1/5th planning. Redcat Rampage & what ESC/motor/LiPo combo?
 

So I'm looking at building a 5th Scale for the 1st time. It's going to be built for some friendly racing with some Losi 5ives, Bajas and the like, so I'd like 4WD. This drew me towards the Redcat Rampage XBE (or Maverick in the UK). I'm assuming that the stock electrics are not great, so I'm more interested in the car itself. Would it be better to go down this route, or go for something like an MCD (sport no engine versions are about £600 vs <£500 for the Maverick)? Don't really want to go the 5ive route due to the weight and the non-rolling nature of the chassis (don't need all the engine and bits...).

As for electrics, I'd like to go 10 or 12S for efficiency reasons, but this moves me out of "normal" ESC territory. What's the stuff to buy at this voltage? What motor size would be required? I'm happy to spend a bit of cash to ensure reliability, though am not loaded. Castle's stuff has traditionally been around the correct price point for me. Would a Pheonix ICE HV2 be appropriate in conjunction with mechanical brakes?

Or is 8S really enough in combination with the Castle XL2 & 2028? Is the XL2 past the initial "it's gonna blow" phase and generally a safe choice?

As for batteries, I'm aiming for 40-50 minute run times on track (though not driving that hard), what sort of capacity would be required? 8S 5000mAh enough? Or 10S 5000mAh with appropriate KV/gearing? Or more?

I have an xbe and it runs perfect with a 1717 and mmm on 6s.

It doesn't need more than that but you will have to change packs.

Cheers

Is the XBE durable? Especially the A-arms?

Good to know that the lower weight means that it doesn't require as hefty a set-up as other 5th scales.

Would an 8S setup be overkill? I'm after efficiency, and >5000mAh is difficult to come by due to shipping regulations, and I definitely don't want to run parallel...

I run 2 6s 4000mah gens ace in parrallel - I've also run 2 x 3s 5000mah.

8S would be nice - the MM XL would work great but then you need a matching motor.

8S is a bit much for the 1717 and a 2028 would be overkill. Some do use it though and I believe 7075RC have a mount for it. There is a thread on here with pics of mine.

They seem robust - Only thing i broke was a drive cup.

I've got one as well. 8S/2280 is definitely overkill. I think you'd be more than impressed with a 1717 (newer version from the X01), MMM 6S and larger diameter HPI Baja wheels/tires. Grab a pair of 6S 5000mah lipos to run in parallel and you'll have a 1/5 race-ready rig that should do fair combat with anything else currently out there.

Are any parts worth upgrading? I read around a bit on the official forums and it looks like the wheel bearings are weak, is it a necessity to get the 7075rc oversized hubs?

As for powertrain, looks like a 1717 on 6S on a MMM is the way to go. Are you using mech brakes or ESC brakes? Also, would using a BEC be worth it to relieve some strain from the MMM or is it reliable enough?

As for using the Baja wheels/tyres, do you mean the buggies' or trucks'? Only the rear 5B tyres are a bit wide surely?

One other question pertaining to layout. As standard the motor/electrics are up front and the batteries further back as saddles. Does this produce a good balance, or would turning the centre transmission around and running like an 1/8th buggy with the electrics down one side and the batteries down the other work better?

Oh, and the stock motor mount comes into criticism due to the lack of gearing options available, is this an issue with the 1717?

Edit: Also, I've been looking around for the 1717 - they seem pretty hard to come by as they're discontinued. I know it's the same motor in the XO-1, but Traxxas aren't huge in the UK, where in the US that'll ship to the UK?

Unless you drive like you've rented it, the car in stock trim isn't bad. 7075RC stuff is top notch if you do happen to break anything. Front and rear hubs, chassis brace would top things off.

Balance is excellent. The car jumps very level and handles well as is, no need to flip anything around.

I run mine with a Leopard 5698 720KV on 12S through a FighterCat 16S 400A ESC geared 9/41. I also have 10, 11, and 12T pinions to try. Kershaw motor mount.

Deffinately has power to spare, LOL.

The FighterCat ESC is holding up well. I added (4) extra 1000uF caps.

I spun a stock wheel hex. I'm planning on upgrading to Bow-Tie Baja fronts all the way around.

The only other problem I am having is pinion durability. Not real impressed with the Robinson Racing "Xhard" pinions. I might have set the mesh a little tight also.

Every time I see one of these I want one. I always disliked the Red-cat stuff in the 10th and 8th scale areas, but their 5th scale XB-E looks great and like its actually built decently well.

I just don't have $800 to drop on it right now.

I tried the Redcat upgrades but honestly they didnt seem to fit correctly.

Ditched them in the end for the 7075 stuff. It works v well.

No need for mech brakes - saddle setup is well balanced.

Yes an external castle BEC is a must along with the hitec metal gear servo.

PPS I'm a Brit living in NJ - If you need me to I can onward ship. i've done this for neil before

PPS I just sold my 1717's and recieved a whopping $87 (post fees) for each of them... Someone got a bargain...

Arct1k I remember talking to you about something similar a couple of years ago when I used to frequent these parts. It's a very kind gesture and I'm sure that'll be really rather helpful.

But yeah, is there anywhere that stocks those kind of bits required? There's not a lot in the UK, and I'm only familiar with Amain, Tower, Stormer and Nitrohouse. I used to use Bmain, but they went bust/out of business I believe.

