zipzap dual 100 stock batterys slow

rootuddha · #1 03-19-2003, 10:23 AM

hello! i built my dual cell zip last night (with 2 stock zip batteries) and it ran great for a while, then it started going pretty slow.... i tried recharging it with my controller mod charger and it is still slow after a 3+ minute charge

i picked up the zip and felt it and it was quite hot, i dont really know whats up

btw for anyone interested i bought a 30" antenna from radioshack and put it in my zip, it seems to work much better. also i added a new bit thicker wire for the antenna on the car and it works a lot better with that too!

anyways someone pleeeez help i want to get this working when i get home, ive spent a good $400+ on zipzaps/microsizers and modding tools over the last few days this is definitely a hobby i plan to stick with.

thank you all for your help in advance and also thanks for this GREAT forum!!!!
-cullen

chelboed · #2 03-19-2003, 10:49 AM

did you wire your cell's back'erds? Sometimes that will sets it on fire. Also, how many cells does your charger have? Are you sure you wired it right? I know it'll handle much more than that, cause I run a 3 cell all day long.

rootuddha · #3 03-19-2003, 11:17 AM

thanks for your reply!! i didnt wire them backwards they are wired in series correctly. i have 2 new AAA battery in my charger that connects directly to the charging plate, is this enough for dual stock 100 batteries? it worked great and ran a long time for the first few charges? i wired the charger correctly too. im lost

i also tried a diff motor thinking i damaged the one in it but the other one produced the same result.... could i have damaged the PCB or my stock zip cells?? i THINK i remember testing the cells and they were each putting out 1.2 volts although it is still slow.
-cullen

chelboed · #4 03-19-2003, 12:06 PM

Sorry man, you need to build an external charger, or add cells to your dock on the controller. If you are running a dual cell car, you must charge with 4AA's. AAA's may work, but won't last as long. My rule of thumb is multiply the #of cells in your car by 2, and that's how many AA's I use to charge. My 3cell car uses 6 AA's. I use a std bit dock to charge my Zap, by the way. I just grind off the middle square nub that sticks up from the bit dock. The side clips will still hold on to the car. Just use 4AA's for about 1-2 minutes, and you car will run fine.

rootuddha · #5 03-19-2003, 04:01 PM

hmm... well it worked a few times now it always goes slow even if i put in brand new batteries in the charger.... but i dont understand why it would have charged those first few times on 2 AAA... any ideas??

thxu!
-cullen

chelboed · #6 03-19-2003, 11:11 PM

Maybe one of them was already partially charged from other use. When you hooked it up, maybe it just finished charging the other one, until you ran them both completely dead.

Maybe not.