So you weren't satisfied with the upgrades that mere mortals buy and went for the V2. Well we are here to help power junkies like you. This tutorial guides you through the simple process of installing a V2 in an XMOD Generation 1. The V2 will work in XMOD Gen1s as well as EVOs and all Mini-Zs but this tutorial uses the XMOD Gen1 as an example.
Step 1
You will need a standard tip as well as a fine tip for this project.
Step 2
If you are running over 10 volts be sure to trim these traces.
Step 3
Grab your SuperFlex 18 Wire and a Pro Plug to make up the board harness and motor wires. You will need your Wire Strippers and Helping Hands for this process.
Step 4
Tinning: The holes in the V2 Board are sized for this wire, but you must twist it a bit before tinning to keep it tight.
Step 5
You should have a harness that looks like this when done.
Step 6
Clip the V2 Board into your Helping Hands and insert the tinned wires as shown.
Step 7
Solder from the bottom and it will wick through to the other side.
Step 8
This is what the top should look like. Notice that you need to leave a little space on the top side for the solder to gather.
Step 9
This is what the bottom should look like.
Step 10
Put a small piece of Super Stick Tape on the bottom of the board as shown.
This is a precaution to protect the bottom of the board from the unlikely possibility of touching the motor wires.
Step 11
I suggest before going any further you tape the end of your antenna wire to keep it from getting shorted out on anything. This is a good practice anytime you are working on your car.
Step 12
Pop the Stock Battery Holders off the car.
Step 13
Clip the wires right next to the battery holders with your Side Cut Nippers so you have the most wire possible.
Step 14
Clip the motor plug off as well.
Step 15
Separate the wires and twist them.
Step 17
Clip off the antenna wire guide with your Side Cut Nippers.
Step 18
Take your hobby knife and remove the XMOD sticker.
Step 19
Put a small piece of Super Stick Tape in between the grooves on top of the servo as shown. The purpose of this step is to give you a level foundation to secure the next layer of tape to.
Step 20
On top of that piece put a larger piece of Super Stick Tape that extends over to the receiver housing.
Step 21
This is the wiring diagram. It doesn't get much simpler than this.
Step 22
Mount the board using the Super Stick Tape.
Step 23
Insert the MainBoard wires into the center holes of the V2.
Step 24
This is what you should have now.
Step 25
Double check yourself against the wiring diagram above before moving on.
Step 26
Clip your chassis into your Helping Hands to hold it steady for the next step.
Step 27
This is where you need a fine soldering tip. You can do it without one, but you will have a tough time doing a neat job without it.
You also need some .032 solder.
Step 28
Solder the MainBoard wires to the V2.
Step 29
You should have wire sticking through like this.
Step 30
Clip off the extra wire with your Side Cut Nippers.
Step 31
This is what you should see now.
Step 32
Spread the wires so the motor can pass in between them.
Step 33
This is what it should look like from the side.
Step 34
Grab you motor. You should already have a pinion installed before this step.
Step 35
Solder you motor wires in place as shown.
Step 36
This is what we should have at this point.
Step 37
The motor tucks into place nicely with plenty of room to spare.
Step 38
You can take your tape off of the antenna tab now.
I like to put a small piece of
Mini Shrink on the antenna wire to reinforce it.
Step 39
All that is left is to assemble the rear end of the car. Notice the V2 was installed without removing anything from the front of the car.
Step 40
Just thought you might like to see how sweet the V2 looks in the venerable
Pro Built Los Alamos.
Additional Information
There is a lot of important information about the V2 in the
V2 Q&A Section so be sure to check it for more details.