Holmes' Wraith

[JohnRobHolmes]

(insert fancy build theme logo here)


I just had to get one, thanks to Harley! Got to drive his for a while at the Vanquish Products Red Rocks event and I was totally hooked. It needs some mods out of the box, but what rig doesn't?


So far, I just have a mostly stock rig. You want pics of me taking it out of the box? ;-)

First impressions-

The bad...
Radio wasn't bound out of the box. Spent 20 minutes taking the rig apart and trying to get to the radio to bind proper. Totally predictable since I am an electronics guy, I have those sorts of issues. So I swapped in my Futaba 4PK since it wouldn't bind after 10 tries. I suppose I will contact axial on this, but it is probably my fault. Next up, the motor spins backwards! ESC lights up green, tires go backwards. Doh!! Swapped the wires, now I have full speed forward. What would I do without my fancy degree in electromojiggies...

The good...
What a fun rig! The stock 20t motor on 2s is peppy. I used a 2s 2200 25c pack at first. Enough speed to jump little stuff and sling some dirt around. The stock motor does get HOT though. The ESC is a great bit of equipment. Nice features, good pep, great drag brake, easy programming. What more could you ask for in a stock ESC? Servo is plenty for rock racing duty. Not strong enough for heavy rock use, but I don't expect a $150 servo in a $350 kit :ror:


The upgrades...

Motor
I figure the motor will wear out shortly, so I will yank it out and do some tests before that happens. I built up an extra 11t double CrawlMaster that should be a really stinking fast motor for the rig, especially on 3s. I know the 13t CrawlMaster is a good match for 3s, so why not push the line a bit and see just how hot this rig will run. 11t on 3s, 13t on 3s, 16t on 4s... So many options! It is nice to be able to make my own motors, I can keep myself busy for days just testing!

ESC
Not sure if I will keep the ESC or not. It is perfect for 2s use, absolutely no need to swap it out. A BEC would be needed for 3s use. Obviously I would need to replace it for 4s and above.

Servo
I'm totally hooked on 4 wheel steer after driving Harley's rig. It has been a while since I drove my super, so I forgot how cool crab steer is!! Might as well throw a new servo in the front too. Futaba BLS352 is my choice.

Tires and wheels

Cool rims, tires are so-so on my local terrain. Although I love the sound of barking tires, I want a bit better traction on my local limestone rocks. Not sure what I will grab for this yet. Any suggestions?

For rims I will hit up VP to see what they have. I'm sure there is something good looking I can score from the site.

Other things

I will end up replacing the plastic links and probably most of the plastic axle outers as I break parts. Seems like Vanquish has all the parts I need here http://www.vanquishproducts.com/wraith.html so I will just hit them up for a big order when the time comes. It is nice to have vendors like them that make high quality products that just work!




I gotta say, Axial really did a great job on this rig. Tons of fun, and it looks good too! I would have never guessed we would see such kits 5 years ago. At the end of the day, there really isn't much more than the fun factor of a rig so I can't complain one bit. Good to know this rig already has aftermarket support and great product support from Axial. I say everybody needs one of these! Plus if everybody gets one Axial has plenty of money to work on their next rig :mrgreen: And I am certainly looking forwards to what they have up their sleeve next.



Here is a pic to whet your appetite. Built one of these for my 1.9 scaler and one for this Wraith.

 

[whiplash]

this is gonna be a good thread
i can see it already!

 

[binaryterror]

Do I see a possible "fastest Wraith contest"? 4S use would be wild to control.

 

[Harley]

Get that 4WS on board :ror:

Get the lower mounts flipped over to lower the ride height too. Have fun man!

 

[Krawler Konceptz]

Good job "thumbsup" I like the sound of the motor up-grade :twisted: Goin to have to get me sweet HH power plant :twisted: Looking to see the build :mrgreen:

Rob

 

[Butcherinhd]

Hey john you said the esc would be good on 3s with a bec . Dose that mean you think it can handle 3s and the 20t with the stock pinion ? I dont know alot about voltage and amp draws junk like that but a guy who has a degree in electromojiggies i think you do.:ror:

 

[dubAron]

can you posted videos of the different motors you put in it that way I can can a figure out which motor of your I'm gonna run

 

[team3six]

is anyone running the proline tsl's on a wraith? I cant see why they wouldnt be good for it.

 

[Krawler Konceptz]

is anyone running the proline tsl's on a wraith? I cant see why they wouldnt be good for it.

Yep and they work great "thumbsup"

Rob

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

this is gonna be a good thread
i can see it already!

Ha! I am number one thread killer. I am going to have more tech before page two probably :ror:

;-)

Do I see a possible "fastest Wraith contest"? 4S use would be wild to control.

