Duratrax Vendetta Product manual

®

™

ASSEMBL Y AND OPERA TION MANU AL

www .duratrax.com

The following items are included in the box.

Chassis

Body

Decal Sheet (Not Shown)

Transmitter

Transmitter Antenna

Transmitter Flag (Not Shown)

Receiver Antenna Tube with Antenna Cap (Not Shown)

Shock Spring Clips (Not Shown)

“AA” Batteries (Qty 8)

Instruction Manual (Not Shown)

Exploded View/Parts Listing (Not Shown)

Extra Servo Saver Adapters for Hitec, JR (Not Shown)

Y OU WILL

NEED

PHILLIPS HEAD SCREWDRIVER

DTXR0124

2

PLIERS

DTXR0300

THINGS T O

KNO W

SPECIFICA TION AND

SAFETY PRECA UTIONS

When the safety precautions are followed, the

Vendetta will provide years of enjoyment. Use care and good sense at all times when operating this radio controlled buggy. Failure to use this vehicle in a safe, sensible manner can result in injury or damage to property.You

and you alone must insure that the instructions are carefully followed and all safety precautions are obeyed.

All pictures, descriptions and specifications found in this instruction manual are subject to change without notice. DuraTrax maintains no responsibility for inadvertent errors in this manual. Visit www.duratrax.com for the latest updates and information for your model.

W ARRANTY

• Do not operate the Vendetta near people.

Spectators should be behind the driver or at a safe distance away from the vehicle.

• Water can cause the electronics to short out and can cause permanent damage.

• DuraTrax ® guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase.

DuraTrax will warranty this kit for 90 days after the purchase date. DuraTrax will repair or replace, at no charge, the incorrectly made part.

• Always turn on the transmitter before turning on the receiver.

• Fully extend the transmitter antenna before operating your vehicle.

• Make sure you save the receipt or invoice you were given when you bought your model! It is your proof of purchase and we must see it before we can honor the warranty. Further, DuraTrax reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.

• Before turning on your radio system, check to make sure that no one else is running on the same frequency.

CHARGING PRECA UTIONS

• Never leave the charger unattended during charging.

• In that DuraTrax has no control over the final user assembly or material used for final user assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability.

• If the battery or the charger become hot at any time, disconnect the battery from the charger immediately! Failure to do so could cause permanent damage to the charger and battery and may cause bodily harm.

To return your Vendetta for repairs covered under warranty, you should send your buggy to:

•

•

Do not allow water or moisture in contact with the charger.

Do not place the charger on or near a flammable object during use.

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Drive Suite 1

Champaign, Illinois 61822

Attn: Service Department

Phone: (217) 398-0007 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Central Time M-F

E-mail: [email protected]

www.hobbyservices.com

• Only charge 6-cell, 2/3A-size batteries.

•

•

Keep out of the reach of children.

Avoid running the buggy in cold weather.

The plastic and metal parts can become brittle at low temperatures. In addition, grease and oil become thick, causing premature wear and poor performance.

If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

3

STRESS-TECH

™

P AR TS

GU ARANTEE

We have engineered the Vendetta to take the rough and tumble abuse that makes R/C buggies fun. We are so confident of the quality and durability of the Stress-Tech plastic parts that we will replace any Stress-Tech plastic part you break during the first 12 months you own the buggy. Just send in the part to us and we will send you a FREE replacement. Please see the Vendetta parts list for the items covered under the Stress-Tech guarantee.

To receive your free replacement part please send the following to the Hobby

Services address listed under the warranty on the left.

❏ 1. The broken part must be included.

❏ 2. The part number and description of the broken part.

❏ 3. Copy of your dated invoice or purchase receipt.

❏ 4. Your name, phone number and shipping address.

REP AIR SER VICE

Repair service is available anytime.

• After the 90 day warranty, you can still have your Vendetta repaired for a small charge by the experts at DuraTrax’s authorized repair facility, Hobby Services.

• To speed up the repair process, please follow the instructions listed below.

❏ 1. Under most circumstances return the

ENTIRE vehicle. The exception would be sending in a Stress-Tech part. See the instructions under the Stress-

Tech Guarantee.

❏ 2. Make sure the transmitter is turned off, and all of the batteries are removed.

