vintage stock RC10

[har_v]

I know you guys get variations of this question often. (I've read many many threads). But often the post gets into way more $ and complication than I'm looking for.

I've pulled my original stock RC10 out, interested again cause the neighborhood kids are running electric traxxas around and my kids are starting to get interested in rc.
Would like to let my kids try out my old RC10.
Currently completely stock. No ESC, running orig motor, and NiCd 1200mAh 7.2V hump batteries protech super charger 702 and Futaba radio.
Batteries are toast, and I though before I buy more I need help.

Would like to accomplish the following with minimal cost...
1) Would like car to be able to go in reverse (think this would require an ESC, but dont know what kind)

2) Going ESC might allow me to set batteries in long way and not across (as set up now)...giving me more battery options instead of just hump. Is this something I could get new for the Futaba...or it it ebay for this?

3) Can I use this old charger with NiMh or do I need a new one?

4) Finally if I get a couple of NiMh batteries, a charger and an ESC that gives me reverse, are my kids still gonna get smoked by the RTR traxxas stuff the neighborhood kids are running?

Like the nostalgia of it (my Dad and I built it long ago)....but in reality probably looking at more $ than just buying something RTR for the kids.
If I'm educated on it though, I though I might be able to buy stuff for the RC10 which would be compatible with a RTR Team Associated or Traxxas vehicle for the kids I see around for a couple of hundred.

Thanks in advance.

[RC10resto]

but in reality probably looking at more $ than just buying something RTR for the kids

and after they crash it you will have a full supply of replacement parts at your hobby store vs. shopping on ebay for vintage parts.

You can make an RC10 run with the new cars but I feel you would be better off with a newer car for the kids.

[markbt73]

Buy an RTR for the kids and keep the classic for you, especially if they're mainly interested in running and not restoring/preserving the history. It will perform more reliably, cost less in the long run, and the rest of us won't cringe when they crash it into a curb and turn the chassis tub into a banana.

[har_v]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the quick response.

So if I don't want to get smoked by a Christmas RTR for my kids, what are the essentials I have to do to my old RC10?
ESC, batteries, charger...if so what do you recommend, and what can my stock engine / trans handle.
Are ESC's radio specific? Do I have to buy a vintage one?

BTW...Would like to have reverse. Neighborhood kids thought it funny when running my toasted niCad left me against the curb (stuck).

Thanks.

[LJH]

Har,
I have just gone through this and pulled my original and complete 1985(?) RC10 out. I decided I wanted to make her a runner again and set off on my endeavor. I went ahead and ordered a brushless motor and ESC and the stripped the car down. After stripping down the car I found some transmission parts that needed replacement and tracking down those part was not the easiest or cheapest thing to do. I then decided that to keep the wear on these hard to find parts to a minimum I should install bearings in everything....all said and done the project has run 50-60% over budget and it has needed way more time then I thought. If I had known how much time and money it was going to take I may have looked at getting a used more modern RC10 but the deal is done and I should have a very reliable, fast, and fun 27 year old RC10 which is kind of cool.

BTW, I built this for my 5 year old son and I to play with but to be honest I am going to be pretty strict on where the Klaus Man can run the car....IE....wide open spaces with nothing to hit .


Cheers,
Jim

[RC104ever]

I was in a similar boat awhile back. Basically, once I got a taste of the extra speed, I went all the way and spent the money. Look at it this way, if you decide to get newer vehicles, you'll want to have the expertise with lipos, brushless etc.

In the meantime, hopefully you've seen this thread:

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=24904

[har_v]

Thanks for the advice.

If I want to leave the trans and stock motor alone, could someone tell me what ESC (with reverse) will work (if I go with NiMh).
I know I will have to cut a futaba G? plug and attach it to any new ESC I get.

Second way would be leave trans and stock motor alone find ESC with Lipo capabilities and go with Lipo batteries.
But would this toast my original RC10 stock team associated motor?

If someone could point me in the right direction on the web, I'd appreciate it.

Again, just want to run this RC10 again...with the idea that down the road I might like to keep batteries / charger in common with an RTR for my kids.

[Stumpy]

If you are running the original STOCK motor, then an ESC like this should meet your requirements..

