Mascman
03-24-2004, 04:27 PM
Instructions for the Remote Starter for the Traxxas T-Maxx
This will ONLY work on engines with the on-board EZ Start motor.
I am NOT the first one to do this so I do not want credit for figuring it out. I had the idea in my head, but someone else did it first. It is a worthwhile mod and I just wanted to make it easy on others to complete it.
You will no longer have reverse because this plugs into the 3rd channel. In my opinion it is WELL worth the loss!
To do the Remote Starter on a T-maxx, you need to gather a couple things. You will need an electronic switch by Great Planes called the Electrifly 35 amp Electronic On/Off Switch with Soft Start.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...p?&I=LXBJD7&P=0
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/ElectriflySwitch.jpg
This switch will power your receiver through the 3rd channel. The only downfall is that it’s at 4.8 volts instead of 6. This cannot be avoided, but most aftermarket servos have more torque at 4.8 volts than the stock Traxxas servo at 6. I am using the Hitec 645 with good results.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...p?&I=LXUZ90&P=7
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/HitecServo.jpg
You will need the old style EZ start control box that came with the Pro .15 motored Maxx.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...p?&I=LXJM36&P=7
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/EZStartbox.jpg
Once you have everything together, it’s time to tear it all apart! Take the EZ start control box and remove the cover. The circuit board will not come out…the switch is soldered into the circuit board. I used a hot solder to unsolder the switch. Basically, just heat up and push the tabs that hold the switch to the board. It’s tricky so get some help if you can. Now take a piece of wire and solder one end in each hole in the board, using it as a jumper to complete the circuit…it’s like the button is constantly on after that.
Take the Electrifly On/Off Switch and locate the blue- and white+ wires. These will go to the battery plugs in the EZ start circuit board. I removed the battery plugs and soldered the wires in the holes left behind…similar to how the pushbutton was removed.
You have now completed your remote start switch! You can fit all this inside the stock Traxxas battery box. I removed the guts from the box and opened it up inside with a Dremel. Drill a hole for the LED and try to stuff it all in there. Drill holes coming out the sides for the wires. The EZ start connection comes out the right side and the battery plug goes on the left. Take your time and make it all fit.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/HiddenSwitch.jpg
I mounted a 7.2 volt stick pack under the chassis on the fuel tank side. I used circuit board mounting legs from Radio Shack. I marked and drilled the holes, then screwed the mounts down. The mounts are threaded the whole way through so you will be able to bolt a piece of aluminum angle to it. Just cut to size and you're set. The battery fits pretty snug, just make sure to protect the wires. I fed the wires through the steering servo hole and connected to the battery plug coming from the switch.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/BatteryMount.jpg
The wire from the switch plugs into the 3rd channel. There is no need for a separate battery pack since it will power everything through that channel. Plugging into the BAT slot will not do anything. Once plugged into the 3rd channel, it is null and void! The switch wires to the RX were too long for my taste, so I cut and soldered them…you could just zip tie the extra, but I hate excess wire! All of mine is pretty much hidden under the throttle servo.
The Electrifly switch has it’s own mechanical on/off switch, but I chose to cut it off. I spliced in the original Traxxas battery box switch for the simple fact that it was made to fit the battery box.
Remember, you now have only 4.8 volts to power the Receiver so change out that Traxxas servo! The EZ Start will still get the 7.2 volts it needs. If you absolutely want 6.0v, then don’t install the switch…and put on your walking shoes, cause your gonna need them!
I ran my EZ start switch wiring under the gas tank and through the rear shock tower. I brought the harness coming off the motor over the tower and met the other connection in the middle. You cannot even tell it’s there. You can zip tie them to the rear of the tower, but it fits really well and there is not much slack in the wires. I used electrical tape to keep the wires from getting rubbed.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/WireHarness.jpg
I wish I had some pics of all the steps for you guys. I almost went and bought all the stuff to do another one…almost but didn’t! Once you have everything in front of you, you will see that it is pretty easy to do. Take your time when fitting everything together and it will look sano when you are done. Mine looks neat and clean because I took the time to cleanly route and mount everything.
I can answer some questions at mascman@highvision.net or post them here. Later!!