❏ 3. Send written instructions which include: a list of all items returned, a THOROUGH explanation of the problem, the service needed and your phone number during the day. If you expect the repair to be covered under warranty, be sure to include a proof of date of purchase (your store receipt or purchase invoice).

FINISHING

THE VENDETT A

TRANSMITTER PREPARATION

• Install eight “AA” batteries into transmitter, making sure the polarity is correct.

• Insert the antenna into the top of the transmitter and tighten.

• Turn the transmitter on and check the battery light. If the red light glows steady, turn off the transmitter. If the red light blinks, the batteries are low and should be replaced.

RECEIVER BATTERY INSTALLATION

• Plug in the included wall charger.

• Attach the included 6-cell (7.2V) battery to the charger.

• When the battery is fully discharged, it should take 3 hours to fully charge. A half-charged battery, 1-1/2 hours, etc.

• CAUTION: If the battery becomes hot to the touch, disconnect it from the charger.

4

RECEIVER ANTENNA INSTALLATION

• Route the receiver antenna wire through the receiver antenna tube.

• Insert the antenna tube into the molded antenna mount on the battery strap.

• Install the antenna tube cap onto the top of the antenna tube.

• DO NOT cut or coil the receiver antenna wire.

6-CELL BATTERY INSTALLATION

• Remove the body clip from the battery strap post.

• Remove the battery strap.

• Install the included 7.2V battery into the chassis.

• Reinstall the battery strap and secure it in place with the body clip.

• Check that the ESC is “OFF,” and then plug the battery into the ESC.

5

RADIO SYSTEM CHECK

• Turn the transmitter on. Then turn the receiver on.

• Turn the transmitter wheel to the right—the front wheels should turn to the right. If not, move the steering servo reverse switch.

• When running, adjust the steering trim so the buggy tracks straight.

• Gently pull back on the throttle trigger. The

Vendetta should slowly move forward. If the buggy goes in reverse, move the throttle reversing switch on the transmitter. The throttle trim knob may also need to be adjusted to find neutral.

ESC SETUP

• Center the throttle trim knob on the transmitter.

• Connect the battery pack to the ESC, turn on the Tx, then the ESC.

• Press and hold the “set” button until both LEDs are flashing, then release the button.

• NEUTRAL POINT: Leave the throttle trigger in the neutral position.

Press the setup button once; the green LED will flash.

• FULL THROTTLE: Move the throttle trigger to full throttle and press the button once until the red LED illuminates (motor will not operate in set up mode).

• FULL REVERSE: Move the throttle trigger to full reverse and press the button once – the red LED will stop flashing. Release the throttle trigger; the ESC is now ready to operate with your system. If the motor operates in reverse when applying forward throttle, the throttle reversing switch on the Tx must be moved to the opposite position.

6

S ET LED

DTXM1260

DURATRAX

ESC5000

MICRO SPEED

CONTROL

WITH REVERSE

BODY INSTALLATION

• Decal the body to your liking. Use the photos on the box as a reference.

• Install the body onto the chassis using two body clips.

AFTER EACH RUN

• Clean any large globs of dirt or debris from the chassis and moving parts.

BEFORE EACH RUN

• IMPORTANT: Check to make sure that all screws are tight. Always use threadlock (DTXR2010) on screws going into metal.

• Before running always check the condition of your radio system batteries and replace/recharge if necessary.

• Check for any broken or damaged parts. This way parts may be replaced before the next run.

• Disconnect and remove the battery from the chassis.

• Check for any broken or damaged parts. This way parts may be replaced before the next run.

• Check to make sure that all of the moving parts of the

Vendetta move freely and do not bind.

• Before running, turn on the radio and make sure the servos move easily and in the proper direction.

• Check for broken or damaged parts. Replace any broken or damaged parts before running the Vendetta. Running of the Vendetta with broken or damaged parts could result in damage to other parts.

• Check the shocks for oil leakage. Inspect the shaft and

O-rings for wear and damage. Replace if necessary. (A shock shaft with scratches you can feel with a fingernail should be replaced.)

• Check the tires to make sure they are still properly glued to the wheels.

• Check to make sure that all wires are properly connected.

AFTER EVERY 10 RUNS

• Check to make sure that the bearings are free of dirt and debris, and roll smoothly.

• Check that the ESC and receiver are properly secured to the chassis.

