Associated Electrics RIVAL MT RTR User manual

3/13

2
:: Introduction
:: RIVAL MT Platform Features
:: Other Helpful Items
Associated Electrics, Inc.
26021 Commercentre Dr.
Lake Forest, CA 92630
http://www.TeamAssociated.com · http://www.RC10.com · http://twitter.com/Team_Associated · http://bit.ly/AEonFacebook
Customer Service
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Thank you for purchasing this Team Associated Qualifier Series product. This manual contains
instructions and tips for maintaining your new RIVAL MT RTR. Please take a moment to read through
it and familiarize yourself with these steps as they will help you to understand each component’s
function and show you some tips for getting the most out of your RIVAL MT RTR. We are continually
changing and improving our designs; therefore, actual parts may appear slightly different than the
illustrations.
As part of the ongoing additions to the already successful Qualifier Series, Team Associated is proud
to release the RIVAL-MT RTR; a 1:8 scale 4WD electric off-road RTR monster truck.
For more information, scan the QR code to the right for videos and tutorials on the
RIVAL MT RTR!
http://www.teamassociated.com/Rival_Monster_Truck/
• Ultra rigid aluminum chassis
• 3 gear gearbox with center differential for superior traction and performance
with 6.06:1 internal ratio
• Includes 2 - 8.4V (7 cell) NiMH batteries with Deans ™ Ultra plugs ®
• XP SC1300-DB ESC with Deans ™ Ultra plug ®
o Works with 2-8.4V NiMH or NiCd or 2-7.4V LiPo batteries.
o Dual battery plugs for independent battery voltage sensing and optimum performance
• 8 oil filled shock absorbers
• Front and rear impact absorbing bumpers
• 4mm steel wire roll bar to protect body under impact
• Electronics tray with water resistant receiver box can hold 6-7 cell NiCd or NiMh batteries as well
as ROAR-approved 2S LiPo batteries, and is easily removed for cleaning or maintenance
• Reedy 1515-SL 2000kV brushless motor
• XP3G 2.4Ghz transmitter and micro receiver
• Alloy steel turnbuckles
Your RIVAL MT RTR requires the following items to complete your kit:
• Transmitter batteries (x6 AA’s) (#302, 303 AA batteries recommended)
• NiMH Battery charger (peak detection charger recommended)
(AE #610 NiMh/NiCD)
• Silicone Shock Fluid / Differential Fluid (Refer to catalog for complete listings)
• Body Scissors (AE Part # 1737) • FT Threadlock (#1596)
• FT Hex Wrenches (AE Part # 1541, 1655) • Reamer / Hole Punch
• FT Nut Drivers (AE Part #1561, 1663-1668) • Calipers or a Precision Ruler
• FT Turnbuckle Wrench (#25384) • Needle Nose Pliers
• Green Slime shock lube (AE Part # 1105) • Soldering Iron / Wire cutters / Hobby knife
:: Additional Items Needed
:: Introduction
:: Introduction
:: Introduction

3
12-14..........Front / Rear Diff Access
15-...............Shock Maintenance
16.................Motor Manual
17................. ESC Manual
18-27..........Catalog
28................1:1 Hardware “Fold Out”
29................Catalog cont.
30................Trouble Shooting
:: Table of Contents
:: Notes
This symbols indicates a
special note or instruction
in the manual.
!There is a 1:1 hardware foldout page in the back
of the manual. To check the size of a part, line
up your hardare with the correct drawing until
you find the exact size. Each part in the foldout
has a number assigned to it for ordering
replacement parts.
1....................Cover
2....................Introduction
3....................Table of Contents
4....................Blueprint of the RIVAL MT
5-7................Quick Start Guide
8....................Electronics Wiring /
Camber & Toe Settings
9...................Gear Mesh & Ride Height
10.................Spur Gear Access
11..................Center Diff Access
Associated Electrics, Inc.
26021 Commercentre Dr.
Lake Forest, CA 92630
http://www.TeamAssociated.com · http://www.RC10.com · http://twitter.com/Team_Associated · http://bit.ly/AEonFacebook
Customer Service
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

