How To: Install Traxxas Telemetry Expander System intoYour Rustler

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Let’s face it – no matter what type of RC car you have, the one thing you want it to do is go fast! So what happenswhen your friend asks you how fast your car is? If you’re like me you always embellish the truth a bit and add a fewextra miles per hour. Come on, admit it … you’ve done that.

Well, as times change and technology gets better, we can now know for sure just how fast our cars are going. EnterTraxxas’ Telemetry Expander unit, a bite-sized part that fits into any Traxxas vehicle and allows you to monitorthings going on in your car, one of them being speed! We’re going to take this Expander and install it in our TraxxasRustler Courtney Force Edition along with a Traxxas GPS Speed Module and Wireless Link Module.

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Step 1The Traxxas Rustler doesn’t come with a spot to mount the Expander unit; instead, the mount itself is an additionalpart that must be purchased. Inside the package is a instruction sheet that includes a template for drilling holes inthe chassis. Our first step is to cut that template out. Go ahead … I’ll wait.

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Step 2Take your trimmed template and place it in the chassis as shown. It’s not necessary to tape the template in place butit does make it a little easier to make the holes with two hands on your drill.

Step 3Remove the paper template and attach the mount to the chassis, using screws from underneath to secure it inplace. Now attach the Expander unit to the mount.

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Step 4Remove the covers on the Expander (there will be two of them – the main cover and the wires cover) and carefullypress the GPS Module in place. You will need to line the pins up so make sure you do this slowly so you don’t benda pin and ruin the Expander. Press the GPS Module in until you hear a ‘click’. Now re-install JUST the main cover –leave the wires cover off for now.

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Step 5Remove the cover on your receiver box and insert one end of the 425mm communication cable into the port shown(next to the TSM logo). Note how the wires coming out of the receiver box are routed.

Step 6Re-install the cover, routing the original wires and your new communication cable as they were in Step 5.

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Step 7I wrapped my communication cable around the ESC to reach the Expander. You can zip tie it to the ESC wire or, as Idid, feed it into the clip on the side of the ESC. Once routed, plug the communication cable into the port shown; thisis the ONLY port you have available for this cable. The rest are used for additional sensors and will cause an error insetup if you plug the comm cable into any of them. Replace the wire cap on the Expander unit. NOTE: Idisconnected all the motor wires to make it easier to see the installation; this is not something you are required to do.

Step 8Now that we’re done with the Expander unit, we need to hook up the BlueTooth to the TQi radio. Flip your it over andcarefully cut the sticker along the edge of the Link Module cover. Remove the small screw to release the cover andreplace with the Wireless Link Module. Use the small screw (or the one included with the module) to secure it inplace.

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Step 9Follow the instructions to BlueTooth your TQi to your Rustler and you’re all set!

At the moment, the Expander will only show you Speed and your recorded Top Speed. The battery voltage, tempand RPM won’t show on the app until you install those sensors.

The connection didn’t take too long (I think it took longer to download the app to my iPhone), but one thing thesystem required was an update to both the GPS Module and Wireless Link Module. That added another 5 minutesor so, but after that everything was good to go! Now get outside and let’s see some real speed!

Parts Used37076-3 Traxxas Rustler VXL Courtney Force Edition, https://traxxas.com/products/models/electric/rustler-vxl-tsm6550 Traxxas TQi Telemetry Expander, https://traxxas.com/products/parts/telemetry/6550telemetryexpander6554 Traxxas Telemetry Expander Mount for Rustler, https://traxxas.com/products/parts/telemetry/7-Mount-telemetry-expander-fits-Rustler-Bandit-Slash-2WD-6554-Overview6551 Traxxas TQi GPS Speed Module, https://traxxas.com/products/parts/telemetry/6551gpsmodule6511 Traxxas TQi Wireless Link Module, https://traxxas.com/products/parts/transmitters/6511tqitraxxaslinkmodule

LinksTraxxas, www.traxxas.com

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