Originally posted by MaddMatt
If I want long run times but could care less about top speed, I should go with a 4-cell NIMH, right?

. . . maybe. Electric motors draw less current (fewer amps) when spinning faster, so if you have long straights, you could actually get better run time from more cells, because the extra voltage would get the rpms up. Short courses with lots of acceleration or start/stop action, you would be right.

Like everything in life, it's a compromise.

Nil

Yes, I used 1800 cells to make both 5 and 6 cell packs for my old BRP Oval Outlaw (I just ordered an SC Fun Won!) and it's too wet and cold to run them much here and I've only bombed around a bit on the street in front of my house with them one day last week when it was sunny and warm, they seem to work great. I actually sell them, so I had a good supply to mess around with :)

I am looking at using commercially constructed packs, and I just got in a couple of samples -- you can see them here: http://www.gadgetnerd.com/packs.php -- which are on my charger/discharger right now actually. I'll let you know how they work out, but it does look for the moment like they're handing the high charge/discharge rate better than the regular cells which I soldered together.

But I don't have anywhere to race here and I don't own a Micro, so does anyone want to test these where they can try them in both a Micro and BRP? I'll send them out for free (6 cell packs: a 1600 mAh AA-based pack, and a smaller and lighter 1100 mAh 2/3A pack). Email me at paul@gadgetnerd.com if you're interested in testing them and letting me know how they work out. You need to have access to both a BRP and a Micro, and you need an NiMH compatible charger!

Thanks!

Paul

Hi guys, I thought I'd let you know my experience with NIMH AAs in BRPs. I've been using 1500 and 1600 NIMH packs for the last two years.We run two classes, Stock-4 cell, and modified-6 cell. Carpeted oval, five minute races, racing line about 50 feet.I use the same pack for all three races, (two heats and a main),recharging between races. I've had no problemms at all with batterys, plenty of power, plenty of speed, I currently have the lap record in stock and share it with another racer in mod. The NIMHs seem to increase in power over the course of the day-faster in the main than the heats. Other advantages-one pack per car is cheaper than three, you can semi-permanently install the pack, I have the pack Shoo-Gooed into my mod, and you can hadwire the connections without having to solder and unsolder all the time. I hope this info is useful.

Thanks bobhelm. Yes, I've been messing around with the NiMH packs this weekend,charging and discharging them and watching voltage and capacity as they discharge at different rates, and you're right, with subsequent charges in a short period of time, they do seem to consistently provide greater voltage and capacity. After charging and then sitting the night, the pack offered significantly lower voltage at the various discharge stages than the same pack immediately after discharging/charging.

Paul

Bobhelm: What charge rate do you use to charge/recharge your packs? We also noticed an increase in their voltage after a recharge. I usually run one pack for the 1st qualifier and then recharge it for the main.

Another fine turn out in Bratenahl today to end the season. Twenty BRPs. Billy D proved his skill by taking the B-main with a rental. Radio glitches kept him out of the A. Can't tell much more; from back where I place, everyone else is just a cloud of foam dust.

Nil

k1m: I charge the packs at 1.5 amps. For discharge I made a three bulb discharger-1157 bulbs. I do'nt discharge between rounds, just recharge. Also NIMHs should be stored with some charge left in them, I've been told to leave them about half charged. Discharge before you are going to use them the first time each day, let them cool, then recharge.

I would like to thank Bud Bartos for putting on an excelelent series. And for the neat trophys and door prizes. Also thanks to Parma International and Associated for thier door prizes and support. 48 racers ran thier own or rented cars this year. I hope next season is as much fun. :thumbsup: :D :hat:

What type of brp do you race in the series? The SC18 or the FUN Won.
We just got a small carpet track in our area, Camas WA, and are going to start racing 1/18 scale. I currently have a micro rs4 but like the looks of buds racers. No one in this area has one.

