Duratrax Mini Quake Installation and operating instructions

Warranty
• DuraTrax will warranty this kit for 90 days after the purchase date from defects in materials or workmanship.DuraTrax will either repair
or replace, at no charge, the incorrectly made part.
• Make sure you save the receipt or invoice you were given when you purchased your model. It is your proof of purchase and we must
see it before we can honor the warranty.
• To return your Mini Quake for repairs covered under warranty you should send your model to:
Hobby Services
3002 N. Apollo Drive Suite 1
Champaign, Illinois 61822
Attn: Service Department
Phone: [phone]:00 am-5:00 pm Central Time M-F
E-mail:
[e-mail]
If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return this
kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.
READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.
© Copyright 2004 DTXZ1109 For Kit DTXD11**
ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION MANUAL
Length: 9.5" [240mm]
Width: 7.4" [185mm]
Height: 4.7" [120mm]
Weight: 25 oz [725g]
Ground Clearance: 1.25" [32mm]
Radio: 2-Channel
™
Technical Support Information
For technical assistance, contact:
DuraTrax Product Support
3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1
Champaign, IL 61822
[phone], Ext. 5
carsuppor[email protected]
®

INTRODUCTION................................................................2
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS............................2
HELPFUL HINTS...............................................................2
STRESS TECH PARTS......................................................2
REPAIR SERVICE .............................................................3
SPECIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION CHANGES..........3
FINISHING THE MINI QUAKE...........................................3
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL SET-UP......................4
ASSEMBLY GUIDE ...........................................................5
MAINTENANCE TIPS ......................................Back Cover
TUNING............................................................Back Cover
Thank you for purchasing the DuraTrax Mini Quake. This
manual contains the instruction you need to build, operate and
maintain your new electric R/C vehicle.Read over this manual
thoroughly before building or operating the Mini Quake.
When the safety precautions are followed, the Mini Quake
will provide years of enjoyment.Use care and good sense at
all times when operating this radio controlled vehicle.Failure
to use this vehicle in a safe, sensible manner can result in
injury or damage to property.You and you alone must insure
that the instructions are carefully followed and all safety
precautions are obeyed.
• Do not operate the Mini Quake near people. Spectators
should be behind the driver or at a safe distance away
from the vehicle.
• Make sure to read the instructions before charging
the battery.
• Do not leave the charger unattended during charging. If
the battery or charger become hot at any time,
disconnect the battery from the charger immediately!
Failure to do so may cause permanent damage to the
charger and battery and may cause bodily harm.
• Do not cover the charger during charging. This may
cause the charger to overheat.
• Do not allow the electronic speed control (ESC) or radio
equipment to come into contact with moisture. Water
can cause the electronics to short out and cause
permanent damage.
• Always turn on the transmitter before turning on the
electronic speed control.
• Before turning on your radio, check to make sure that
no one else is running on the same frequency as your
Mini Quake.
• Avoid working over a deep pile carpet. If you drop a small
part or screw, it will be difficult to find.
• Place a mat or towel over your work surface.This will prevent
parts from rolling off and will protect the work surface.
• Test fit all parts before attaching them permanently.
We have engineered the Mini Quake to take the rough and
tumble abuse that makes R/C fun. We are so confident of
the quality and durability of the Stress-Tech plastic parts
that we will replace any Stress-Tech plastic part you break
during the first 12 months you own the vehicle. Just send in
the part to us and we will send you a FREE replacement.
Please see the Mini Quake parts list for the items covered
under the Stress-Tech guarantee.
To receive your free replacement part, please send the
following to the Hobby Services address listed on the front
cover of this manual.
❏1.The broken part must be included.
❏2.The part number and description of the broken part.
❏3. Dated copy of your invoice or purchase receipt.
❏4.Your name, phone number and shipping address.
STRESS-TECH™PARTS GUARANTEE
HELPFUL HINTS
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2

Repair service is available anytime.
• After the 90 day warranty, you can still have your Mini
Quake repaired for a small charge by the experts at
DuraTrax’s authorized repair facility, Hobby Services, at
the address listed on the front cover of this manual.
• To speed up the repair process, please follow the
instruction listed below.
❏1. Under most circumstances return the ENTIRE system:
vehicle and radio. The exception would be sending in a
Stress-Tech part. See the instruction under the Stress-
Tech Guarantee.
❏2. Make sure the transmitter is turned off and all of the
batteries are removed.
❏3. Send written instructions which include: a list of all
items returned, a THOROUGH explanation of the problem,
the service needed and your phone number during the day.
If you expect the repair to be covered under warranty, be
sure to include a proof of date of purchase (your store
receipt or purchase invoice).
❏4. Also be sure to include your full return address.
All pictures, descriptions and specifications found in this
instruction manual are subject to change without notice.
DuraTrax maintains no responsibility for inadvertent errors
in this manual.
❏1. Charge the included 6-cell battery on the included wall
charger.Connect the 6-cell NiCd battery to the connector on
the wall charger. Plug the wall charger into a standard
household 110V power outlet. Check to make sure that the
red LED on the wall charger is lit. If the LED does not light,
check to make sure the battery is properly connected to the
charger.The battery should not be left on the charger longer
than 3 hours when fully discharged.If at any time during the
charge the battery becomes warm to the touch, it should be
removed immediately to prevent damage to either the
battery or the charger.
❏2. Install the transmitter antenna by screwing it into the
hole on the top of the transmitter. Give the top of the
antenna a light tug to make sure that it is properly secured
to the transmitter.
❏3. Slide the battery door on
the bottom of the transmitter
open. Install eight (8) “AA”
batteries into the transmitter in
the configuration molded into
the plastic on the battery holder.
Re-install the battery door.
❏4.Turn on the transmitter using the on/off switch (see step
#3). The red light on the transmitter should light up. If there
is no light on, turn the transmitter off and check to ensure
that the batteries are making contact with the metal contacts
in the battery holder. Make sure the batteries are installed
correctly.Turn the transmitter on and check for the red light.
If the red light appears, turn off the transmitter.If the red light
blinks, the batteries are low and should be replaced.
FINISHING THE MINI QUAKE
SPECIFICATION & DESCRIPTION CHANGES
REPAIR SERVICE
3

