Traxxas Bandit slow.

[savage24x]

I want to know why my bandit is so slow. It's only going about 10 MPH. I have a Ni-MH 7.4v 3300mAh battery with Deans connectors. I have a Titan 12t 550 motor with a 14/87 pinion/spur gear setup and a Traxxas XL-5 Waterproof ESC. I cut-off the traxxas connector on the ESC and replaced it with a deans connector. The deans' connector wire was only around 6-gauge, not 12-gauge like the ESC. Could this be the problem? I also grease the wheels alot and the endbell on the motor. I just got my 2019 reciever wet. So I can't drive it currently. I always drive my Bandit about five times a day. And only a bellcrank broke so far. If you can tell me what the problem is, I will be very grateful. (BTW, I'm only 13! I know this stuff somehow! NO clue how.) If you need anymore info, PM me. Thx for your patience reading this message (It's long!).

savage

[LSXEric]

Humm a couple things could be it. A 3300 mah (7.2) Nimh sounds like a venom and they are known to have cells die. If you have another battery try that. It could be the 550 Titan since they give away preety easy. It is also possible that you damaged the ESC while soldering it. How hot did the wires to the ESC get while chaning connectors? You have it geared for major tourqe so the speed won't be too high, on a Bandit I would not go lower than 16/87. Personaly I like the 21/87 for all around and 26/87 for top end.

[OldSchoolRC]

Do you have training mode on the ESC on? That will cut power in 1/2. Check the manual for the speed controller and run through the steps to make sure it is off.

[Fiero_Man_121]

6awg? thatd be like as thick as my pinky! if you mean it was like 14/15 wawg than it should still be fine but the connector my heat up (the resistance wouldnt be noticable, maybe a .001% of a mph diffrence if extreme enough)

it may be that either a cell died or if its happening with all your packs its in the esc (programing) or the motor (died) if it is the motor you may be able to bring it back to life by directly hooking it up to a batt and running it submerged.

if you do the submergering method run it under water for a while (with periodic water changing) and run it till the water stays clean, than afterwards spray with either wd40 or motor cleaner (perferably)

[Maxx man]

the rest of these guys pretty much coverd what may be wrong... I wouldnt grease the motor... that will collect dust and shorten the life of the motor you can however put a lil bit of light oil on the bushings but dont use to much

[savage24x]

The wires were going to be covered with shrink tubing, but it got too hot and shrunk before I got to slide it on. ESC is not on training mode. I have no clue and I'm not putting my motor underwater, Ill only run it in the rain. any other ideas? BTW, I have a radioshack battery. my school teacher uses it and his rustler with an amber 17t goes FAST.

[LSXEric]

Sounds like the ESC may have got too hot while soldering. If ya got another ESC try that, and if thats the problem send the ESC in to Traxxas for a replacement/ fix.

[Fiero_Man_121]

I wouldnt grease the motor... that will collect dust and shorten the life of the motor you can however put a lil bit of light oil on the bushings but dont use to much

actualy motor cleaner and wd40 dont, they're not a thick grease like other things, in fact wd40 tends to keep dust off, (old trick from nitro guys)

[Maxx man]

greese would be a bad thing... I have used wd40 though...

[savage24x]

Well, i just bought an amber and now it goes 4mph faster. 14mph! Record! I only have a MSC to try. If I send my ESC to traxxas, will they accept the deans connectors?

[LSXEric]

Yes, but they will check to see if thats the problem. If so the warrenty is invalid.

[NHRCA_Revo]

I thought they would charge more fees if it had deans plugs on top of the $20 fee to repair. I could be wrong and havent checked the website details on that or awhile :confused:

[savage24x]

I thought they would charge more fees if it had deans plugs on top of the $20 fee to repair. I could be wrong and havent checked the website details on that or awhile :confused:

I just checked. It's $35 combined.

[NHRCA_Revo]

For $35 you could be close to buying a new one off ebay maybe even a waterproof one, thats what i would do. but if it was a vxl then yeah its definitly worth the $20 or so

[GOAT]

nononono dont wast mony my dads slash was the same the motor needed a good clean it was soooooo slow try hpi nitro clean and that may fix it but if its still slow try the traxxas plan or i would buy a new one off ebay

[NHRCA_Revo]

he said it was the esc :confused:

[savage24x]

I sent Traxxas an e-mail. They said I was extremely under geared! Who knew? i have 14/87 when im supposed to have 26/76! darn i have 6 dollar!