Tom :D

We run the SC18's stock.It is the fastest growing class in our area.The whole car with the pro diff, battery pack and motor is around $100 from BRP.:roll:

Well the 2001/2002 BRP 1/18th indoor series at NORCAR is over. I have to say that we had a great time 48 different racers guys and girls ran in this series. You can see the report and pictures of the GIANT trophy the winner Pat Barber won
at :thumbsup: www.brpracing.com/18racing03.html

We have the wheel hubs and Big Block rear pod on line check it out here www.BRPracing.com/brp_newstuff.html

Originally posted by tomdav
What type of brp do you race in the series? The SC18 or the FUN Won.


Fun Wons were allowed, but virtually no one was running them. The straight SC 18s predominated, although I thing I saw at least one SC 18/Fun Won at least once.

Nil

Yesterdays race was between nine BuRPs at Racers Edge. Don's Fun Won Vette was the victor with Ovalman's Fun Won Supertruck a close lap behind for 2nd. They were the only two in the 30 lap club, I slid over the strip in 3rd with Joy right behind me in 4th (Two more Fun Wons) Then came KSG who was a ROCKET! Another Fun Won Vette, and then Cory and Barb in 6th & 7th. Our only SC18 was piloted by Ron (it was his first time)and Chris dropped out early for 9th - not sure why.

It's kinda funny, Fun Wons dominate here in Pa. and have for a couple of years now. The wider tires seem to be quite an advantage on this track. Even the lone Micro RS4 seems intimidated, as Justin raced this week but he didn't bring his Micro - hope we didn't scare him off. Maybe he's just waiting for more parts!:lol:

Next week is the last week in our winter racing schedule, so I'm sure the racing will be fierce and furious as usual, and fun of course. We don't race for points or trophys and it only costs $2.00 to enter the BuRP class, but everyone has a great time!:thumbsup:

I just found an 1/18th scale track locally except it's all inhabited by Mirco RS4's.

I haven't approached them about running my BuRP yet as I am waiting for batteries to get the thing running. Does anyone have any ideas on how to approach this?

How do I convince the other drivers to let me race a stock BRP and how many times should I keep it close before I blow their doors off?:D

Madd Matt

Ok guys a little more battery talk...

I was just checking into a local battery store that sells any battery imaginable. They had a lead acid battery rated at 1.2Ah (not MAh) and 6v. it was the exact same size as a 6 cell AA pack although a little thicker.

WHat would happen if I put this into my car?

I know a 4 cell pack is 4.8v and a 6 cell is 7.2v so a 6v should work right?

Even if I don't get the punch of speed, I should be able to run all day right?

Somebody tell me why this won't work

Madd Matt

First of all, if those Micros are racing on a slippery surface like smooth cement, you may have your hands full racing against 4wds. I've run mine on surfaces that makes all the power in the world usless without more traction. What are they racing on and where do they race, near Buffalo? Have you ever been to PRO Speedway (Pritchards)? If you're gonna race, you will want to think about the optional ball differential for sure.
That lead acid battery is sealed, right? Hope so, I wouldn't try to fast charge it either. If it will fit under the rear pod top plate, it will probably work but don't bind up the T-plate. I think you're right it'll be like running a 5 cell AA for a long,long time. Check your motor every 3 or 4 minutes to be sure it doesn't get too hot.
If you do try this type of battery, follow the dealers charge and discharge rate to be safe.

Hey Matt,

1.2 amps = 1200 milliamps. So 1.2 Ah x 1000 = 1200 mAh pack, so not great compared to 1600 regular NiMH pack (like on my web page) made of regular commercial (no tab at top) cells, or pack made from 1800 mAh "high-top" consumer NiMH cells (also a photo on my site: http://www.gadgetnerd.com/packs.php). Unless I'm missing something? I think sealed lead acid batteries are more useful as "workhorses" where you need tough, reliable batteries that withstand abuse, at low cost and with low/no maintenance. Lead acid batteries are much cheaper than NiMH or NiCd, but quite a bit heavier, and they have a longer shelf life than NiCd (if your car used NiCd and you parked it for a month or two you'd be stuck) but can be recharged fewer times. Lead acid batteries also lose more of their voltage during discharge (NiMH are very flat throughout a good 80% of their capacity). I think lead acid batteries have a very low internal resistance, so "punch" shouldn't be an issue with them (starting an 8 cylinder engine takes lots of punch!).

