eHobbies' E-Maxx FAQs

Compiled by Dr. Doug, eHobbies' radio control technical and content advisor.
Table of Contents:
(1) What is the E-Maxx?
(2) Do I have to assemble the E-Maxx?
(3) Which battery packs should I buy?
(4) How many battery packs should I buy?
(5) Should I buy two battery chargers?
(6) Should I buy NiCD or NiMH battery packs?
(7) What battery charger should I buy?
(8) Is there anything I should do before I run my E-Maxx for the first time?
(9) Should I glue my tires?
(10) I can't do wheelies with my E-Maxx. What should I do?
(11) How do I adjust the slipper clutch properly?
(12) What is a spool?
(13) I want to optimize my E-Maxx for climbing or pulling. What should I do?
(14) The noise from my E-Maxx transmission seems loud. Why does this happen and what can I do to make it quieter?
(15) Can I install standard 540 sized stock or modified motors into my E-Maxx with the stock ESC?
(16) I want to replace the motors in my E-Maxx with some that provide better performance and are easy to install. What do you recommend?
(17) I want to use standard 540 size motors in my E-Maxx with an ESC that has forward, reverse and brake functions. Which ESC and motors you recommend I use for this purpose and how do I wire the system for maximum performance?
(18) I heard the E-Maxx Tamiya connectors should be replaced with different connectors, such as Dean's connectors. Is this necessary to do?
(19) My E-Maxx tires won't turn while the truck is stopped. Is this normal?
(20) I want to replace the stock E-Maxx steering servo with a stronger one that will turn the tires while the truck is stopped. Which high-torque steering servo should I buy?
(21) Are there any problems with the E-Maxx?
(22) I want to race my E-Maxx. What should I do to my E-Maxx in order to race it on a typical outdoor dirt track?
(23) What is the top speed of the stock E-Maxx?
(24) What are some average battery run times for the E-Maxx?
(25) How do I properly jump my E-Maxx?
(26) How do I protect my E-Maxx electronics from snow or water splashes?
(27) I don't like the feel or range of the stock E-Maxx radio system. What is a good radio system upgrade for the E-Maxx?
(28) Where is the best place to purchase E-Maxx products online?
(29) What is the average cost of the E-Maxx online?
(30) How do I gear my E-Maxx for more torque or speed?
(31) What are some good web sites for E-Maxx owners to visit?
(32) How many turns are the stock E-Maxx motors?
(33) Does the E-Maxx electronic speed control have brakes?
(34) What type of gearing does the E-Maxx come with?
(35) Is the E-Maxx as fast as the T-Maxx?
(36) I am new to the R/C world. Should I buy the E-Maxx (electric) or T-Maxx (nitro)?
(37) I am thinking about upgrading my E-Maxx a bit. What should I do?
(38) What are some tire options for the E-Maxx?
(39) What are some good wheel or rim options for the E-Maxx?
(40) Do Tamiya Clod Buster tires fit on the E-Maxx wheels?
(41) Can I replace the stock ESC in my E-Maxx with a Novak Super Rooster and obtain good performance with the 550 Titan motors?
(42) I don't care about charging NiMH battery packs. I need a reasonably priced NiCD battery charger. What NiCD charger should I buy?
(43) I want to improve the steering performance of my E-Maxx? What should I do?
(44) I keep breaking my E-Maxx rear body posts. What can I do to solve this problem?
(45) I want to cool down the ESC in my E-Maxx with a small fan. What fan should I use and how do I hook it up?
(46) Are the Trinity Maxx Paxx NiCD Batteries (1900 SCR) any good?
(47) What aftermarket body choices are available for the E-Maxx?
(48) I heard that Traxxas recalled the VX-12 ESC. Is this true?
(49) What are the technical specifications of the E-Maxx EVX Electronic Speed Control?
(50) Is the Novak E-Maxx Rooster Combo Kit (#1855) worth installing into my E-Maxx?
(51) What are brushless motors and will they work in my E-Maxx?
(52) I just bought an E-maxx and what to know if I need to break-in the Titan motors?
(53) Is there a review which lists the pros and cons of the E-Maxx online?