[NHRCA_Revo]

lol, thats a cheap fix compared to buying a whole new esc :rolleyes:

[savage24x]

I know! dumb me

[LSXEric]

You have it geared for major tourqe so the speed won't be too high, on a Bandit I would not go lower than 16/87. Personaly I like the 21/87 for all around and 26/87 for top end.

I tried to help ya in my first post...

[savage24x]

sorry eric. wasn't paying attention. I'm thinking 23/76. Is that good for speed? I want the most speed I can get.

[Maxx man]

23/76 may be to much for your car... Id try like a 23/86 or 23/85

[LSXEric]

That should be fine, but I'm not 100% sure they will mesh. The 76 spur I think, can only take down to a 26 tooth pinon for its small size. The bandit does need high gearing. 28/76 is a common bashing combo while 31/76 is for speed. If I were though, I'd go 23/86 for all around, and 28/83 for speed.

[savage24x]

what about 31/78? Is that good for speed?

[LSXEric]

Don't think there is a traxxas 78 tooth spur. I think only 76,83,86,90, and 93 are the spur size's.

[savage24x]

Don't think there is a traxxas 78 tooth spur. I think only 76,83,86,90, and 93 are the spur size's.

There is. I saw it and it wasn't a spelling error

[LSXEric]

Ahh forgot yours is a legacy model bandit. My mistake.

That gearing would work for top speed runs, but I'd go down some on the pinion. Like a 25-28 tooth.

[savage24x]

26 pinion? that good? WHATS THE BEST FOR SPEED????

[LSXEric]

Okay best for speed would be the HIGHEST pinion, and LOWEST spur. The only problem is that a 31/78 would make the motor very hot very quickly and possibley burn it up along with the ESC.

For bashing and safe running temps run the 26 tooth pinion or lower. The top speed won't be as high, but it would be better for temp wise. Expect 35-40mph top end with the amber and that combo.

[savage24x]

I know what im getting!!! THX ALOT!!!

[savage24x]

My bandit starting running slower than usual the other day? Anything wrong with it??

[roadrunnr43]

how long have you been using the R-shack battery?

[Maxx man]

thast right you may have a dead cell (or 2) on the battery... are any of the cells hotter then the others?

[savage24x]

<snip> are any of the cells hotter then the others?

actually, no.? I don't know, the engine sounds not as loud as usual. maybe i finally broke it in? maybe I didn't charge the battery all the way? maybe there's not enough conductivity? could any of these be it?

[Maxx man]

nah... doesnt sound like it... I would try out a new batterypack... if thats not it see if you can borrow your teachers? esc if that still doesnt fix it try a new motor... if not that your scewd:rolleyes:

[savage24x]

nah... doesnt sound like it... I would try out a new batterypack... if thats not it see if you can borrow your teachers? esc if that still doesnt fix it try a new motor... if not that your scewd:rolleyes:
Dude, I can't afford a $2 pinion! Do u think I can afford that stuff?

[Maxx man]

Dude, I can't afford a $2 pinion! Do u think I can afford that stuff?

lol were did pinion come from?

have ya tried your teachers electrics? try each one piecs by piece to see whats wrong

[savage24x]

lol were did pinion come from?

have ya tried your teachers electrics? try each one piecs by piece to see whats wrong

his rustler has all connections backward

[Maxx man]

his rustler has all connections backward

thats odd... why'd he do that?

[savage24x]

ask him! He thinks mine are backwards!

[Taylor]

okay, This is what i would do in your situation
1. You might need a new battery... The radioshack just won't cut it, they don't last, or live, that long and the current they put out are very low. get a more hobby grade one.
2. If you haven't changed the gearing i would go with LSXErics suggestions...
He probably knows what hes talking about a little bit, from racing to crawling those are big gear changes and hes probably learned something by now :D

If it still isn't that fast...
3. I would send your esc to traxxas, or get a new one. (My Xl-5 went out on me the other day and im done fussing with brushed motors and im getting a vxl.) Seeing as you soldered the deans to it, (nothing against your soldering skills but we all make mistakes,) you could have damaged the wires and now it doesn't go fast.

And you say you've only got $6, well my recommendation is to mow lawns, (I sure hope you're a kid :D), or other jobs and save up like i used to do until i got a job...

If that doesn't fix it then you have a mystery problem unknown to us.
Hope this helps...

