Kraton RC-Dad's Kraton EXB Build

[icecoldak]

Well I pulled the dual connection off the ESC and extended the wires by soldering on some additional 10g wire using a butt joint solder splice and then heat shrinking it. After that I covered with the braided sleeve and shrinked the ends with proper colors. Then went ahead and made myself a little y splitter with a spark arrestor on the one side. This should give me more options and allow me to run just 1 battery in the future if I get any 6s batteries later.
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I also got my PPS switchplate delivered on friday but when I tried to install I noticed that the supplied hardware was the wrong size and the new screws diameter was to large. I'm a bit confused by that since I am still using the stock ESC fan that came with the castle ESC. So now I need to source some proper screws to mount to the ESC. I may go ahead and upgrade the fans now since I'm looking to add a few to the motor right now also.
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and of course one of the main reasons we get into this hobby... for all the smiles. The Cousins got out this weekend enjoying some awesome bash weather.
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You REALLY need to treat yourself to a pack of 6S batteries--Hold on!!!!

 

[RC-Dad]

You REALLY need to treat yourself to a pack of 6S batteries--Hold on!!!!

I'm running 6s, just using 2 3s packs.

As for the PPS screws, at first I thought same thing you did, but when I screwed them into fan cover all the way they easily spun so I could tighten them down, think they are intentionally a little larger diameter.

Hmm thats interesting, Ill have to go take another look at this then. I was concerned about damaging the esc housing using those larger screws.

 

[extremeengineer]

Hmm thats interesting, Ill have to go take another look at this then. I was concerned about damaging the esc housing using those larger screws.

So the concern with this ESC is length, too long a screw can damage caps. I also know some have had trouble with fan cover being too flimsy and making contact with fan. My assumption is they went to a beefier screw that secured the shroud better and had more bite into plastic base as well. I’ve had no problems, and while bigger they definitely weren’t overly so going in.

 

[RC-Dad]

As for the PPS screws, at first I thought same thing you did, but when I screwed them into fan cover all the way they easily spun so I could tighten them down, think they are intentionally a little larger diameter.

The supplied pps screws worked out perfectly after I fitted them through the fan cover. Thanks for the tip.

Another small little mod to the kraton. Used 1/16" abs plastic for the mud guards.

 

[RC-Dad]

Well made a small mistake when working on the front end of kraton today. Was working on removing the steering rack and replacing the bushings with bearings and I managed to crack an ear on one of the parts on the top of the diff housing. Over tightened the screw ever so slightly and it split. Anyway got the bearings in atleast. Also bumped the BEC voltage up to 7.4 to help the servo out. It was quite sluggish before. After swapping to bearings in the rack and boosting voltage to servo it does respond quicker for sure, but it does still have a hard time moving the wheels when stationary on carpet. Is this normal? It is zippy when unloaded.

 

[RC-Dad]

Had some parts come in over the weekend and still a few more to show up this week. Didn't do much work on the rig this last week but have been enjoying some nice snow bashing sessions. I ordered some screen mesh to cover the fans like I've seen others do on the forum. I used 30 Mesh and now I'm wondering if maybe I picked to fine of a mesh size. hmmm

The parts are starting to stack up, need to get some of these goodies installed soon.

Also pulled the trigger on some of those amazon screw sets. Hopefully the quality is as good as the stated 12.9 steel rating.

 

[jrea]

Looking good! If your steering is still weak when loaded, look at the servo horn. If it is moving but the tires aren’t responding it is likely your servo saver spring is too weak.

 

[RC-Dad]

Just got one of the new releases from arrmaskinz. Shipping was less than a week, very good service.

 

[extremeengineer]

It was quite sluggish before. After swapping to bearings in the rack and boosting voltage to servo it does respond quicker for sure, but it does still have a hard time moving the wheels when stationary on carpet. Is this normal? It is zippy when unloaded.

THIS will solve your problem, mine moves the carpet now

 

[RC-Dad]

THIS will solve your problem, mine moves the carpet now

Great thanks for showing me another premium item that I need to have.

 

[#ARRMArcfanboy4life]

you didn't put in the link for the servo just 2 for the esc (must be good)

 

[RC-Dad]

you didn't put in the link for the servo just 2 for the esc (must be good)

haha, I didn't notice that until now. Quite fitting since I'm really not that happy with the one I have installed now.

