Coming Back To The Hobby

[mechplas]

You HAVE TO GO if you are in Singapore ...

Well, they open from 10-6 Monday-Saturday, and then up to 3pm on Sunday. You must have some seriously bad working hours.

You can call them too 67462168 to confirm.

You have PM.

Thanks for the info. I was oblivious about the store operating on a Sunday.

[mechplas]

[mechplas]

I am not building it yet. Still cannot believe that I have it.

[mechplas]

the battery is amazingly small.

[mechplas]

The underwear is XL.

[mechplas]

[mechplas]

[mechplas]

This would be my first time seeing, touching and soon bursting a blister pack....

[mechplas]

[mechplas]

I am assuming this additional part is not to be mistaken as an optional part during the assembly.

[lee1980]

the battery is amazingly small.

Great pics I have one of the battery and charger coming with my BC cant wait now even the battery looks cool lol!

whats the charger like many functions?

Great pics of the BC!

mines stuck in customs doh!

[lee1980]

I am assuming this additional part is not to be mistaken as an optional part during the assembly.

Yeah im sure some else said its a manual whoops mistake lol! so you need to add spacer!

[mechplas]

Great pics I have one of the battery and charger coming with my BC cant wait now even the battery looks cool lol!

whats the charger like many functions?

Great pics of the BC!

mines stuck in customs doh!

Thanks Lee. yes, the battery is really cool. The weight reduction is enormous. The buggy will fly with brushless motor.

I do not have a A123 charger yet. I am thinking of using the Hobbico Accu-Cycle ,....not sure if it's ok.

Hobbico Charger

[mechplas]

Lithium-pack compatible! Capable of charging and discharging 1-3 cell Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer packs — or peaking, discharging and cycling 1-10 cell NiCd or NiMH packs.

Product description above says Lithium Ion,...I guess it's ok to use this charger......right?

[terry.sc]

Product description above says Lithium Ion,...I guess it's ok to use this charger......right?

Ideally no, but it is sort of possible because the Li-Fe cells can take a bit more abuse than Li-pos can and handle a bit of overcharging without catching fire.

In a Lithium-Ion pack the electrolyte is held in a liquid and has a high internal resistance. Nominal voltage is 3.6v per cell.

In a Li-Po (Lithium Polymer) pack, the electrolyte is held in a solid polymer and can handle higher currents. Nominal voltage is 3.7v per cell.

In a Li-Fe (Lithium Iron Phosphate) pack, the design is similar to lipo but uses iron phosphate cathodes which can handle even higher charge and discharge currents. Nominal voltage is 3.3v per cell. Notice the lower voltage.

Overcharging a Li-Fe pack with a lipo or li-ion charger will damage the pack.

If the charger is compatible in li-ion mode you should be able to set the voltage at 3.3v per cell. If not I wouldn't risk it myself as it can make the Li-Fe an expensive paperweight if it goes wrong.

A compatible charger will specify that it is Li-Fe or A123 compatible.

[mechplas]

Ideally no, but it is sort of possible because the Li-Fe cells can take a bit more abuse than Li-pos can and handle a bit of overcharging without catching fire.

In a Lithium-Ion pack the electrolyte is held in a liquid and has a high internal resistance. Nominal voltage is 3.6v per cell.

In a Li-Po (Lithium Polymer) pack, the electrolyte is held in a solid polymer and can handle higher currents. Nominal voltage is 3.7v per cell.

In a Li-Fe (Lithium Iron Phosphate) pack, the design is similar to lipo but uses iron phosphate cathodes which can handle even higher charge and discharge currents. Nominal voltage is 3.3v per cell. Notice the lower voltage.

Overcharging a Li-Fe pack with a lipo or li-ion charger will damage the pack.

If the charger is compatible in li-ion mode you should be able to set the voltage at 3.3v per cell. If not I wouldn't risk it myself as it can make the Li-Fe an expensive paperweight if it goes wrong.

