Newbie questions...just got 3 used buggies...

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Gears - 30 May 2004 00:55 GMT

Hi, I just picked up 3 used grasshopper type buggies and 3 radios and
batteries and charger.

I got one to work by messing around with the (thing on the top that moves
left and right for foward and backward...reciever?servo?) It wasn't
right(it would make the car go even when you did not push go)

The one i got to work i had to put 4 aa batteries in it along with the 7.2V.
It goes fast.

The other 2 don't work yet and they don't have this extra battery pack.

So the big question is what can I check to get these working. One of the
other radios also works the car but everything is reversed(push left but you
go right etc).

Here are the names of the stuff: They are probably 7-10 years old(maybe
more?)
grasshopper body

Tamiya rcc the falcon made in japan (writen on chasis) with futaba fps148
indirect drive and other futaba thing but it is covered by the top futaba
thing. This one has 4 wheel independant suspension with "off roader" tires.
Motor works but I can't work car with radio.

Tamiya I think this is the grasshopper as the body fits. Airtronics 92623
75 band am reciever by sanwa bec. airtronics servo 94635. This one has
"sand tires unlimited" Motor works but i can't work the car with the radio.

Tamiya with futuba fpr102gram 27mhz, futuba fps148 indirect drive. "sand
tires unlimited smoothee" on the front and "super gripper all weather" tires
on the rear. This works excellent.

Futuba magnum junior radio fp-t2pbka This one controls the car that works.
Steering wheel type.

Beat2 multi tilt stick system jrpropo xtal. Stick type. This one can
control the car that works but in opposite(left is right, fowards is
backwards etc)

Airtronics VT2p 75 mhz. Steering wheel type. This one I have not been able
to test as the battery cover is missing. You have to put 8 AA batteries in
the handle but i need the cover(which has the metal piece to conect the
batteries in it) Can I jerry rig one? Would I just connect the positive to
the negative using 2 strips of metal according to how the bateries are
connected on the inside of the handle?

Thanks for all the help guys. This is my first real rc cars and even if i
can't get the other 2 to work I am extremely pleased with the one that does
work.

Reply to this Message

Avi Yadgar - 30 May 2004 11:05 GMT

Hi.
It's a nice load of stuff you got there, and it's probably more than 15
years old...
Nonetheless, it should work.
As for the one which works, you can see the movement of the SERVOs, these
are the engines that make the whells turn left and right, and push the rod
connected to the electric device on the metal plate on the back. This is a
mechanichal speed controller, and is basically a multy-switch. the reciever
is behind it, connected to the two servos, and to the long antenna.
so this is how it goes:
The speed controller is connected to the 7.2v battery, and to the morot
(green and yellow leads). It is also connected to a white (large) resistor,
which should be attached to the side of the car (3 (probably purple)leads).
When the arm on the speed controller revolves, is splits the voltage between
the engine and the resistor, and the car runs (forward / backward, according
to the movement of the arm). There are 3 sppeds in each direction.

Make sure the speed controller is connected to the other parts, and check
the system by moving the arm of the spped controller with you hand. If the
engine runs, it's time to check the radio system. Otherwise, you have to
check all the leads, soldering and battery.

The reciever gets the signals from the transmitter and tells the servos what
mechanical actions they should do. It's power source is either the 4 aa
pack, or, alternatively, there is a lead with the same connector as the one
in the pack, comming from the speed controller. This allows you to use the
7.2v battery as the power source for the radio system, as well as for the
engine. This means less weight on the car, but it also means that in the
last 10 seconds of the battery life, the controls will 'lock' and you will
have no control of the car (it will be moving extremely slowly then).
So make sure the reciever is connected to one of the sources of power. Then
make sure the servos are connected to the reciever in the right way.

Finally, make sure that you are using the right transmitter / crystal for
the right car, so that they 'know' each other.

When it all works well, make sure to apply grease in the gearbox and
driveshaft.

You can write me if you need more guidence

yadgar (at) tx.technion.ac.il

Good luck,
Avi.

> Hi, I just picked up 3 used grasshopper type buggies and 3 radios and
> batteries and charger.
[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]
> can't get the other 2 to work I am extremely pleased with the one that does
> work.

Reply to this Message

Avi Yadgar - 30 May 2004 11:10 GMT

I made a mistake about the orientation. I missed the grasshopper with the
frog, both Tamiya's.
I am not sure about the positioning of the parts, but again, the servos are
the two identical devices that generate mechanical movement, the reciever is
the one with the long antenna, connected to the battery pack (4 aa) and the
servos, and the speed controller is the electric device with planty of leads
connected to it, and the revolving arm.
Have fun.

> Hi.
> It's a nice load of stuff you got there, and it's probably more than 15
[quoted text clipped - 102 lines]
> does
> > work.

Reply to this Message

Gears - 30 May 2004 15:28 GMT

What kind of oil should I use? I assume you take the "oil" screw off the
the gearbox and pour oil in? How much should I put in?
Thanks
Gears

> I made a mistake about the orientation. I missed the grasshopper with the
> frog, both Tamiya's.
[quoted text clipped - 74 lines]
> > >
> > > So the big question is what can I check to get these working. One of

> the
> > > other radios also works the car but everything is reversed(push left but
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
> > does
> > > work.

Reply to this Message

Avi Yadgar - 31 May 2004 09:43 GMT

Don't add oil, but some grease.
'proper' grease would be silicon grease, but I owuld not spend the money on
that with the grasshopper, just get some regular grease (at your hardware
store, or from your mechanic) and apply it. However, better not use this
hole but dissassemble the gearbox, clear the gears from the old grease and
dirt (it is old, after all) and grease it again. It's only a matter of a few
screws (it's a simple gearbox).

> What kind of oil should I use? I assume you take the "oil" screw off the
> the gearbox and pour oil in? How much should I put in?
[quoted text clipped - 155 lines]
> > > does
> > > > work.

Reply to this Message

Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / May 2004

Newbie questions...just got 3 used buggies...