❏5. Straighten the receiver antenna. Run the receiver
antenna wire through the included antenna tube. DO NOT
CUT OR COIL THE ANTENNA WIRE. Press fit the antenna
tube into the antenna mount hole. TIP: Run the antenna
wire through your finger to straighten out the kinks before
running through the antenna tube. Also applying a small
amount of soap and water to the antenna wire will help
lubricate the wire for threading into the antenna tube.
❏6. Remove the body clips from the battery holder and
insert the charged 6-cell battery pack into the chassis.
❏7. Re-install the battery clips onto the battery holder.
❏8. The transmitter features an adjustable steering rate
knob labeled “D/R” on the top of the transmitter. Turning it
fully clockwise will give you the greatest amount of steering
travel.Turning it counter clockwise will reduce the amount of
steering travel.
❏9.The servo reversing switches are pre-set at the factory, but
should be double-checked before running your Mini Quake.
❏A. Turn the transmitter on, then the receiver. NOTE:
Always turn your transmitter on first. Gently pull back
on the throttle trigger, the Mini Quake should slowly move
forward. If the Mini Quake goes in reverse, move the
throttle reversing switch on the transmitter to the opposite
position (refer to page 3 for location of the reversing
switches).After doing this, the throttle trim knob may need
to be adjusted to find the throttle’s neutral point.
❏B.Now, check that the steering reversing switch is set
properly. With the transmitter wheel facing you and the
truck facing away from you, turn the transmitter steering
wheel to the right.The wheels of the truck should turn so
that when the truck moves it will turn to the right.If it turns
to the left, the steering reversing switch needs to be
moved to the opposite position. After reversing the
steering, the steering trim on the transmitter may need to
be adjusted to enter the steering of the truck.
❏10. Decal the body as desired and install it onto the
chassis, securing it in place with the four included body clips.
❏11. Congratulations!You are ready to race!
Center the trim knobs on the transmitter.
❏1. Connect the battery pack to the ESC, turn on the Tx,
then the ESC.
❏2. Press and hold the “set” button until both LEDs are
flashing, then release the button.
❏3.NEUTRAL POINT:Leave the throttle trigger in the neutral
position.Press the setup button once;the green LED will flash.
❏4.FULL THROTTLE: Move the throttle trigger to full
throttle and press the button once until the red LED
illuminates (motor will not operate in set up mode).
❏5.FULL REVERSE: Move the throttle trigger to full reverse
and press the button once – the red LED will stop flashing.
Release the throttle trigger; the ESC is now ready to operate
with your system.If the motor operates in reverse when applying
forward throttle, the throttle reversing switch on the Tx must be
moved to the opposite position.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL SET UP
4

5
ASSEMBLY GUIDE

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

BEFORE EACH RUN
• Make sure the batteries in the transmitter are charged.
• Make sure there are no loose or damaged parts on the kit.
• Check the drive train for binding that could cause
possible damage to the kit or the electronics.
• Check that the ESC and receiver are properly secured to
the chassis.
• Check to make sure all wires are properly secured.
AFTER EACH RUN
• Clean any large globs of dirt, carpet fuzz or any other
debris from the chassis.
• Disconnect and remove the battery from the Mini Quake.
• Check for any broken or damaged parts.This way parts
may be replaced before the next run.
AFTER EVERY 10 RUNS
• Check to make sure the bearings are free of debris.
• Check for a smooth gear mesh.
• Check the tires to make sure they are still properly glued
to the wheels.
RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
The ride height of the Mini Quake is easily adjusted by using
the included pre-load spacers (67). To increase the ride
height of the Mini Quake, install a pre-load spacer onto each
of the shock bodies.The more pre-load clips you install, the
more ride height you will achieve. Make sure you install the
same amount of pre-load clips to each of the shocks. To
lower the ride height of the Mini Quake, remove the desired
amount of pre-load spacers from the shocks.
PINIONS
The Mini Quake comes stock with the 16 tooth pinion. This
pinion is for maximum acceleration and climbing. To obtain
higher top speeds you can install a larger pinion gear onto
the motor. This will, however, decrease your acceleration
and run time.
SHOCK LOCATION
There are three different lower shock mounting positions on
the Mini Quake. For jumping and climbing, the best location
is the inner most hole of suspension arm. This makes the
truck’s suspension feel softer. For racing and surfaces with
more traction, the best location is the outer most hole.This
location gives the truck’s suspension a stiffer feel and allows
less chassis roll in the corners. The middle is a good all
around location. Tip: Make sure the front shocks are all in
the same location and make sure all of the rear shocks are
all in the same location.They do not have to be in the same
location from front to rear.
SHOCK OIL
The Mini Quake comes stock with 30 wt oil in the shocks.
The handling of the truck can be tuned by changing the
shock oil to either heavier (bigger number) or lighter (lower
number.) By putting heavier oil in the shocks, the truck will
have less chassis roll and become less responsive. Putting
lighter oil in the shocks will cause the truck to be more
responsive and have more chassis roll. For smooth, flat
surfaces, a thicker oil would be best. For surfaces that are
rough or have jumps, a lighter oil would be best.
TUNING
RUNNING AND MAINTENANCETIPS
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