MODEL 57046-4 owner’s manual
INTRODUCTION 3 BEFORE YOU PROCEED 4 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 8 TOOLS, SUPPLIES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT 9 ANATOMY OF THE DCB M41 WIDEBODY 10 QUICK START: GETTING UP TO SPEED 11 TQi RADIO & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM 19 ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL 21 DRIVING YOUR MODEL 23 ADJUSTING YOUR MODEL 26 MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL 28 TROUBLESHOOTING 29 TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE The Traxxas DCB M41 Widebody raises the bar for reliable, high-performance RC boating with 50+mph speed, waterproof electronics, stable handl
BEFORE YOU PROCEED Carefully read and follow all instructions in this and any accompanying materials to prevent serious damage to your model. Failure to follow these instructions will be considered abuse and/or neglect. Before running your model, look over this entire manual and examine the model carefully. If for some reason you decide it is not what you wanted, then do not continue any further. Your hobby dealer absolutely cannot accept a model for return or exchange after it has been run.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 4 • DCB M41 WIDEBODY 0 6 15 0 0 0 3 *Nominal 0 Batteries: Two 3S LiPo Voltage*: 22.2V mAh: 5000+mAh 0 Batteries: Two 2S LiPo Voltage*: 14.8V mAh: 5000+mAh • Always follow local laws and ordinances with respect to running RC boats. Observe water safety rules and regulations. • Never, under any circumstances, operate your model in any water where people are swimming or wading. Your model is fast and could cause injury if allowed to collide with anyone.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WARNING! CAUTION! DANGER! FIRE HAZARD! This product • Never charge LiPo battery packs in series or parallel. has been optimized for use with LiPo batteries and LiPo batteries are required for use with this model in its out of box configuration. Charging and discharging batteries has the potential for fire, explosion, serious injury, and property damage if not performed per the instructions.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (continued from previous page) • While charging or discharging, ALWAYS place the battery (all types of batteries) in a fire retardant/fire proof container and on a non-flammable surface such as concrete. • DO NOT charge batteries inside of an automobile. DO NOT charge batteries while driving in an automobile. • NEVER charge batteries on wood, cloth, carpet, or on any other flammable material. • ALWAYS charge batteries in a well-ventilated area.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IMPORTANT DRIVING TIPS The DCB M41 Widebody is extremely fast. Constant, full-speed operation on two 3-cell LiPo batteries (6S total) can severely reduce your run time, cause electrical components to become very hot, and also cause rapid wear of components. For the best performance and service life from your boat, please do the following: 1. Slow down while you turn. Turning causes more drag on the boat and greatly increases the electrical load on the power system.
TOOLS, SUPPLIES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT For more information on batteries, see Use the Right Batteries on page 14. Your model comes with a set of specialty metric tools. You’ll need to purchase other items, available from your hobby dealer, to operate and maintain your model.
DCB M41 WIDEBODY OVERVIEW Hull Water-Cooling Jacket Motor Steering Linkage Battery Strap Motor Coupler Traxxas High-Current Connector Water-Cooling Tube Flex Cable Guard Steering Servo Receiver Box Rudder Mount Transom Propeller Drive Strut Rudder Mount Electronic Speed Control LED Light Pipe Rudder Arm Stuffing Tube Battery Strap Channel Drive Dog Trim Tab Rudder Propeller Propeller Nut Trim Tab
QUICK START: GETTING UP TO SPEED The Quick Start Guide is not intended to replace the full operating instructions available in this manual. Please read this entire manual for complete instructions on the proper use and maintenance of your model. The following guide is an overview of the procedures for getting your model running. Look for the Quick Start logo on the bottom corners of Quick Start pages. 1.
TQi RADIO SYSTEM & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM INTRODUCTION Your model includes the latest Traxxas TQi transmitter with Traxxas Link™ Model Memory. The transmitter’s easy-to-use design provides instant driving fun for new R/C enthusiasts, and also offers a full compliment of pro-level tuning features for advanced users – or anyone interested in experimenting with the performance of their model. The steering and throttle channels feature adjustable Exponential, End Points, and Sub-Trims.
TQi RADIO & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM To prevent loss of radio range do not kink or cut the black wire, do not bend or cut the metal tip, and do not bend or cut the white wire at the end of the metal tip. Resistance - In an electrical sense, resistance is a measure of how an object resists or obstructs the flow of current through it. When flow is constricted, energy is converted to heat and is lost. The power system is optimized to reduce electrical resistance and the resulting power-robbing heat.
