Remote Control Airplane Pre-flight Checklist
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Here's a very comprehensive list for safe and enjoyable flying of your
remote control airplane
.General and Overall Appearance of Remote Control Airplane:___ Check covering for adhesion and holes___ Wheel size___ Wing and tail alignment___ CG - fore/aft, and lateral balance___ All nuts self-locking "aviation" type or Locktite___ Name, address and AMA number in remote control plane___ Rubber bands (when used) in good condition with proper number used
Structural:___ All hinges secure: ailerons, flaps, rudder and elevator___ All glued joints solid___ Landing gear secure
Servos and Control Surfaces of Remote Control Airplane:___ All clevises have fuel tubing or other type retainer___ "Quick Connects" (where used) are secure and Locktited___ Check ailerons for proper direction ("Thumbs Up")___ Check right and left ailerons for binding and proper throw (dual rates?)___ Check rudder for proper direction___ Check rudder for binding and proper throw (dual rates?)___ Check elevator for proper direction___ Check elevator for binding and proper throw (dual rates?)___ Nose or tail wheel of remote control plane works properly___ Check all other channels for proper operation___ All servos securely mounted, and pushrods and arms are free from wires and other obstructions___ All control horns secure
Engine and Tank:___ Engine mount secure to firewall of remote control airplane___ Engine secure on mount___ Easy access to carburetor needle valve___ Prop secure and free from nicks and cracks___ Spinner secure and edges NOT in contact with prop___ Engine has been "broken in" with at least two tanks of fuel___ Engine runs properly, and throttle trim or kill switch shuts engine off___ Tank proper size and secure with clunk free
Radio and Battery:___ Radio and battery of remote control plane wrapped in foam___ Radio and battery secured in fuselage___ Antennae properly extended and secured___ RX and TX batteries charged and reading proper voltage___ Radio "range checked"___ Radio trims and Control Surfaces centered___ Buddy Box, if used, has same directions and trim settings___ If Buddy Box is a working transmitter, remove the crystal to avoid accidental interference with your remote control airplane
Nov 30, 2008
Review these many RC transmitter choices
Helpful RC Transmitter Information
(All links open new windows)
A good quality
RC transmitter
is a radio controller's dream come true. Whether it's just a simple three channel analog unit or a sophisticated 10 channel computerized radio, we want it to carry out our commands reliably.
It is actually an extension of our hands that reaches out invisibly to direct the model wherever we want it to go.
I don't know if it's ever happened to you, but to watch in suspense as the car, boat or airplane that we've invested time and money in fails to respond and inevitably crashes is just so disheartening.
One of the very first radio control planes I bought many years ago came with it's own RC transmitter, just a 2 channel unit. The plane itself was all plastic and I had a tough time getting it to fly because it was so heavy but eventually it took to the air. But not for long because the transmitter range was so short that within minutes my little toy plane disappeared into the blue yonder!
After that experience, I made sure that I had a "real" radio with a well known brand name like Airtronics, Futaba, Hitec or JR. In fact, my current RC transmitter is a JR 652 computer radio and I love it not just for the extra bells and whistles but because of it's quality workmanship...I've never lost anymore models due to a cheap radio!!
So if you're just starting out in model airplanes, I heartily recommend the high quality 4 channel
JR radios
because they will do 90% of what you need without complaint such as rudder, elevator, ailerons and throttle. Update: I now consider the
Hitec Laser 4 transmitter
an even better value because it features the very useful v-tail and elevon mixing functions all at an incredibly low price!
Once you've got some flight time under your belt and more than one model to fly, consider the advantages of multiple setups for those different models, and separate end point adjustments on both high and low throttle making idle and high-end setting a snap.
Other features will include a trainer system, servo reverse on all channels, mixing functions, landing gear and a rechargeable battery.
I've found a great selection of makes and models of RC transmitter with competitive pricing and must-have reliability at both the RC Discounts and HobbyTron online merchants so you'll be confident of complete control whenever you take to the skies!
(All links open new windows)
A good quality
RC transmitter
is a radio controller's dream come true. Whether it's just a simple three channel analog unit or a sophisticated 10 channel computerized radio, we want it to carry out our commands reliably.
It is actually an extension of our hands that reaches out invisibly to direct the model wherever we want it to go.
I don't know if it's ever happened to you, but to watch in suspense as the car, boat or airplane that we've invested time and money in fails to respond and inevitably crashes is just so disheartening.
One of the very first radio control planes I bought many years ago came with it's own RC transmitter, just a 2 channel unit. The plane itself was all plastic and I had a tough time getting it to fly because it was so heavy but eventually it took to the air. But not for long because the transmitter range was so short that within minutes my little toy plane disappeared into the blue yonder!
After that experience, I made sure that I had a "real" radio with a well known brand name like Airtronics, Futaba, Hitec or JR. In fact, my current RC transmitter is a JR 652 computer radio and I love it not just for the extra bells and whistles but because of it's quality workmanship...I've never lost anymore models due to a cheap radio!!
So if you're just starting out in model airplanes, I heartily recommend the high quality 4 channel
JR radios
because they will do 90% of what you need without complaint such as rudder, elevator, ailerons and throttle. Update: I now consider the
Hitec Laser 4 transmitter
an even better value because it features the very useful v-tail and elevon mixing functions all at an incredibly low price!
Once you've got some flight time under your belt and more than one model to fly, consider the advantages of multiple setups for those different models, and separate end point adjustments on both high and low throttle making idle and high-end setting a snap.
Other features will include a trainer system, servo reverse on all channels, mixing functions, landing gear and a rechargeable battery.
I've found a great selection of makes and models of RC transmitter with competitive pricing and must-have reliability at both the RC Discounts and HobbyTron online merchants so you'll be confident of complete control whenever you take to the skies!
Learn all about radio control sail boats here
Radio Control Sail Boats Explained
(All links open new windows)
The uniqueness of
radio control sail boats
is that they depend on the wind for their propulsion and speed. The radio controller allows you to maneuver the boats direction by guiding the rudder, but there is no power motor on any RC sailboats.
Understanding the anatomy of a radio control sail boat is the first step in understanding how a sail boat works.
Listed below are the main components:
Rigging This is the general term for the ropes that provide support and/or control of components such as booms and sails.
Mast The mast is the long upward beam providing central support for the sails. The top of the main mast is generally the tallest point of the sailboat. If a true sailboat has a crows nest, or lookout, this is located on the main mast.
Mainsail This one is the largest of the sails, which are pieces of cloth used to catch wind and propel the boat. The design on a main sail is often the signature of a radio control sail boat.
Jib The jib is a smaller sail, often located towards the front of the boat from the main sail.
Boom This horizontal beam found below the sail keeps the sail spread out and controls its rotational motion.
Stays These are the rigging pieces that prevent fore and aft movement of the masts.
Mainsheet This is a rigging piece that affects the shape of the main sail. The mainsheet is tightened or loosened to achieve the desired results.
Jib sheet This is a rigging piece that affects the shape of the jib sail.
Transom The transom is the flat, back portion of the radio control sail boat.
Hull The hull describes the part of the boat that sits in the water.
Deck This is flat surface creating the top of the hull.
Keel The keel extrudes from the bottom of boat and holds the ballast.
Ballast This is the weight used for balancing the boat.
Rudder The rudder is located in the back of the boat, hangs into the water, and is the device used for steering.
Stern This is the rear portion of the boat
Bow This is the front portion of the boat
Helm The helm is the mechanism that provides operation of the rudder
Another part of radio control sail boats you should know are the directions in their nautical terms:
Fore means to the front of the boat
Starboard means to the right of the boat, if you are facing the direction the boat is traveling
Port means to the left of the boat, if you are facing the direction the boat is traveling
Aft means to the rear of the boat
Awash means level with the water
Inboard anything located entirely inside the hull
Outboard anything located entirely outside the hull
Now that you have the basic vocabulary to get your feet wet in the world of radio control sail boats, let's take you the next step.
SAILING TIPS:
When you take your
RC sail boat
to the lake, don't forget your boat stand. This is an important accessory to support and protect your boat as you prepare for sailing. While the boat is on the stand, make sure the sails are faced directly into the wind to prevent it from being blown over.
Before you begin sailing, check to see whether anyone else around the lake is operating a boat of any kind. You'll need to check with any other RC operators to avoid frequency conflicts.
Before placing your boat in the water, turn on your radio transmitter and double check all the linkages and rigging.
With the radio transmitter on, check the operation of the radio control sail boats servos and rigging.
With the sailboat still on the stand, check the operation of the rudder.
Check the operation of the sail winch making certain that when the transmitter stick is down, the boat's sails are fully hauled in.
Once you've double-checked the rigging and controls, you're ready to place your yacht in the water. Make certain that you select a location where the water is deep enough to accept the full length of the keel and ballast.
To save the boat from capsizing in a squall (a blast of wind) or to bring it to an abrupt halt, simply turn it directly into the wind.
It's always handy to have a large hypodermic syringe as water will eventually get into your boat and need to be bailed out. A foot or so of " soft plastic tube fitted to the syringe will aid in bailing.
Attach a small flag to the top of the radio control sail boats mast to tell you which direction the wind is coming from.
And finally, try sailing your maiden voyages on shallow ponds no more than a couple of feet deep just in case the unthinkable happens and you have to go in after it!
Enjoy your hobby!!
(All links open new windows)
The uniqueness of
radio control sail boats
is that they depend on the wind for their propulsion and speed. The radio controller allows you to maneuver the boats direction by guiding the rudder, but there is no power motor on any RC sailboats.
Understanding the anatomy of a radio control sail boat is the first step in understanding how a sail boat works.
Listed below are the main components:
Rigging This is the general term for the ropes that provide support and/or control of components such as booms and sails.
Mast The mast is the long upward beam providing central support for the sails. The top of the main mast is generally the tallest point of the sailboat. If a true sailboat has a crows nest, or lookout, this is located on the main mast.
Mainsail This one is the largest of the sails, which are pieces of cloth used to catch wind and propel the boat. The design on a main sail is often the signature of a radio control sail boat.
Jib The jib is a smaller sail, often located towards the front of the boat from the main sail.
Boom This horizontal beam found below the sail keeps the sail spread out and controls its rotational motion.
Stays These are the rigging pieces that prevent fore and aft movement of the masts.
Mainsheet This is a rigging piece that affects the shape of the main sail. The mainsheet is tightened or loosened to achieve the desired results.
Jib sheet This is a rigging piece that affects the shape of the jib sail.
Transom The transom is the flat, back portion of the radio control sail boat.
Hull The hull describes the part of the boat that sits in the water.
Deck This is flat surface creating the top of the hull.
Keel The keel extrudes from the bottom of boat and holds the ballast.
Ballast This is the weight used for balancing the boat.
Rudder The rudder is located in the back of the boat, hangs into the water, and is the device used for steering.
Stern This is the rear portion of the boat
Bow This is the front portion of the boat
Helm The helm is the mechanism that provides operation of the rudder
Another part of radio control sail boats you should know are the directions in their nautical terms:
Fore means to the front of the boat
Starboard means to the right of the boat, if you are facing the direction the boat is traveling
Port means to the left of the boat, if you are facing the direction the boat is traveling
Aft means to the rear of the boat
Awash means level with the water
Inboard anything located entirely inside the hull
Outboard anything located entirely outside the hull
Now that you have the basic vocabulary to get your feet wet in the world of radio control sail boats, let's take you the next step.
SAILING TIPS:
When you take your
RC sail boat
to the lake, don't forget your boat stand. This is an important accessory to support and protect your boat as you prepare for sailing. While the boat is on the stand, make sure the sails are faced directly into the wind to prevent it from being blown over.
Before you begin sailing, check to see whether anyone else around the lake is operating a boat of any kind. You'll need to check with any other RC operators to avoid frequency conflicts.
Before placing your boat in the water, turn on your radio transmitter and double check all the linkages and rigging.
With the radio transmitter on, check the operation of the radio control sail boats servos and rigging.