4
:: Blueprint of the RIVAL MT
Front
Steering Link
Receiver
Box
Servo
Electronic Speed
Control
Battery Strap
Battery
w/ Deans®
Plug
Pinion
Motor
Spur Gear
Roll Bar
Rear
Camber Link
Steering
Block
Rear
Hub
Front
Shock
Rear
Shock
Rear
Body Mount
Rear
Arm
Front
Arm
Front
Body Mount
Front
Bumper
Rear
Bumper
Chassis

5
:: Quick Start Guide
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
Battery Charging Steps and Safety:
NiMH Wall Charger: (Part #29154 -
Wall Charger AC 120V 350MaH)
NiMH Quick Charger: (Part #610 -
Reedy 447-S AC/DC 4-7 Cell Peak Prediction
NiMH/NiCd Charger)
Remove the battery from the vehicle before
charging. Be sure to select the correct
charging mode for the type of battery you
are charging.
NEVER leave the battery unattended while
charging!
NiMH: NiMH batteries (nickel-metal hydride)
are high current rechargeable batteries.
If you use a peak detection charger, make sure
it is designed for NiMH batteries!
Battery Installation:
1. Install the batteries with the battery wires directed
towards the rear of the vehicle.
2. Insert the battery strap onto the battery post
screws.
3. Secure battery strap with thumb knobs.
Wall Charger Peak Detection
Quick Charger
1
2 3

6
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
Battery Notes and Tip:
Plug the batteries in as shown. Unplug batteries when not in use!
There are two types of batteries you can use with this vehicle.
NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) and LiPo (lithium polymer).
LiPo: LiPo batteries (lithium polymer) are high current
rechargeable batteries. LiPo batteries offer extended run time
and peak performance over NiMH batteries. They require a
peak detection charger designed specifically for LiPo batteries.
LiPo/LiFe Charger: (Part # 604 - Reedy 526-S AC/DC 2S-6S
Cell LiPo/LiFe Balance Charger)
These batteries require specal care and handling.
LiPo batteries are recommended for advanced users only!
ALWAYS charge a LiPo battery in LiPo mode.
CAUTION! If using a LiPo battery, you need to change the speed
control settings to LiPo mode (see instructions at top of page or
for complete speed control options and programming page 17
for detailed instructions).
Change the speed control to NiMH or LiPo battery
modes.
Battery Management System - A choice of either LiPo mode or NiMH
mode adjusts the low voltage cutoff point. This is critically important
when using LiPo batteries that should not, for performance and safety
reasons, be discharged below 3.0V per cell. In LiPo mode, the ESC
detects whether you are using 2 or 3 cells and adjusts the cutoff
accordingly.
The ESC can be toggled between LiPo mode and NiMH mode by
following the steps outlined below.
IMPORTANT! When the transmitter and ESC are turned on, the color
of the ESC LED at neutral indicates which mode the ESC is in. When the
LED is green, the ESC is in LiPo mode. When the LED is red, the ESC is
in NiMH mode.
Vehicle Operation - To operate the vehicle, pull back on the throttle
trigger to move forward, push forward on the throttle trigger to
engage brakes. To engage reverse, push forward on the throttle
trigger to maximum brakes. Hold the trigger in this position for at
least 0.5 seconds before returning the throttle trigger to neutral.
Now push the throttle trigger forward to reverse the vehicle.
Neutral
Push for
Brake
Pull for Throttle
Throttle set to Neutral when turning on the radio !
Procedure
Battery Management System
Power ON Transmitter
Trigger position to maximum brake (hold)
Power On ESC
Throttle position to neutral
Power OFF ESC, then transmitter
Power ON transmitter, then ESC
Step #
1
2
3
4
5
6
LED
2 green flash/ green static (LiPo Mode)
or red static (NiMH Mode)
3 green flash, 2 red flash,
green static or red static
Signal From ESC
Audio
bi-bi
melody
bibi-bibi