(1) What is the E-Maxx? The E-Maxx is a radio controlled ( R/C ), 1/10 scale, electric powered, 4-wheel drive, monster truck produced by Traxxas Corporation. When it comes to gut-wrenching, wheelie-popping monster torque, nothing comes close to E-Maxx! Twin Titan 550 motors, trick 14.4V ESC power, 3-channel radio system, ball bearings, 8 oil-filled shocks, painted body and shift on the fly 2-speed transmission all put the E-Maxx in a class by itself. If you want the best, most innovative, hobby quality monster truck there is, look no further!
(2) Do I have to assemble the E-Maxx? No. The E-Maxx is completely assembled and the body is painted and trimmed. That is, the E-Maxx is Ready-to-Run or RTR.
(3) Which battery packs should I buy? There are so many battery packs available that it is hard to make specific recommendations. However, here are a few points to keep in mind:
(4) How many battery packs should I buy? Six battery packs is an excellent setup because you can have 2 packs running your E-Maxx, 2 packs charging and 2 packs cooling, which means that you have uninterrupted run time. Remember, you should always let your battery packs cool down before charging them again or you will significantly decrease their life expectancy.
(5) Should I buy two battery chargers? Yes. Two battery chargers are the only way to have a whole day of uninterrupted run time. It is highly recommended that you purchase two battery chargers if you can afford it. Alternatively, you could purchase the DuraTrax IntelliPeak Twin Pulse Charger ($74.99), which peak charges two battery packs at the same time. The only downside to this charger is that the maximum charge rate is 3.5 amps. E-Maxx racers typically like to charge at 5 amps because their battery packs have a bit more low end punch or torque. However, for backyard bashing or sport use charging packs at 3.5 amps provides adequate performance and extends battery run time in comparison to charging at higher amps. Also, battery packs that are charged at lower amps have a somewhat increased life expectancy in comparison to packs charged at higher amps.
(6) Should I buy NiCD or NiMH battery packs? Either NiCD or NiMH battery packs will work fine in the E-Maxx; as such, it does not matter which type of packs you buy. However, people that have a typical low budget NiCD charger should stick with NiCD packs because these chargers were not designed to properly charge NiMH packs.
NOTE: NiMH battery packs can be destroyed by excessive heat. Be careful not to overcharge your NiMH battery packs!
(7) What battery charger should I buy? There are many good choices available, but below are some recommendations in different price ranges. These chargers are recommended because they can peak charge both NiCD and NiMH battery packs, are produced by companies that stand behind their products and are readily available. The Millennium and Supernova require an external DC power supply, but the DuraTrax, Integy and MRC chargers include an integrated power supply. The Novak N-Power ($114.99) is an excellent DC Power Supply, which can be used with either the Millennium or Supernova chargers.
(8) Is there anything I should do before I run my E-Maxx for the first time? Yes. Totally check over your truck for loose screws, nuts wire connections and bolts. In particular, note to the following:
(9) Should I glue my tires? You don't have to glue your tires to run your E-Maxx, but it is a good idea. If your tires are not glued it is a lot harder to do wheelies, climb hills and you will become stuck more easily in deep dirt or mud. The latter occurs because the tires slip on the wheels or rims and power is wasted. If you don't care about wasted power, don't glue your tires; however, gluing your tires is definitely the best way to obtain maximum power from your truck.
NOTE: If you are worried about the getting glued tires off the rims later, don't be. To remove glued tires from rims simply drop them into a boiling pot of water for a few minutes. The glue will usually break down in the hot water and you can then take the tires off the rims. If all the glue doesn't come off the rims use a piece of course grit sandpaper or a small metal file to remove the excess glue. This procedure is to remove worn out tires from the rims so that you can reuse the rims. This procedure is not meant to remove tires so that the tires can be reused. Throw your tires out after you boil them.
(10) I can't do wheelies with my E-Maxx. What should I do? There are any number of reasons why you can't do wheelies with your E-Maxx, but these are the most common things to check:
(11) How do I adjust the slipper clutch properly? Traxxas states the following: tighten the slipper clutch all the way and then back it off 1/4 off a turn.