With the sailboat still on the stand, check the operation of the rudder.
Check the operation of the sail winch making certain that when the transmitter stick is down, the boat's sails are fully hauled in.
Once you've double-checked the rigging and controls, you're ready to place your yacht in the water. Make certain that you select a location where the water is deep enough to accept the full length of the keel and ballast.
To save the boat from capsizing in a squall (a blast of wind) or to bring it to an abrupt halt, simply turn it directly into the wind.
It's always handy to have a large hypodermic syringe as water will eventually get into your boat and need to be bailed out. A foot or so of " soft plastic tube fitted to the syringe will aid in bailing.
Attach a small flag to the top of the radio control sail boats mast to tell you which direction the wind is coming from.
And finally, try sailing your maiden voyages on shallow ponds no more than a couple of feet deep just in case the unthinkable happens and you have to go in after it!
Enjoy your hobby!!
Nov 29, 2008
RC News Subscription
Wait, Don't Miss Out!
Before you go, I just want to let you know about my quarterly (March, June, Sept, Dec) RC newsletter chock full of the latest information and reviews about all aspects of our wonderful hobby.
I also occasionally have awesome specials on sale that only my loyal readers hear about...enjoy!
E-mail Address
First Name
Then
Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you RC News.
Before you go, I just want to let you know about my quarterly (March, June, Sept, Dec) RC newsletter chock full of the latest information and reviews about all aspects of our wonderful hobby.
I also occasionally have awesome specials on sale that only my loyal readers hear about...enjoy!
E-mail Address
First Name
Then
Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you RC News.
Radio control jets information
Exploring Radio Control Jets
(All links open new windows)
Radio control jets
are a fascinating and growing segment of radio control model aircraft. Even if you are an avid radio control enthusiast, you may be amazed by the level of detailed construction that some of the jets have on the market today.
Radio control jets come in all shapes and sizes, many fashioned as replicas of some of the top combat jets flown throughout the world. Much of the realism of these jet models comes from the fact that they have highly detailed cockpit features with lifelike model pilots at the helm. All of this detail is made visual by a clear canopy covering the cockpit.
If you are just looking for the basics in radio control jets, the two main differences in jet models are the construction material and the type of engines they use.
The construction material of radio control jets varies with the manufacturer, but they can be classified into three major categories. The first types are the balsa wood models. These are made with a mainly wooden frame onto which the other components are attached. These balsa wood models can be made very realistic, and they are fairly lightweight when complete.
The second type of RC jets are fiberglass models. These are a bit heavier but much more durable in construction. They are generally built from preformed fiberglass pieces. A lot of your beginner radio control jets are made from this type of construction.
The third, newest form is the injection-molded model jet. These jets have pieces that are made of plastic, which is melted and forced into the shape of various molds. This method of construction allows the plastic to be formed into tighter curves and more lifelike and aerodynamic model jet parts.
Another difference in radio control jets is the engine type. Some of the more basic jets have a ducted fan powered by a an electric motor or else a glow-type model aircraft engine. Other models are powered by turbine engines. These turbine engines are exactly what they sound like real jet engines.
Its important to note that the engine choice of an aircraft is not an afterthought. It is an essential part of the aircrafts design. You cant put a turbine engine on just any radio control jet. A turbine engine must be supported by a very structurally sound model jet frame. There is a lot of speed and vibration associated with a turbine engine, and your model has to be up to the physical strain.
*An important consideration of turbine engines is safety. A turbine engine requires a heavier fuel load, and it operates at high temperatures. If a jet with a turbine engine crashes, fire is likely to follow. If you are operating a turbine engine jet, be sure to carry along a proper fire extinguisher and keep your distance from spectators.
Radio control aircraft can be a fun and exciting hobby. And if you are into speed, radio control jets may be just what you are looking for.
(All links open new windows)
Radio control jets
are a fascinating and growing segment of radio control model aircraft. Even if you are an avid radio control enthusiast, you may be amazed by the level of detailed construction that some of the jets have on the market today.
Radio control jets come in all shapes and sizes, many fashioned as replicas of some of the top combat jets flown throughout the world. Much of the realism of these jet models comes from the fact that they have highly detailed cockpit features with lifelike model pilots at the helm. All of this detail is made visual by a clear canopy covering the cockpit.
If you are just looking for the basics in radio control jets, the two main differences in jet models are the construction material and the type of engines they use.
The construction material of radio control jets varies with the manufacturer, but they can be classified into three major categories. The first types are the balsa wood models. These are made with a mainly wooden frame onto which the other components are attached. These balsa wood models can be made very realistic, and they are fairly lightweight when complete.
The second type of RC jets are fiberglass models. These are a bit heavier but much more durable in construction. They are generally built from preformed fiberglass pieces. A lot of your beginner radio control jets are made from this type of construction.
The third, newest form is the injection-molded model jet. These jets have pieces that are made of plastic, which is melted and forced into the shape of various molds. This method of construction allows the plastic to be formed into tighter curves and more lifelike and aerodynamic model jet parts.
Another difference in radio control jets is the engine type. Some of the more basic jets have a ducted fan powered by a an electric motor or else a glow-type model aircraft engine. Other models are powered by turbine engines. These turbine engines are exactly what they sound like real jet engines.
Its important to note that the engine choice of an aircraft is not an afterthought. It is an essential part of the aircrafts design. You cant put a turbine engine on just any radio control jet. A turbine engine must be supported by a very structurally sound model jet frame. There is a lot of speed and vibration associated with a turbine engine, and your model has to be up to the physical strain.
*An important consideration of turbine engines is safety. A turbine engine requires a heavier fuel load, and it operates at high temperatures. If a jet with a turbine engine crashes, fire is likely to follow. If you are operating a turbine engine jet, be sure to carry along a proper fire extinguisher and keep your distance from spectators.
Radio control aircraft can be a fun and exciting hobby. And if you are into speed, radio control jets may be just what you are looking for.
Oct 28, 2008
RC Electric Planes
The Latest RC Electric Planes Information
(All links open new windows)
RC electric planes
are silent and clean which not only make them a joy to fly but they tend to find greater acceptance from neighbours. And with recent advances in electronics and battery technology, there is now a huge selection of designs to choose from. Merchants like HobbyTron carry enough different electric RC planes to suit anyone's needs.
If you've never flown RC before, and you want to start with an electric plane rather than a pure glider, I recommend RC electric planes gliders for several reasons.
They're simple to build and simple to operate because most use only two controls...rudder and elevator.
They fly naturally and easily because of their large wingspan with plenty of dihedral (the upward angle of the wings from the fuselage).
They cost much less!
When reviewing RC electric planes, you'll have the choice of high wing design and low wing design. In a high wing design, the weight of the electric RC airplane model is suspended below the wing. When the model tilts, it's weight tries to return it to a level position. As a result, high-wing models tend to be more stable, easier to fly and natural choices for trainers.
Gliders are an example of high-wing design electric radio control airplanes. A low-wing model is just the opposite. With its weight above the wing, it tends to be less stable. Many scale RC electric planes are modelled after WWII fighters and they're an excellent choice for advanced fliers who want to perform rolls, loops and other aerobatic maneuvers.
So if you're just starting out, stay away from those sleek, fast, scale jobs ! They look nice and fly hard, and those are the last things you want in your first RC electric planes. Stick to the trainers - they might not look as glamourous, but they will make you a much better pilot. On top of that, trainers usually cost less to buy and to replace in the event of a crash.
On the other hand, if you're a seasoned pilot, then you'll feel like a kid in a candy shop as you browse through the wide array of electric rc airplane models in the online stores!
Kits vs. Prebuilts
Until recently, most RC electric planes came in kits consisting of a box full of parts, a set of plans, an instruction manual and some hardware. These kits remain very popular with modelers who enjoy the challenge of putting them together as much as actually flying them.
Depending on the kit, however, assembly can take weeks or even months to complete, and also requires many specialized tools. Hobbyists are now turning to "prebuilt" RC electric planes models as another way to enjoy R/C flight for several reasons including a shortage of leisure time.
ARF: "Almost Ready-to-Fly" - most can be completed and flight-ready with as little as 16-20 hours of assembly. Major structures such as the wing halves, fuselage, and tail fins all come entirely built and covered.
RTF: "Ready-to-Fly" - these are the ticket if you want a model that's ready to fly in as little as 20 minutes after you open the box. You'll still have to complete a few final assembly steps, but far less than even ARFs require.
This craze of RC electric planes started with the Mabuchi 380 motor just a few years ago. Today, electric power has developed to a stage where the power output of motors like Hacker Brushless, can rival and exceed glow engines. And as battery technology improves, so does the endurance of these electric rc planes.
For instance, with the latest Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) batteries, some RC electric planes models have over 30 minutes of full power aerobatics on one charge...Wow!
Learning to Fly
The single most important aspect of learning to fly electric rc planes is getting an instructor. R/C pilots are friendly, and most will gladly teach you for free. An instructor does not have to be certified to any particular standard but must be a competent experienced RC pilot who is capable of giving instructions on an electric radio control airplane...with patience.
Many people think that flying RC models is easy enough that it can be learned without an instructor and many have succeeded but at great expense. With an instructor, you'll learn to fly rc electric planes faster and with more confidence than if you start out solo.
To find an instructor, check with hobbyist friends, hobby shops and check the phone book for flying clubs.
If you live in the United States, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) in Muncie, Indiana can be very helpful too. Visit their website at Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and ask for the locations of clubs near you.
For those readers in Canada, goto the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) for information.
I hope this information proved helpful in your research and decision making. A lot of the fun in any hobby like, RC electric planes, is looking at what's available and then anticipating the arrival of your product.
I'm confident that the carefully chosen merchants that I link to will provide you with outstanding customer service and pricing...enjoy!
(All links open new windows)
RC electric planes
are silent and clean which not only make them a joy to fly but they tend to find greater acceptance from neighbours. And with recent advances in electronics and battery technology, there is now a huge selection of designs to choose from. Merchants like HobbyTron carry enough different electric RC planes to suit anyone's needs.
If you've never flown RC before, and you want to start with an electric plane rather than a pure glider, I recommend RC electric planes gliders for several reasons.
They're simple to build and simple to operate because most use only two controls...rudder and elevator.
They fly naturally and easily because of their large wingspan with plenty of dihedral (the upward angle of the wings from the fuselage).
They cost much less!
When reviewing RC electric planes, you'll have the choice of high wing design and low wing design. In a high wing design, the weight of the electric RC airplane model is suspended below the wing. When the model tilts, it's weight tries to return it to a level position. As a result, high-wing models tend to be more stable, easier to fly and natural choices for trainers.
Gliders are an example of high-wing design electric radio control airplanes. A low-wing model is just the opposite. With its weight above the wing, it tends to be less stable. Many scale RC electric planes are modelled after WWII fighters and they're an excellent choice for advanced fliers who want to perform rolls, loops and other aerobatic maneuvers.
So if you're just starting out, stay away from those sleek, fast, scale jobs ! They look nice and fly hard, and those are the last things you want in your first RC electric planes. Stick to the trainers - they might not look as glamourous, but they will make you a much better pilot. On top of that, trainers usually cost less to buy and to replace in the event of a crash.
On the other hand, if you're a seasoned pilot, then you'll feel like a kid in a candy shop as you browse through the wide array of electric rc airplane models in the online stores!
Kits vs. Prebuilts
Until recently, most RC electric planes came in kits consisting of a box full of parts, a set of plans, an instruction manual and some hardware. These kits remain very popular with modelers who enjoy the challenge of putting them together as much as actually flying them.
Depending on the kit, however, assembly can take weeks or even months to complete, and also requires many specialized tools. Hobbyists are now turning to "prebuilt" RC electric planes models as another way to enjoy R/C flight for several reasons including a shortage of leisure time.
ARF: "Almost Ready-to-Fly" - most can be completed and flight-ready with as little as 16-20 hours of assembly. Major structures such as the wing halves, fuselage, and tail fins all come entirely built and covered.