Paul

I have a question what motor is more powerful and reliable?
The HPI modified micro speeed 280 or the Orion Elite Modified Micro Motor will they fit in the stock motor mount on the SC 18?Or is the 16D slotcar motor still the best?
Thanks,
Terry

The surface is more of a carpet. The track is not huge with the largest straight-away maybe 18 feet long and lots of turns.

This track is actually in Niagara Falls about a 15 minute drive for me. I have no idea where the track is that you're talking about but I am hoping to head down to Bud's once or twice this summer to giveit a go.


As for the battery thing, My understanding was that 1.2Ah was 10,000 MaH, not 1,000 MaH. The weight wasn't really an issue as it was only slightly heavier than a 6 cell AA pack. I was hoping someone else out there tried it first (I hate being the test rabbit)

Madd Matt

SlotSurfer Brp sells optional motor plate for the other motors.

we have decided to stay with the 16d motors in our area.:thumbsup:

Do you remember metrics from middle school...here's a lesson...LOL

1 centimeter(cm)= 1/100th of a meter so 1 meter is 100 CM
1 millimeter(mm)= 1/10th of a cm so 1 cm is 10mm

10x100=1000

so 1.2 AH = 1200 mah...LOL

Wog- the starter motor on your car is geared very high go the "punch" is basically due to the motor not being asked to turn over alot of force. Imagine the starter set-up being the drive in a pancar. If you use a smaller pinion with a larger spur the car accelerates quickly because the motor doesn't have to put forth as much torque. Conversly if you use a big pinion with a small spur the car accelerates slowly because it doesn't have the "bigger lever" advantage and has to exerpt a whole lot more torque, thus killing te batteries alot quicker.

K1M... Waiting for parts, your right! We had one micro at the race sunday he got 1/2 lap in and it was broken :lol:
The SC Fun Wons would be faster than the SC18 but I'm trying to keep the cars we run looking more scale.
Maybe you all can come to BRP and run at DA track this summer!

Originally posted by BudBartos
Maybe you all can come to BRP and run at DA track this summer!

Yeah, in case you don't know, Elyria (BRP World Headquarters, according to the flyer) is quite a bit east of Cleveland, so should be a bit better for PA & NY folks.

Bud has a schedule for his series on his web site now; check it out.

Nil

Bud I hope they get the Quaker Steak & Lube Built before we race. Wings and BRP racing on May 4th. What could be better?:hat: :thumbsup: :roll:

Does anyone have races on weeknights? I would love to race at Da Track but I work weekends. Conversely, I would drive for 3-4 hours to see a great race during the week!

If there aren't any yet, why not?!:devil:

Madd Matt

Nil.. It's west by about 30 miles:eek:

Madd Matt: PRO Speedway is located in Cattaraugus, Ny. maybe 25-30 miles from you. BIG tri-oval with the smoothest ozite and lighting bright as day! Marc Pritchard is the owner, email me for more info. They're only racing 1/12 scale pancars and 4wd touring cars on Sat nite right now. I'm thinking about trying to get some of us together and go up and show them some 1/18 scale action soon. I'll bet "Da Wedge" will literally fly on that big track! Their whole infield is carpeted too, so they can set up any configuration road course they want. It's 70 miles one way for me, but I like to get up there at least once a year. Our season is over here after Sunday, so I feel a road trip commin' on!

Bud: I haven't checked your schedule out yet, but a trip to the BRP World Headquarters is in the planning stages already also. Thanx for the link.

2slowoo: Wings and BRP racing sounds good to me! I think someone told me hot sauce is good traction compound...????

