Bit-Zap IT'S ALIVE, ALIIIIIVE
 

Hey Guys,

I just finished transferring the circuit board from a Bit Char-g into a Zip Zap and the results are very impressive. This car has the best of both worlds. It has the speed, power, and awesome range of a Bit Char-g with the handling, interchangeable wheels, and cool American bodies of a Zip Zap. I also transferred the charging station from the Zip Zap onto my Bit char-g controller. Everything works great. Also, one of the coolest things is that there is room inside the chassis for a second battery. So tomorrow night I plan to add a second battery for twice the power. I feel like Dr. Frankenstein. I love this stuff. I'll try to get some pics up soon.

Kyle

can you add a bigger battery to the stock one or do you need equal size and length batteries?

There is just enough room to add one battery that is the same size as the original.

Kyle

neato, congrats on your accomplishment!!!

Any pics?

so.........on the outside its a ZZ?

Hey that's cool!!! Post some pics!!

Yep, on the outside it's a Zip Zap but it's got Bit Char-g internals and it uses the Bit Char-g controller. I've always thought that OEMs and Zip Zaps ran slower because of the cheap gears and weight difference, but after doing this swap I've realized that it is really the electronics that are making the difference. It's like the Bit Char-g circuit board sends more power to the motor than the Zip Zap circuit board. Before, the Zip Zap wouldn't run the high RPM motors like the 3.0, 3.2, or 3.8. But now I can run the 3.8 in it fine and it will fly. It kicks tail, now. My batteries are down on my digital camera but as soon as it is working I'll post some pics.

Kyle

So what frequency did you choose to go with??? Doesn't sound like a easy mod.. muchos props to you Kyle

silla

have you considered trying that with a Booster Machine? that'd be pretty cool. a ZipZap Boosted:eek:

Hey Kyle, Did you get those alloy wheels mounted yet? If so, how do they look??? Also, what car are you gonna put em on?

silla

Wow Kyle, great job! I can't wait to see the pics! You should paint it green and put little bolts through the sides!

Just don't get FIRE too close to it or it might freak out...lol

silla

LOL, I love the title of this thread. It makes you sound like a maniacal mad scientist =P

Pictures of Frankenstein's ride!!!!
 

I'm going to try to post these pics, but this the first time I've posted pictures on a forum. I hope it works.

Here's another.

And another.

WOW
 

good job you did it so well it looks like it came that way im jealous now

And a sister.

And a brother.

Last one.

Tiny,

I took your advice and used the green body from the Fast and Furious set. I'll add the bolts later.

Kyle

payaso,

I haven't had time to install the wheels yet because I've been experimenting with the Zip Zaps, but they are really cool and I'll be picking a cool car to put them on soon. Next I want to do the Bit Zap swap on a booster machine and add the duel battery so I can run at regular speed until I hit the booster button and go into super sonic. ;)

Kyle

I think this is the thread that just changed my mind on zip zaps.... Now I gotta get one... Cool pics Kyle

silla

whats the best set up for gear and stuff..i notice you are using a different tire on front than the back ..can you fine tune my car??i want it fast and full of donuts

catman25,

I'm using a harder tire up front because the car is running so fast that it rolls over during turning if the soft ones are up front. I'm using the 9.86:1 gears and a 3.2 motor. The acceleration is awesome and the top speed is off the hook. That's why I have to use the harder tires up front. As for fine tuning your car, what would you like for me to do. I like working on these cars and I'd be willing to help you out, if I can.

Kyle

Is that one a 3-cell!? :eek:

Hehe, excellent!

Tiny,

No, it's not a 3 cell. Only 2 batteries will fit inside the chassis. That's fast enough for me.

Kyle

Could you post instructions on how to transfer the circuit board?

Also, I read somewhere that the ZipZaps controller can be used to control a Bit Char-G, but forward and reverse are switched. Would it be easy to modify the ZipZaps controller by flipping forward and reverse so that it works perfectly with the Bit-Zap?