[savage24x]

Six dollars was awhile ago! Now I have fourteen!!! I just spent 26. And I can't afford a hundred dollar battery! My dad won't let me solder so be soldered it. I'm going with the pinion and spur first

[Taylor]

Who said anything about a hundred dollars you could easily get a great battery anywhere from about $30-$70.
But yeah your best bet is do the cheaper stuff first.

[Maxx man]

here get this battery (the 3300mah) I use it in my slash and its faster then my venom 7cell (even though thats not hard) you can choose your connector type and I would highly suggest getting the upgrade... but thats mehttp://www.cheapbatterypacks.com/main.asp?sid=1405184&pgid=superlisting&type=car&manufacturer=4&model=24

[savage24x]

with or without upgrade and what gauge wire?

[LSXEric]

For your aplication, upgraded and 12 awg wire.

I've burnt the non upgraded nickle tabs.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k422/LSXEric/DSC00005-7.jpg

[Maxx man]

with or without upgrade and what gauge wire?

ya upgrade... but cheap battery packs wont do 12ga with the traxxas connector I dont think.. 16ga is what I have on my packs and they work perfectly

[savage24x]

how many cells? i think my charger does 6-7

[Maxx man]

um go 7 if you can afford it!

[LSXEric]

Traxxas plugs will do 12awg, thats the wire in my pic.

[savage24x]

How many cells are in that pack?

[LSXEric]

Count em...

Its a 10 cell elite 1500.

[Maxx man]

oh I ment 14ga... but thats only if they wont make em 12ga for ya

[Philderbeast]

I put 8 gauge wire on my Traxxas plugs. It is a tight fit, but do-able. Man, it rally sounds like you have both a gearing and a battery problem. Radio Shack batteries are notorious for losing cells. My charger will condition the cells, so my radio shack batteries are lasting a little longer then they did before my mew charger. I would suggest in your case, (not having much money), save up and buy a really really good racing pack for around 70-80 bucks, (but buy that battery that someone else suggested now so you do not have to wait for money to buy a good one), and get the traxxas connectors on any battery you buy, get your gearing up to about a 26-28 on the pinion with that amber motor, (I would go with 26 cause the ambers do get a little hot), and go about I dunno, an 86 or so on the spur. It will run roughly 30-35 mph, plenty fast, and will keep longevity on you motor, esc, and battery. Buy a peak detecting charger when you can, they help the life of the battery alot. Do not worry about getting 50 mph out of this buggy, try for 30-35 mph, a very good speed, and get some kind of a gig to make some mad money to save up for a good battery and charger, and possibly some upgrades. I can hook you up with some home made caster links if they are the same size as my rustler, they are much stronger than stock and will only cost you shipping plus ball ends, and all thread, (about 10 bucks for all 4 links with shipping). If interested, hit me up, you can see what they look like on my cliff climber thread ( they are the 4 link suspention, the only shiny stuff on that truck) in the rock crawling section. I made 4 link suspention the same way I make caster links.

[savage24x]

im now a soccer referee and get $25 for 1 game i ref

[Maxx man]

im now a soccer referee and get $25 for 1 game i ref

sweet deal!!! how many games do you ref a week? (I know most are on weekends)

[savage24x]

Not sure yet about to start this Saturday.

[savage24x]

I ref 3 games a Saturday and I have to put 1/3 of the money in the bank

[Maxx man]

thats pretty sweet... thats $50 of spending money a week

[savage24x]

I get a paycheck every 2 weeks, so 100 to spend!

[savage24x]

Getting a free pinion

[savage24x]

Ok, I got a pinion. I think it's a 26t. I think the battery is screwed up. Im going even slower than before! Is the battery dead? I noticed the place where i soldered the different connectors from tamiya to deans is burning hot when i run for 1 minute. help?

[roadrunnr43]

im thinking the batterys sunk.

[Maxx man]

when you solderd it is there a good conection? is it a dark grey? it may be a cold solder

[savage24x]

I dont have solder actually. I have these weird plastic metal connector thingies

[roadrunnr43]

I noticed the place where i soldered the different connectors from tamiya to deans is burning hot when i run for 1 minute.

thats the place Hes asking about.

[Maxx man]

I dont have solder actually. I have these weird plastic metal connector thingies

that could be a problem also

[notatoy]

I dont have solder actually. I have these weird plastic metal connector thingies
are these the weird metal plastic thingies ??? if so get ridd there for 240 volts at least in the u,k may be 110 in the states but no good for r/c .. way to much resistance

[savage24x]

Kind of. You have to crimp them to stay on. There is a metal tube in the middle for the connection

[savage24x]

I got a new battery and it goees about 15 MPH with 26 tooth pinion and brand new battery. First run too!

