Brushless Converted Cen Matrix TR
 

Hey guys,

I recently made a deal with someone to trade my brushless B4 for their brushless ready Cen Matrix Truggy roller. You may know this member as Brushlessboy16 and you may have seen his Matrix build in this same section not too long ago :yipi:

I've always wanted a 1/8th, whether it be a buggy or a truggy, so I am very VERY eager to get this thing going! Shipped out my B4 today so hopefully next week I should have the truggy.

Here's the setup I plan on running. Super cheap, but hopefully it will get the job done...

Feigao 8XL (purchased for $45 shipped from a friend)
http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...-540XL&cat=116

Zippy Flightmax 5000mAh 4s 30c LiPo($80): http://hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store...0mAh_4S1P_30C_

Hobby King 100a ESC($60): http://hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store...idProduct=8993

RC4WD Big Offroader 2.4gHz system($80): http://rc4wdstore.com/product_info.php?products_id=937

The Feigao pulls around 80a continuous so I should be fine with that 100a ESC. The LiPo has more than enough power for this setup so that should also be fine.

Here are some pics of the Matrix TR:

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...091959a_01.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...6091836_01.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...0/PICT0013.jpg

Any comments, questions, or concerns are welcome :mdr:

Thanks,


maxx

Nice, You'll like it, Bens has had great success with it.

He sure has. Pulled off some backflips as well!!

Nice truggy...I am not a fan of the 8xl motor you chose....not the best quality. It seems that you are on a budget w/this set up which is fine. Realize that the motor may not last that long. Even the esc is a bit small IMO. Truggies are heavy and ...hence, they need more juice to move them. Your cheapest solution is a mmm esc combo w/the castle/neu motor.

I don't mean to be critical but, seeing that this is your first 1/8 scale, I am trying to save you money in the long run. Many here have made the mistake of buying cheaper components to get started realizing shortly after word that it was a big mistake. If you haven't bought your components yet, I'd save for a castle combo package deal. The mmm esc is terrific and the motors are excellent as well.

I made the mistake I mentioned above and in the end it cost me a lot more than if I bought quality components from the start.

Also, welcome to RCM!

Very nice looking setup

Why thank you :)

Good luck with the truck cody- hope you can make it to the bash.

Good luck with the 8XL tho... I would opt for a 4-pole motor in a truggy. Looks for a used one as well.

Good truggy tho!

Hey nitrostarter have you decided if your coming up for the bash?:intello:

Thank you for the support :) I am still thinking about coming to the bash if I have this done in time(or else, might bring RC18T).


Magman, thanks for the warm welcome and the tips :)

I understand about saving money in the long run. If I get a job soon, I may just get the MMM or perhaps the MMM combo but for now, money is super tight and I might stick with this setup.

You said the Feigao won't last long. Is it the brand or the model(XL) that doesn't last long? I have always heard of Feigaos lasting as long as other motors and having no other problems. I also have experience with Feigaos; I ran a Feigao 7S motor in my B4 and that motor was awesome. Had it for two years and it is still kicking.

I was thinking more about your words, Mag.

I think I may try to get a MMM ESC and a Medusa motor combo instead of the cheap-o ESC and the Feigao. Or maybe I will get a MMM combo. I am going to compare prices in a little bit when B-P-P.com starts working again... It's going to be a while but like you said, it will be worth it in the long run.

I would get the Medusa over the CC Neu. You will be able to pick a kv rating that would better suit your set-up. I'm going to use a 8XL in my Revo just because it comes with one and why not use what I already have right... I'm 90% sure I'm going to save up for the MMM but I have better luck with the eZRun ESC's so I might go with the HW 150A. The only reason I've heard of them frying is when people mess around with the timing and punch so I would just make sure to leave those alone.

Oh and one more thing, if I were you I would try to run 5S or 6S. From what I've read a higher voltage / lower kv set-up will be more efficient.

take a look at this for a cheap 4s esc.

http://www.nitrorcx.com/ezrun-80a-sd...e-rc-cars.html

or, you can get it with a motor equivalent to a feigao 7xl with a very nice heatsink and fan.
http://www.nitrorcx.com/ezrun-brushl...-combo-c2.html

i've seen e-maxxs with that system and temps are nice and low. it should work nicely for that truggy.

or, if you want to get a medusa motor, get the 150a version of that esc. it can handle more power than the MMM.
http://www.nitrorcx.com/ezrun-150a-s...5-rc-cars.html

Ahhh! Such a tough decision. Save a lot of money and get that 150a ESC or get a better known name brand setup but pay a lot more money. I have a while to think about it at least :wink:

personally, i'm getting the 150a esc for my savage. my cheapo $30 hobbycity esc gave out after leaving it unsecured in my rustler. i landed upside down and the esc smacked the ground and now it doesn't work.

Sweet man! Let us know how it works if you get one before me.

I am now thinking of doing this setup:

150A ESC: http://www.nitrorcx.com/ezrun-150a-s...5-rc-cars.html

2000kv motor: http://www.nitrorcx.com/hobby-wing-4...--2000-kv.html

5000mAh 5s 30c LiPo: http://hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store...0mAh_5S1P_30C_

Should be a pretty powerful setup comparable to the MMM combo.

