More Dig Questions but with research...

[playzwtrux]

Input on the different digs. I have a Hot Racing for my AX-10. I bought it primarily on price (+) and a few threads that people had said they have had little trouble with it (+). When it came in it had no directions for installation (-). Also I noticed that the shaft that goes in and out of the dig and controls the lock position was very rough (-). I would think that in a bind the texture of the surface could cause problems while engaging and disengaging. I would highly recommend buffing this and N E other pieces that touch before installing it, especially since you need to disassemble it to install the plate on the tranny. Pieces like this need to be as smooth as possible in order to avoid binding.

I am sure that the lower price is a direct result of lower machining costs. I don't mind the buffing. It is almost like building a kit in relation to a RTR. I put some work into it and as a result I know the ins and outs of the unit and how it works (+). This is never a bad thing.

I hope that this helps someone out.

 

[playzwtrux]

Edited due to possible misunderstood info.

 

[JUSTGOINGSLOW]

Where are some people getting there information from

 

[playzwtrux]

Edited due to possible misunderstood info. 8)

 

[monkeyracer]

Again, if it weren't for the one company originally designing the dig, the other company definitely would not have come up with the same design. They may not have even come up with a dig, or it would have looked similar to the RC4WD system.

I appreciate the guys at DNA, Eritex, and VP, they take the time to think outside the box and make something new that works well. The other guys piggyback off these guys and unfortunately make a little money in the process.

Improving an existing design is a huge part of the new technology we have today, there would be no HDTV's or iPhones if everyone always had to come up with something new each time. However, there is a process to license the original design, and get permission to improve upon it.

If I wanted to improve the RC4WD design by making it a 4 point engagement design rather than 2, I'd have to find out who has the patent, and get permission to improve the design. If they didn't want to give me permission to do so, I would need to engineer my own solution. It really is that simple.

Edit: Wanted to add, that with chassis, it's not just changing around a few holes. There's no "utility" patent for this type of design that I know of, so as long as someone's not stealing your "design" then it's fine, but Tony at StampedeProject knows all about the shenanigans Hot Racing is pulling with their clone of his SPV2.

My bodiless chassis is unique, techincally it's a QVP (Quad Vertical Plate) but it's inspired by all the TVP designs out there. The new T1E rockshow has a similar theory, but totally different execution, the top twin plates are outboard of the bottom twin plates, their design is a lot shorter and designed for moas, my design is longer, and designed to look more like a real truck/buggy.

Saying all TVPs are the same is like saying there's only one tread pattern that's slightly rearranged.

Innovation comes from intelligent designers, like Gerame, Steve and Don. Those that cannot innovate, steal.

 

[BEELZEBOB]

Man, y'all can really be a bunch of wet ones.

Monkey wants dig info.

No a bunch of regurgitated opininons on chassis and copywrights.

so here you go

now back on topic folks.

 

[monkeyracer]

Thanks bob, I was beginning to see the red waves on the horizon.

Back to digs...

So until the Vanquish comes out, It seems the DNA and the Eritex are the way to go, the other digs work, but may need a little more set-up than the others (polishing, etc.)

I think that if you are new and looking into getting a dig, spending the little extra on the DNA, Eritex, or VP, and getting a decent servo (most of them are good with a 50-80oz servo.) set your end points correctly, and it will work fine, if you are looking to save a little money, you'll "pay" for it in the end with your own labor polishing parts and getting a higher torque servo. This is the reason this thread exists, there's not a clear answer, but having all the pros and cons laid out side by side might help make the decision for someone looking to get one. A con to one person, might not be that big of a deal to someone else.

 

[JUSTGOINGSLOW]

To give a little info on what servo to dig application might help also.

I use a Hitec 225MG with my DNA "thumbsup" works flawless.

 

[monkeyracer]

To give a little info on what servo to dig application might help also.

I use a Hitec 225MG with my DNA "thumbsup" works flawless.

That's a good idea, let's add what servo's everyone is using, that might also help n00bs budget and price what their total cost will be.

What servos have you guys used with which dig? Which ones worked, which caused issues? I know the eritex guys have said that the higher torque servos have caused some issues. So, go ahead and post your servo info as well.

 

[gunnar]

Also important is servo bracing. In my testing, many chassis' will flex at full articulation, even with braces. Rigidly mounting the dig servo is important, not only to the chassis, but also to another point, either the skid plate or dig case itself. If the servo flexes away from the dig, engagement can be sporadic. If the servo is attached to the dig, this is less of a problem, but the mount should be strong enough to overcome any flexing the servo power can dish out, also critcal is end point adjustment, so the servo isn't overtaxed in it's job.

 

[JUSTGOINGSLOW]

Gunnar, you are right. Where I had my dig servo mount when I first installed my dig was flexing the TVP plate, which required addictional bracing.