(12) What is a spool? A spool is technically called a differential spool. According to Traxxas, the differential spool replaces the rear differential gears to make the truck unstoppable in hard-core climbing maneuvers. The spool locks the rear axle, which in turn provides equal power to both the rear wheels no matter what the truck drives over. Because the spool locks the differential, it should be used strictly for off-road. If you’re building a radical, special purpose E-Maxx for straight-line sand drags, hill climbing or pulling, then install a spool in the front as well for total 4WD traction. Below is a photo of a Traxxas spool (Part # 4981X):
(13) I want to optimize my E-Maxx for climbing or pulling. What should I do? Glue your tires, install differential spools (see point 12) and consider changing the gear ratio of your E-Maxx to increase torque. An easy way to increase torque is to lower the number of teeth on the pinion gears (see point 30 for gearing information). If you do not want to install spools you can apply some heavy-weight silicone diff. oil or silicone diff. lock to the E-Maxx front and rear differentials. Using silicone diff. lock on the rear differential and 3000 psi silicone diff. oil to the front differential usually works well for most people.
(14) The noise from my E-Maxx transmission seems loud. Why does this happen and what can I do to make it quieter? The 32-pitch gear transmission of the E-Maxx is rather noisy by design and this is nothing to worry about. Nonetheless, if you wish to reduce gear noise, put a bit of additional transmission grease on the gears or change to 48-pitch gears (pinions/spur). Also, check the pinion/spur gear mesh - too loose will create excessive gear noise.
NOTE: A bit of silicone grease that is designed for transmissions isn't going to hurt the gears, whether plastic or metal.
(15) Can I install standard 540 sized stock or modified motors into my E-Maxx with the stock ESC? Yes, but it is not recommended. The stock ESC will burn out or drastically shorten the life of typical 540 motors. A standard 540 is designed to run on 7.2 volts. The Traxxas ESC puts out 14.4 volts, which is not good for 540 motors. See point 16 for motors that work well in the E-Maxx.
(16) I want to replace the motors in my E-Maxx with some that provide better performance and are easy to install. What do you recommend? Reedy and Trinity produce motors specifically designed for the E-Maxx. These motors provide better performance than the stock E-Maxx motors or Titans and are easy to install, but your run times will decrease somewhat because they use more battery power than the Titans. Both the Reedy and Trinity motors come packaged with soldered-on capacitors and bullet motor leads, so installation is truly Plug 'n Play - there's no soldering necessary.
NOTE: The published motor limit for the E-Maxx ESC is two 19-turn motors, but you can install lower turn motors if you gear your truck correctly. That is, if you install 15-turn or 17-turn motors into your E-Maxx you should drop 2 to 5 teeth on the pinion gears to keep your motors from running too hot and possibly becoming damaged. Your motors are running too hot if you can't hold a finger on each motor for 3 seconds. For 19-turn or 21-turn motors the stock E-Maxx gearing typically works fine, but Reedy does recommend 16-tooth pinions for their 19-turn BaddMaxx motors.
Alternatively, you could use a Y-connector to attach two assembled 6-cell sub-C sized battery packs in parallel to the SR. This two pack setup still provides 7.2 volts to the SR, but doubles your run time over one 6-cell pack. DuraTrax produces a Y-connector (Part # 2340) that easily allows you to attach two packs together in parallel to the SR (see photo below). By the way, Novak does not approve of wiring two packs together in parallel to the SR, but it works without any problems if the packs are of the same type and have similar voltage output.
NOTE: see point 41 for information on using the SR with the stock E-Maxx motors or Titans. In contrast to the above, this involves running 14.4 volts into the SR.
(18) I heard the E-Maxx Tamiya connectors should be replaced with different connectors, such as Dean's connectors. Is this necessary to do? You do not have to replace the Tamiya connectors on the E-Maxx if you don't want to! While many people believe the E-Maxx Tamiya connectors are extremely inefficient at delivering battery power to the speed control because of heat build-up within the connectors, this is not the case. "The E-Maxx's twice the voltage, half the current power system doesn't overtax its factory connectors. Will you gain some efficiency by replacing the stock connectors with aftermarket ones such as Deans? Probably, but you won't notice much difference! (R/C Car Magazine, March 2001, page 41)!"