I've got an unused CC1717 (aircraft version) if you can't find a proper one. PM me for info..

I should also add that I am using a small 2S LiPo to power the RX, steering servo (powered direct) and fans.

Main power is from (2) 6S 40C 5000mah Zippy batteries.

I would probably use a 7.4V Rx pack rather than a regulator - I do the same with my 1/8th - good suggestion.

killajb, I'll get in contact about that if my search proves fruitless. Is there any real difference between the two versions?

The XO1 version is more effecient due to newer guts

Redcat should do a shortcourse truck based on this.

I see Arct1k, I'll have to look out for one of those. Anyone have any favourite US-based shops that does this kind of stuff?

There are a lot of people parting out xo-1's on eBay. Might be able to find a UK seller.

After doing a search I came up with 1 XO-1 motor, and they look very sought-after looking at the completed listings. The total price (by the time it's imported and including an MMM) is getting on for that of an XL2 combo...

In the UK, I seem to be struggling to find the one I found yesterday, but it was over £220. Add to that the cost of an ESC and again we're into XL2 money.

Killajb, I may well have to take you up on your offer...

That whole biz about prices and importing stuff sux.. In an ideal world, an XO1717 and MMM shouldn't cost much more than an XL2 controller. Check ebay again as I spy an XBE with an XL2/Leopard 5698, 8S worth of batteries and the likes for what would be a good deal considering you'd have to buy all that stuff separate PLUS a new XBE to start with. Or... if you wanna start fresh and new and still want the 1717 I'll save it for ya.

Just found that XB-E (had to go onto the US site to find it...). Problem is that the buggy can be bought in the UK for £420 new, and even at UK RRPs, the XL2 combo is ~£380 from the US, and I won't use the batteries with it. Even so $1100 isn't bad, but I'd hate to think what the shipping will be (probably +£100 at least) and then import tax (20% + ~£15 on top of that). Total would be about £687 + £100 + (£787*0.2) + £15 = £959.40 as opposed to a UK XBE and a US XL2 which would be ~ £800-850. And that's with Castle's 2028 instead of a Leopard.

My other option is to go for an MCD RaceRunner or one of the new FG Short Course trucks. Both are a bit more than the XBE, but neither will need parts changing, and they both have clear bodyshells. In the UK, the distributor for both FG and MCD is really good, so an MCD V4 rolling chassis starts at £530, and a complete RTR petrol FG is well under £1000. I may well start with an engine and then go brushless when the big stuff is a little more widespread and reliable. Run times also bother me a bit.

Beware of posting actual prices here.. it conflicts with RC-Monster sales. In any case, it's good to see a mathematical representation of the "Suckiness" of price differentials between here and there. Wish we had XBE(UK) prices here and you folks could acquire Castle products for US prices there.

Thought about MCD's offerings before. Before 7075RC came out with their upgrades that is.. In my humble opinion.. too heavy and gonna need full 2028 power on 8s to push that thing around. Clear bodies? Yeah, that's a bonus. Some other bodies fit the XBE well if you poke around those other forums a bit.

I have a 5ive-T awaiting an ESC, so I am all-too-familiar with the larger offerings. They seem to spank all the other FG, Nutech, and MCD models handily when all are run close to stock. That said, I find my XBE easier to sling around my makeshift track faster. Just my $:intello:0.02

I think what i like most about the Rampage is that it very much looks and works like an 8th scale buggy. Such an easy platform design for maintenance, very simple.

Wish they weren't $700+ for the XB-E. I wish they sold a rolling chassis, or kit form version of it so you could fill out your own electronics.

Kershaw Designs sells rollers

Yes and no. I get the sense that they are buying them as RTR's then stripping the components out to sell the rollers. If thats the case I'd rather buy brand new RTR and strip/sell the stuff myself. The rollers would have to be in the $500 range before I'd consider them from Kershaw.

Yeah, he strips them, and you don't save much.

Everyone that buys one loves it. I want one now!

I've been quietly starting my own XBE bandwagon since I purchased one after they first came out. Have a baja clone and a 5ive-T but the XBE is by far my favorite. Converting my losi to brushless is put off repeatedly cuz I could well-equip another XBE for the cost of a quality esc alone. There may be a few anomolies out there, but for the most part I think all XBE guys feel the same way.

Marvin, im not sure if you have purchased a car yet but have you thought of getting an FG especially as now they have electric conversion available. You could also use the SKY RC 1/5 scale setups to save some cash here are some links.

You could pick anyone of these models from very basic and RTR to all out comp models
http://rc-car-online.de/shop/en/97-fg.html

The conversion kits
http://rc-car-online.de/shop/en/2814...-supplies.html

I use all castle gear in my 1/5 conversions as well as NEU motors but you could also give SKYRC a go.

Here is a link
http://www.skyrc.com/index.php?route...product_id=161

http://www.skyrc.com/index.php?route...product_id=141

I haven't bought anything yet, still in the planning stage. The XBE with upgrades does look good, if a little pricey when specced up a bit.

I'm definitely interested in FG's new Dakar-esque offerings, and the conversion kits look good too.

I've also got an interest in the MCD with a Mike-special motor mount, though sending the parts for design would be a pain.

It's been a while since I last did RC, and a tonne of new names have popped up, including SkyRC. Are they decent? Are they the new Zippy batteries (IE: decent enough for the money save a few early duff units)?

Doesn't HiMoto / RedCat / Carson have an importer in the UK?