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCHSZ&P=ML

I would suggest buying a new charger as well as NiMh batteries, something designed to charge NiMh batteries..

Im sure yoy can use the search function on Towers site to see what is available..

[har_v]

Some pics..

[har_v]

Would this work for running NiMh?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320A-Speed-Brushed-Controller-ESC-for-RC-Model-Car-Truck-Buggy-Boat-/330776967924?pt=US_Character_Radio_Control_Toys&hash=item4d03d7faf4

It's cheap enough.

? Is there a brushed speed control that will work with these motors for Lipos?

[soniccj5]

Most modern speed controllers include LiPo cutoff, or you could purchase an external LiPo cutoff.

Novak Lipo Cutoff
http://www.teamnovak.com/products/lipo_cutoff_module/index.html

I would keep that hump pack, or offer it up for sale/trade. They are great for Tamiya display/shelf cars.

[Stumpy]

Sorry, I cant comment on the ESC you posted, never seen nor heard of them before..

As far as your motor and ESC are concerned, it doesnt matter if you are using NiCd, NiMh or LiPo batteries......

HOWEVER... LiPo batteries SHOULD NOT be discharged below 3 Volts per Cell, (7.4V Lipo's are made from two 3.7 Volt cells) or 6 Volts for a two cell pack.. Basically to stop LiPo's from being over discharged, you will need an ESC with a Low Voltage Cutoff, or some sort of low voltage alarm, that will tell you when your battery has been discharged to 6 volts.. If you do discharge them below 6 V (3 V/cell), then they may catch fire the next time you try to charge them..

eg of LiPo alarm http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__7224__Hobby_King_Battery_Monitor_2S.html

If you are considering going LiPo, then you will have to factor in the cost of buying a charger to charge them, as your old NiCd charger will NOT work.. I would also recommend buying HARD CASE packs..

eg of a LiPo charger..
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__7028__Turnigy_Accucel_6_50W_6A_Balancer_Charger_w_accessories.html

eg of LiPo batteries
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21002__Turnigy_5200mAh_2S_30C_Hard_Case_Car_Lipo_Pack_ROAR_APPROVED_.html

Personally, I would be following the advice that everyone on here has given you.. Buy your kid a modern RTR that you can get parts for, that way when he breaks it he wont be waiting weeks for vintage parts to come up on eBay to repair it, and if need be, run your old RC10 yourself..

[har_v]

Thanks for the info on ESCs

I agree the 10 is for me...my 7yr old is eyeing the stampede.

Stumpy....the Lipo charger and batts you posted seem really cheap compared to what I have been seeing.
Looks like US dollars...not sure why so much price diff. Min I've seen for Lipo charger was $50.

I need an ESC...mainly for reverse, and so I can move my batteries long ways for a little more room (can't find 6c humps anymore).

I think this would work....?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOSI-MSC2000RB-NiMH-LiPo-ESC-SPEED-CONTROL-LOSB0808-/190730612836?pt=US_Character_Radio_Control_Toys&hash=item2c686e3064

or maybe a traxxas XL5 ESC lipo ready?

BTW Sonic...the hump looks good in the pic, but has gotten toasty too many times and has some bumps and breaks in the plastic.

This site is great btw. amazing how quickly questions are answered...can't wait to put my RC10 back on the street.

[Stumpy]

Thanks for the info on ESCs

I think this would work....?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOSI-MSC2000RB-NiMH-LiPo-ESC-SPEED-CONTROL-LOSB0808-/190730612836?pt=US_Character_Radio_Control_Toys&hash=item2c686e3064

.

That ESC appears to be for a Losi Mini T or similar, not a 1/10 RC car..

[har_v]

Thanks Stumpy...

Think I'm gonna go with a traxxas xl5 with LVC. Seems abt the same price as everything else...and will let me go to Lipos down the road.
Gets a little bad press on some of the posts on this site, but not sure why.

Anyone know what type of plug comes off the XL5 ESC? I need to get to a Futaba G male plug...would like to make an adapter.
One end a Futaba G male the other end whatever receives the plug from the XL5. Anyone know what this might look like, or where I might get one?

Or I could just solder the Futaba G male directly to the XL5 so it fits my Futaba receiver (but I'd rather not cut off of the ESC if I can help it) .