(19) My E-Maxx tires won't turn while the truck is stopped. Is this normal? Yes. The steering servo in the E-Maxx was designed to only turn the tires while the truck is moving. If you want the tires to turn while you are stopped replace the stock steering servo with a higher torque model (see point 20) and/or install a receiver battery pack made of 4 or 5 "AA" size batteries wired in series.
NOTE: After you install the receiver battery pack make sure to remove the red wire from the EVX's receiver plug and insulate the red wire with electrical tape so that it does not cause a short.
(20) I want to replace the stock E-Maxx steering servo with a stronger one that will turn the tires while the truck is stopped. Which high-torque steering servo should I buy? Below are some high-torque steering servo recommendations:
Cirrus CS-80MG Pro: torque 129.80 oz/in at 6V; speed 0.25 sec/60 deg at 6V; cost ~ $23.00 (economical).
Hitec/RCD HS-645MG: torque 133.31 oz/in at 6V; speed 0.20 sec/60 deg at 6V; cost ~ $50.00 (mid-range).
Futaba S9402 High Speed Coreless BB: torque 111.10 oz/in; speed 0.09 sec/60 deg at 6V; cost ~ $100.00 (high-end).
Airtronics 94358Z ERG-VR: torque 200 oz/in at 6V; speed: 0.10 sec/60 deg at 6V; cost ~ $110.00 (high-end).
NOTE: The E-Maxx stock steering servo has 80 oz/in of torque and a speed of 0.22 sec/60 deg both at 4.8V. The values at 6V are unknown. The stock servo has a Futuba "J" type connector. By the way, a heavy duty servo saver, such as Kimbrough's Gas Truck Servo Saver (part # 124), is recommended when upgrading to a higher-torque steering servo. If you install the Kimbrough #124 you'll have to drill out one of it's holes to fit the stock server saver bolt. You can easily make one of the holes larger by turning a standard hobby knife in it.
(21) Are there any
problems with the E-Maxx? Some trucks were shipped with loose pinion
screws, slipper clutches and motor wire connections. Check your E-Maxx over to
ensure that the latter problems do not exist (see point 8 for more details).
Also, some of the first trucks produced had unreliable electronic speed
controls, which Traxxas replaced with the EVX.
(22) I want
to race my E-Maxx. What should I do to my E-Maxx in order to race it on a
typical outdoor dirt track? Most people believe lowering the E-maxx ride
height, which reduces the center of gravity is very important for racing. To do
the latter, either shorten the shocks with shims inside the shock bodies or buy
shorter shocks. You can also reduce the center of gravity by mounting the
battery packs under the chassis, rather than on top. Thicker shock oil (40-80
WT), stiffer shock springs, a better steering servo (see point 20), RPM bulkhead
braces, titanium tie rods, sway bars, aluminum transmission skid plate (makes
chassis more rigid by tying the chassis braces together) and Panther Meat
Grinder or Proline Maxx Bow-Tie or Step-Pin tires with quality racing foams are
also options worth considering. Every race track is different, though, so ask
your race competitors what they use to obtain good race results with their
E-Maxxes. Of course, they won't tell you all their tricks, but they will usually
give you a few good ideas.
NOTE: Panther Racing Foams or
Trinity Low Roll Foams are worth buying if you are serious about E-Maxx racing.
Since racing tires are soft (especially the "soft" Meat Grinders), foams make a
large difference in their performance. By the way, the Panther tires come with
stock foams, but Panther's Racing Foams are strongly recommended. The Panther
stock foams are bare minimum foams, which are not ideal for racing because they
are too dense, rectangular in shape and not trimmed to fit the rounded edges of
tires. The Pro-Line tires come with foam inserts of reasonable
quality.
(23) What is the top speed of the stock E-Maxx? About 25 mph.
(24) What are some average battery run times for the E-Maxx?
1500 mAh NiCD Sport Packs --- about 8 min.
2000 mAh NiCD Sport Packs --- about 10 min.
3000 mAh NiMH Sport Packs --- about 13 min.
The battery run times listed above are based upon a stock E-Maxx in 2nd gear running on a typical outdoor dirt race track. The E-Maxx was driven as fast as possible for the track conditions. The battery packs were 7.2 volts each, had a standard Tamiya connector and were peak charged at 5 amps. If you run your E-Maxx in 1st gear your battery run times will be a lot longer than the ones listed above. Also, it is important to note that battery run times depend upon a number of other factors, such as, outside air temperature, gear ratios, weight of hop-ups on your truck, driving style and the amperage the battery packs are charged at.