I LOVE MY REMOTE START!!
This will ONLY work on engines with the on-board EZ Start motor.
I am NOT the first one to do this so I do not want credit for figuring it out. I had the idea in my head, but someone else did it first. It is a worthwhile mod and I just wanted to make it easy on others to complete it.
You will no longer have reverse because this plugs into the 3rd channel. In my opinion it is WELL worth the loss!
To do the Remote Starter on a T-maxx, you need to gather a couple things. You will need an electronic switch by Great Planes called the Electrifly 35 amp Electronic On/Off Switch with Soft Start.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...p?&I=LXBJD7&P=0
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/ElectriflySwitch.jpg
This switch will power your receiver through the 3rd channel. The only downfall is that it’s at 4.8 volts instead of 6. This cannot be avoided, but most aftermarket servos have more torque at 4.8 volts than the stock Traxxas servo at 6. I am using the Hitec 645 with good results.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...p?&I=LXUZ90&P=7
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/HitecServo.jpg
You will need the old style EZ start control box that came with the Pro .15 motored Maxx.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...p?&I=LXJM36&P=7
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/EZStartbox.jpg
Once you have everything together, it’s time to tear it all apart! Take the EZ start control box and remove the cover. The circuit board will not come out…the switch is soldered into the circuit board. I used a hot solder to unsolder the switch. Basically, just heat up and push the tabs that hold the switch to the board. It’s tricky so get some help if you can. Now take a piece of wire and solder one end in each hole in the board, using it as a jumper to complete the circuit…it’s like the button is constantly on after that.
Take the Electrifly On/Off Switch and locate the blue- and white+ wires. These will go to the battery plugs in the EZ start circuit board. I removed the battery plugs and soldered the wires in the holes left behind…similar to how the pushbutton was removed.
You have now completed your remote start switch! You can fit all this inside the stock Traxxas battery box. I removed the guts from the box and opened it up inside with a Dremel. Drill a hole for the LED and try to stuff it all in there. Drill holes coming out the sides for the wires. The EZ start connection comes out the right side and the battery plug goes on the left. Take your time and make it all fit.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/HiddenSwitch.jpg
I mounted a 7.2 volt stick pack under the chassis on the fuel tank side. I used circuit board mounting legs from Radio Shack. I marked and drilled the holes, then screwed the mounts down. The mounts are threaded the whole way through so you will be able to bolt a piece of aluminum angle to it. Just cut to size and you're set. The battery fits pretty snug, just make sure to protect the wires. I fed the wires through the steering servo hole and connected to the battery plug coming from the switch.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/BatteryMount.jpg
The wire from the switch plugs into the 3rd channel. There is no need for a separate battery pack since it will power everything through that channel. Plugging into the BAT slot will not do anything. Once plugged into the 3rd channel, it is null and void! The switch wires to the RX were too long for my taste, so I cut and soldered them…you could just zip tie the extra, but I hate excess wire! All of mine is pretty much hidden under the throttle servo.
The Electrifly switch has it’s own mechanical on/off switch, but I chose to cut it off. I spliced in the original Traxxas battery box switch for the simple fact that it was made to fit the battery box.
Remember, you now have only 4.8 volts to power the Receiver so change out that Traxxas servo! The EZ Start will still get the 7.2 volts it needs. If you absolutely want 6.0v, then don’t install the switch…and put on your walking shoes, cause your gonna need them!
I ran my EZ start switch wiring under the gas tank and through the rear shock tower. I brought the harness coming off the motor over the tower and met the other connection in the middle. You cannot even tell it’s there. You can zip tie them to the rear of the tower, but it fits really well and there is not much slack in the wires. I used electrical tape to keep the wires from getting rubbed.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/76747/WireHarness.jpg
I wish I had some pics of all the steps for you guys. I almost went and bought all the stuff to do another one…almost but didn’t! Once you have everything in front of you, you will see that it is pretty easy to do. Take your time when fitting everything together and it will look sano when you are done. Mine looks neat and clean because I took the time to cleanly route and mount everything.
I can answer some questions at mascman@highvision.net or post them here. Later!!
I LOVE MY REMOTE START!!