A compatible charger will specify that it is Li-Fe or A123 compatible.

Great info, thanks for the advice. I will be writing in to Hobbico to get some feedback from them. If its good to use, I can save $200.

[mechplas]

Lithium-pack compatible! Capable of charging and discharging 1-3 cell Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer packs — or peaking, discharging and cycling 1-10 cell NiCd or NiMH packs.

Product description above says Lithium Ion,...I guess it's ok to use this charger......right?

Hobbico technical support confirms that this charger cannot be use with the A123.

time to go shopping.....

[BruiserBrew]

Welcome back to the hobby. Once you are bitten, you can't escape the poison!

[Grandmasterflash]

Hi Guys,

I have been watching the re-releases that Tamiya is introducing over the years. I may have missed out on the earlier re-re but I have managed to get hold of some. The Grasshopper, my first in the 80's, along with the Brat, Frog and Hornet. They are in my collection at the moment.

Next up would be the Buggy Champ "Rough Rider"...... I am so excited!.... the feeling is great, its like flash back to younger days.

Are you guys getting the BC with the battery or without?

I'm pretty much in the same boat. Over the last few years I have kept an eye old 80's Tamiya kits selling on Ebay. Then I saw the re-issues coming out, but I struggled to get motivated to really get back into the hobby, but after seeing the re-release of the SC/RR I'm hooked. The SS was the car I really wnated back in the day by by '87 it had bee discontinued and I wasn't able to find one...at least not until 2009!!!!!!! Here's hoping!! At least I can start the ball rolling with the BC!

[kyosho1]

No, I have not. I wish I could.

Its almost impossible for me to make a trip to their store because of my working hours.

Do you know if they still have stock for the BC and would you happen to know the price?

I may ask my brother to get 2 more of those BC's.

Hi, I just visited Stargek this afternoon. BC retailing at S$480.

That's after their Great S'pore Sale discount, otherwise it retails at S$520.

It includes an ESC.

That price is quite steep for myself

The Sales Assistant says the price is high cos' of the many metal parts.

[mechplas]

Hi, I just visited Stargek this afternoon. BC retailing at S$480.

That's after their Great S'pore Sale discount, otherwise it retails at S$520.

It includes an ESC.

That price is quite steep for myself

The Sales Assistant says the price is high cos' of the many metal parts.

I saw that too. I think this is a very good price, at least there is an ESC and Li-Fe battery in it. (T-Shirt not included)

If you compare it with the Hilux 4x4, which was going at $504, its more worth to get one of this.

Heck, you should get both of them!!

[mechplas]

I'm pretty much in the same boat. Over the last few years I have kept an eye old 80's Tamiya kits selling on Ebay. Then I saw the re-issues coming out, but I struggled to get motivated to really get back into the hobby, but after seeing the re-release of the SC/RR I'm hooked. The SS was the car I really wnated back in the day by by '87 it had bee discontinued and I wasn't able to find one...at least not until 2009!!!!!!! Here's hoping!! At least I can start the ball rolling with the BC!

Nice having you in the same type of boat. My boat is getting heavy, I cannot handle it anymore..... I hope the SS comes before my boat sinks

[mechplas]

Welcome back to the hobby. Once you are bitten, you can't escape the poison!

Thanks, its a vicious bite....the venom is moving into my heart. My heart is beating for a Hilux 4 x 4.

[BruiserBrew]

Thanks, its a vicious bite....the venom is moving into my heart. My heart is beating for a Hilux 4 x 4.

That's the spirit my friend!

[kyosho1]

I saw that too. I think this is a very good price, at least there is an ESC and Li-Fe battery in it. (T-Shirt not included)

Goosh, I didn't know it included the Li-Fe Batt.

I saw the box outside describing the batt as a required option with a sticker on the front stating that an ESC is included.

I opened up the box to take a glance.

Didn't see the batt inside

But I did see the beautiful packaging of the components

Maybe it is inside the individual box which was taped.