(25) How do I properly jump my E-Maxx? Every jump is different, but try to hit the jump straight on and try to keep the throttle steady. More throttle tends to raise the front end. In contrast, if you tap the brakes it lowers the front end.
(26) How do I protect my E-Maxx electronics from snow or water splashes? A nylon rain cover for a bicycle helmet, 2 plastic antenna rods, glue and tape are all that is needed to protect your electronics. The great thing about the soft cover is that it is very light, provides the electronics some air flow and is easy to open and close for battery changes.
CAUTION: This modification will not make your E-Maxx water proof. Do not drive your E-Maxx through water! Also, this modification reduces airflow over the battery packs, motor and ESC, which means that these parts should be checked for possible over-heating in between runs.
(27) I don't like the feel or range of the stock E-Maxx radio system. What is a good radio system upgrade for the E-Maxx? The Futaba 3PDF is an excellent radio system upgrade for the E-Maxx. The 3PDF controller feels better in the hand, turning is more precise and the radio distance is dramatically improved since this is a FM radio. Also, one of the best features of the 3PDF is the user-assignable locations for the third channel switch, which can be setup to change gears on the E-Maxx. The average online price of the Futaba 3PDF hand controller, 3-channel FM receiver and two standard servos is approximately $199 USD at eHobbies.
(28) Where is the best place to purchase E-Maxx products online? eHobbies.com is a great place to purchase R/C products from because they typically have the lowest prices on the web, huge inventories and fast shipping.
(29) What is the average cost of the E-Maxx online? The average cost is about $360 USD, but prices do vary at times. The E-Maxx can only be purchased at hobby stores, which also carry all the parts you need to repair the E-Maxx should it become damaged. Radio Shack does not sell the E-Maxx! The E-Maxx is light years ahead of any R/C vehicle that Radio Shack sells in terms of performance, durability, potential upgrades and parts support.
(30) How do I gear my E-Maxx for more torque or speed?
Torque: Drop the size of your pinion gears one tooth at a time until you find the right balance between speed and power that you desire.
Speed: Raise the size of your pinion gears one tooth at a time. Remember, however, that a faster top speed means less torque and less battery run time. Also, if you gear your E-Maxx for maximum top speed, the ESC, motor and battery packs will become very hot and could become damaged; as such, be very careful when gearing your E-Maxx for speed. If you can't keep your finger on either motor for 3 seconds your electronics are running too hot!
NOTE: You can also fine tune your gear ratio by changing your spur gear size, but do so in the opposite direction of the pinions.
(31) What are some good web sites for E-Maxx owners to visit? Check out the links below!
Dr. Doug's E-Maxx Review
Duratrax
eBay - Radio Control Auctions
eHobbies
ESP Hobby
FMA Direct
GPM Racing Products
Hardcore Racing
Integy Technologies
Joisey Maxx
JPS Products
MaxxTraxx
ModelTech
New Era Models
Novak Electronics
Panther Tire
Parma
Pro-Line Racing
Radio Control Car Action
R/C Car
R/C Raven
Robinson Racing Products
RPM RC Products
Stormer Hobbies
Team Associated
Traxxas Corporation
Trinity R/C Racing
Xtreme R/C Cars
(32) How many turns are the stock E-Maxx motors? The stock motors are 23 turns each.
(33) Does the E-Maxx electronic speed control have brakes? Yes. Hit reverse on your transmitter, and the EVX speed control applies powerful brakes to stop the E-Maxx before switching to full proportional reverse.
(34) What type of gearing does the E-Maxx come with? The E-Maxx is equipped from the factory with a 66-tooth spur gear and 18-tooth pinion gears. These gears are 32-pitch and very durable.
(35) Is the E-Maxx as fast as the T-Maxx? No. The top speed of the stock T-Maxx is around 35 mph, while the top speed of the stock E-Maxx is around 25 mph. However, the E-Maxx has better low-end torque than a T-Maxx! What this means is that the E-Maxx is faster off the start line and when coming out of tight turns in comparison to the T-Maxx. In fact, because of these points, on a track that has a lot of tight turns an E-Maxx may beat a T-Maxx in a race. Of course, a T-Maxx will stomp an E-Maxx on race tracks with long straight-aways.