 

[Jigawatt]

I run 22T on mine, same setup except I have fans on my motor just in case

Did anyone change the diff fluid yet? My first run with this same setup scorched my center diff. Was told to go to a 600k oil in the center but no clue on the front and rear

 

[SrC]

A little bit about my Kraton EXB and gear.

Motor
Castle 1717 1650Kv (running sensored)
ESC
Castle Mamba Monster X 8s
Servo
DS3235 35KG
Receiver
Futaba R304SB
Transmitter
Futaba 3PV
Batteries
Zee 5500Mah 80C 3s Lipo (x2)
Charger
EV-Peak CQ3


Running Stock Pinion for now and am just getting used to the platform. I know everyone likes pictures so here we go...


Opening Day right out of the box
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Go big or go home they say
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Electronics fitted roughly. Still waiting on a longer sensor wire and a practical proto plate for the ESC switch.
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Curious kitty
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Cheap amazon servo seems ok so far.
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For an amazon special this charger seems like a tank.
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batteries with XT90 connectors
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Got some snow and so I snuck out for a quick snow bash. Still getting used to this much power, since my last RC prior to this was a 2s Stampede. That is now my daughters rig and I made a small upgrade.

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First snow bash led to my first broken part also. Like I said I'm still getting used to all this power. Anyone know of a replacement for just the inside buffer for the front bumper?
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That part is sold with the whole bumper setup. EXB bumper is considered stronger than the RPM Bumper, but the very cold got the best of it.
An RPM bumper may be better in freezing temps. IDK
Have you noticed any issues with the sensor lead and signal drops, like the Motor temp reads? Have you checked the Castle Link data logs in regards?
Water and sensored cables and their pins don't get along.

 

[RC-Dad]

That part is sold with the whole bumper setup. EXB bumper is considered stronger than the RPM Bumper, but the very cold got the best of it.
An RPM bumper may be better in freezing temps. IDK
Have you noticed any issues with the sensor lead and signal drops, like the Motor temp reads? Have you checked the Castle Link data logs in regards?
Water and sensored cables and their pins don't get along.

Yes it was most definitely the cold temps. I've had an RPM bumper on since I broke the exb one and haven't had a problem with it yet. I ordered a replacement exb bumper but they are on backorder like most all parts right now.

What do you mean by signal drops? I can check the logs but haven't spent much time with those honestly.

 

[SrC]

Ok, you never checked your data logs. Some guys check them and notice the motor temp data is missing or unknown for example among other data. Sometimes it's the Sensor leads/pins and Water as one issue or even just Dirt and corrosion.
If you don't have Castle Link for access disregard I guess.

 

[RC-Dad]

I have castlelink, have connected and made some settings adjustments but haven't messed with the logs yet. It's kinda a pain since I have to open the reciever box each time I want to use it. I've played in the snow a few times now but each time has come with so much post run maintenance that I'm quickly learning it might just not be worth it to play in the snow.

 

[RC-Dad]

little update on my ongoing kraton build. Broke a rear arm and sheared my rear wing screws so when I was installing the replacement and doing the screw extractions I also installed a few of my new voltage hop up parts on the rear end.

Also needed to get the front and rear center brace holders replaced with hot racing replacements since I managed to overtighten the front and broke an ear.

with those replacements installed I moved onto the motor and center diff. Thermal tape on the inside of the heatshink and after some minor trimming it installed into the new PPS motor mount.

Next up was the hot racing servo saver assembly.

With all the new parts installed it was time to take it out for a bash session. With the exception of frying my cheap amazon servo the bash was a success. Now looking into a new servo option to replace this one. I haven't pulled it out of the truck yet but it feels like the interal gears are stripped because there is no resistance when turning the wheels.

will be back again with another update once I have investigated the toasted servo.

 

[Ypsi]

Is there a link somewhere to that hot racing servo saver assembly?

 

[RC-Dad]

Is there a link somewhere to that hot racing servo saver assembly?

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Racing-A...=arrma+hot+racing+servo&qid=1614991764&sr=8-6

This is the servo saver assembly that I installed.