Need some help on the AMP MT 1/10 2WD

hoogax

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14
Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out and provide some feedback. First off, I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to all of this.

That said, I picked up the AMP MT buggy as a gift for my son a while back. We ran it totally stock, which was plenty for us, and had a blast for a while until it stopped working properly a few months back. It's been collecting dust since, so I'm wanting to get it fixed up for his birthday in a couple weeks (he's only turning 8).

It will only go maybe half speed at most now and doesn't seem to have much power. We pretty much always used it in the front yard, so it was dealing with thick grass, leaves, sticks, etc. Digging around the net a bit, it sounds like maybe the motor went bad. Does this sound right?

After researching a bit, I saw a lot of recommendations to go to a brushless motor over replacing it with another brushed motor. Would this upgrade help with the motor durability? Speed isn't a concern (it seemed plenty fast already), but I'd rather upgrade once instead of every few months having the motor go kaput again, or is this overkill and likely won't make much of a difference in motor durability for a novice like me and my 8 year old?

If going with a brushless motor, I saw these recommendations on Horizon Hobby: Kinexis 1/10 4-Pole 3000Kv ESC/Motor Combo and Kinexis 1/10 4-Pole 4000Kv ESC/Motor Combo. Which one is better to get for the AMP MT, or is there another one I should consider in this price range or less?

My understanding is that if I upgrade the motor and esc, I also have to get a new receiver. I saw the 2.4GHz Receiver, Waterproof , 4-Channel, V3 (ECX13003) recommended since you can use the stock radio controller with it. Is that correct, and are there any others?

Would I also need to upgrade the gear set to this metal gear set?

I don't want to put too much money into all of it, but I know everyone also suggests upgrading to a LiPo battery, although I have to say the NiMh was great as far as I was concerned. I read that you need a power cut off if you run LiPo. I think that would be included on the brushless and esc upgrade, but can anyone confirm? Also, does anyone have recommendations on a moderately priced LiPo battery? Would there be any issues or problems alternating and running both the NiMh and LiPo batteries, and would I need to do anything differently when switching between the two?

Also, we have just been using the included battery charger for the NiMh, which completely sucks and takes like 9 hours to fully charge. Can anyone recommend a decent charger that's not too expensive?

Really, we were totally content with it in stock condition, but if making some upgrades now will prevent things going faulty in the long run, I'd rather bite that bullet now. I'm not wanting to break the bank because all of this is getting pricey, so any answers, suggestions, or feedback on all of this would be really appreciated!


TLDR: Clueless here, but my fully stock AMP MT 1/10 2WD will only run at about half speed. I'm thinking it's the motor but not sure. Looking for suggestions on brushed vs. brushless for someone on a budget and completely content with stock speed but concerned about better durability, along with any other necessary upgrades (receiver, gears, battery, charger, etc).
 
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I bought a 15T brushed motor for $25 and that made all the difference. Now it is actually an entertaining little basher. Mine is stock except for RPM front A arms. I am running a 2s lipo in it with an onboard low voltage indicator. This thing is close to 25-30mph like this. Plenty of speed and power to have fun with the stock setup.

This is what I have invested:

Motor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007KMW4VY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Battery: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079ZXYHBH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Charger: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00466PKE0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Low voltage alarm: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LQ140HA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So for around $120 you can have a capable little machine. The motor replacement is quick and easy and the stock ESC seems to handle everything just fine for the time being. so getting a new radio/receiver/ESC would not be necessary to have a lot of fun with this.

And that charger will handle any type of battery you have...
 
I bought a 15T brushed motor for $25 and that made all the difference. Now it is actually an entertaining little basher. Mine is stock except for RPM front A arms. I am running a 2s lipo in it with an onboard low voltage indicator. This thing is close to 25-30mph like this. Plenty of speed and power to have fun with the stock setup.

This is what I have invested:

Motor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007KMW4VY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Battery: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079ZXYHBH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Charger: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00466PKE0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Low voltage alarm: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LQ140HA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So for around $120 you can have a capable little machine. The motor replacement is quick and easy and the stock ESC seems to handle everything just fine for the time being. so getting a new radio/receiver/ESC would not be necessary to have a lot of fun with this.

And that charger will handle any type of battery you have...

Thanks a ton. That's really helpful, especially the links.

Regarding the motor, definitely the speed is more than enough for us, but do you think it'll burn out again primarily running it in the lawn?

Do I need an adapter or anything for the battery and the low voltage alarm?

