K021 Instructions v1.0
Race Prep
Page
70
FINAL SET-UP AND PREP
ELECTRONICS
Now that the car is built and electronics installed, it’s time to do the final set-up so the
car runs straight and well. First, familiarize yourself with the set-up procedures of your
various electronics: how to bind the receiver to the radio transmitter, how to set the
speed controller to the radio, and how to adjust the steering settings on your transmitter.
Binding the receiver to your transmitter loads a unique identification number into your
receiver, so it will only recognize your transmitter and not the others running at the
same time. Each manufacturer has its own process for this. Even if this receiver was
set-up previously, a re-do never hurts. Once the radio and receiver are talking together,
set the ESC. Make sure the throttle and brake endpoints are at 100 on your transmitter
and follow your ESC’s guide. Again, there’s no standard procedure across the board,
but it generally involves entering a set-up mode on the ESC then modulating the throttle
in a set way to ‘teach’ the ESC the radio’s endpoints.
With all that out of the way, it’s time to set the steering. First move the steering left and
right, and make sure the wheels move the same direction. If not, you’ll have to reverse
the steering channel on your radio. Second, adjust the trim or sub-trim so that the
steering rack is centered under the top plate. It’s important to watch the steering rack,
not the wheels, as different length tie-rods could throw off your center. You don’t need
to go berserk here with calipers and all, just use your eyes and get it close. Once the
rack is centered, adjust your steering tie-rods so the wheels are approximately straight
(0
o
of toe).
The third steering setting to adjust is your steering end points, or EPA. Position some
blocks or your car stand such that the front wheels can move freely but the front arms
are ‘level’ (not at full extension). Turn the right endpoint waaaay down on your radio,
and the turn the steering wheel or stick all the way to the right. Look at the steering
block of the left wheel – you’ll see a bump where it stops against the caster block. If it’s
touching right now, turn the end point down more. Then
slowly
turn up the right end
point until the steering block just touches the caster block. Repeat this procedure for
the left side. A lot of gorillas like to run their EPA so the servo is straining at full lock –
this just causes excess load on the entire steering system, including your servo. Cage
the gorilla in your radio; if you want more steering, adjust the setup!