RTF: "Ready-to-Fly" - these are the ticket if you want a model that's ready to fly in as little as 20 minutes after you open the box. You'll still have to complete a few final assembly steps, but far less than even ARFs require.
This craze of RC electric planes started with the Mabuchi 380 motor just a few years ago. Today, electric power has developed to a stage where the power output of motors like Hacker Brushless, can rival and exceed glow engines. And as battery technology improves, so does the endurance of these electric rc planes.
For instance, with the latest Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) batteries, some RC electric planes models have over 30 minutes of full power aerobatics on one charge...Wow!
Learning to Fly
The single most important aspect of learning to fly electric rc planes is getting an instructor. R/C pilots are friendly, and most will gladly teach you for free. An instructor does not have to be certified to any particular standard but must be a competent experienced RC pilot who is capable of giving instructions on an electric radio control airplane...with patience.
Many people think that flying RC models is easy enough that it can be learned without an instructor and many have succeeded but at great expense. With an instructor, you'll learn to fly rc electric planes faster and with more confidence than if you start out solo.
To find an instructor, check with hobbyist friends, hobby shops and check the phone book for flying clubs.
If you live in the United States, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) in Muncie, Indiana can be very helpful too. Visit their website at Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and ask for the locations of clubs near you.
For those readers in Canada, goto the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) for information.
I hope this information proved helpful in your research and decision making. A lot of the fun in any hobby like, RC electric planes, is looking at what's available and then anticipating the arrival of your product.
I'm confident that the carefully chosen merchants that I link to will provide you with outstanding customer service and pricing...enjoy!
Oct 27, 2008
An RC snowmobile is hot fun
Get an RC snowmobile for winter fun!
An
RC snowmobile
can be a great investment for some serious winter fun! If you live in an area that gets lots of snow during the winter months, you know just how boring you can be cooped up in the house with little to do, just itching for some outside entertainment.If you are already an RC user, then you know just how much fun remote controls are. Trouble is, almost all RC cars and trucks are simply not designed built for winter. The slush and water create a problem for the servos and within minutes you no longer have control. Add to that the problem of not being able to gain any traction because of the tires and using your summer RC vehicles becomes impossible. But when you invest in an RC snowmobile all of those problems become a thing of the past, because these vehicles are designed for winter. So you know what that means? It means you are going to have hours of fun out in the snow. What a great way to help speed winter along.There are a variety of different electric remote control snowmobiles that are on the market, many scaled from the real thing. Take for example the Ski-Doo Fusion 900, which is the mini model, of the real thing. Many of these electric models are very realistic looking with attention to detail. They come with a 9.6V battery pack or 7.2V battery pack. Although the electric models are a lot of fun, performance is minimal and so is the excitement level. They are an excellent starter RC snowmobile but if you really want a rush youll want to invest in a nitro powered version.If you invest in a nitro model get ready to enjoy an aggressively designed snowmobile thats ready to race through the backcountry, or race against your friends. Because of the speed associated with the nitro units its not the best starter option. You should spend some time at slower speeds learning how your snowmobile responds to the remote controls. That way youll save yourself a lot of downtime doing repairs. Actually if you crack up at high speeds you could destroy your snowmobile and your winter fun. The nitro remote control snowmobile are more geared towards adult modeler or a very mature teen modeler. The sound effects of the nitro make it very real, and there is no question that their high performance makes them a great choice for that higher level of excitement. So you see, winter doesnt have to be boring and you dont have to spend your days wishing spring would arrive. Instead, grab your boots and mittens, get off the coach, and get outside to enjoy your RC snowmobile, packed with hours of entertainment and get ready for an adrenalin rush! Youll forget all about those winter blues.
An
RC snowmobile
can be a great investment for some serious winter fun! If you live in an area that gets lots of snow during the winter months, you know just how boring you can be cooped up in the house with little to do, just itching for some outside entertainment.If you are already an RC user, then you know just how much fun remote controls are. Trouble is, almost all RC cars and trucks are simply not designed built for winter. The slush and water create a problem for the servos and within minutes you no longer have control. Add to that the problem of not being able to gain any traction because of the tires and using your summer RC vehicles becomes impossible. But when you invest in an RC snowmobile all of those problems become a thing of the past, because these vehicles are designed for winter. So you know what that means? It means you are going to have hours of fun out in the snow. What a great way to help speed winter along.There are a variety of different electric remote control snowmobiles that are on the market, many scaled from the real thing. Take for example the Ski-Doo Fusion 900, which is the mini model, of the real thing. Many of these electric models are very realistic looking with attention to detail. They come with a 9.6V battery pack or 7.2V battery pack. Although the electric models are a lot of fun, performance is minimal and so is the excitement level. They are an excellent starter RC snowmobile but if you really want a rush youll want to invest in a nitro powered version.If you invest in a nitro model get ready to enjoy an aggressively designed snowmobile thats ready to race through the backcountry, or race against your friends. Because of the speed associated with the nitro units its not the best starter option. You should spend some time at slower speeds learning how your snowmobile responds to the remote controls. That way youll save yourself a lot of downtime doing repairs. Actually if you crack up at high speeds you could destroy your snowmobile and your winter fun. The nitro remote control snowmobile are more geared towards adult modeler or a very mature teen modeler. The sound effects of the nitro make it very real, and there is no question that their high performance makes them a great choice for that higher level of excitement. So you see, winter doesnt have to be boring and you dont have to spend your days wishing spring would arrive. Instead, grab your boots and mittens, get off the coach, and get outside to enjoy your RC snowmobile, packed with hours of entertainment and get ready for an adrenalin rush! Youll forget all about those winter blues.
Safety with radio control planes
Radio Control Planes Safety Tips
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An important aspect of flying
radio control planes
is adherence to safety regulations. The AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) has its own safety rules, as do most clubs. Contests may have their own set of specific rules as well.
The following is a brief list of some of the general safety issues each pilot needs to address for the safe and enjoyable participation in this hobby. Remember that safety isnt just about you; its also about all of the fellow pilots and the spectators that expect their experience to be safe and enjoyable as well.
Your responsibility to safety begins with a preflight check of your radio control plane. The things to check for are:
Cracks in the plane components
Repairs that appear to be worn out or in need of more attention
The propellers. If you remove the propellers for transport, it is very important to remount it in the correct orientation. Also, any deformation or gouges in the propeller can affect how the plane responds to its controls. A bad prop is a bad plane. Also, propellers are difficult to fix back to new, so your best bet is to get a brand new one and enjoy the precision control you are looking for.
The engine, battery, servos, and other components. Check to see that these are securely fastened to the plane. Check the tightness of screws and bolts.
In general, make sure everything that is not supposed to move doesnt, and everything that is supposed to move does so in a controlled fashion. For example, make sure propellers spin but that they dont wobble. Also make sure the battery is charged and the connectors are all connected properly.
Once you have finished your preflight check, there are a few more safety tips to consider.
The most important: check the frequencies of other radio control planes or other radio control craft in the area. Most sites designated for the use of radio control craft have a board where frequencies are reported. Check to make sure you arent about to create chaos by launching a craft in a frequency already being used. If there is a pilot with the same frequency, share airtime so that you both can enjoy the day.
Keep spectators at a distance when you are starting your plane. For that matter, keep your plane away from spectators during all times of operation. A low fly by near people may look good in the movies, but it is not very appreciated in the radio control planes world. There are too many opportunities for parts to come loose or the plane to simply reel out of control creating a dangerous situation for someone who just wants to see some good flying. Dont endanger other people.
For your own safety, keep body parts, loose clothing, or anything for that matter away from the propellers of your radio control planes. Make necessary adjustments to the craft from behind the plane.
This may seem like a lot of rules, but the main purpose is to make radio control planes enjoyable for the pilots as well as the spectators. Taking the extra precautions can mean the difference between a wonderful and a painful day of flying. These precautions help keep your plane in tact as well so you can come back for another round.
(All links open new windows)
An important aspect of flying
radio control planes
is adherence to safety regulations. The AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) has its own safety rules, as do most clubs. Contests may have their own set of specific rules as well.
The following is a brief list of some of the general safety issues each pilot needs to address for the safe and enjoyable participation in this hobby. Remember that safety isnt just about you; its also about all of the fellow pilots and the spectators that expect their experience to be safe and enjoyable as well.
Your responsibility to safety begins with a preflight check of your radio control plane. The things to check for are:
Cracks in the plane components
Repairs that appear to be worn out or in need of more attention
The propellers. If you remove the propellers for transport, it is very important to remount it in the correct orientation. Also, any deformation or gouges in the propeller can affect how the plane responds to its controls. A bad prop is a bad plane. Also, propellers are difficult to fix back to new, so your best bet is to get a brand new one and enjoy the precision control you are looking for.
The engine, battery, servos, and other components. Check to see that these are securely fastened to the plane. Check the tightness of screws and bolts.
In general, make sure everything that is not supposed to move doesnt, and everything that is supposed to move does so in a controlled fashion. For example, make sure propellers spin but that they dont wobble. Also make sure the battery is charged and the connectors are all connected properly.
Once you have finished your preflight check, there are a few more safety tips to consider.
The most important: check the frequencies of other radio control planes or other radio control craft in the area. Most sites designated for the use of radio control craft have a board where frequencies are reported. Check to make sure you arent about to create chaos by launching a craft in a frequency already being used. If there is a pilot with the same frequency, share airtime so that you both can enjoy the day.
Keep spectators at a distance when you are starting your plane. For that matter, keep your plane away from spectators during all times of operation. A low fly by near people may look good in the movies, but it is not very appreciated in the radio control planes world. There are too many opportunities for parts to come loose or the plane to simply reel out of control creating a dangerous situation for someone who just wants to see some good flying. Dont endanger other people.
For your own safety, keep body parts, loose clothing, or anything for that matter away from the propellers of your radio control planes. Make necessary adjustments to the craft from behind the plane.
This may seem like a lot of rules, but the main purpose is to make radio control planes enjoyable for the pilots as well as the spectators. Taking the extra precautions can mean the difference between a wonderful and a painful day of flying. These precautions help keep your plane in tact as well so you can come back for another round.
Electric radio control cars information
Gas Versus Electric Radio Control Cars
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If you're trying to choose from many
electric radio control cars
you wish to buy or build, you're probably curious about the different aspects of gas and electric cars. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, and its helpful to know their differences before you embark on your selection journey.
One of the obvious differences between
gas powered radio control cars
and electric radio control cars is the gas power versus the battery power. Electric cars dont have the logistics of fuel to contend with, which can be a messy part of gas powered cars. Gas powered cars, however, can attain higher speeds than their electric counterparts and attract many radio control racers because of this fact.
Another difference between the two is the amount of maintenance necessary to maintain the vehicle. Electric radio control cars require a lot less maintenance than gas powered radio control cars and this draws a lot of people towards the electric models. There are, however, some people for whom the maintenance is half (if not more) of the fun. They love to tinker with the gas powered cars and wouldnt give them up for the simplicity of the electric radio control cars. This is purely an individual thing, and you have to weigh your own feelings about maintenance against the different type of car.
The ability to run indoors and outdoors can be a benefit of electric radio control cars. Due to the exhaust of the gas powered models, they are not practical for use indoors. Electric radio control models are perfectly suited for indoor use, depending on the size of the model compared to the size and openness of your indoor space. Another factor that affects the ability of a gas powered car to run indoors as well as some outdoor areas is the noise. Gas powered cars are definitely noisier than their electric car counterparts, and this is something to take into consideration depending on the location you will be operating your car.
One area that the gas powered cars have a great advantage over electric radio control cars is the running time. Electric cars have limited time on their batteries, often as low as ten minutes on a single charge. After that time you either have to change the battery inside the car, or find a place to park the car while it charges. Batteries arent difficult to change, but its easier to purchase and carry a couple of bottles of nitro fuel than a bag full of rechargeable batteries. Gas powered cars have fair running times on a tank of gas, and can be easily refueled on the sidelines and quickly ready to hit the streets again.