[Maxx man]

Id check your esc then... you arent running those clamping things right?

[savage24x]

Now I have another problem, it goes half speed forward and full speed back?

[Maxx man]

sounds like you have the motor pluged in backwards or its programed wrong... first I would try reprograming you esc... if that doesnt work change the pos/neg of the motor leads and switch your channel 2 reverse

[savage24x]

sounds like you have the motor pluged in backwards or its programed wrong... first I would try reprograming you esc... if that doesnt work change the pos/neg of the motor leads and switch your channel 2 reverse
Why? Everthing goes in the right direction. It's just that the Bandit goes half-speed forward and full-speed backward

[Maxx man]

because its going faster in reverse then in forward... I would honestly try and reprogram in and see what that does

[savage24x]

How do i reprogram an xl-5 waterproof?

[Maxx man]

did it come with an owners manuel?... if not go to youtube and look up how to reprograme an xl-5

[savage24x]

I switched from 50/50 to 70/30 and it works better.

[Maxx man]

huh... looks like your esc was set for the 70/30... in either setting do you have to move the throttle trim around?

[savage24x]

I have to move the throttle trim for the 70/30. All the way to the right.

[Maxx man]

Id seriosly set everything to center and reprogram the speed controll... that may fix it for ya

[savage24x]

Well, IT WORKED! Thank you! Even though you said that before, I couldn't find out how to do that and finally found it on a post in another forum (TRAXXAS forum). Thank you

[Maxx man]

no problem! glad I could help!

[savage24x]

UH!!! Here we go again! now a motor problem! my amber is smoking on a 26/76 setup. i turned timing down. didn't work. fixed inside, cleaned it up with motor spray. now i cant get my red lead soldered to the custom tab i made. I'm using silver solder. am i doing something wrong? is it my gearing again?

[pedeboi364]

Holy heck its ur gearing dude. If ur not running 3s lipo you shouldnt even have a 76 spur on there, no to mention a 26 t pinion...

[Philderbeast]

I am getting a 90 tooth spur and 19 tooth pinion for the stampede and may still be overgeared. I would say you should raise the number of teeth on the spur, and lower down to around a 18-19t pinion. My forman has a amber on his pede, 90t spur, 14t pinion and the motor is still overheating badly enough to melt the soldier on his motor leads.

[savage24x]

Well, that is the stock gearing for the bandit. 26/76. It works fine wiu my Titan, which burned up after about a year of abuse. The amber is meant for speed. At least I'm going brushless with 14/76. I only have one torque control spur, so I can't change it. Brushless will be here in 1-2 days

[pedeboi364]

Lol YAY FOR BL!!! as for the amber vs the titan, the titan has wayyyyy more torque tyan the amber. Its like a lambo engine vs an F-650 engine, you just wouldnt be able to gear them the same.

[Philderbeast]

I spit on an f 650 engine...."spit spit". It is like a Honda Accord vs Dodge ram 1 ton deisel 4x4 on 44 Mickey Thopson Boggers and a 12 inch suspention lift and a 10 inch body lift. Sure, you can park the accord at wal mart, but wouldn't it be more fun to make your own parking spot atop of the accord?

[pedeboi364]

^^ what?... Uhm, yeahs, but... Whatd i miss here?

[roadrunnr43]

what you are witnessing is the uncommon Dodgeis Fanaticus. although commonly mistaken for the more common Chevicus Maniaca, the two are entirely different beasts. the dodgicus fanaticus (dodge fan, for short) is a strange creature with habits similar to a rabid squirrel.

[pedeboi364]

Lmao uh oh, i think i may on my way there as a ramcharger owner

[Philderbeast]

lol @ RR. Ya know RR, a Road Runner was a Dodge Product, as well as a Looney Toon Character. So, Technically, I guess your screen name means your a Looney Dodge Lover....too....ha ha.

[roadrunnr43]

haha! hilarious observation!

[savage24x]

my thread has been hijacked. guys plz stop.

[pedeboi364]

Chill dude, there wasnt any real convo going on anyeays. Let us dodge men have our fun :P

[roadrunnr43]

actually I'm a chevy guy. (awkwaaard....):D I'm more the 'looney' part then anything else.

sorry about the jacking.

[pedeboi364]

Im a... Ford guy... Walk of shame?

[piccofan]

haha thats funny but i though this was an rc forum lol

[savage24x]

thank you piccofan!