If you open up a Bit Char-g and a Zip Zap and compare them side by side, you'll see exactly what it takes to do the swap. The wires are soldered in identical places inside the chassis so you want to leave them on the circuit board and use the soldering iron inside the chassis only. The very fine wires for steering will need to disconnected from the circuit board and then resoldered onto the Bit Char-g board. They are labeled L for left and R for right on both boards so that's pretty straight forward too. I'm not the best with a soldering iron, so you can do it too. Just take your time and plan it out before you start.

Kyle

will a 3.8 motor work on a zip zap kyle..also if you dont like heavy bodies you can make hot wheels kit cars bodies fit and they are "light" the gearing and motors fit just as well.

2 cell mod possible w/o boardswap.
 

I was able to fit 2 cells underneath without swapping PCBs, all you need to do is cut out the latchbox in the middle (that the lock inserts into on the charging base). Everything fits and snaps on like normal. The second cell lies parallel to the original cell, instead of perpendicular like Kyles Mod. This may help on turns as the weight is centered instead of being left-side heavy. But you may sacrifice any gains in speed that Kyle mentioned, by keeping the PCB board stock.

Kyle, I am curious as to why you transfered the charging base from the ZipZap controller to the Tomy controller in one of your pictures? Am I looking at it right? Is that what you did? The ZipZap snaps right onto the Tomy charging base, so I wasnt to sure what that pic was about. Also, I tested one of your 3.8's on my dual-cell 2.4v ZipZap w/12:1 gearing and it pulled approx a 4.74 sec run on a BitDra-G regulation "Open Modified" length track of 20'. Could you try testing the run with the Bit Board and 3.8 too then post the results? I would love to see the speed gain possibilities in terms of numbers. I am kinda disappointed w/ the takeoff speed off the line on the ZipZap w/a 3.8, but the top end is great. Hopefully the Bit board could remedy this. As I see it, if you could gain enough lead on the takeoff, and possibly keep the lead long enough before the 3.8 closes in, theres a possibility that a slower motor like a 3.0 could take a 3.8 on a drag. What do you think?

For more info on my test run, read the thread I posted on it...

Re: 2 cell mod possible w/o boardswap.
 

Kyle, I'm curious too. Wouldn't it be easier to just modify the ZipZaps controller to flip forward and reverse?

QFM,

Yep, I did transfer the Zip Zap charger over to the Bit Char-g controller. My Zip Zaps didn't fit the Bit Char-g charger very well. They either wouldn't charge or would fall off, so I decided to swap the charger over. With the new set-up, I can utilize the hook that holds the Zip Zap on to the charger and then flip the cover open to press the release button. That just works better for me. I'll test the speed for you tonight. I'll set everything on the car up the same way you did in your test. I'll try to post the results tonight.

gRC,

I wanted to use the Bit Char-g controller because I'm getting 60 feet in range with it, and I don't get half that with the Zip Zap controller.

Kyle

60 Feet in Range!
 

Kyle,

Thats ridiculous range! 60 feet! Wow, I am so jealous! ;) Nevermind that we probably couldnt see the car from that distance! Are you just using a the standard 3 mod combo (cripple cap/telescopic ant/cat-5) to boost range? Man, thats great!

Thanks for doing the test run for me. I didnt even think about also having you change the axle gearing too. That would definitely make it more accurate. I am glad you thought of that. I would eventually like to test out all kinds of combos but I need a better timing system, and chronograph. All the runs with my Zip were just under the 5 sec mark, and I know i could do at least a half second better if I can solve that slow start. I thought the 12:1 gearing would have helped but the Zips just have more weight to push than the Bits I guess.

Anxious to see your results as well as any other cars combos you may have also tested. I never even tested the Zip stock, cuz I was too anxious to mod it. My guess is a 9-10 sec run with a stock 2.35 motor.