Both gas and electric radio control cars have their pros and cons, and you just have to consider those against what you are looking for in your radio control vehicle. And if you just cant decide which of the types you like best, you can always get one of each to fit your mood!
(All links open new windows)
If you're trying to choose from many
electric radio control cars
you wish to buy or build, you're probably curious about the different aspects of gas and electric cars. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, and its helpful to know their differences before you embark on your selection journey.
One of the obvious differences between
gas powered radio control cars
and electric radio control cars is the gas power versus the battery power. Electric cars dont have the logistics of fuel to contend with, which can be a messy part of gas powered cars. Gas powered cars, however, can attain higher speeds than their electric counterparts and attract many radio control racers because of this fact.
Another difference between the two is the amount of maintenance necessary to maintain the vehicle. Electric radio control cars require a lot less maintenance than gas powered radio control cars and this draws a lot of people towards the electric models. There are, however, some people for whom the maintenance is half (if not more) of the fun. They love to tinker with the gas powered cars and wouldnt give them up for the simplicity of the electric radio control cars. This is purely an individual thing, and you have to weigh your own feelings about maintenance against the different type of car.
The ability to run indoors and outdoors can be a benefit of electric radio control cars. Due to the exhaust of the gas powered models, they are not practical for use indoors. Electric radio control models are perfectly suited for indoor use, depending on the size of the model compared to the size and openness of your indoor space. Another factor that affects the ability of a gas powered car to run indoors as well as some outdoor areas is the noise. Gas powered cars are definitely noisier than their electric car counterparts, and this is something to take into consideration depending on the location you will be operating your car.
One area that the gas powered cars have a great advantage over electric radio control cars is the running time. Electric cars have limited time on their batteries, often as low as ten minutes on a single charge. After that time you either have to change the battery inside the car, or find a place to park the car while it charges. Batteries arent difficult to change, but its easier to purchase and carry a couple of bottles of nitro fuel than a bag full of rechargeable batteries. Gas powered cars have fair running times on a tank of gas, and can be easily refueled on the sidelines and quickly ready to hit the streets again.
Both gas and electric radio control cars have their pros and cons, and you just have to consider those against what you are looking for in your radio control vehicle. And if you just cant decide which of the types you like best, you can always get one of each to fit your mood!
Electric radio control cars information
Gas Versus Electric Radio Control Cars
(All links open new windows)
If you're trying to choose from many
electric radio control cars
you wish to buy or build, you're probably curious about the different aspects of gas and electric cars. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, and its helpful to know their differences before you embark on your selection journey.
One of the obvious differences between
gas powered radio control cars
and electric radio control cars is the gas power versus the battery power. Electric cars dont have the logistics of fuel to contend with, which can be a messy part of gas powered cars. Gas powered cars, however, can attain higher speeds than their electric counterparts and attract many radio control racers because of this fact.
Another difference between the two is the amount of maintenance necessary to maintain the vehicle. Electric radio control cars require a lot less maintenance than gas powered radio control cars and this draws a lot of people towards the electric models. There are, however, some people for whom the maintenance is half (if not more) of the fun. They love to tinker with the gas powered cars and wouldnt give them up for the simplicity of the electric radio control cars. This is purely an individual thing, and you have to weigh your own feelings about maintenance against the different type of car.
The ability to run indoors and outdoors can be a benefit of electric radio control cars. Due to the exhaust of the gas powered models, they are not practical for use indoors. Electric radio control models are perfectly suited for indoor use, depending on the size of the model compared to the size and openness of your indoor space. Another factor that affects the ability of a gas powered car to run indoors as well as some outdoor areas is the noise. Gas powered cars are definitely noisier than their electric car counterparts, and this is something to take into consideration depending on the location you will be operating your car.
One area that the gas powered cars have a great advantage over electric radio control cars is the running time. Electric cars have limited time on their batteries, often as low as ten minutes on a single charge. After that time you either have to change the battery inside the car, or find a place to park the car while it charges. Batteries arent difficult to change, but its easier to purchase and carry a couple of bottles of nitro fuel than a bag full of rechargeable batteries. Gas powered cars have fair running times on a tank of gas, and can be easily refueled on the sidelines and quickly ready to hit the streets again.
Both gas and electric radio control cars have their pros and cons, and you just have to consider those against what you are looking for in your radio control vehicle. And if you just cant decide which of the types you like best, you can always get one of each to fit your mood!
(All links open new windows)
If you're trying to choose from many
electric radio control cars
you wish to buy or build, you're probably curious about the different aspects of gas and electric cars. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, and its helpful to know their differences before you embark on your selection journey.
One of the obvious differences between
gas powered radio control cars
and electric radio control cars is the gas power versus the battery power. Electric cars dont have the logistics of fuel to contend with, which can be a messy part of gas powered cars. Gas powered cars, however, can attain higher speeds than their electric counterparts and attract many radio control racers because of this fact.
Another difference between the two is the amount of maintenance necessary to maintain the vehicle. Electric radio control cars require a lot less maintenance than gas powered radio control cars and this draws a lot of people towards the electric models. There are, however, some people for whom the maintenance is half (if not more) of the fun. They love to tinker with the gas powered cars and wouldnt give them up for the simplicity of the electric radio control cars. This is purely an individual thing, and you have to weigh your own feelings about maintenance against the different type of car.
The ability to run indoors and outdoors can be a benefit of electric radio control cars. Due to the exhaust of the gas powered models, they are not practical for use indoors. Electric radio control models are perfectly suited for indoor use, depending on the size of the model compared to the size and openness of your indoor space. Another factor that affects the ability of a gas powered car to run indoors as well as some outdoor areas is the noise. Gas powered cars are definitely noisier than their electric car counterparts, and this is something to take into consideration depending on the location you will be operating your car.
One area that the gas powered cars have a great advantage over electric radio control cars is the running time. Electric cars have limited time on their batteries, often as low as ten minutes on a single charge. After that time you either have to change the battery inside the car, or find a place to park the car while it charges. Batteries arent difficult to change, but its easier to purchase and carry a couple of bottles of nitro fuel than a bag full of rechargeable batteries. Gas powered cars have fair running times on a tank of gas, and can be easily refueled on the sidelines and quickly ready to hit the streets again.
Both gas and electric radio control cars have their pros and cons, and you just have to consider those against what you are looking for in your radio control vehicle. And if you just cant decide which of the types you like best, you can always get one of each to fit your mood!
Oct 26, 2008
About the nitro remote control tank
Ready for a nitro remote control tank?
The nitro
remote control tank
heightens the adrenaline rush because of its ability to go off road and climb just about anything. So are you ready for it?Nitro actually stands for nitro methane and Nitro RC is the driving force behind much of the RC industry. Your RC tank is one of those vehicles that are going to have you addicted to the head turning mini roar sounds. Its just so real. The nitro remote control tank is a popular choice because of it's versatility and realistic features. Take the German Panther Tank or the type 90 tank. Just a couple of the tanks that look like the real thing, just a smaller version thanks to the attention to detail.But there is more. Many of these RC tanks have some very innovative technology which may include a laser and thermal guide gun and turret controls. The automatic target tracking makes it a whole lot of fun out in the back country where you and the friends are busy playing military games. There is even a night vision range integrated into the FCS and the night vision thermal image system. These new generation tanks are designed for hours of fun. Its more than just running a tank across the ground; it can be a great strategy game with friends.Now that you are ready to go shopping for your nitro remote control tank there are a few things you should know. If you buy an in the box tank it should include everything you need to get going, although not all kits are complete so be sure to read the package carefully. You might also decide to buy an unassembled tank, which means there are likely some additional pieces youll need to get your tank on the road. To run your nitro remote control tank you will need two servos, radio control receiver, and nitro engine, as well as a way to start the engine. You will also need the right fuel. The first time its always best to buy a nitro kit thats complete with everything. Then you can just replace as needed.The nitro engine is the core of your tank so once you get the engine tuned and running smoothly, its just needs to be maintained regularly. There are many different engine break in methods. Unless youve broken a nitro engine in previously, follow the instructions for breaking in and tuning your engine if they are included.Your nitro engine will require regular maintenance to keep it performing well. You will also need to check the tracks, shocks, and other tank parts.You are going to have hours of fun with your nitro remote control tank. Whether you are playing military games in the back country or just having some fun climbing around the dunes, youll have plenty of adrenaline rushes with your new toy.
The nitro
remote control tank
heightens the adrenaline rush because of its ability to go off road and climb just about anything. So are you ready for it?Nitro actually stands for nitro methane and Nitro RC is the driving force behind much of the RC industry. Your RC tank is one of those vehicles that are going to have you addicted to the head turning mini roar sounds. Its just so real. The nitro remote control tank is a popular choice because of it's versatility and realistic features. Take the German Panther Tank or the type 90 tank. Just a couple of the tanks that look like the real thing, just a smaller version thanks to the attention to detail.But there is more. Many of these RC tanks have some very innovative technology which may include a laser and thermal guide gun and turret controls. The automatic target tracking makes it a whole lot of fun out in the back country where you and the friends are busy playing military games. There is even a night vision range integrated into the FCS and the night vision thermal image system. These new generation tanks are designed for hours of fun. Its more than just running a tank across the ground; it can be a great strategy game with friends.Now that you are ready to go shopping for your nitro remote control tank there are a few things you should know. If you buy an in the box tank it should include everything you need to get going, although not all kits are complete so be sure to read the package carefully. You might also decide to buy an unassembled tank, which means there are likely some additional pieces youll need to get your tank on the road. To run your nitro remote control tank you will need two servos, radio control receiver, and nitro engine, as well as a way to start the engine. You will also need the right fuel. The first time its always best to buy a nitro kit thats complete with everything. Then you can just replace as needed.The nitro engine is the core of your tank so once you get the engine tuned and running smoothly, its just needs to be maintained regularly. There are many different engine break in methods. Unless youve broken a nitro engine in previously, follow the instructions for breaking in and tuning your engine if they are included.Your nitro engine will require regular maintenance to keep it performing well. You will also need to check the tracks, shocks, and other tank parts.You are going to have hours of fun with your nitro remote control tank. Whether you are playing military games in the back country or just having some fun climbing around the dunes, youll have plenty of adrenaline rushes with your new toy.
Electric radio control airplanes info
Electric Radio Control Airplanes
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Whats all the buzz about
electric radio control airplanes?
Arent they huge, heavy, and hard to fly? No, those days are long gone when the size of your battery took up at least half the plane. Just as modern advances in battery cells have taken the automotive industry into practical, affordable gas-electric hybrid vehicles, so have those same advances done wonders for the electric radio control airplanes world.
Today's
lithium batteries
have gotten lighter and more powerful, resistances have lowered resulting in less overheating, and these things together have led a big growth trend in the number of radio control enthusiasts switching to or even getting started in electric radio control airplanes.
Perhaps one obvious benefit is that you dont have to lug around nitro fuel wherever you go. Along with that, you arent always searching for that elusive fine line between rich and lean that keeps some gas-powered plane owners awake at night. Granted, if maintenance is your thing and flying is a fun and necessary by-product, then youll probably want to stick with your gas-powered models. For some plane owners there is nothing like good old-fashioned elbow grease.
If, however, you live to fly and wish your plane would magically maintain its engine while stored away waiting for the next outing, perhaps electric is your way to go. The electric radio control airplanes systems include battery cells, a motor, a control, and wiring. And likely you wont be called on to repair any of it on a regular basis.
The batteries are mostly
NiCd/NiMh cells
with the number of cells determining the level of output of the battery pack. When a battery cell goes, it goes. Buy a new one and carry on. The same with a motor. Maybe all this replacing of parts sounds like a waste to you, but realistically these parts can last forever if taken care of. Run a motor within its limits and it will keep on running. But if you fry it, its pretty much gone.
Some other advantages of electric radio control airplanes come from the fact that these planes are very quiet in comparison to their gas powered cousins. Their low volume output motors allow them to be flown in more areas with less resistance from the community. Their lack of engine noise also makes them seem less intimidating and therefore less dangerous by many who are sharing a park or open space with them.