7

PINIONS

The Vendetta comes stock with the 16 tooth pinion. To obtain higher top speeds you can install a larger pinion gear onto the motor. This will, however, decrease your acceleration and run time. TIP: Smaller pinion equals more torque, less top speed.

Larger pinion equals more top speed, less torque.

When tuning the Vendetta make sure that you have equal lengths from one side to the other on the shocks and upper rods. Also, make sure to have the shock pre-load adjusters at the same setting from left to right. They do not have to be the same front to rear.

CAMBER

RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

The ride height of the Vendetta is easily adjusted by using the included pre-load spacers. To increase the ride height of the Vendetta, install a pre-load spacer onto each of the shock bodies between the spring and the shock cap. The more pre-load clips you install, the more ride height you will achieve. Make sure you install the same amount of pre-load clips from side to side. To lower the ride height of the

Vendetta, remove the desired amount of pre-load spacers from the shocks. TIP: Rough, rocky surfaces require higher ride height; flat, smooth surfaces allow a lower ride height.

FRONT SHOCK ADJUSTMENT

Moving the tops of the shocks out will increase steering, resulting in quicker reaction. Moving the tops of the shocks in will result in slower steering reaction, but will be smoother over bumps. Mounting the bottoms of the shocks in the inside hole will give more slow-speed steering but will take away some high-speed steering.

Camber refers to the angle at which the tire and wheel ride in relation to the ground when viewed from the front or rear.

Negative camber is when the wheels lean inward and positive camber is when the wheels lean outward. Usually adding a small amount of negative camber (0° to -2°) will increase traction. However, adding too much camber will decrease traction. The objective is to keep as much of the tire as possible in contact with the running surface. Never put in positive camber. Make sure that both sides are equal.

Use the DuraTrax Pit Tech ™

Camber Gauge (DTXR1145) to accurately set up your Vendetta.

REAR SHOCK ADJUSTMENT

Moving the tops of the shocks in will result in more traction in the corners and smoother handling over bumps. Moving the tops of the shocks out will give the buggy more steering and better ability to handle the large jumps.

TOE-IN AND TOE-OUT

SHOCK SPRINGS

DuraTrax offers two different optional shock springs: Soft

(white) and Heavy (green), the Vendetta comes stock with

Medium springs (yellow). For rutted tracks with small jumps, a soft spring should be used. For tracks with large jumps, a heavy spring should be used to help prevent chassis slap.

SHOCK OIL

The Vendetta comes stock with 25 weight oil in the shocks.

The handling of the buggy can be tuned by changing the shock oil to either heavier (bigger number) or lighter (lower number.) By putting heavier oil in the shocks, the buggy will have less chassis roll and become less responsive. Putting lighter oil in the shocks will cause the buggy to be more responsive and have more chassis roll. For smooth, flat surfaces, a thicker oil would be best. For surfaces that are rough or have jumps, a lighter oil would be best.

8

Toe-in is when the fronts of the tires point towards each other. Toe-in increases stability during acceleration and high speed. However, toe-in also decreases steering when entering a corner. Toe-out will increase steering into corners, but will decrease the overall stability during acceleration. The front typically is set-up with 0 to -2 degrees of toe-in. Toe-out is when the fronts of the tires point away from each other.

9

The following section is provided to help you with maintenance and repairs to your Vendetta. Pay extra attention to the notes and tips for proper assembly.

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

26

OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM DURATRAX

Pit Tech ™ Mini Car Stand

DTXC2361, DTXC2362

DTXC2363, DTXC2364

AC/DC Piranha ™ Digital Charger

DTXP4005

6-cell NIMH Battery

DTXC2195

Long Nose Pliers

DTXR0300

Kwik Mini Ramp

Portable Jump

(DTXC2374)

Kwik Trak 7" Racing Cone (6)

DTXC2377

Ultimate Driver Set

DTXR0183

Pit Tech ™ Camber Gauge

DTXR1145

TX NiCad Conversion Kit

(For use with DuraTrax & Futaba Systems)

DTXP4010

1/18th Micro Vehicle

Carry Bag

DTXP2028

Power Shot

Motor Cleaner 12oz

DTXC2459

Visit our website at www.duratrax.com for more exciting products from DuraTrax!

Copyright © 2005 V1.0

DTXZ1066 for DTXD13**