TQi RADIO & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM Your model is equipped with the newest Traxxas TQi transmitter with Traxxas Link™ Model Memory. The transmitter has two channels for controlling your throttle and steering. The receiver inside the model has 5 output channels. Your model is equipped with one servo and an electronic speed control.
TQi RADIO & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM INSTALLING TRANSMITTER BATTERIES If the status LED doesn’t light green, check the polarity of the batteries. Check rechargeable batteries for a full charge. If you see any other flashing signal from the LED, refer to the chart on page 30 to identify the code. Your TQi transmitter uses 4 AA batteries. The battery compartment is located in the base of the transmitter. LiPo Batteries with iD 2872X 5000mAh 11.1V 3-Cell 25C LiPO Battery* 2878X 8400 mAh 11.
TQi RADIO & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM INSTALLING THE BATTERY PACK DCB M41 Widebody uses hook-and-loop straps to secure the batteries. To install the batteries, simply loosen the straps, slide the battery pack beneath them, and tighten the straps to hold the batteries snugly against the battery tray’s foam pads. They should be tight enough to prevent the batteries from sliding, but should not be pulled excessively tight.
TQi RADIO & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM RADIO SYSTEM CONTROLS • In order for the transmitter and receiver to bind to one another, the receiver in the model must be turned on within 20 seconds of turning on the transmitter. The transmitter LED will flash fast red indicating a failure to link. If you miss it, simply turn off the transmitter and start over. TUR N GH RI T • Always turn on the transmitter before plugging in the battery.
TQi RADIO & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM USING THE RADIO SYSTEM The TQi Radio System has been pre-adjusted at the factory. The adjustment should be checked before running the model, in case of movement during shipping. Here’s how: 1. Assemble the boat stand as shown on page 8. Place the boat on the stand so that the propeller is off the ground. WARNING: CUTTING HAZARD! The propeller is extremely sharp and spins at high speed.
TQi RADIO & BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM TRAXXAS STABILITY MANAGEMENT (TSM) Setting Up the Antenna The receiver antenna has been set up and installed from the factory. The antenna is secured by a 3x4mm set screw. To remove the antenna tube, simply remove the set screw with the included 1.5mm wrench. When reinstalling the antenna, first slide the antenna wire into bottom of antenna tube until white tip of antenna is at top of tube under the black cap.
ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL The VXL-6s Marine speed control is factory set and should not require any adjustments. These instructions are provided for your reference. Transmitter Adjustments for the VXL-6s Marine speed control Before attempting to program your VXL-6s Marine electronic speed control (ESC), it is important to make sure that your transmitter is properly adjusted (set back to the factory defaults). Otherwise, you may not get the best performance from your ESC.
ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL 5. Return the trigger to neutral and allow the prop to stop. Note that there is no programmed delay when changing from reverse to forward. Use caution to avoid slamming the speed control from reverse to forward and vice versa. This could result in driveline damage. 6. Push the trigger away from the grip to apply reverse throttle. The LED will go out, then glow at full throttle. (Note that reverse throttle is only about 15% of forward throttle. This is normal.) 7.
DRIVING YOUR MODEL Now it’s time to have some fun! This section contains instructions on driving and making adjustments to your model. Before you go on, here are some important precautions to keep in mind: • When adjusted properly, the DCB M41 Widebody should speed across the water with the bow of the boat appearing almost level with only the rear 2-3 inches (5-7.65 cm) of the boat contacting the water.
DRIVING YOUR MODEL Where to Run Select a body of fresh water that is calm and free of debris, tree stumps, moss, fishing line, and other things that can get tangled up in the prop. The water must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) deep. Be aware that some ponds restrict the use of model boats. Avoid swimmers and other boats. Do not attempt to run the DCB M41 Widebody in an area where there are people swimming or wading. Do not run the model where it can interfere with boat traffic of any kind.
ADJUSTING YOUR MODEL Adjusting the Trim Tabs DCB M41 Widebody features stainless steel trim tabs to help set the angle of the boat’s hull as it rides in the water. Setting the trim angle correctly will provide maximum speed and efficiency from your model. From the factory, the trim tabs are set for best all-around performance and stability at DCB M41 Widebody’s maximum speed, but you can experiment with their position to improve performance and stability in rougher water conditions.