And perhaps the most practical advantage of electric radio control airplanes is that they can be taken out for a quick flight, packed back up, and theres no worrying about fueling up then draining the fuel for storage.
Whichever is your fancy, electric radio control airplanes or
gas powered RC planes,
youll find that there is a technology out there to fit your needs and to go along with the reasons you are in the hobby to begin with. Radio control airplanes fit into the basic philosophy of life: its all about choices.
(All links open new windows)
Whats all the buzz about
electric radio control airplanes?
Arent they huge, heavy, and hard to fly? No, those days are long gone when the size of your battery took up at least half the plane. Just as modern advances in battery cells have taken the automotive industry into practical, affordable gas-electric hybrid vehicles, so have those same advances done wonders for the electric radio control airplanes world.
Today's
lithium batteries
have gotten lighter and more powerful, resistances have lowered resulting in less overheating, and these things together have led a big growth trend in the number of radio control enthusiasts switching to or even getting started in electric radio control airplanes.
Perhaps one obvious benefit is that you dont have to lug around nitro fuel wherever you go. Along with that, you arent always searching for that elusive fine line between rich and lean that keeps some gas-powered plane owners awake at night. Granted, if maintenance is your thing and flying is a fun and necessary by-product, then youll probably want to stick with your gas-powered models. For some plane owners there is nothing like good old-fashioned elbow grease.
If, however, you live to fly and wish your plane would magically maintain its engine while stored away waiting for the next outing, perhaps electric is your way to go. The electric radio control airplanes systems include battery cells, a motor, a control, and wiring. And likely you wont be called on to repair any of it on a regular basis.
The batteries are mostly
NiCd/NiMh cells
with the number of cells determining the level of output of the battery pack. When a battery cell goes, it goes. Buy a new one and carry on. The same with a motor. Maybe all this replacing of parts sounds like a waste to you, but realistically these parts can last forever if taken care of. Run a motor within its limits and it will keep on running. But if you fry it, its pretty much gone.
Some other advantages of electric radio control airplanes come from the fact that these planes are very quiet in comparison to their gas powered cousins. Their low volume output motors allow them to be flown in more areas with less resistance from the community. Their lack of engine noise also makes them seem less intimidating and therefore less dangerous by many who are sharing a park or open space with them.
And perhaps the most practical advantage of electric radio control airplanes is that they can be taken out for a quick flight, packed back up, and theres no worrying about fueling up then draining the fuel for storage.
Whichever is your fancy, electric radio control airplanes or
gas powered RC planes,
youll find that there is a technology out there to fit your needs and to go along with the reasons you are in the hobby to begin with. Radio control airplanes fit into the basic philosophy of life: its all about choices.
Cheap radio control cars info
All About Cheap Radio Control Cars
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You can buy
cheap radio control cars
or you can buy very expensive cars and and anything in between. How do you know what you are looking for? Perhaps this guide will be of some help.
READY TO RUN (RTR)
Maybe the best way to enjoy the simplest in radio control is to go for an all inclusive cheap radio control cars package.
You can get these from toy stores, hobby shops, online, or just about any of your discount department stores. This form of RC car generally comes ready to ride straight out of the box. The car comes with its own radio controller with one or more frequencies, rechargeable batteries, and the car itself. These come in various scales, colors, and complexity. You can purchase cheap radio control cars anywhere form the size of a matchbox on up.
Perhaps the best part about these simple cars is that they dont have smaller, loose parts and are therefore great for small children. Many of the top-notch RC enthusiasts cut their teeth on easy to find, cheap radio control cars. You can get into one of these for anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on what bells and whistles you want.
PRE-BUILT KITS
Already grown out of the simple versions of the cheap radio control cars but arent sure youre ready to tackle building one on your own?
Dont worry, there are cars available that come with the ease of being pre-built from the factory, but the versatility of having parts that can be replaced or upgraded. This is like having a best friend do all of the work for you!
Some kits come with the radio components, while some suggest the components you have to purchase separately. Its impossible to list all of the types of cars and manufacturers that fall into this category. Tamiya is one of the manufacturer names that will come up often in searches for pre-built kits. Many of their kits range from $100 - $200 for the simplest versions.
Another way to get into the lower level of hand built cars is to check your local hobby shop. Sometimes you have enthusiasts who love to build a car, then move on and build another one. Your local hobby seller may be able to get you in contact with someone like this who sells his or her finished products.
KITS
Perhaps you are ready to spread your wings and try to build cheap radio control cars on your own. Thats not too much to ask for. Just because you want to do most of it on your own doesnt mean youll have to pay a fortune for a kit to help you do that.
There are various manufacturers out there who sell such kits, and you can get them in all levels of assembly and all levels of price. With kits like this, you can personalize much of the vehicle and really put together the components you want. If you are really interested in building your first radio control car, there are a lot of resources available to you ranging from books to local clubs. Most RC enthusiasts are more than willing to help out a newcomer.
So dont let money be your reason for not diving into this wonderful hobby. As you can see, there are all kinds of ways to join in and start off with cheap radio control cars. If you start with baby steps such as these, you can be well on your way to a fun, lifelong hobby with more enjoyment that frustration!
(All links open new windows)
You can buy
cheap radio control cars
or you can buy very expensive cars and and anything in between. How do you know what you are looking for? Perhaps this guide will be of some help.
READY TO RUN (RTR)
Maybe the best way to enjoy the simplest in radio control is to go for an all inclusive cheap radio control cars package.
You can get these from toy stores, hobby shops, online, or just about any of your discount department stores. This form of RC car generally comes ready to ride straight out of the box. The car comes with its own radio controller with one or more frequencies, rechargeable batteries, and the car itself. These come in various scales, colors, and complexity. You can purchase cheap radio control cars anywhere form the size of a matchbox on up.
Perhaps the best part about these simple cars is that they dont have smaller, loose parts and are therefore great for small children. Many of the top-notch RC enthusiasts cut their teeth on easy to find, cheap radio control cars. You can get into one of these for anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on what bells and whistles you want.
PRE-BUILT KITS
Already grown out of the simple versions of the cheap radio control cars but arent sure youre ready to tackle building one on your own?
Dont worry, there are cars available that come with the ease of being pre-built from the factory, but the versatility of having parts that can be replaced or upgraded. This is like having a best friend do all of the work for you!
Some kits come with the radio components, while some suggest the components you have to purchase separately. Its impossible to list all of the types of cars and manufacturers that fall into this category. Tamiya is one of the manufacturer names that will come up often in searches for pre-built kits. Many of their kits range from $100 - $200 for the simplest versions.
Another way to get into the lower level of hand built cars is to check your local hobby shop. Sometimes you have enthusiasts who love to build a car, then move on and build another one. Your local hobby seller may be able to get you in contact with someone like this who sells his or her finished products.
KITS
Perhaps you are ready to spread your wings and try to build cheap radio control cars on your own. Thats not too much to ask for. Just because you want to do most of it on your own doesnt mean youll have to pay a fortune for a kit to help you do that.
There are various manufacturers out there who sell such kits, and you can get them in all levels of assembly and all levels of price. With kits like this, you can personalize much of the vehicle and really put together the components you want. If you are really interested in building your first radio control car, there are a lot of resources available to you ranging from books to local clubs. Most RC enthusiasts are more than willing to help out a newcomer.
So dont let money be your reason for not diving into this wonderful hobby. As you can see, there are all kinds of ways to join in and start off with cheap radio control cars. If you start with baby steps such as these, you can be well on your way to a fun, lifelong hobby with more enjoyment that frustration!
Monster remote control truck info
Monster Remote Control Truck Review
(All links open new windows)
Are you looking to build the biggest and baddest
remote control truck
? Do you not care if you can beat your opponent in a race as long as you can run them over at the finish line?
If you answered YES, then it sounds like you're a prime candidate for the monster remote control truck hobby. These arent your run of the mill pickup trucks, and they arent really designed for the speed demons out there. These are the bone crushing, terrain mastering trucks built for durability and gearhead massiveness!
A fully assembled RC truck can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are as individual as the people who design them. If you're looking for an RC truck and want to spend more time on the road than in the shop, you'll definitely find them at either the RC Discounts store above or with the good folks online at
TrendTimes.com.
Many of these come with a fully equipped chassis with everything buttoned up tight to weather the dirt and grime you will no doubt put your radio control truck through.
And did I mention really big tires? In most of the monster remote control truck models Ive seen, if you can see the details of the truck body then the tires just arent big enough:) Oh yeah, and you may want a truck body to put over the components, although Im convinced this is more to keep dirt out then to actually add to the look of the model. Don't worry, all these parts are available from the same suppliers above.
If you don't yet have a monster RC truck and you're wondering what the appeal is, these vehicles are designed for off road areas, and some even do stunts and tricks such as riding over other vehicles and turning themselves upright after a rollover.
Unlike many of their model car cousins, an RC truck is less about racing and more about maneuverability. They can be fun and challenging for all ages, and many people find them as much fun to build as they are to drive.
As far as radio control vehicles go, a monster remote control truck is really in a class by itself and if you're looking for a challenge beyond an RC truck that goes really fast in a straight line, you may want to check out the excitement of monster trucks!
** Read this excellent article for everything you ever wanted to know about Nitro powered RC cars and trucks!
(All links open new windows)
Are you looking to build the biggest and baddest
remote control truck
? Do you not care if you can beat your opponent in a race as long as you can run them over at the finish line?
If you answered YES, then it sounds like you're a prime candidate for the monster remote control truck hobby. These arent your run of the mill pickup trucks, and they arent really designed for the speed demons out there. These are the bone crushing, terrain mastering trucks built for durability and gearhead massiveness!
A fully assembled RC truck can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are as individual as the people who design them. If you're looking for an RC truck and want to spend more time on the road than in the shop, you'll definitely find them at either the RC Discounts store above or with the good folks online at
TrendTimes.com.
Many of these come with a fully equipped chassis with everything buttoned up tight to weather the dirt and grime you will no doubt put your radio control truck through.
And did I mention really big tires? In most of the monster remote control truck models Ive seen, if you can see the details of the truck body then the tires just arent big enough:) Oh yeah, and you may want a truck body to put over the components, although Im convinced this is more to keep dirt out then to actually add to the look of the model. Don't worry, all these parts are available from the same suppliers above.
If you don't yet have a monster RC truck and you're wondering what the appeal is, these vehicles are designed for off road areas, and some even do stunts and tricks such as riding over other vehicles and turning themselves upright after a rollover.
Unlike many of their model car cousins, an RC truck is less about racing and more about maneuverability. They can be fun and challenging for all ages, and many people find them as much fun to build as they are to drive.
As far as radio control vehicles go, a monster remote control truck is really in a class by itself and if you're looking for a challenge beyond an RC truck that goes really fast in a straight line, you may want to check out the excitement of monster trucks!
** Read this excellent article for everything you ever wanted to know about Nitro powered RC cars and trucks!
Electric radio control airplanes info
Electric Radio Control Airplanes
(All links open new windows)
Whats all the buzz about
electric radio control airplanes?
Arent they huge, heavy, and hard to fly? No, those days are long gone when the size of your battery took up at least half the plane. Just as modern advances in battery cells have taken the automotive industry into practical, affordable gas-electric hybrid vehicles, so have those same advances done wonders for the electric radio control airplanes world.
Today's
lithium batteries
have gotten lighter and more powerful, resistances have lowered resulting in less overheating, and these things together have led a big growth trend in the number of radio control enthusiasts switching to or even getting started in electric radio control airplanes.
Perhaps one obvious benefit is that you dont have to lug around nitro fuel wherever you go. Along with that, you arent always searching for that elusive fine line between rich and lean that keeps some gas-powered plane owners awake at night. Granted, if maintenance is your thing and flying is a fun and necessary by-product, then youll probably want to stick with your gas-powered models. For some plane owners there is nothing like good old-fashioned elbow grease.