QFM,

I've got a stock Zip Zap also so I'll time that one and post both times tonight. The range mods are the big 3 (cripple cap/telescopic ant/cat-5) and the range was measured outside in an open area (which makes a big difference) and using new batteries in the remote.

Kyle

Hi Everyone,

Well I got out my stop watch and timed the Bit Zap and I'm really afraid to post the results because I know everyone will think I'm crazy, but these are the true times for the Bit Zap and the Stock Zip Zap. First, let me say that I made 10 runs with each car and dropped the 2 fastest and the 2 slowest times, and then I took an average of the remaining 6 times to come up with a consistent drag time. The Bit Zap with the Dual Battery mod, 3.8 motor, and 12:1 gears ran the 20 foot drag track in 2.81 sec. That's right, 2.81 sec. I couldn't believe it myself, especially after seeing the QFM Zip Zap Dual Battery time. The Stock Zip Zap with the 2.35 motor and 12:1 gears ran the same 20 foot drag track in 6.53 sec. I know the stock cars are supposed to run on a 15 foot track but I wanted a comparison to go with my Bit Zap and the QFM Dual Battery Zip Zap. One other note I should add. I was using Bit Char-g tires because they don't have any tread and they are wider which means they have more surface area for better grip.

I believe that this is proof that It's not necessarily the extra weight of the Zip Zap that makes it run slower. It is the amount of power supplied to the motor by the circuit board that makes the biggest difference. I'm sure you guys will have questions, so I'll be glad to answer anything you want to know about.

Kyle

"The Bit Zap with the Dual Battery mod, 3.8 motor, and 12:1 gears ran the 20 foot drag track in 2.81 sec. That's right, 2.81 sec. "

Wow Kyle that's insane speed.... What times are you getting with a regular bit with a 3.8 single cell?
Is the zz just a blure at that point or what??? LOL

silla

WOW!
 

Excellent info Kyle! The time you registered w/your 2.4v Zip modded w/a Bit board (2.81sec/20ft) is practically HALF of what my 2.4v Zip w/stock PCB registered (4.74sec/20ft)! That is great! That really shows the Zips potential... Now imagine a higher gearing!

Well, I put my 2.4v Zip and 2.4v Bit on a diet scale (not very accurate) and the Zip is roughly a little more than twice the weight of the Bit. Now because that weight is significant, i would still have to say that weight plays a big part, But with the time you recorded, I would have to concur that voltage definitely plays the BIGGER part! If anyone has an accurate scale i would be very grateful if you could weight a stock Bit and Zip just to see the actual difference...

BTW, Kyle your time is an accurate comparison because I also used BitChar-G slicks on my Zip for the same reasons you did.

I was also surprised that the stock did a sub7 time! I was expecting a slower time. When I get the chance i will try to time anything and everything I have, just so we can QUANTITAVELY see and compare performances. HeeHee. This is too much fun!

Lastly, here is a pic of the spring mod on the 2.4v Zip. As you can see, there is much more play in the struts than on the Bit! Very cool! Can definitely take on larger bumps and rough tracks smoothly!

http://tinyrc.com/qfm/racing/img/non/zipspring.jpg

Bullet/ZZ Hybrid
 

Greetings everyone!

Wow the cat's out of the bag here, I modded a ZZ with the above mentioned 2 cell mod, and I went and used the PCB & Tx from a dead OEM Bullet I had lying around. Unbelievable!! I have like 50+ feet range and incredible acceleration. I didn't time it on a drag course though,, 8-( But all my buddies jaws hit the floor when they watched my little car go! I charged my car with a Black & Decker powercell (3.6 volts). The voltage of the on board battery has alot to do with the performance of the car, I don't know if I had a "full" charge with a 1.5 minute charge. I am experimenting with longer,, but too long and bye bye! Smoke and bad smell! :eek:
What did you other guys(kyle & QFM) charge your car with?