ADJUSTING YOUR MODEL Adjusting the Drive Strut DCB M41 Widebody has a surface-piercing prop, meaning the prop is not fully submerged when the model is at speed. Varying the depth that the prop is submerged will alter the model’s performance. The stock setting is 6mm above the lowest point of the hull and a downward angle of 2°. A tool is included with your boat to allow you to align the drive strut if it moves during running. To use the alignment tool, place the hull of the boat on a level surface.
ADJUSTING YOUR MODEL RECEIVER BOX: MAINTAINING A WATERTIGHT SEAL Removing and Installing Radio Gear The unique design of the receiver box allows the removal and installation of the receiver without losing the ability to maintain a watertight seal in the box. The patent-pending wire clamp feature gives you the ability to also install aftermarket radio systems and maintain the watertight features of the receiver box. Removing the Receiver 1. Remove the wire clamp by removing the two 2.5x8mm cap screws. 2.
MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL Always wear eye protection when using compressed air or spray cleaners and lubricants. Water Cooling Diagram Your model requires regular maintenance for top performance. The following procedures should be taken very seriously. Form the habit of visually inspecting the mechanical integrity of the model before and after each run. Inspect the model for obvious damage or wear: • Normally, some water will accumulate inside the boat. There are drain holes in the rear of the boat.
MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL Electronics Tray Removal DCB M41 Widebody’s unique modular design allows you to easily remove the electronics tray, allowing easy access to the hull interior and drive system. With the electronics tray removed, you can easily work on the drive system or electronics without the hull taking up your bench space. To remove the electronics tray, follow these steps: 3 1 2B 2A 3 4 1. Remove the steering linkage. Use the supplied 2.
TROUBLESHOOTING The following section addresses some very basic questions you may have about your model. If you can’t find a solution here, you may call Traxxas Customer Service at 1-888-TRAXXAS (U.S. residents only). If the model stopped suddenly: • Release the transmitter trigger immediately. Do not try and “force” the model to move. Refer to the Boat Retrieval section on page 22 for recovery.
TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Your Traxxas transmitter has a programmable Multi-Function knob that can be set to control various advanced transmitter functions (set to Traxxas Stability Management (TSM) by default, see page 18). Access the programming menu by using the MENU and SET buttons on the transmitter and observing signals from the LED. An explanation of the menu structure follows on page 32. Experiment with the settings and features to see if they can improve your driving experience.
TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Failsafe Your Traxxas radio system is equipped with a built-in failsafe function that returns the throttle to its last saved neutral position in the event of a signal loss. The LED on the transmitter and the receiver will rapidly flash red.
TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE TRAXXAS LINK MODEL MEMORY Traxxas Link Model Memory is an exclusive, patent-pending feature of the TQi transmitter. Each time the transmitter is bound to a new receiver, it saves that receiver in its memory along with all the settings assigned to that receiver. When the transmitter and any bound receiver are switched on, the transmitter automatically recalls the settings for that receiver. There is no need to manually select your vehicle from a list of model memory entries.
TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Press MENU to move through options. Press SET to select an option. MENU TREE The Menu Tree below shows how to navigate through the TQi transmitter’s various settings and functions. Press and hold MENU to enter the Menu Tree, and use the following commands to navigate through the menu and select options. MENU: When you enter a menu, you always start at the top. Press MENU to move down the Menu Tree.
TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE x8 Set Multi-Function knob for STEERING SENSITIVITY (Expo) Press/hold MENU green LED blinks Press SET red LED blinks Press SET to confirm green LED blinks (x8) Set Multi-Function knob for THROTTLE SENSITIVITY (Expo) Press/hold MENU green LED blinks Press SET red LED blinks Press MENU to confirm red LED blinks (x2) Set Multi-Function knob for STEERING DUAL RATE (%) Press/hold MENU green LED blinks Press SET red LED blinks Press MENU twice red LED blinks (x3) Set Multi-F
TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE The Traxxas Link Wireless Module is sold separately (part #6511). The Traxxas Link application is available from the Apple App store for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and on Google Play for Android devices. iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or the Android device are not included with the Traxxas Link Wireless Module. For more information about the Traxxas Link Wireless Module and the Traxxas Link application, visit Traxxas.com.
owner’s manual MODEL 57046-4 6250 TRAXXAS WAY, McKINNEY, TEXAS 75070 1-888-TRAXXAS 170317 57046-4-OM-EN-R01