If, however, you live to fly and wish your plane would magically maintain its engine while stored away waiting for the next outing, perhaps electric is your way to go. The electric radio control airplanes systems include battery cells, a motor, a control, and wiring. And likely you wont be called on to repair any of it on a regular basis.
The batteries are mostly
NiCd/NiMh cells
with the number of cells determining the level of output of the battery pack. When a battery cell goes, it goes. Buy a new one and carry on. The same with a motor. Maybe all this replacing of parts sounds like a waste to you, but realistically these parts can last forever if taken care of. Run a motor within its limits and it will keep on running. But if you fry it, its pretty much gone.
Some other advantages of electric radio control airplanes come from the fact that these planes are very quiet in comparison to their gas powered cousins. Their low volume output motors allow them to be flown in more areas with less resistance from the community. Their lack of engine noise also makes them seem less intimidating and therefore less dangerous by many who are sharing a park or open space with them.
And perhaps the most practical advantage of electric radio control airplanes is that they can be taken out for a quick flight, packed back up, and theres no worrying about fueling up then draining the fuel for storage.
Whichever is your fancy, electric radio control airplanes or
gas powered RC planes,
youll find that there is a technology out there to fit your needs and to go along with the reasons you are in the hobby to begin with. Radio control airplanes fit into the basic philosophy of life: its all about choices.
(All links open new windows)
Whats all the buzz about
electric radio control airplanes?
Arent they huge, heavy, and hard to fly? No, those days are long gone when the size of your battery took up at least half the plane. Just as modern advances in battery cells have taken the automotive industry into practical, affordable gas-electric hybrid vehicles, so have those same advances done wonders for the electric radio control airplanes world.
Today's
lithium batteries
have gotten lighter and more powerful, resistances have lowered resulting in less overheating, and these things together have led a big growth trend in the number of radio control enthusiasts switching to or even getting started in electric radio control airplanes.
Perhaps one obvious benefit is that you dont have to lug around nitro fuel wherever you go. Along with that, you arent always searching for that elusive fine line between rich and lean that keeps some gas-powered plane owners awake at night. Granted, if maintenance is your thing and flying is a fun and necessary by-product, then youll probably want to stick with your gas-powered models. For some plane owners there is nothing like good old-fashioned elbow grease.
If, however, you live to fly and wish your plane would magically maintain its engine while stored away waiting for the next outing, perhaps electric is your way to go. The electric radio control airplanes systems include battery cells, a motor, a control, and wiring. And likely you wont be called on to repair any of it on a regular basis.
The batteries are mostly
NiCd/NiMh cells
with the number of cells determining the level of output of the battery pack. When a battery cell goes, it goes. Buy a new one and carry on. The same with a motor. Maybe all this replacing of parts sounds like a waste to you, but realistically these parts can last forever if taken care of. Run a motor within its limits and it will keep on running. But if you fry it, its pretty much gone.
Some other advantages of electric radio control airplanes come from the fact that these planes are very quiet in comparison to their gas powered cousins. Their low volume output motors allow them to be flown in more areas with less resistance from the community. Their lack of engine noise also makes them seem less intimidating and therefore less dangerous by many who are sharing a park or open space with them.
And perhaps the most practical advantage of electric radio control airplanes is that they can be taken out for a quick flight, packed back up, and theres no worrying about fueling up then draining the fuel for storage.
Whichever is your fancy, electric radio control airplanes or
gas powered RC planes,
youll find that there is a technology out there to fit your needs and to go along with the reasons you are in the hobby to begin with. Radio control airplanes fit into the basic philosophy of life: its all about choices.
Cheap radio control cars info
All About Cheap Radio Control Cars
(All links open new windows)
You can buy
cheap radio control cars
or you can buy very expensive cars and and anything in between. How do you know what you are looking for? Perhaps this guide will be of some help.
READY TO RUN (RTR)
Maybe the best way to enjoy the simplest in radio control is to go for an all inclusive cheap radio control cars package.
You can get these from toy stores, hobby shops, online, or just about any of your discount department stores. This form of RC car generally comes ready to ride straight out of the box. The car comes with its own radio controller with one or more frequencies, rechargeable batteries, and the car itself. These come in various scales, colors, and complexity. You can purchase cheap radio control cars anywhere form the size of a matchbox on up.
Perhaps the best part about these simple cars is that they dont have smaller, loose parts and are therefore great for small children. Many of the top-notch RC enthusiasts cut their teeth on easy to find, cheap radio control cars. You can get into one of these for anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on what bells and whistles you want.
PRE-BUILT KITS
Already grown out of the simple versions of the cheap radio control cars but arent sure youre ready to tackle building one on your own?
Dont worry, there are cars available that come with the ease of being pre-built from the factory, but the versatility of having parts that can be replaced or upgraded. This is like having a best friend do all of the work for you!
Some kits come with the radio components, while some suggest the components you have to purchase separately. Its impossible to list all of the types of cars and manufacturers that fall into this category. Tamiya is one of the manufacturer names that will come up often in searches for pre-built kits. Many of their kits range from $100 - $200 for the simplest versions.
Another way to get into the lower level of hand built cars is to check your local hobby shop. Sometimes you have enthusiasts who love to build a car, then move on and build another one. Your local hobby seller may be able to get you in contact with someone like this who sells his or her finished products.
KITS
Perhaps you are ready to spread your wings and try to build cheap radio control cars on your own. Thats not too much to ask for. Just because you want to do most of it on your own doesnt mean youll have to pay a fortune for a kit to help you do that.
There are various manufacturers out there who sell such kits, and you can get them in all levels of assembly and all levels of price. With kits like this, you can personalize much of the vehicle and really put together the components you want. If you are really interested in building your first radio control car, there are a lot of resources available to you ranging from books to local clubs. Most RC enthusiasts are more than willing to help out a newcomer.
So dont let money be your reason for not diving into this wonderful hobby. As you can see, there are all kinds of ways to join in and start off with cheap radio control cars. If you start with baby steps such as these, you can be well on your way to a fun, lifelong hobby with more enjoyment that frustration!
(All links open new windows)
You can buy
cheap radio control cars
or you can buy very expensive cars and and anything in between. How do you know what you are looking for? Perhaps this guide will be of some help.
READY TO RUN (RTR)
Maybe the best way to enjoy the simplest in radio control is to go for an all inclusive cheap radio control cars package.
You can get these from toy stores, hobby shops, online, or just about any of your discount department stores. This form of RC car generally comes ready to ride straight out of the box. The car comes with its own radio controller with one or more frequencies, rechargeable batteries, and the car itself. These come in various scales, colors, and complexity. You can purchase cheap radio control cars anywhere form the size of a matchbox on up.
Perhaps the best part about these simple cars is that they dont have smaller, loose parts and are therefore great for small children. Many of the top-notch RC enthusiasts cut their teeth on easy to find, cheap radio control cars. You can get into one of these for anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on what bells and whistles you want.
PRE-BUILT KITS
Already grown out of the simple versions of the cheap radio control cars but arent sure youre ready to tackle building one on your own?
Dont worry, there are cars available that come with the ease of being pre-built from the factory, but the versatility of having parts that can be replaced or upgraded. This is like having a best friend do all of the work for you!
Some kits come with the radio components, while some suggest the components you have to purchase separately. Its impossible to list all of the types of cars and manufacturers that fall into this category. Tamiya is one of the manufacturer names that will come up often in searches for pre-built kits. Many of their kits range from $100 - $200 for the simplest versions.
Another way to get into the lower level of hand built cars is to check your local hobby shop. Sometimes you have enthusiasts who love to build a car, then move on and build another one. Your local hobby seller may be able to get you in contact with someone like this who sells his or her finished products.
KITS
Perhaps you are ready to spread your wings and try to build cheap radio control cars on your own. Thats not too much to ask for. Just because you want to do most of it on your own doesnt mean youll have to pay a fortune for a kit to help you do that.
There are various manufacturers out there who sell such kits, and you can get them in all levels of assembly and all levels of price. With kits like this, you can personalize much of the vehicle and really put together the components you want. If you are really interested in building your first radio control car, there are a lot of resources available to you ranging from books to local clubs. Most RC enthusiasts are more than willing to help out a newcomer.
So dont let money be your reason for not diving into this wonderful hobby. As you can see, there are all kinds of ways to join in and start off with cheap radio control cars. If you start with baby steps such as these, you can be well on your way to a fun, lifelong hobby with more enjoyment that frustration!
Monster remote control truck info
Monster Remote Control Truck Review
(All links open new windows)
Are you looking to build the biggest and baddest
remote control truck
? Do you not care if you can beat your opponent in a race as long as you can run them over at the finish line?
If you answered YES, then it sounds like you're a prime candidate for the monster remote control truck hobby. These arent your run of the mill pickup trucks, and they arent really designed for the speed demons out there. These are the bone crushing, terrain mastering trucks built for durability and gearhead massiveness!
A fully assembled RC truck can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are as individual as the people who design them. If you're looking for an RC truck and want to spend more time on the road than in the shop, you'll definitely find them at either the RC Discounts store above or with the good folks online at
TrendTimes.com.
Many of these come with a fully equipped chassis with everything buttoned up tight to weather the dirt and grime you will no doubt put your radio control truck through.
And did I mention really big tires? In most of the monster remote control truck models Ive seen, if you can see the details of the truck body then the tires just arent big enough:) Oh yeah, and you may want a truck body to put over the components, although Im convinced this is more to keep dirt out then to actually add to the look of the model. Don't worry, all these parts are available from the same suppliers above.
If you don't yet have a monster RC truck and you're wondering what the appeal is, these vehicles are designed for off road areas, and some even do stunts and tricks such as riding over other vehicles and turning themselves upright after a rollover.
Unlike many of their model car cousins, an RC truck is less about racing and more about maneuverability. They can be fun and challenging for all ages, and many people find them as much fun to build as they are to drive.
As far as radio control vehicles go, a monster remote control truck is really in a class by itself and if you're looking for a challenge beyond an RC truck that goes really fast in a straight line, you may want to check out the excitement of monster trucks!
** Read this excellent article for everything you ever wanted to know about Nitro powered RC cars and trucks!
(All links open new windows)
Are you looking to build the biggest and baddest
remote control truck
? Do you not care if you can beat your opponent in a race as long as you can run them over at the finish line?
If you answered YES, then it sounds like you're a prime candidate for the monster remote control truck hobby. These arent your run of the mill pickup trucks, and they arent really designed for the speed demons out there. These are the bone crushing, terrain mastering trucks built for durability and gearhead massiveness!
A fully assembled RC truck can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are as individual as the people who design them. If you're looking for an RC truck and want to spend more time on the road than in the shop, you'll definitely find them at either the RC Discounts store above or with the good folks online at
TrendTimes.com.
Many of these come with a fully equipped chassis with everything buttoned up tight to weather the dirt and grime you will no doubt put your radio control truck through.
And did I mention really big tires? In most of the monster remote control truck models Ive seen, if you can see the details of the truck body then the tires just arent big enough:) Oh yeah, and you may want a truck body to put over the components, although Im convinced this is more to keep dirt out then to actually add to the look of the model. Don't worry, all these parts are available from the same suppliers above.
If you don't yet have a monster RC truck and you're wondering what the appeal is, these vehicles are designed for off road areas, and some even do stunts and tricks such as riding over other vehicles and turning themselves upright after a rollover.
Unlike many of their model car cousins, an RC truck is less about racing and more about maneuverability. They can be fun and challenging for all ages, and many people find them as much fun to build as they are to drive.
As far as radio control vehicles go, a monster remote control truck is really in a class by itself and if you're looking for a challenge beyond an RC truck that goes really fast in a straight line, you may want to check out the excitement of monster trucks!
** Read this excellent article for everything you ever wanted to know about Nitro powered RC cars and trucks!
Electric radio control airplanes info
Electric Radio Control Airplanes
(All links open new windows)
Whats all the buzz about
electric radio control airplanes?
Arent they huge, heavy, and hard to fly? No, those days are long gone when the size of your battery took up at least half the plane. Just as modern advances in battery cells have taken the automotive industry into practical, affordable gas-electric hybrid vehicles, so have those same advances done wonders for the electric radio control airplanes world.