Originally posted by Slot Surfer
I have a question what motor is more powerful and reliable?
The HPI modified micro speeed 280 or the Orion Elite Modified Micro Motor will they fit in the stock motor mount on the SC 18?Or is the 16D slotcar motor still the best?
Thanks,
Terry The HPI and Orion motors will not fit in the stock BRP motor mount without modification.It is possible to do by cutting new screw slots in the right side plate and mounting the motor on that side(these motors run in reverse from the 16d motor). They do work quite well and the Orion Elite in particular, has an incredible amount of power. Bud also sells a conversion kit to put the Orion Big Block motor in the car. This motor also has a ton of power and speed and is a simple bolt in operation. However, it is bigger, heavier, and sucks the juice out of your battery in a serious way. The 16d, particularly with Bud's new magnets and low gearing,is mighty frisky too. They are all fun.
Gordon

K1m I hope some of you can make it to BRP world headquarters for a race this summer. Have you been to Quaker Steak & Lube? We used to drive to Sharon Pa. to get thier wings. Now they are building them all over Ohio.:D

Ok, if you guys are meeting for wings before a race, then I'll have to make it!

The only Quaker Steak I've been to is in Erie Pa.

Madd Matt

Originally posted by BudBartos
Nil.. It's west by about 30 miles:eek:

OOOOOOPS

I just found out Platos Place is making decals in 1/18th scale at twice the cost of 1/24th scale .They have Corvette CR and lot of others. Also he has a 1/18th scale bodies of the V8 Super cars.Platos Place (http://members.optushome.com.au/pattosplace/)
Later,
Terry

Hey gang, I'm new here. I've had an SC18 for a little bit now, and love it. Bud, your service is second to none.
Now that I have my car I want to race. I live 50 miles due East of Pittsburgh. Any tracks close? OvalmanPA, where is Smethport?:hat:

I was checking out a trip planner from here to Elyria, OH. so I punched in Blairsville also:
The trip from Blairsville, PA to Smethport, PA is 136.30 miles long, using the Quickest route. The trip time is 3 hours, 08 minutes.
Chech out this link for more info:
http://www.racersedgerc.com/

Oh, and it's 247 miles (4:30) from here to "BRP World Headquarters"




:thumbsup:

k1m you guy's just have to move closer to the racing hub of the 18th scale world. Which is of course BRP World Headquarters.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by NateCMiller
Hey gang, I'm new here. I've had an SC18 for a little bit now, and love it. Bud, your service is second to none.
Now that I have my car I want to race. I live 50 miles due East of Pittsburgh. Any tracks close? OvalmanPA, where is Smethport?:hat:

Hi Nate!

Like K1M said it'd be a trip for you to come to Smethport but we'd be more than happy to have you. We are located about 1/2 hour from the NY state line. :) Our last race of the season is tomorrow though. :( You may want to check out the track locator Hank has at Team RCV (http://www.teamrcv.com). I'm not sure exactly where they are but I've heard there are a couple real good tracks down in the lower part of the state. Latrobe is one that comes to mind and I believe there is one in the vicinity of Utica/Franklin area also which would be much closer to you. Welcome to world of racing BuRPs!

K1m>>> Bring the family we have one of the worlds best amusment parks 30 min away Cedar Point if you have heard of it. Maybe we will have another world championships at the BRP word headquarters which by the way is in the USA :thumbsup: Not Japan:eek:

I was looking on Map Quest to see where BRP HQ is.What airport would be a the closest Detroit,MI or Colombus,Ohio to fly in to.I am thinking of maybe coming out this summer I have some friends on the Internet that race slotcar in Colombus, Ohio.
Thanks,
Terry

Hey gang, I got word today a new facility is opening in Latrobe PA. It is slated to feature an indoor carpet roadcourse, oval, AND an off-road dirt track. Groovy! I'll pass on more details as they materialize.:wave:

Originally posted by Slot Surfer
What airport would be a the closest Detroit,MI or Colombus,Ohio to fly in to.

To answer that question, Hopins International (Cleveland) is the closest. Only about 25 miles.

But if you're going to visit friends in Columbus, that's about 140 miles. Detroit is a bit farther.

Where do you race slot in Columbus? Tom Thumb? Got down there last summer. By the by, that's not far from a Columbus RC group ( http://www.corcar.com/ )

Nil

I have friends that live in Colombus.They have invited me to come out and run some T jets with them.
Thanks,
Terry

slot surfer>> We are going to run the BRP cars this summer with the Micros at CORCAR.It is not to far from tom thumb check with us and see what day we will be there. They race every sunday but I may only go once a month. We are going to have 4 races at DA TRACK this summer also.