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I was out of the hobby for a wile I missed slipper clutches and this Hydra drive can someone explane the point and info is it worth the trouble? I bought a whole box of clearence crap full of this stuff. I dont get it ? thanks Rick

Here's my take:

Hydra drive is basically like a touque converter for your electric vehicle. They developed it to run in conjunction with a slipper. Losi claimed it made the car more forgiving on rough and dry tracks. Some people say it just slowed the cars down enough to make them easier to drive, therefore giving better lap times (due to the fact that you are simply not looping the car out as much). Somewhat tunable with the couple of different weight fluids they offered.

Neat idea, yes. Effective? not on the smooth hi traction tracks. In a pro's hands, that is. Probably help the more novice driver everywhere.

I have driven a buggy with one and it was really slick. Plus they look cool as hell.

thanks I think I have 6 of them in parts just wanted to see if it was worth installing. Shodog that is one Cool Looking Ride!! Love those those wheels!! thanks everyone

i have a hydra in a runner, i like it. it slips but not like a regular ol slipper. its buttery and progressive.

the torque converter comparison is exactly how i would describe it too.

The Hydra Drive, from a racers perspective, was excellent to use in very rough and slippery conditions. The torque converter analogy used is perfect - as when the car normally would wheelspin through rough parts of the track - the HD would act like a "shock absorber" for the transmission - providing smooth transfer of power to the wheels. The disadvantage was the fact that it did have ALOT of inertia - therefore you had to run a lower wind motor to get the same punch and mid range on higher bite/smoother tracks.

I used mine quite allot here - as Aussie tracks tend to be pretty tough and very "Off Road". Compared to some of the circuit racing on dirt with a few jumps that some places have. So in short - great on the rough and slippery stuff - but better off without it on the high grip less bumpy circuits.

Cheers

Darryn

I still would like to know what you can use as fluid besides the losi stuff I am thinking some 1/8 diff fluid would work

Yeah, that looks like a ton of rotating mass. I've seen bits and pieces of Hydradrive parts for RC10s here and there. One place had three or four gear Hydradrive gear covers. I think RPM made them. Too bad I can't remember where I was at.

As far as I can tell 5000-7000 silicone diff fluid should fill the bill for the hydradrive fluid. The original stuff looks just like it.

***WARNING*** You have to be VERY careful with the setting of the slip on the Hydradrive....IF you set it too loose the thing will M E L T - Literally... Just like a torque converter - if it gets too hot it goes into meltdown.

Cheers

Darryn

Am I to take some of these comments (present and past) that Hydra-Drive fluid is not easy to find?

I think it's readily available it's just not cheap. I think a cheaper alternative is sought that's all.

Am I to take it from your comments that you'd like to sell me some?

No, I have a bunch of new in the package kits that I haven't done anything with and just wondering should I ever get around to building them, if I should use it sparingly. That's all. I do have two NIP bottles though.

If anyone needs any parts for a Hyda let me know

I haven't found any of the fluid by itself yet.

The only one I have came out of a complete hydra kit.