Today's
lithium batteries
have gotten lighter and more powerful, resistances have lowered resulting in less overheating, and these things together have led a big growth trend in the number of radio control enthusiasts switching to or even getting started in electric radio control airplanes.
Perhaps one obvious benefit is that you dont have to lug around nitro fuel wherever you go. Along with that, you arent always searching for that elusive fine line between rich and lean that keeps some gas-powered plane owners awake at night. Granted, if maintenance is your thing and flying is a fun and necessary by-product, then youll probably want to stick with your gas-powered models. For some plane owners there is nothing like good old-fashioned elbow grease.
If, however, you live to fly and wish your plane would magically maintain its engine while stored away waiting for the next outing, perhaps electric is your way to go. The electric radio control airplanes systems include battery cells, a motor, a control, and wiring. And likely you wont be called on to repair any of it on a regular basis.
The batteries are mostly
NiCd/NiMh cells
with the number of cells determining the level of output of the battery pack. When a battery cell goes, it goes. Buy a new one and carry on. The same with a motor. Maybe all this replacing of parts sounds like a waste to you, but realistically these parts can last forever if taken care of. Run a motor within its limits and it will keep on running. But if you fry it, its pretty much gone.
Some other advantages of electric radio control airplanes come from the fact that these planes are very quiet in comparison to their gas powered cousins. Their low volume output motors allow them to be flown in more areas with less resistance from the community. Their lack of engine noise also makes them seem less intimidating and therefore less dangerous by many who are sharing a park or open space with them.
And perhaps the most practical advantage of electric radio control airplanes is that they can be taken out for a quick flight, packed back up, and theres no worrying about fueling up then draining the fuel for storage.
Whichever is your fancy, electric radio control airplanes or
gas powered RC planes,
youll find that there is a technology out there to fit your needs and to go along with the reasons you are in the hobby to begin with. Radio control airplanes fit into the basic philosophy of life: its all about choices.
(All links open new windows)
Whats all the buzz about
electric radio control airplanes?
Arent they huge, heavy, and hard to fly? No, those days are long gone when the size of your battery took up at least half the plane. Just as modern advances in battery cells have taken the automotive industry into practical, affordable gas-electric hybrid vehicles, so have those same advances done wonders for the electric radio control airplanes world.
Today's
lithium batteries
have gotten lighter and more powerful, resistances have lowered resulting in less overheating, and these things together have led a big growth trend in the number of radio control enthusiasts switching to or even getting started in electric radio control airplanes.
Perhaps one obvious benefit is that you dont have to lug around nitro fuel wherever you go. Along with that, you arent always searching for that elusive fine line between rich and lean that keeps some gas-powered plane owners awake at night. Granted, if maintenance is your thing and flying is a fun and necessary by-product, then youll probably want to stick with your gas-powered models. For some plane owners there is nothing like good old-fashioned elbow grease.
If, however, you live to fly and wish your plane would magically maintain its engine while stored away waiting for the next outing, perhaps electric is your way to go. The electric radio control airplanes systems include battery cells, a motor, a control, and wiring. And likely you wont be called on to repair any of it on a regular basis.
The batteries are mostly
NiCd/NiMh cells
with the number of cells determining the level of output of the battery pack. When a battery cell goes, it goes. Buy a new one and carry on. The same with a motor. Maybe all this replacing of parts sounds like a waste to you, but realistically these parts can last forever if taken care of. Run a motor within its limits and it will keep on running. But if you fry it, its pretty much gone.
Some other advantages of electric radio control airplanes come from the fact that these planes are very quiet in comparison to their gas powered cousins. Their low volume output motors allow them to be flown in more areas with less resistance from the community. Their lack of engine noise also makes them seem less intimidating and therefore less dangerous by many who are sharing a park or open space with them.
And perhaps the most practical advantage of electric radio control airplanes is that they can be taken out for a quick flight, packed back up, and theres no worrying about fueling up then draining the fuel for storage.
Whichever is your fancy, electric radio control airplanes or
gas powered RC planes,
youll find that there is a technology out there to fit your needs and to go along with the reasons you are in the hobby to begin with. Radio control airplanes fit into the basic philosophy of life: its all about choices.
Cheap radio control cars info
All About Cheap Radio Control Cars
(All links open new windows)
You can buy
cheap radio control cars
or you can buy very expensive cars and and anything in between. How do you know what you are looking for? Perhaps this guide will be of some help.
READY TO RUN (RTR)
Maybe the best way to enjoy the simplest in radio control is to go for an all inclusive cheap radio control cars package.
You can get these from toy stores, hobby shops, online, or just about any of your discount department stores. This form of RC car generally comes ready to ride straight out of the box. The car comes with its own radio controller with one or more frequencies, rechargeable batteries, and the car itself. These come in various scales, colors, and complexity. You can purchase cheap radio control cars anywhere form the size of a matchbox on up.
Perhaps the best part about these simple cars is that they dont have smaller, loose parts and are therefore great for small children. Many of the top-notch RC enthusiasts cut their teeth on easy to find, cheap radio control cars. You can get into one of these for anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on what bells and whistles you want.
PRE-BUILT KITS
Already grown out of the simple versions of the cheap radio control cars but arent sure youre ready to tackle building one on your own?
Dont worry, there are cars available that come with the ease of being pre-built from the factory, but the versatility of having parts that can be replaced or upgraded. This is like having a best friend do all of the work for you!
Some kits come with the radio components, while some suggest the components you have to purchase separately. Its impossible to list all of the types of cars and manufacturers that fall into this category. Tamiya is one of the manufacturer names that will come up often in searches for pre-built kits. Many of their kits range from $100 - $200 for the simplest versions.
Another way to get into the lower level of hand built cars is to check your local hobby shop. Sometimes you have enthusiasts who love to build a car, then move on and build another one. Your local hobby seller may be able to get you in contact with someone like this who sells his or her finished products.
KITS
Perhaps you are ready to spread your wings and try to build cheap radio control cars on your own. Thats not too much to ask for. Just because you want to do most of it on your own doesnt mean youll have to pay a fortune for a kit to help you do that.
There are various manufacturers out there who sell such kits, and you can get them in all levels of assembly and all levels of price. With kits like this, you can personalize much of the vehicle and really put together the components you want. If you are really interested in building your first radio control car, there are a lot of resources available to you ranging from books to local clubs. Most RC enthusiasts are more than willing to help out a newcomer.
So dont let money be your reason for not diving into this wonderful hobby. As you can see, there are all kinds of ways to join in and start off with cheap radio control cars. If you start with baby steps such as these, you can be well on your way to a fun, lifelong hobby with more enjoyment that frustration!
(All links open new windows)
You can buy
cheap radio control cars
or you can buy very expensive cars and and anything in between. How do you know what you are looking for? Perhaps this guide will be of some help.
READY TO RUN (RTR)
Maybe the best way to enjoy the simplest in radio control is to go for an all inclusive cheap radio control cars package.
You can get these from toy stores, hobby shops, online, or just about any of your discount department stores. This form of RC car generally comes ready to ride straight out of the box. The car comes with its own radio controller with one or more frequencies, rechargeable batteries, and the car itself. These come in various scales, colors, and complexity. You can purchase cheap radio control cars anywhere form the size of a matchbox on up.
Perhaps the best part about these simple cars is that they dont have smaller, loose parts and are therefore great for small children. Many of the top-notch RC enthusiasts cut their teeth on easy to find, cheap radio control cars. You can get into one of these for anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on what bells and whistles you want.
PRE-BUILT KITS
Already grown out of the simple versions of the cheap radio control cars but arent sure youre ready to tackle building one on your own?
Dont worry, there are cars available that come with the ease of being pre-built from the factory, but the versatility of having parts that can be replaced or upgraded. This is like having a best friend do all of the work for you!
Some kits come with the radio components, while some suggest the components you have to purchase separately. Its impossible to list all of the types of cars and manufacturers that fall into this category. Tamiya is one of the manufacturer names that will come up often in searches for pre-built kits. Many of their kits range from $100 - $200 for the simplest versions.
Another way to get into the lower level of hand built cars is to check your local hobby shop. Sometimes you have enthusiasts who love to build a car, then move on and build another one. Your local hobby seller may be able to get you in contact with someone like this who sells his or her finished products.
KITS
Perhaps you are ready to spread your wings and try to build cheap radio control cars on your own. Thats not too much to ask for. Just because you want to do most of it on your own doesnt mean youll have to pay a fortune for a kit to help you do that.
There are various manufacturers out there who sell such kits, and you can get them in all levels of assembly and all levels of price. With kits like this, you can personalize much of the vehicle and really put together the components you want. If you are really interested in building your first radio control car, there are a lot of resources available to you ranging from books to local clubs. Most RC enthusiasts are more than willing to help out a newcomer.
So dont let money be your reason for not diving into this wonderful hobby. As you can see, there are all kinds of ways to join in and start off with cheap radio control cars. If you start with baby steps such as these, you can be well on your way to a fun, lifelong hobby with more enjoyment that frustration!
Oct 25, 2008
Radio Shack remote control cars info
A Review of Radio Shack Remote Control Cars
(All links open new windows)
Radio Shack remote control cars
are made for those who want to enjoy an already built model ready to go out of the box. While many radio control enthusiasts get some of their electrical gear from Radio Shack, the store is well known as a source for the RTR (ready-to-run).
Perhaps the most familiar of these are the
Zip Zaps micro R/C cars.
These Radio Shack remote control cars are 1:64 scale, and they come in about 10 different models including Jeep, Mazda, Toyota, Ford, Pontiac, and Chevy. Each has its selection of 6 different 27MHz frequencies, so you can race up to six different micro RC cars at a time. Their controls consist of a forward / reverse trigger and a left / right rotary steering. They have working taillights and headlights, and the car sits on its base until you are ready to take it out for another spin. The ZipZaps SE Micro RC cars are suggested for ages 8 and up.
For the even younger crowd, there are Radio Shack remote control cars geared towards them as well. How about a Mattel Barbie VW Beetle Convertible RC? This remote control vehicle has a controller that looks like a phone. It has simple controls: forward, turn in reverse, and stop. But it is 16 long with working headlights and its intended audience of ages 4 and up will love the look and simplicity.
If Barbie isnt your childs character of choice, there are Radio Shack remote control cars fashioned after the Cat in the Hat as well. The Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat" S.L.O.W. RC Vehicle (Super Luxurious Omnidirectional Whatchamajigger) is sure to rev up any kids imagination. It has parts that spin and move during operation such as flaps, moving gears, and working lights and a horn. It even has dual frequencies, 27 and 49 MHz, so the Cat in the Hat can challenge Barbie in a race around the block!
Ok, maybe you are older and are thinking what is there for me? Dont worry; there are Radio Shack remote control cars for the older enthusiasts as well. How about a Super Street Acura RSX RC Car in 1:10 scale that travels at about 1300 ft / minute? What if it had a spring suspension, precise steering, and three channels so you could hold your own street race with other cars?
Or maybe a Radio Control '58 Impala Low-Rider in 1:12 scale is more your style. These Radio Shack remote control cars do stunts, have a show quality look, and even a front and back that raises and lowers. These bad little cars with their tinted windows come in 27 or 49 MHz so you can have dueling stunts between two of them.
Or if its a classic youd rather have at the other end of that controller, there are Radio Shack remote control cars that will fit that need as well. The 50th Anniversary Chevy Corvette Radio-Controlled Car has the 50th anniversary red exterior, and makes not only a fun ride but also a great showpiece.
So if you think Radio Shack remote control cars are just those little stocking stuffers we used to find on Christmas morning, maybe you should check out their new generation of models and give them a spin.
(All links open new windows)
Radio Shack remote control cars
are made for those who want to enjoy an already built model ready to go out of the box. While many radio control enthusiasts get some of their electrical gear from Radio Shack, the store is well known as a source for the RTR (ready-to-run).