 

[BEELZEBOB]

Im rockin the AX10 RTR Ft3003 servo for my DNA.


works good. i have it mounted on the new DNA brace, but is the original mounting location.

when i had the servo mounted under the brace, the monting bracket itself would flex, affecting the engage points

 

[monkeyracer]

Also important is servo bracing. In my testing, many chassis' will flex at full articulation, even with braces. Rigidly mounting the dig servo is important, not only to the chassis, but also to another point, either the skid plate or dig case itself. If the servo flexes away from the dig, engagement can be sporadic. If the servo is attached to the dig, this is less of a problem, but the mount should be strong enough to overcome any flexing the servo power can dish out, also critcal is end point adjustment, so the servo isn't overtaxed in it's job.

That is also something to consider, I have my servo mounted to the chassis braces, but I don't notice any flex when shifting. I am looking to make a transmission mount for it though.

I did add a few things to the first post to update a few of the pros and cons, once I get a little more info on servos I'll add something to the first post about them.

 

[gordieb]

That's a good idea, let's add what servo's everyone is using, that might also help n00bs budget and price what their total cost will be.

What servos have you guys used with which dig? Which ones worked, which caused issues? I know the eritex guys have said that the higher torque servos have caused some issues. So, go ahead and post your servo info as well.

With my Eritex I use a hitec 645mg (my old steering servo) with the Eritex servo mount. Prior to that I used a HS 325 that is listed at 51oz at 6v it didn't seem to have the oomph to get the job done. with the Eritex servo mount.

I can't set the endpoints with my radio so I use a KP servo saver to keep it all from tearing itself up. It's worked good so far. But I'm also running it at 4.8 or 5v whatever the default is. I figured it didn't need 133oz to move the dig. 107oz should be sufficient

The dig is in the higher price range for digs but the servo can be found for $30 or less online under $40 in most B&Ms.

Hope this helps some
gordie

 

[Vp Monkey]

Another option to put down on the digs. Would be if the drive shaft out put on the dig, if it moves or if it does not move. I think only 2 atm do not move? Vanquish and eritex.

 

[HBRC]

I started with an RC4WD R2D about 2 years ago. Tried many different servos on it, always had issues disengaging while in a bind. I went through it, shaving bits here and there to alleviate the bind, to no avail. I even tried TCS delrin lock plates which were supposed to help. It didn't bind anymore, but it wouldn't stay locked in dig either.

Bought an original VFdig a year and a half ago (i think that's about right, don't remember when the VF/DNA swap went on).
I'm still running the original aluminum internals and a hitec225mg servo. I only have occasional issues with binding, but I keep my radio on the EPA menus, and can quickly 'bump' the servo a little extra to get it to disengage. A bigger servo would totally solve this. I only need to mess with the EPA's maybe 10% of the time. Not an issue to me.

I've got an Eritex dig installed in my SSS with a hitec 225mg. I only have a little time on it so far. With a little prep work polishing parts, and remembering to use locktite on the set screw on the output hex(whoops, forgot to on first install, and it came loose), it's been working fantastic. I haven't had any bind issues at all.
This is on a pretty light rig, so binding won't be as obvious. The eritex mount uses a single bolt to mount to the dig, which seems to allow some slop. The servo is able to wiggle a little bit when engaging and disengaging. This has NOT affected the performance one bit that I've noticed, as I don't have to adjust end points during a run that I've noticed it wiggling. I did take a tumble, and the dig mount rotated on the single bolt mount, allowing the driveshaft to rub the servo. The dig still worked fine, and i readjusted everything after i finished playing. I'll be making a new two bolt mount just so i don't have to worry about it down the road.

 

[monkeyracer]

Another option to put down on the digs. Would be if the drive shaft out put on the dig, if it moves or if it does not move. I think only 2 atm do not move? Vanquish and eritex.

Good point, that may affect wear and tear as well as other things, I'll add that to the list.

 

[theholybull]

new dig

Im ready to start selling my new digs called the ert-rc4w-dna-s3x-uber dig.
it's smooth as butter
has 1 billion points of engagement
never burns up servos
operstes off a 2 channel radio
makes your man parts longer and fuller

Its a combination of all other digs currently on the market with a little dash of viagra. Im taking pre orders right now the price will be $.35

 

[monkeyracer]

Im ready to start selling my new digs called the ert-rc4w-dna-s3x-uber dig.
it's smooth as butter
has 1 billion points of engagement
never burns up servos
operstes off a 2 channel radio
makes your man parts longer and fuller

Its a combination of all other digs currently on the market with a little dash of viagra. Im taking pre orders right now the price will be $.35

You'll need a $100/yr vendor star first though!

 

[JeremyH]

set your end points correctly, and it will work fine

This is the MOST IMPORTANT sentence in this entire thread!"thumbsup"