The Layman's Dual Cell Mod (tm) - Page 9

#**121** 02-14-2003, 07:21 PM

WOW! THANK YOU!!!!!! I will try this as soon as i can. Ill try to get the battery holders. I wanted a 3 cell, but if i have to do a 6 AA then ill just do a 2 cell.1 Question, will i have to turn my PCB upside down also?

chelboed · #**122** 02-14-2003, 11:12 PM

The cool thing about a Zip Zap is that you CAN fit 2 cells in the belly. (or even 3 cells) This allows you to corner w/o flipping. You just peel out around the corner. VERY fun. You must flip the PCB over if you put the extra cells in the belly. It's not hard, just go very slow, watch all the wires, make sure you don't break the tiny teeny weenie steering wires, and be patient. I would highly recommend 3 cells, do NOT do 4. You will burn out forward. I did this and I had to switch the forward and reverse. Now I have a 4 cell 3.8 motor dragster, and a fully functional 3 cell fun-mobile.

#**123** 02-15-2003, 09:03 AM

so ill have todo this even if i put the button cells where the nimh was?

Pojo · #**124** 02-15-2003, 05:48 PM

I haven't read through the whole thread, but is there any reason to do this instead of a dual cell mod? Does it increase power, runtime, top end, etc? What are some pros and cons?

#**125** 02-15-2003, 06:30 PM

Well pojo, from what i gather, its just as good as a normal dual cell but fits in the PCB VERY good.

MadMicroDoc · #**126** 02-15-2003, 06:38 PM

one word, Ease. Its so easy to do this mod, no slodering, no wires, no accidents with steering wires! I have layman's dual and tri cell cars on MS and ZZ, the dual cell is more of a track car, the tri is good for drags. It is also hella light

chelboed · #**127** 02-15-2003, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GHC
so ill have todo this even if i put the button cells where the nimh was?

No, you don't need to flip the PCB if you use the button cells. The downer of the button cells is you have TONS less run time. It's not much good for having fun-runs. It's the coolest for racing, though. You can easily get through a race with the Layman mod. I just hate having to charge my car so often. I use the standard dual cell on my "funrun" cars because of the run time.

But to answer a question from another person (i think), any time you add cells to a car, no matter if they're button cells, or standard cells, you really should build a charger that can handle the extra cells. If you don't, then you can't charge the addtl. cells enough to make much of a difference.

#**128** 02-15-2003, 08:52 PM

alright 1 more q an im ready: The charging station was for the laymans dual cell right?

chelboed · #**129** 02-16-2003, 12:57 AM

The charging stations that I built (if that's what you're referring to) is for any 2 or 3 cell addition to your tiny car. If you have a 3 cell car, use the 6 AA, if you have a 2 cell car, use a 4AA.

#**130** 02-16-2003, 09:10 AM

by 'any' you mean laymans or normal, Right? Thsnx

Zephyranthes · #**131** 02-16-2003, 09:38 AM

I got my batteries today. Tried cahrging them and it got kinda hot. Figured out I had them the wrong way. I have both a 4aa and 2aa charger. How long should I charge it on each?

chelboed · #**132** 02-16-2003, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GHC
by 'any' you mean laymans or normal, Right? Thsnx

Yes, button cells need more voltage when you use multiple cells in a car, just like normal cells.

On charging times...

I use 6AA on my 3cell cars. I charge them in the neighborhood of 2 minutes. On my 2 cell cars, i use a 4AA charger. I charge that for around 2 minutes also.

Rule of thumb... as long as you check them once and a while and make sure they're not getting too warm, you should be okay. Just pull the car off the charger and feel the bottom. If it's beginning to get warm, take it off the charger.

Zephyranthes · #**133** 02-16-2003, 10:09 AM

Does you pcb board fit in with the cover on with the dual cell in it? Mine doesn't.

Zephyranthes · #**134** 02-16-2003, 12:27 PM

My car only goes really fast for the first 30 seconds or so. Do you think if I did a triple cell, it would work? And could I charge it with a 4aa charger?

chelboed · #**135** 02-16-2003, 02:05 PM

I have noticed that with the Layman mod, you get great performance for about 30 seconds to a minute. Then you begin to notice it to slow down a bit. Shortly after that, you notice a super annoying lag, or power drain when you turn left or right.

A 3 cell will not run any longer, it will just be quite a bit faster when it does run. If you charge it with a 4AA charger, it will take a long time to get it charged. It is MUCH better for those little button cells to charge them on 4AA's for a longer time, though. If I have the time, I usually put my 3 cell on 4 AA's for 3 minutes and then 6AA's for about 1 minute. (give or take a bit) I never really time this with a clock. Just experiment with it and find what works best for you and your style (and patience).

If you do decide that you are tired of the lack of run time, do the standard dual cell mod. I can run forever on this. The Layman is an absolute MUST for racing, though. Less weight, and enough run time for a race.

ed