DIY Network

RC Giant-Scale Kyosho Inferno®: Power and Brakes Tuning From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-301

	Figure A
	Figure B

In this segment of DIY's Radio Control Hobbies, host Chris Chianelli performs power and brakes-tuning on the Kyosho Inferno® buggy (figures A and B) to enhance its racing performance.

Materials:

Allen wrench
Soldering gun
Solder
Lighter
Wire strippers
Wire cutter
Needle-nose pliers
Scissors
Heat-shrink tube

Important: This demonstration shows provides some of the basic information for assembly and operation of this particular radio-control model racer. There are variations in assembly for each particular model. Read and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with yours -- whether it is this particular model or another. Additional information about assembly as well as running, troubleshooting and fine-tuning the model can typically be found in the manufacturer's instructions.

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	Figure C
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

Power Upgrade: Battery Pack

One handy upgrade on a giant-scale buggy like the Inferno is to swap out the stock alkaline batteries to rechargeable batteries and corresponding battery pack.

Note: A common mistake with this procedure is simply to swap the stock 1.5-volt alkaline cells (figure C) with 1.2-volt rechargeable cells, resulting in a lower overall voltage. In order to get the 6 volts necessary for this vehicle, you'll need to add an additional cell by installing a special rechargeable battery pack (available at hobby stores). Here are the steps:

• Snip off the connector from the original battery pack. Be sure to use the correct wire strippers so as not to strip any of wiring inside the insulation.

• Unwind the wires.

• Cut the connector off of the rechargeable battery-pack and separate the wires.

• Once you have the battery and connector stripped, place a piece of heat-shrink tube on each piece of wire.

• Place one larger piece shrink tube over both of the wires so that you will be able to marry the wires into one piece.

• Twist the two red wires together and the two black wires together.

• Using good resin core solder, flow a bead of solder from end to end on each set of wires (figure D).

• Place the small shrink tube over each solder joint.

• Using the flame from a cigarette lighter, heat the tube, being careful not to burn the tubing. Let the heat shrink the tube around the two joints (figure E).

• Place the larger piece of shrink-tube over both of the smaller tubes and shrink into place using the lighter as before. This will make the wires one piece instead of two (figure F).

• The rechargeable batteries can be charged in a rapid charger such as the MegaPeak® charger from Megatech (figure G). This charger can be used with a/c wall-current or from a 12-volt source such as a cigarette-lighter adapter in a car.

• Take a connector that fits your battery pack and solder it to a connector that fits your quick charger, making sure to solder the wires red-to-red and black-to-black.

  Important: When charging via the battery pack with this device, set the charge to 1 amp (not 2-amp or 4-amp) for proper charging.
  

  	Figure I
  	Figure J
  	Figure K
  	Chris checks out the brake function on the Kyosho Inferno®.

The Kyosho Inferno features dual disc brakes (figure H) for precision braking. The brakes can get out of adjustment and lose some of their braking power over time. Adjusting the brakes is easy to do:

• At the idle position, adjust the upper brake, bringing it right up against the actuator arm and then tighten (figure I). It doesn't have to be very tight.

• The second brake is on the same arm, just underneath. Bring it right up against the silicon bushings and tighten (figure J).

With the brakes adjusted properly, the Inferno should stop on a dime.

Kyosho Inferno Specs:

Length . . . . . . 19.5 inches
Width . . . . . . 12.1 inches
Engine . . . . . . Electric
Assembly . . . . . . Ready to run
Street price . . . . . . About $400

RESOURCES :

Kyosho Inferno®
Great Planes Model Distribtuors
P.O. BOX 9021
Champaign, IL 61826
Website: www.bestrc.com