NOTE: The E-Maxx easily beats the T-Maxx in a TUG of WAR! Though powerful, the T-Maxx can not spool up fast enough to match the instant torque of the E-Maxx’s dual motors and dirt-churning first gear.
(36) I am new to the R/C world. Should I buy the E-Maxx (electric) or T-Maxx (nitro)? Novice users should buy the E-Maxx because it is easier to run and maintain in comparison to the T-Maxx. Nitro engines sometimes don't start without a lot of tuning. With electric R/C vehicles you just drop in the battery packs and go.
(37) I am thinking about upgrading my E-Maxx a bit. What should I do? There are numerous upgrades or hop-ups available for the E-Maxx, but here are a few to consider installing:
aluminum steering servo cover.
aluminum transmission cover.
high-torque steering servo (see point 20).
Futaba 3PDF FM radio system (see point 27).
Proline or Panther Tires (see point 38).
Reedy 19-Turn BaddMaxx Motors (see point 16).
(38) What are some tire options for the E-Maxx?
All-Terrain: (i) Pro-Line Maxx Masher (ii) Panther Plow Boy (iii) DuraTrax Nitro Quake - these are really huge tires.
Fluffy Dirt Track Racing (Loamy) or Grass: (i) Pro-Line Maxx Mulcher (ii) Panther Meat Grinder.
Packed Dirt Track Racing: (i) Pro-Line Maxx Bow-Tie (ii) Pro-Line Maxx Road (iii) Panther Meat Grinder.
Street Racing: (i) Pro-Line Maxx Road Rage (ii) Mega Maxx True Slick.
Sand, Snow or Mud: (i) Pro-Line Maxx Paddle (ii) Panther Paddle.
NOTE: Tamiya Clod Buster or Juggernaut tires will not fit correctly on the stock E-Maxx Rims (see point 40 for more information).
(39) What are some good wheel or rim options for the E-Maxx? There many outstanding wheel choices on the market for the E-Maxx, but here are some recommendations:
Pro-Line Chrome Outback Maxx Wheels or RPM Monster Clawz (plastic / low cost).
Powerline (3 spoke) or XTM Racing (3 or 4 spoke) Wheels (aluminum / moderate cost).
Stormer Hobbies Racing Bead Lock Wheels (aluminum / high cost). These are awesome wheels and require no glue. Stormer Racing Bead lock wheels secure your tire so tightly the sidewall will rip out before the bead comes loose from the rim! Now when your tires wear out you don't have to buy new wheels or clean the glue off your old wheels, just unbolt the ring, slide out the rim, and bolt them in to your new tires. Stormer Hobbies also sells lower cost, Composite Bead lock wheels if you want to save some money.
(40) Do Tamiya Clod Buster tires fit on the E-Maxx wheels? No. While Clod tires can be stretched over the larger diameter E-maxx wheels, they bow out because E-Maxx wheels are narrower than Clod wheels; as a result of the bowing, the Clod tires perform poorly on E-Maxx wheels. However, a number of companies produce either wheels and/or wheel adapters, which allow you to install Clod tires on your E-Maxx:
JPS Wide-Traxx aluminum wheels for Maxx trucks. The wheels are machined from high-quality aluminum, are available in many different designs and are a direct fit for Maxx trucks.
Ofna's Monster Pirate Wheels and Maxx Wheel Adaptors. Some people say the Ofna setup looks funny because of the offset it produces, which makes the truck appear wider than it is long. Some people have also stated that the truck breaks more easily because all the weight is now placed outside the pillowball links.
ESP Hobby produces chrome aluminum wheel adapters, which allow you to mount Clod wheels onto your E-Maxx. ESP also sells the MADD MAXX Clod Buster Wheel and Tire Kit. This kit Includes Clod wheel adapters, 4 chrome plated wheels and 4 Clod size tires.
NOTE: It is suggested that you drop 2 teeth on the pinion gears when putting on Clod tires on your E-Maxx.
