Asses my "Old" Car

[Skyhawk 172]

Hello,

I have been into RC airplanes for about two months now, and tonight I remembered an RC car that I got a long time ago, must have been about 5 years ago, probably more. It was my first car, and my first exposure to RC. It was fun for a while, but I lost interest over time. Now that I am into planes, I thought I might get out my old car.

It has been sitting in the garage for about 5 years, and has endured at least 4 Phoenix summers (100+ to 110+ degrees). Pics below. With the car is the cover, transmitter (27mHz), battery charger, two batteries (probably completely dead), cover pins, and two washers. It is obviosly a Traxxas model. What do you think of it? Do you think it would be able to run again? Would the charger still work with new batteries? Everything is covered in dirty dust.

Thanks,
- 172

[E-maxxman]

its an electric 4-tec. I dont see wht harm will come from trying to charge the batterys. if you can spray the car with compressed air to get off some dust. that old MSC is going to need to be replaced if you want to run it for real.

[E-maxxman]

also charge at 1 amp setting for a few cycles.

[Skyhawk 172]

its an electric 4-tec. I dont see wht harm will come from trying to charge the batterys. if you can spray the car with compressed air to get off some dust. that old MSC is going to need to be replaced if you want to run it for real.

Does MSC stand for "manual speed controller"? Sorry, I've forgotten mostly everything about the car over the years. Plus, I was kind of young when I was running it. I was about 10 years old.

I'm still hesitant about charging the batteries. Since I don't know what kind they are. And it doesn't appear to say on the battery.

Thanks,
- 172

[Skyhawk 172]

Ohh, I just read thew label again and I think the batteries are Ni-Cads.

[Cheap Guy]

I say get a Traxxas XL-5 esc for cheap off eBay and swap out the MSC, run down to Radio Shack and get a 3300mah nimh battery and drive it.

[paintz2007]

MSC = mechanical speed control

[WindyCityRacer]

it should run just fine, even if you have to get new battaries... i found a 16 year old tamiya truck... the battary charged just fine, and ran like a beast (25+ mph) and it did not run for 12 years.

[Skyhawk 172]

Thanks for the replies!

I examined the car and now I can see why most of you would swap out the MSC, I don't know exactly how it works mechanically, but it looks like a servo is connected to it. Does that mean part of it rotates? Another question, what is the blue box at the rear of the car?

But based on your advice, I will charge the batts at 1 amp, and see if they aren't dead. Do I need to worry about the "FUSE" knobs at the top of the charger? Sorry if I sound ignorant. I was too young to absorb the hobby knowledge when I was running it.

I will also keep the MSC for now. I might swap it out eventually, but now I'm getting ready to swap out the electronics in my plane.

Thanks,
- 172

[paintz2007]

the KNOBS unscrew and hold the glass cylinder style fuses... go ahead unscrew em u wont hurt anything ;)

[E-maxxman]

Yes you are correct about the msc rotating. Once you get a battery in there you will see how it works. The blue box is just a casing around the resistors whick are part of the MSC. Since these batterys are NiCd's just charge discharge a few times then give em a go. The fuse nobs are only important if they blow.

[Fox Rider 4]

maybe a few parts here and there but yeah it's possible