Team Associated APEX User Manual
12/12
2
:: Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Team Associated Qualifier Series product. This manual contains
instructions and tips for maintaining your new APEX 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 APEX RTR. We are continually
changing and improving our designs; therefore, actual parts may appear slightly different than the
illustrations.
For more information, scan the QR code to the right for videos and
tutorials on the APEX RTR!
http://www.teamassociated.com/cars_and_trucks/Apex/RTR
:: APEX Platform Features
• Fully assembled, shaft drive 4wd Touring car with gear differentials
• Water RESISTANT XP SC500-BL brushless electronic speed control with Deans® Ultra Plug®
(2S-3S LiPo compatible)
• Reedy WolfPack 7-cell NiMH Battery w/Deans® Ultra Plug® Connector
• Powerful Reedy 3300kV 540 brushless motor
• XP 2.4Ghz Radio system with XP metal gear steering servo
• Composite modular chassis accepts NiMH or LiPo type batteries
• 10 spoke Touring car wheels with high grip racing tires
• Factory-finished touring car race body
• Fluid filled adjustable shock absorbers
• All steel CVA drive axles front and rear
• All metric hardware and ball bearings throughout
• Sealed metal gear differentials
:: Additional Items Needed
Your APEX 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 #604)
-OR- Wall charger (#29154) • Needle nose pliers • Hobby knife
• Reamer/hole punch • Ride Height Gauge (#1450 recommended)
:: Other Helpful Items
• 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) • Multi Tool (AE Part #7494)
• FT Nut Drivers (AE Part #1561, 1663-1668) • Calipers or a Precision Ruler
• FT Turnbuckle Wrench (#1112) • Soldering Iron
• Green Slime shock lube (AE Part # 1105) • Wire cutters
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: 949.544.7500
Fax: 949.544.7501
:: Table of Contents
3
1....................Cover
2....................Introduction
3....................Table of Contents
4....................Blueprint of the APEX
5-7................Quick Start Guide
8....................Electronics Wiring /
Camber & Toe Settings
9...................Gear Mesh & Ride Height
10-12..........Spur Gear Access / Rear Diff
Access
12-14..........Front Diff Access
14.................Diff Maintenance
14-15..........Shock Maintenance
16.................Motor Manual
17................. ESC Manual
18-27..........Catalog
28................1:1 Hardware “Fold Out”
29................Notes
30................Trouble Shooting
:: Notes
There is a 1:1 hardware foldout page in the back
of the manual. To check the size of a part, line
!
This symbols indicates a
special note or instruction
in the manual.
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
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.
Customer Service
Tel: 949.544.7500
Fax: 949.544.7501
4
:: Blueprint of the APEX
Bumper
Front
Arm
Caster
Block
Steering
Block
Front
Shock Tower
Molded Front
Servo Link
Servo
Front
Front
Body Mount
Front
Shock
Molded Front
Camber Link
Molded Front
Steering Link
Drive
Shaft
Receiver
Electronic Speed
Control
Motor
Pinion
Rear
Arm
Rear
Hub
Chassis
Battery
w/ Deans®
Plug
Battery Strap
Spur Gear
Rear
Shock Tower
Molded Rear
Camber Link
Rear
Shock
Rear
Body Mount
:: Quick Start Guide
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!
5
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!
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
Battery Installation:
1. Install the battery with the battery wires directed
towards the front of the vehicle.
2. Insert the battery strap onto the battery post
screws.
3. Secure battery strap with body clips.
You may move the foam pad to either the front or the rear
of the battery compartment to adjust the weight balance
of the vehicle.
Wall Charger Peak Detection
Quick Charger
1
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
2 3
6
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
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.
Signal From ESC
Step #
1
Trigger position to maximum brake (hold)
2
3
4
5
6
Procedure
Battery Management System
Power ON Transmitter
Power On ESC
Throttle position to neutral
Power OFF ESC, then transmitter
Power ON transmitter, then ESC
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.
Audio
bi-bi
2 green flash/ green static (LiPo Mode)
or red static (NiMH Mode)
melody
bibi-bibi
3 green flash, 2 red flash,
green static or red static
LED
Throttle set to Neutral when turning on the radio !
Pull for Throttle
Push for
Brake
Neutral
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.
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
Battery Notes and Tip:
Plug the battery in as shown. Unplug battery 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!
ALWAY S 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 page 17 for instructions).
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
Radio System Tuning and Controls:
7
RULE: Transmitter on First/Vehicle on Second, Vehicle
off First/ Transmitter off Last!
1) Slide the battery cover in the direction shown to
remove cover.
2) Install six (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 secore.
4) Turn the power ON. If the power indicator LED
fails to light, check the batteries for insufficient
contact or incorrect polarity.
While pressing this part Battery cell (x6)
1 2 3
Battery cover
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
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.
4
On/Off Switch
RightLeft
Refer to Radio owners manual for more in-depth
instructions on radio operation and functions.
:: Quick Start Guide - (cont.)
Adjust steering
trim so front
wheels point
straight.
Push for
Brake
Pull for Throttle
Neutral
Throttle set to Neutral when turning on the radio !
Install body and body clips.
Ready to go!
8
:: 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.
:: Wiring Diagrams - (cont.)
1
2
:: Camber / Toe
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). Front 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.
:: Gear Mesh
Gear Mesh:
To correctly set your gear mesh, follow the steps below:
1. Remove the Chassis Brace. 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.
Pinion
9
Spur Gear
2. Loosen the motor clamp screw until the motor is able to move freely.
Rotate the 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 clamp screw.
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.
:: Ride Height
Adjusting Ride Height:
Ride height is adjusted by adding and /or removing shock pre-load clips to the front
and rear shocks. Stock setting is approximately 4mm front and rear. Check the
ride height with the FT Ride Height Gauge (#1450). Raise or lower the ride height
with the shock clips as necessary and recheck.
Pinion
pre-load
Spur Gear
Front shock: 4mm
Rear shock: 4mm
7149
Shock
clips
1mm
2mm
4mm
6mm
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