MegaTech Dark Thunder Instruction Manual

Entire Contents ©2004 Megatech International

If you have questions about operating or installing your new Megatech

product, or if you are missing parts... Please Call Megatech First!

DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE

Call our Customer Service Department at:

[phone]

10:00am - 5:00pm, EST Monday through Friday (except holidays)

Technical assistance is also available on-line at www.megatech.com

or by e-mail to [e-mail]

2

Introduction

Getting Acquainted with Your Dark Thunder

..................................3

Safety Warnings ...............................................................................3

The Radio System ............................................................................4

Fuel & Preparations .........................................................................5

Installing Antenna & Batteries .........................................................6

Steering Trim & Operation ..............................................................7

Engine Break In ...............................................................................8

Starting Your Engine ........................................................................9

Your First Run ................................................................................10

Brakes & Throttle Trim ..................................................................11

Maintenance ...................................................................................12

Limited Warranty ...........................................................................13

Parts List ........................................................................................14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Congratulations on your purchase of a Megatech® Nitro-Powered
High-Speed Dragster. Racing has never been more fun! Get ready
to speed into a new world of racing excitement! Your new Dark
Thunder is so easy to prepare, within minutes of opening the
box, it will be ready to race at speeds over 60 MPH.

Please read through these directions before you proceed any
further. If for some reason you think the Dark Thunder is not
what you want, do not continue any further. Your hobby dealer
absolutely cannot accept a Dark Thunder for return or exchange

after it has been run, or after any of the parts bags have been opened.

If you experience any problems, DO NOT take your Dark Thunder back
to the store! Call one of our MegaTechnicians at 1-888-MEGA-911 or

send an e-mail to: [e-mail]

3

Your New Dark Thunder

Getting Acquainted with Your Dark Thunder

Review the components of the Dark Thunder to ensure that your kit
is complete before you begin  nal assembly. (See Figure 1)

Kit Contents:

A. Dark Thunder Nitro-Powered High-Speed Dragster
B. 2-Channel Radio Transmitter
C. Antenna Guard (Factory Installed)
D. Spare Body Washers and Clips

Make sure that you have received all parts shown.

If something is missing, call Megatech toll-free at 1-888-MEGA-911

This is a high-speed vehicle and should be traated with care and respect!

Use extreme caution when operating your Dark Thunder. Keep your hands,
 ngers and any article of clothing away from the wheels and gears.

Model engine fuel is almost invisible when it burns. Always keep a  re
extinguisher nearby when using model engine fuel. This fuel is dangerous,
poisonous, and highly  ammable. Use a fuel dispenser with a long fueling
probe to  ll the fuel tank. Do not pour fuel into the tank directly from a can

or any other method which can spill raw fuel.

A

B

C

D

Figure 1 - Dark Thunder Contents

Safety Warnings

4

The Radio System

This vehicle is not a toy and must be operated by an adult who will
handle this car safely and take responsibility to avoid any injury.
This model is designed to be operated only in appropriate areas.

If all of the precautions are followed and your Dark Thunder is oper­ated in a safe and responsible manner, it is an exciting, safe and fun

hobby for you and all who watch.

Required Running Equipment

To operate your Dark Thunder, you will need the following items,
which should be available from your local hobby shop.

1. 12 AA alkaline batteries: 8 “AA” alkaline batteries for the
transmitter and 4 “AA” alkaline batteries for the receiver*

2. Glow plug igniter*

3. Glow plug wrench*

4. Racing Fuel (We recommend
Megatech’s High Velocity
Racing Fuel)*

5. Fuel- ller bottle*

6. Phillips and  at head screw drivers

* These items are available in Megatech’s
Gas Car/Truck Completer Kit, #MTC 7500
(Pictured right).

The Dark Thunder comes with a two-channel radio completely installed.

The transmitter has one channel for proportional steering and one channel
for proportional throttle control. The receiver and receiver batteries sit in the
sealed radio box. Before running the vehicle, always turn on the transmitter
 rst and then the receiver. When  nished running your Dark Thunder for the

day, always turn the receiver off  rst, then the transmitter.

WARNING

THE TRANSMITTER IS ALWAYS THE FIRST TO BE SWITCHED ON
AND THE LAST TO BE SWITCHED OFF. NEVER TURN THE
TRANSMITTER OFF WHILE OPERATING THE CAR. THIS WILL
CAUSE THE Dark Thunder TO RUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSE A

DANGEROUS CONDITION.

The Dark Thunder Radio System

Fuel

Figure 2 - Completer Kit

5

Fuel & Preparations

properly. Improper fuels will cause hard starting, poor performance,
and excessive wear on the engine. Fuel for your vehicle must
contain a blend of BOTH synthetic oil and castor oil. Use a high­quality blended fuel. We only recommend Megatech’s High
Velocity Racing Fuel or another premium quality car/truck fuel with
25% Nitro content.

CAUTION: ALWAYS FOLLOW THE PRECAUTIONS PRINTED
ON THE CONTAINER OF FUEL. KEEP IT AWAY FROM OPEN
FLAMES AND CHILDREN. THE MIXTURE IS FLAMMABLE
AND POISONOUS.

Your Dark Thunder features a competition fuel tank and priming
system. The tank uses a spring-loaded  ller cap over a wide  ller
neck for fast, easy fueling. Simply pull open the lid and it will spring
closed when you remove the nozzle. Remember to use a fuel  ller
bottle with an attached long nozzle that can be inserted into the  ller
neck. Never pour fuel from an open can into the tank or use a funnel.

Fuel

from the box. Very little setup is required, however, proper
preparation is crucial to maximizing the performance and enjoyment
of your vehicle.

First we do recommend that you
tighten down all of the bolts, as they
may have come lose in transit. Be
especially careful with the engine
mounting bolts as shown in
Figure 3. Because the engine has
such high RPMs, it is important to
make sure the bolts have not
vibrated loose after every use.

Preparing to Race

Figure 3 - Tighten engine mounting bolts