(41) Can I replace the stock ESC in my E-Maxx with a Novak Super Rooster and obtain good performance with the 550 Titan motors? Yes, but you have to wire your two battery packs in series to obtain 14.4 volts, which voids your Super Rooster warranty. However, if you don't care about your warranty, it will work.
(42) I don't care about charging NiMH battery packs. I need a reasonably priced NiCD battery charger. What NiCD charger should I buy? It is best to buy a peak detection NiCD battery charger. A peak charger allows your batteries to reach their full capacity when charging so you can get the most power and run time from your batteries. It achieves this by using peak detection circuitry that monitors the voltage of the battery pack while it's being charged and automatically shuts the charger off when the voltage of the packs peaks and then starts to drop. This is in contrast to a timed charger, where you often end up with a battery pack that's not fully charged. There are many outstanding NiCD peak detection battery chargers available, but here are some good cost-effective recommendations:
MRC Super Brain Delta Peak Charger.
DuraTrax AC/DC Piranha Peak Power Charger.
Promax Black Widow AC/DC Peak Charger.
Dynamite Vision Peak LED Peak Detection Charger.
(43) I want to improve the steering performance of my E-Maxx? What should I do? Consider installing one or more of these parts:
high-torque and/or speed steering servo (see point 20).
receiver battery pack (4.8 or 6.0 volts).
heavy duty servo saver, such as Kimbrough's Gas Truck Servo Saver (part # 124).
aluminum bellcrank.
teflon-sealed bearings in the bellcrank (makes little difference).
titanium turnbuckles (makes little difference).
(44) I keep breaking my E-Maxx rear body posts. What can I do to solve this problem? There are three simple solutions to this problem:
Drop the rear body posts down to their lowest setting. At this setting, there are no exposed post holes above the shock tower, which makes the rear body posts very difficult to break. This fix also makes the rear of the body match the front in height, which looks better according to some people.
You can buy springs at Home Depot or Lowe's that will fit on the body posts, such as the Century C-678.
Install RC Raven's fiber reinforced plastic body posts. These posts are stronger than the stock ones, but still flexible enough so that other parts don't break on your truck because the posts are too stiff. RC Raven also sells an E-Maxx roll cage, which helps protects your rear body posts from breaking.
NOTE: There are aluminum body posts available for the E-Maxx that some believe will solve the problem of breaking the body posts. Unfortunately, the latter doesn't work because the aluminum posts typically cause other parts on your E-Maxx to break instead, such as the shock towers or bulkheads. Body post springs or RC Raven's body posts are less likely to break other parts on your truck in comparison to installing aluminum body posts.
(45) I want to cool down the ESC in my E-Maxx with a small fan. What fan should I use and how do I hook it up? A computer CPU fan works very well to cool down your ESC. Wire the fan directly to leads that come from the ESC to the battery connectors. Do not wire the fan to the leads that go to the motors because this would slow the fan down when the truck is going slow, which is when air cooling is needed most. In contrast to what some people think, the ESC heats up the most when driving your E-Maxx slow or partial throttle, not fast or full throttle.
NOTE: A CPU cooling fan can handle either 7.2 or 14.4 volts, but higher volts will wear the fan out sooner.
(46) Are the Trinity Maxx
Paxx NiCD Batteries (1900 SCR) any good? The voltage output of the
Trinity Maxx Paxxs (Part # RC5896) is nearly identical to both 2000 and 2400
unmatched NiCD cells and the price of these packs is only $44.99/pair
at Tower Hobbies, which is very reasonable for 1900 mAh batteries. These
batteries offer an outstanding price/performance ratio! However, because
the Maxx Paxxs fit a bit tight in the E-Maxx chassis the Tamiya wires can
sometimes break away from the packs. According to Trinity, you can avoid
problems with the Maxx Paxxs if you bend the wires at a 90 degree angle at the
cap before placing them in E-Maxx chassis.
(47) What
aftermarket body choices are available for the E-Maxx? Pro-Line, Parma
and Atomik produce excellent direct fit lexan bodies for the E-Maxx.