Thanks again!
 
Thanks a ton. That's really helpful, especially the links.

Regarding the motor, definitely the speed is more than enough for us, but do you think it'll burn out again primarily running it in the lawn?

Do I need an adapter or anything for the battery and the low voltage alarm?

Thanks again!

I have been ripping this setup around pretty hard for a couple days with no issues. The battery has the proper cable on it to plug into the voltage monitor so no adapter needed for that but you will need the Traxxas to EC3 adapter for main power. It's a Traxxas male to EC3 female.

Very simple install as well. Just make sure your get your Pinion set screw on the flat part of the motor shaft...
 
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Just FYI, about chargers, I have been using 2 of these for the past 3? weeks.
They do very well, I even used them to try and bring back to life my very old NiCad packs, it helped them a lot, but I don't think they are going to make it. But besides that I have been using them for NIHM packs and they do very well. Full drain to full charge, maybe 1 hr to 1 1/2 hrs?
Easy to use as well. I did have to purchase an adaptor to go from a Traxxas pack, to the blue connector, not sure what it is called right off hand.
But when I get time I plan on swapping to traxxas connectors.

Here is the link to the chargers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Ch...h=item2a314b20ab:g:VWwAAOxyXVBSMXR4:rk:8:pf:0
 
Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out and provide some feedback. First off, I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to all of this.

That said, I picked up the AMP MT buggy as a gift for my son a while back. We ran it totally stock, which was plenty for us, and had a blast for a while until it stopped working properly a few months back. It's been collecting dust since, so I'm wanting to get it fixed up for his birthday in a couple weeks (he's only turning 8).

It will only go maybe half speed at most now and doesn't seem to have much power. We pretty much always used it in the front yard, so it was dealing with thick grass, leaves, sticks, etc. Digging around the net a bit, it sounds like maybe the motor went bad. Does this sound right?

After researching a bit, I saw a lot of recommendations to go to a brushless motor over replacing it with another brushed motor. Would this upgrade help with the motor durability? Speed isn't a concern (it seemed plenty fast already), but I'd rather upgrade once instead of every few months having the motor go kaput again, or is this overkill and likely won't make much of a difference in motor durability for a novice like me and my 8 year old?

If going with a brushless motor, I saw these recommendations on Horizon Hobby: Kinexis 1/10 4-Pole 3000Kv ESC/Motor Combo and Kinexis 1/10 4-Pole 4000Kv ESC/Motor Combo. Which one is better to get for the AMP MT, or is there another one I should consider in this price range or less?

My understanding is that if I upgrade the motor and esc, I also have to get a new receiver. I saw the 2.4GHz Receiver, Waterproof , 4-Channel, V3 (ECX13003) recommended since you can use the stock radio controller with it. Is that correct, and are there any others?

Would I also need to upgrade the gear set to this metal gear set?

I don't want to put too much money into all of it, but I know everyone also suggests upgrading to a LiPo battery, although I have to say the NiMh was great as far as I was concerned. I read that you need a power cut off if you run LiPo. I think that would be included on the brushless and esc upgrade, but can anyone confirm? Also, does anyone have recommendations on a moderately priced LiPo battery? Would there be any issues or problems alternating and running both the NiMh and LiPo batteries, and would I need to do anything differently when switching between the two?

Also, we have just been using the included battery charger for the NiMh, which completely sucks and takes like 9 hours to fully charge. Can anyone recommend a decent charger that's not too expensive?

Really, we were totally content with it in stock condition, but if making some upgrades now will prevent things going faulty in the long run, I'd rather bite that bullet now. I'm not wanting to break the bank because all of this is getting pricey, so any answers, suggestions, or feedback on all of this would be really appreciated!


TLDR: Clueless here, but my fully stock AMP MT 1/10 2WD will only run at about half speed. I'm thinking it's the motor but not sure. Looking for suggestions on brushed vs. brushless for someone on a budget and completely content with stock speed but concerned about better durability, along with any other necessary upgrades (receiver, gears, battery, charger, etc).
Brushed motors won't last forever. If you use the closed endbell type, just chuck the motor when brushes wear out. How long the brushes last is up to you and how much stress you put the motor through.
 
Thanks everyone for the input. You guys have been really helpful. I've been trying to figure this all out. I really think I'm leaning towards biting the bullet and doing a brushless combo upgrade for peace of mind.