7
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
RightLeft
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
Radio System Tuning and Controls:
RULE: Transmitter on First/Vehicle on Second.
When done driving: Vehicle off First/ Transmitter off Last!
1) Slide the battery cover in the direction shown to
remove cover.
2) Install eight (6) alkaline or rechargeable AA size
batteries into the battery holder.
3) Slide the battery cover back into place making
sure it is completely closed and secure.
4) Turn the power ON. If the power indicator LED
fails to light, check the batteries for insufficient
contact or incorrect polarity.
Radio System Tuning and Controls:
DO NOT hold the trigger when turning on the radio.
If using optional battery for transmitter, be sure to plug
it in correctly. Plugging in a battery backwards can
cause damage.
Refer to Radio owners manual for more in-depth
instructions on radio operation and functions.
While pressing this part Battery cell (x6)
Battery cover
1 2 3
4
On/Off Switch
Neutral
Push for
Brake
Pull for Throttle
Throttle set to Neutral when turning on the radio !
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
Install body and body clips.
Ready to go!
Adjust steering
trim so front
wheels point
straight.

8
:: Wiring Diagrams - (cont.)
:: Camber / Toe
:: Wiring Diagrams
Motor and Receiver Wiring:
1. If motor runs in reverse when you apply throttle,
unplug any two of the motor wires and switch them.
2. Your Receiver has multiple channel ports for plugs.
Channel 1 - you should always plug your steering
servo into this channel port.
Channel 2 - you should always plug your speed
control (ESC) into this channel port.
Channel 3 - Used for optional equipment such as
fans, lights, ect...
Batt - Used for optional receiver battery pack.
Not used in this model.
Negative black wires on steering servo and speed control
plugs should face the outside edge of receiver where
channel markers are located.
Front Camber Angle:
A good starting camber setting is –2 degrees (where the top of the tires lean inwards). Positive camber, where the top
of the tire is leaning out, is typically not recommended.
Front Toe-In:
Zero degree toe-in (tires pointing straight forward) is a good starting setting. You can increase steering into corners
by adding 1-2 degrees of toe-out (front of tires point slightly outward). Toe - in is not a typical tuning adjustment used.
Rear Camber:
A good starting camber setting is –2 degrees. Use #1719 camber gauge (not included) to set your camber. Adding a
small amount of positive camber, where the top of the tire is leaning out, will tend to improve straight-line acceleration on
loose tracks.
2
1

Gear Mesh:
To correctly set your gear mesh, follow the steps below:
1. Loosen the set screw on the motor’s pinion gear. Slide the pinion on the motor shaft until the gear face of the pinion
is entirely aligned with the gear face of the spur gear (see diagram). Tighten the set screw while ensuring it is aligned
with the flat face on the motor shaft.
2. Loosen the motor screws until the motor is able to move freely.
Slidethe motor as far as it can go towards the spur gear, ensuring that
the teeth of the pinion and the spur gear are interlocking. Slide the motor
back (approximately 0.5 mm), and tighten the motor screws.
Proper gear mesh has been achieved when the teeth are meshing closely,
but the gears still have a small amount of clearance between them. If you hold
one gear, you should be able to rock the other gear back and forth a small
amount. If there is no clearance, your gear mesh is too tight and you should
readjust the motor again.
9
:: Gear Mesh
:: Ride Height
7149
Shock
pre-load
clips
6mm
4mm
2mm
1mm
Adjusting Ride Height:
The truck’s ride height can be increased by adding pre-load clips to the shocks.
Removing pre-load clips will decrease the ride height. Compress the spring and
insert the pre-load clips between the spring collar and the shock body flange.
Adding or removing ride height clips does not increase or decrease spring rate.
Pinion
Spur Gear
Pinion
Spur Gear

10
:: Spur Gear Access
:: Spur Gear Access - (cont.)
Spur Gear Maintenance:
When accessing your spur gear, check for wear on the
teeth of the gear. If teeth are deformed or sharp at the
peak, the spur gear should be replaced.
Also, check the slipper pads for wear.
Replace if necessary.
Slipper nut should be fully tightened!