Pro-Line E-Maxx Clear Lexan
Bodies:
Early '50s Chevy Panel Truck
(#3107-00)
Ford Excursion
(#3099-00)
Humm-Vee Urban
(#3104-00)
Humm-Vee Militia
(#3105-00)
Chevy Silverado
(#3100-00)
ML430 SUV
(#3091-00)
Chrysler PT Cruiser
(#3103-00)
Peterbuilt
(#3111-00)
Chevy Suburban (#3112-00)
Parma E-Maxx Clear and Painted
Lexan Bodies:
Clear Dodge Ram Extended Cab
(#10135)
Painted Dodge Ram Extended Cab
(#10135p)
Clear Toyota Tundra
(#10155)
Painted Toyota Tundra
(#10155p)
Atomik R/C E-Maxx Clear and
Painted Lexan Bodies:
Painted Ford F-350
(#103-001)
Clear Ford F-350
(#104-001)
(48) I heard that Traxxas recalled the VX-12 ESC. Is this true? Yes. Traxxas recalled the VX-12 ESC and has replaced it with the EVX. The EVX was designed and manufactured by Novak Electronics for Traxxas (see point 49 for more information on the EVX). If you have a VX-12, send it back to Traxxas and they will replace it for free with the EVX; however, before you send your VX-12 ESC back to Traxxas you must fill out the VX-12 Recall Exchange Form on the Traxxas web site:
(49) What are the technical specifications of the E-Maxx EVX Electronic Speed Control?
Model 3014: Traxxas EVX forward/reverse/brake electronic speed control (twin-motor, 14-volt, designed and mfg. by Novak Electronics, Inc.)
(50) Is the Novak E-Maxx Rooster Combo Kit (#1855) worth installing into my E-Maxx? Most R/C monster truck veterans do not believe the Novak E-Maxx Rooster Combo is worth installing into your E-Maxx because the Novak Super Rooster does the job more efficiently and costs less than the Rooster combo. Also, the EVX, which is the stock E-Maxx ESC, is very good and will meet the needs of most E-Maxx owners.
NOTE: The Novak E-Maxx Rooster Combo Kit was designed for running typical 540-sized motors. Do not run the combo kit with the E-Maxx stock Titan motors.
(51) What are brushless motors and will they work in my E-Maxx? A brushless motor is an electric motor without brushes and a commutator that looks like a typical brush-based motor turned inside out (see photo of Novak brushless motor below). In a typical R/C brushless motor a shaft with a permanent magnet is mounted on two ball bearings and the windings are fixed to the case. Each winding is electronically switched by power transistors on the motor's electronic controller to make the motor run. This design is commonly called a moving magnet design.
Brushless motors provide many advantages over typical brush-based motors:
no radio interference from brush/comm arcing.
higher efficiency than brush-type motor.
longer run times and greater power output.
no brushes or commutator to wear out, which is a significant time and money savings.
does not require motor capacitors or Schottky diodes.
virtually no maintenance.
Brushless motor systems from Modeltech perform very well in the E-Maxx. For example, run times of 40 minutes and top speeds over 50 mph have been reported from people running Modeltech brushless motor systems in their E-Maxx. The only disadvantages to brushless motors are that they cost a lot more than typical brush-based motor systems, they are presently in limited supply and they are not approved for ROAR or NORRCA sanctioned racing in the USA.
(52) I just bought an E-maxx and what to know if I need to break-in the Titan motors? You do not have to break-in the E-Maxx motors using a special procedure. I believe that the best way to break-in an electric motor, which means to seat the brushes on the commutator, is to simply install the motor in your vehicle and run it. The load of the vehicle on the motor causes high current to flow through the brushes. In a non-seated brush, the part making contact will heat up to a high temperature, and will quickly wear away, exposing fresh brush material behind it. This has the result of a minimal time for high spots on the brushes to wear the commutator, and causes the brushes to seat very quickly. Once the brush has seated, its wear returns to normal with minimal commutator damage. The only negative aspect about not breaking in the E-Maxx motors is that there is a slight reduction in performance during the first few runs until the brushes are full seated on the commutator.
Ready to BUY an E-Maxx? Get it here!
Want to learn more about the E-Maxx? Read Dr. Doug's review!
Read reviews of seven other popular monster trucks
Doug Gelowitz, Ph.D. is a medical researcher, R/C enthusiast
and eHobbies' technical/content advisor.
© 2001