TheRcRacer Tamiya TRF420 Battery Mounts Free download

I've had a lot of people ask about the battery mounts that I and other TRF racers have been running on our Tamiya TRF420's. These are a part I have been working on, and they are now ready to be released to the TRF community for you all to run. (Should also work for TA07msx btw)

Why do I want these?

1. As a racer I wanted more control on where to position the battery in the TRF420. The kit mounts provide no real adjustment, so I thought I would make these. They are slightly narrower so you can move the battery even more forward if you want to, along with being able to move it rearwards for more stability. 
2. You do not need to use Tape :)
3. They are free (To download and print yourself).

What hardware do I need?

You should have everything that is needed. A detailed list is here.

You need the following 

• 2 x 3x8mm CS screws (for the inner holes)
• 2 x 3x12-16mm screws (For the outer post holes)
• 2 x 3x6mm CS screws (For the upper retainers).
• 4 x 3x6mm CS screws (To position the battery).
• 4x1mm shim (To space the battery retainer away from the chassis)
• Additional shims to ensure you clear the battery. 

Now choose your battery mounts

There are two sets of battery holders. One set is for low profile batteries, the other is for std height lipo batteries. The only difference is that the battery posts are 3mm taller for the std lipo mounts.

• Standard mounts (Download Files Free click here) or (Purchase from Shapeways).
• Low Profile Mounts (Download fiiles Free Click here) or (Purchase from Shapeways).

If you are printing the files yourself. Then you must print them at 100% infill. This is essential to ensure that they are strong and durable. 

You will have the four parts above. I am using carbon versions of the printed parts

Once printed you will have the parts above. 

If you purchase them from the shapeways store they will be on a sprue as seen above. So you will need  to  cut the parts of the sprue with side cutters.

First you should thread the holes. You can use the Tamiya 54232 M3 thread forming tap (Or similar). If you do not have one of these, then just use a steel machine screw. Gently thread the holes.

Now place in the 3x6mm screws that are used to position the battery. If you want to run the battery at the full forward or backward position you can remove one screw at that end. 

Now you attack the mounts to the chassis. Here you need to shim it away from the chassis to ensure you still get the right amount of flex. I use 1mm shims.

You attach the shorter screw on the inside, and use the longer screw on the outside. This provides more strength for the post although depending on what print setting you use, or if you get a set from shapeways their industrial printing machines probably mean you will be fine with a shorter screw. 

Now place in your battery, and attach the retainers. Now you want to ensure that the retainers are slightly above the battery to allow it to move when the chassis is flexing. If it is touching, just add a few shims to ensure you have a 0.5-1mm gap.

Now you are all ready to race without the stress of tape. You can also move the battery around to get the lateral and longitudinal balance you require. 

I've been using these parts for some time now, and they work really well. I usually have the battery far forward to give more steering on my set-up, although some of the other TRF runners prefer the batteries at the rear. Please try them out and let me know if you have any feedback.

Help develop more parts

If you appreciate the non profit work I have done, please feel free to tip me to help me to afford to develop more parts. You can make a Tip by clicking this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheRcRacer

Disclaimer and thanks

These have been made as a contribution to the Tamiya racing community. There is no profit for myself. These are just a tuning aid.

I have invested my own time and money in these parts for the Tamiya and wider racing community, at no profit for myself. These designs are always helped via feedback from other racers. So please let's share feedback and set-ups and I can try to refine or design other parts in the future :)

I own the design, and copyright and manufacturing rights to these parts so please do not copy them and sell them for profit. I will find you and hunt you down if you do ;)