Here's what I'm thinking, considering the best bang for my buck:

Kinexsis 1/10 4-Pole 4000Kv ESC/Motor Combo KXSS0501 - $75 (I kept trying to find a GoolRC to save a little money based on other threads but the reviews on Amazon, like this, had be concerned...any thoughts?)

Flysky FS-GT3 - $33 (Seems like this makes a heck of a lot more sense than going with the EXC13003 for $25, which is also backordered)

Imax B6AC+ Charger - $29

A 2S LiPo like the FLOUREON 2S 7.4V 5000mAh 30C LiPo for $31 or HRB 7.4V 5200mAh 35C 2S LiPo for $30

And sorry for probably a very obvious question, but it looks like I also need to get an adapter to make this work, correct? Is it a EC3 Female Connector Plug -> Deans Style T Male Plug Adapter, like this?

All that's around ~$175. What are your thoughts? Can I do better on any of these? Anything else that I'm missing for now?
 
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Another tip, if you do in fact try out the Imax chargers, Hind sight for me, but I, without thinking, purchased 2 of the multi-function charging leads. Because Traxxas, and because the Imax, only has the old Tamiya connectors.
multi-function charging lead.png
I also purchased 2 adaptors, because Traxxas, and because the Torment came with the blue EC3 connectors.
adaptor.jpg

Now hind sight tells me I am a dolt, because it would have been cheaper to purchase male and female Traxxas connectors and then make my own leads and such, but I evidently wasn't thinking and just wanted to throw away money. LOL
 
Now hind sight tells me I am a dolt, because it would have been cheaper to purchase male and female Traxxas connectors and then make my own leads and such, but I evidently wasn't thinking and just wanted to throw away money. LOL

1547824225428.png


Atleast you learned that lesson. So, congrats!

I know many who keep being educated without learning it.... ;)
 
The set of leads I got with the Tenergy chargery left you two terminated wires to make your own connector. I will be getting a Traxxas connector on order today...
 
Thanks X...….;)

@hoogax I guess the moral of this batman Robin story is, if you are going to run all Deans connectors, then just purchase a pack of male and female connectors, $6 on ebay for a set of 10.
Way less than I paid for the leads and adaptors.
Deans set of 5 each M/F
 
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The set of leads I got with the Tenergy chargery left you two terminated wires to make your own connector. I will be getting a Traxxas connector on order today...

Yeah I have read some good reviews on the Tenergy Chargers, I kind of wish the Imax charger came with a similar charging lead.
 
Oh man, didn't even consider any of that. Geez, this keeps getting more and more over my head. So maybe the Tenergy charger makes more sense (only reason I was thinking the Imax was because it was cheaper, but after buying the connector, it's about even).

Ok, so can you break it down for a total moron when it comes to this haha? The brushless combo is an EC3 and the battery is a Deans, so I need a Deans male to EC3 female adapter (link) for that, correct? Then to charge the battery, I need to convert the connector leads to a Deans male, correct? Is this a solder job, or can you do it with an adapter? If so, is there a walk through out there or something? I've never done any of that, so I'm truly clueless.
 
Yes, deans male to EC3 female to plug into the car.

The Tenergy charger has a deans male on it already so you will not have to adapt if you buy the Floureon battery...
 
Yes, deans male to EC3 female to plug into the car.

The Tenergy charger has a deans male on it already so you will not have to adapt if you buy the Floureon battery...

That seals the deal then. Tenergy charger it is. I really appreciate the help, guys!

Ok, Kinexsis brushless combo, Flysky FS-GT3B, Tenergy charger, Floureon battery, and a deans male to EC3 female adapter and I should be set for now, yeah?
 
If you can solder, don't buy an adaptor, buy some dean connectors, heck I found a set of 10 on amazon for $2.97 free shipping.
Just swap the EC3 on the ESC for a deans. It'll save you a few dollars. Well, unless you have to buy a soldering iron too.... LOL

Deans set of 10 on Amazon
 
If you can solder, don't buy an adaptor, buy some dean connectors, heck I found a set of 10 on amazon for $2.97 free shipping.
Just swap the EC3 on the ESC for a deans. It'll save you a few dollars. Well, unless you have to buy a soldering iron too.... LOL

Deans set of 10 on Amazon


If you don't want to solder yourself and you are near a hobby shop, they will usually solder connectors for little or no cost.
 
I was looking at Traxxas connectors. Seems most come as a 5 pair set for around $10. So basically $1 per piece, not too bad. I might just swap everything out.
 

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