With a 16t five slot or 35t 3 slot it wouldn't be too bad on a small pinion. Lots O wheelies :mrgreen:

Get that 4WS on board :ror:

Get the lower mounts flipped over to lower the ride height too. Have fun man!

Good call, thanks for the tips!

Good job "thumbsup" I like the sound of the motor up-grade :twisted: Goin to have to get me sweet HH power plant :twisted: Looking to see the build :mrgreen:

Rob

Thanks, I bet it will be pretty fun!

Hey john you said the esc would be good on 3s with a bec . Dose that mean you think it can handle 3s and the 20t with the stock pinion ? I dont know alot about voltage and amp draws junk like that but a guy who has a degree in electromojiggies i think you do.:ror:

I don't think the system would like 3s with the stock pinion. Maybe 14t pinion, but that is pushing the stock ESC and motor hard still. With a 35t motor the stock ESC should be OK with a smaller pinion, your mileage may vary and buy a temp gauge.

can you posted videos of the different motors you put in it that way I can can a figure out which motor of your I'm gonna run

I will do my best. I don't have a fancy camera for the task, but I will try to find somebody that does locally.

is anyone running the proline tsl's on a wraith? I cant see why they wouldnt be good for it.

Yep and they work great "thumbsup"

Rob

Maybe I will give those a shot for some upgrades...

 

[chicklet]

Yay! You got your Wraith too! Mine wasn't bound out of the box either. I threw my DX3E at it and it works like a charm. Let me know how that 11t works out...I might change my mind on the 16t order I placed

VP stuff is beautiful. I will work on installing my stuff tomorrow. Saving up for links, diff covers and lockouts.

 

[toyofast]

I don't think the system would like 3s with the stock pinion. Maybe 14t pinion, but that is pushing the stock ESC and motor hard still. With a 35t motor the stock ESC should be OK with a smaller pinion, your mileage may vary and buy a temp gauge.

The stock ESC and motor work excellent on 3s. Just don't expect the stock motor to last more than 5-8 packs before the magic smoke lets out.

As far as the reverse rotation motor... I took Brads advise and flipped the ring gears. Now I run normal rotation motors, although I have the brushless setup in mine now(13.5) and it's perfect for me.

 

[imthatguy]

Wait, so in forward the ESC should light up green?

Oh noes...

 

[Bulldog]

Subscribed! Let us see the magic behind the reputation! Videos are key...I know you said you don't have a fancy camera...we don't need it. We just want to see the motor, battery, and esc specs perform various speed tests. We all know Harley's can get from the 7 eleven to the walmart in one pull of the trigger! My guess is that we all want to see super slow speed control on the rocks and a little giddiup (ala Kramer) on the hillclimbs. 2s, 3s, whatever. for those of us waiting on the forum heavyweights to do the initial testing, it will save us time and money to emulate what you have run on your builds. Can't wait to see where this thread goes, as well as the products you're producing for the the others."thumbsup"

 

[Almighty Malach]

John, try the R35 compound Ripsaws before anything else. I've been running the R35 compound for a few months and they are hands down the best scaler tire I've seen. Unbelievable wet rock traction and they sling mud pretty well too:twisted:

 

[Wrecker]

So what's the kv rating on the 11t?
I drove RPMJ's at Rocas Rojo with a TorqueMaster 20t on 3s and it was great, I definitely wouldn't want to go any slower, probably even run 4s on it with a BRXL. If you could get the CrawlMaster to be the same speed I would probably prefer that since the low end would better compared to the TorqueMaster.

 

[Harley]

So what's the kv rating on the 11t?
I drove RPMJ's at Rocas Rojo with a TorqueMaster 20t on 3s and it was great, I definitely wouldn't want to go any slower, probably even run 4s on it with a BRXL. If you could get the CrawlMaster to be the same speed I would probably prefer that since the low end would better compared to the TorqueMaster.

An 11t would have to be really close to a 20t, maybe even a hair slower if I were guessing. I really like the sound of that motor John, should have some decent torque being a double I'm guessing.

I'm loving my 13t CM, so smooth!

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

The 11t is about 2600 Kv, close to a 25t motor on 5mm web with standup brushes. We would be looking at an even lower turn CrawlMaster for 20t type speeds. Sounds like I need to get cracking!

 

[Wrecker]

The 11t is about 2600 Kv, close to a 25t motor on 5mm web with standup brushes. We would be looking at an even lower turn CrawlMaster for 20t type speeds. Sounds like I need to get cracking!

Well get to cracking son!:ror:
I've got a 27t on 3s in my 1.9er and it's way too slow, these things need speed!!:twisted:

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

Those tiny 1.9 tires don't help in the speed department.

I have 160lbs of wire coming my way for lots of winding possibilities. Just for you That puts my stock of wire close to 250lbs now, sheesh that's a lot of copper!