Got the Matrix today :D Was cleaner than I thought it would be (thank you, Ben :))

Set it up to be used with one LiPo, CowRC-Moo-Slicked every moving part, added a front bumper, and now she is ready for brushless! I have $110 so far from my Slash that I sold :)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat002.jpg

Took off the ghetto straps and replaced them with velcro. Looks better if you ask me :) Not the lipo I will be using(too small ;))
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat005.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat006.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat007.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat008.jpg
Size comparision:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat009.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat012.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat013.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat020.jpg

Can't wait to get it running.

Glad you like it Cody :)

OK looks like B16 didn't include the proper motor mount - I suggest before you do anything you get a proper one from mike...

If its included that one has been bent and re-straightened mike offered to replace for 50% cost but not sure if that will run between owners - mikes a great guy so will take care of you.

If you are running a single pack I'd put the diff back in its proper location and move the battery try to the other side...

You are looking at:

280 for MM combo
45 for motor mount
+ tires, Batteries, Servo and RX

It was in the box with the truck. calm down.:no:

Yes, I have the other motor mount. I will try it out later :)

And artic, about the setup, I plan on running an EZRun 150a ESC/2000kv motor combo which runs about $200 and then a $100 5000mah 5s 30c LiPo. Tires will come later ;)

You can usually find a MMM combo for $240ish, buy that. IMO a much better setup, and the cs of the two companies is not even comparable...

I may actually do that. If I an spending a lot on a setup anyways, I might as well pay the extra $40-60 and do it right, right? :)

Exactly.

Switched the stuff over:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat021.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat022.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat023.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../cenmat024.jpg

Well it's been a while so I thought I'd post an update. I decided to go with the EZRun C4 Combo and a Turnigy 4s 5000mAh LiPo. Just placed an order last night at amain for a new body(JConcepts XT8 Illuzion), JConcepts Rulux Half-up 1/2" offset, Badland MT tires, and Ofna yellow truggy foams. Might dye the rims all black or have the front rims orange the rear rims black to go with the paint scheme which is going to be almost identical to my RC18T, but with some changed and some silver pinstriping. Also got some 1/8" lexan from a good guy off of TheToyz forums to make an ESC plate since the other one I made was fugly. Hopefully it will do with and not flex/break much, but if it does, it has a warranty and I have extra to make about 7 more plates :yipi:

Here's the paint scheme I am gonna do, but with some silver pinstriping:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...rc18new001.jpg

Still waiting on the EZRun, so here are some pics as the matrix is now...

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...atrixxx001.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...atrixxx002.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...atrixxx003.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...cs/wing002.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...cs/wing001.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...mount001-1.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...mount004-1.jpg

Slightly older pics...

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...20pics/cen.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f.../truggy002.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...s/lipoz001.jpg

Something ain't right here...

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...onics/lolz.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...battery004.jpg

That's it for now! When I get my stuff from AMain, I'll get some pics up and get that body all airbrushed up!!:diablo:

Cool man. You're getting new tires, right?

:party:

Yea, what Ben said :P

:oops:

I thought the Badlands only not standard size truggy wheels, not half-ups or LPRs?

I run the Ezrun 150A in my ST-1 with the 3674SL 2350kv motor on 4s and its plenty fast. The 4465SL motor should be a monster. I have several Ezrun setups and really like them. I think you'll like your setup.

I thought the Badlands only not standard size truggy wheels, not half-ups or LPRs?

I run the Ezrun 150A in my ST-1 with the 3674SL 2350kv motor on 4s and its plenty fast. The 4465SL motor should be a monster. I have several Ezrun setups and really like them. I think you'll like your setup.

Hehe no biggie, there was a lot of text to read though ;)

Just saw your post :)

Badlands are for monster truck rims but they can be stretched to fit truggy rims, such as the halfups/LPR's...

Really? That's awesome. I love the way badlands look but didn't know they could fit halfups/LPRs.
Is that true for other standard/MT size tire?

I'm not sure on that but I did find some pictures of other people using Badlands on half-ups, and I must say that it is one badass look!

http://image2-0.rcuniverse.com/e1/fo...28/Cz79980.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/IMG_3363.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/100_4157.jpg

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/100_1361.jpg

Damn those look awesome. Do you know if any modifications are needed to the tire aside from stretching it? Does the bead need to but cut off to enlarge the inner diameter?

Thanks.

Well you can't use the stock foams that come with the badlands because they are not large enough for truggy rims, they will rip and callapse if you stretch them. I ordered some yellow Ofna truggy foams in the order with the wheels, tires, and body :D

Cool. Let me know how it turns out and if you have to do anything else to make them fit. I love the look of Badlands on Rulux halfups!

Will do :)

Package should arrive here next week(or this Saturday[small chance]). The AMain account is with my mom's email so I will have her forward me any AMain eMail's she gets :D And heck, I'll go change the email on AMain now :D