Perhaps the most familiar of these are the
Zip Zaps micro R/C cars.
These Radio Shack remote control cars are 1:64 scale, and they come in about 10 different models including Jeep, Mazda, Toyota, Ford, Pontiac, and Chevy. Each has its selection of 6 different 27MHz frequencies, so you can race up to six different micro RC cars at a time. Their controls consist of a forward / reverse trigger and a left / right rotary steering. They have working taillights and headlights, and the car sits on its base until you are ready to take it out for another spin. The ZipZaps SE Micro RC cars are suggested for ages 8 and up.
For the even younger crowd, there are Radio Shack remote control cars geared towards them as well. How about a Mattel Barbie VW Beetle Convertible RC? This remote control vehicle has a controller that looks like a phone. It has simple controls: forward, turn in reverse, and stop. But it is 16 long with working headlights and its intended audience of ages 4 and up will love the look and simplicity.
If Barbie isnt your childs character of choice, there are Radio Shack remote control cars fashioned after the Cat in the Hat as well. The Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat" S.L.O.W. RC Vehicle (Super Luxurious Omnidirectional Whatchamajigger) is sure to rev up any kids imagination. It has parts that spin and move during operation such as flaps, moving gears, and working lights and a horn. It even has dual frequencies, 27 and 49 MHz, so the Cat in the Hat can challenge Barbie in a race around the block!
Ok, maybe you are older and are thinking what is there for me? Dont worry; there are Radio Shack remote control cars for the older enthusiasts as well. How about a Super Street Acura RSX RC Car in 1:10 scale that travels at about 1300 ft / minute? What if it had a spring suspension, precise steering, and three channels so you could hold your own street race with other cars?
Or maybe a Radio Control '58 Impala Low-Rider in 1:12 scale is more your style. These Radio Shack remote control cars do stunts, have a show quality look, and even a front and back that raises and lowers. These bad little cars with their tinted windows come in 27 or 49 MHz so you can have dueling stunts between two of them.
Or if its a classic youd rather have at the other end of that controller, there are Radio Shack remote control cars that will fit that need as well. The 50th Anniversary Chevy Corvette Radio-Controlled Car has the 50th anniversary red exterior, and makes not only a fun ride but also a great showpiece.
So if you think Radio Shack remote control cars are just those little stocking stuffers we used to find on Christmas morning, maybe you should check out their new generation of models and give them a spin.
Radio Control Harley Davidson Motorcycle Info
Radio Control Harley Davidson Motorcycle Review
(All links open new windows)
An exciting
radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle
is now available and who else but the folks at Harley Davidson would put their nameplate on radio control vehicles as realistic as this?
The authentic styling of the motorcycles makes them appealing to a wide variety of radio control enthusiasts. The most popular version of the motorcycles is the 1:3 scale made by New Bright.
For the collector, this radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle shows off a high level of detail on the 28 long framework and accompanying accessories. It has realistic brake lines, chrome pipes, true rubber tires, and mirrors you can actually see a reflection in. The motorcycle also has steel handlebars and a folding steel kickstand along with a variety of other plated and metal parts.
Another feature the collector will like is the realistic sounds the motorcycle makes including rev, idle, gear changes, and a horn. For a quieter bike, these sounds can be turned off using a volume switch on the gas tank. The motorcycle also comes with its own display stand to show it off with.
For the hobbyist, the front and rear spring suspension help give the radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle a smoother ride making it able to navigate slightly rough surfaces. The control has forward drive, left and right steering, and a brake. The motorcycle is powered by a 9.6 volt NiMH battery cartridge that takes about 4 hours to charge and lasts through 30 minutes of continuous use. The dual joystick controller takes 6 AA batteries for its power and has a range of about 100 feet.
For the racers out there, the radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle comes with an authentic belt drive and a counterweight system that keeps the bike upright. Its been reported to clock up to 30 mph, which is great on a straightaway but can cause your motorcycle to wipe out if you take a turn too fast. The different styles of the bike come in 49 or 27MHz so you can take it head to head with a second one.
For everyone, the radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle in 1:3 scale comes in two models: the Fat Boy and the V-Rod, each one available in a couple of different color schemes. If the large size of the 1:3 scale isnt what you are looking for, New Bright also makes a 1:6 scale radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle that you may find more appealing.
These naturally dont have quite the detail of the 1:3 scale, but they do come with their own mix of realistic features. They have start-up, rev, and horn sounds and the frame sits at about 16 long. The radio control has forward, left, and right steering. The bike is powered by a 6-volt rechargeable battery pack.
Still too big? You may want to check out the mini radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle. This one measures 4 long and comes in the Road King, V-Rod, Fat Boy, Softail Deuce, and Police models. The control has a 10 radius and works in forward, reverse, right, and left. The motorcycle recharges in 45 seconds on a stand, which looks like an old-fashioned gas pump, and the charge lasts about 6 minutes. The bike charger requires 3AA batteries and the controller takes 3AAA.
Small, medium, or large, theres a radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle out there just waiting to be taken for a spin!
(All links open new windows)
An exciting
radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle
is now available and who else but the folks at Harley Davidson would put their nameplate on radio control vehicles as realistic as this?
The authentic styling of the motorcycles makes them appealing to a wide variety of radio control enthusiasts. The most popular version of the motorcycles is the 1:3 scale made by New Bright.
For the collector, this radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle shows off a high level of detail on the 28 long framework and accompanying accessories. It has realistic brake lines, chrome pipes, true rubber tires, and mirrors you can actually see a reflection in. The motorcycle also has steel handlebars and a folding steel kickstand along with a variety of other plated and metal parts.
Another feature the collector will like is the realistic sounds the motorcycle makes including rev, idle, gear changes, and a horn. For a quieter bike, these sounds can be turned off using a volume switch on the gas tank. The motorcycle also comes with its own display stand to show it off with.
For the hobbyist, the front and rear spring suspension help give the radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle a smoother ride making it able to navigate slightly rough surfaces. The control has forward drive, left and right steering, and a brake. The motorcycle is powered by a 9.6 volt NiMH battery cartridge that takes about 4 hours to charge and lasts through 30 minutes of continuous use. The dual joystick controller takes 6 AA batteries for its power and has a range of about 100 feet.
For the racers out there, the radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle comes with an authentic belt drive and a counterweight system that keeps the bike upright. Its been reported to clock up to 30 mph, which is great on a straightaway but can cause your motorcycle to wipe out if you take a turn too fast. The different styles of the bike come in 49 or 27MHz so you can take it head to head with a second one.
For everyone, the radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle in 1:3 scale comes in two models: the Fat Boy and the V-Rod, each one available in a couple of different color schemes. If the large size of the 1:3 scale isnt what you are looking for, New Bright also makes a 1:6 scale radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle that you may find more appealing.
These naturally dont have quite the detail of the 1:3 scale, but they do come with their own mix of realistic features. They have start-up, rev, and horn sounds and the frame sits at about 16 long. The radio control has forward, left, and right steering. The bike is powered by a 6-volt rechargeable battery pack.
Still too big? You may want to check out the mini radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle. This one measures 4 long and comes in the Road King, V-Rod, Fat Boy, Softail Deuce, and Police models. The control has a 10 radius and works in forward, reverse, right, and left. The motorcycle recharges in 45 seconds on a stand, which looks like an old-fashioned gas pump, and the charge lasts about 6 minutes. The bike charger requires 3AA batteries and the controller takes 3AAA.
Small, medium, or large, theres a radio control Harley Davidson motorcycle out there just waiting to be taken for a spin!
Sep 25, 2008
The Flying-Model-Simulator download free flight simulator
Download Free Flight Simulator Here
(All links open new windows)
Download Free Flight Simulator ? - The Benefits!Copyright 2002 Howard
Sullivan
So your looking for an RC flight simulator? There are so many available now it can be very confusing but this article will help clarify things.
To start with I will suggest that you do yourself a huge favor and
download free flight simulator
FMS (Flight Model Simulator) because it's an excellent tool
if used properly. The big mistake that so many people make is to
believe
that the simulator will teach them to fly. A simulator cannot teach
anything, whether you download free flight simulator or anything else.
They are simply not programmed with that ability. Many software
packages have a
built-in tutorial that allows the user to step through the functions of
the
program as it explains how to use each one. The RC flight simulator does not have
this
feature.
For instance, it does not explain that stick
movements
should be gentle and only enough to get the model to perform a
maneuver. It does
not explain that the model must be controlled into and out of a turn
with the
ailerons. These are the functions of an instructor. The flight simulator is a
tool to
practice the maneuvers that have been taught by an instructor. A
student pilot,
especially a beginner, can develop some very bad habits while using a
simulator
that are difficult to break later.
There is a young pilot who taught
himself to fly using an RC flight simulator (I don't know if it was a download free flight simulator or not). When he arrived at the field to
get some one-on-one instruction, he had already developed some bad habits. He
managed to fly circuits around the field maintaining a good altitude although a
little low according to the instructor. The problem that he had developed was
his execution of the turns. He would make the turn with a series of very quick
movements of the aileron stick. This was obvious by the erratic banking into the
turn. The instructor showed him on several occasions how to make the turns
smoothly with gentle movements of the sticks. He is now flying an aerobatic
plane and his turns are only slightly less erratic.
For beginners, RC flight simulators
are excellent tools for building spatial orientation, motor skills, and
confidence. For more experienced pilots, flight simulators, even the download free flight simulator, can help in building
motor skills required in doing the more difficult maneuvers. The amount of
benefit that the pilot can gain from the simulator depends entirely on how well
the simulator emulates the model. On most simulators, the flight characteristics
can be adjusted so that it more closely emulates the "feel" of the model. None
of the flight simulators have progressed to the point that the flight physics are
perfect but they are close enough that they can be of significant benefit.
Dne of the most difficult things to
master for the beginning pilot is approach orientation. There is a natural
tendency for the beginner to move the stick in the direction he wants the model
to go. When the model is moving toward the pilot, the aileron and rudder
controls are reversed. This means that in order for the model to turn to the
pilot's left, the stick must be moved to the right. Using a simulator, even a download free flight simulator, allows the
pilot to practice approaching maneuvers for hours on end so that it becomes
second nature to move the stick in the correct direction for the model to take
the desired flight path. After approach orientation has been mastered, all other
maneuvers start to become easier to accomplish, especially landings.
The primary benefit of flight
simulators, including FMS download free flight simulator, is that of building motor skills. The pilot, whether a beginner or
experienced, can practice specific maneuvers for hours without having to be
concerned about weather, time of day, temperature, or number of people at the
field. The motor skills that are developed through hours at the simulator are
basically the same as "muscle memory" in golf. This means that the skills are
related more to the muscles reacting to a simple command than the brain sending
a series of commands to the muscle.
For instance, the pilot wants to perform a
snap roll with a Giles 202 model. He thinks "snap roll" and his fingers simply
move the sticks to the appropriate position rather than his having to think in
what position the sticks need to be. The end result of the muscle memory is
where modelers get the term "feel" for a model. Since there is no positive
feedback system built into a transmitter, there is not true feel for a model.
The feel of the model comes from the difference in the expected feel based on
muscle memory and the actual feel from the movement of the sticks.
Many beginners do not progress as
well as others simply because of a lack of confidence. This is especially true
if the student is not able to fly very often due to conflicts in scheduling time
to devote to learning to fly. With each trip to the field, he must re-learn some
of the things that he has forgotten during his absence from the field. He must
again reinforce his motor skills and regain his muscle memory or feel for the
trainer. Since his progress may be much slower than that of other students at
the field, he may become frustrated and much less confident. The download free flight simulator allows the beginner to practice what he has learned to maintain or improve his
motor skills and not lose his confidence. When he goes to the field, he will
subconsciously think, "I can do this."
A few years ago, there was an
article in one of the leading R/C magazines about the benefits of an RC flight
simulator. There was a story of a young man who flew a club trainer a few times
then bought a flight simulator. He knew enough of the basics to be able to hone
his skills on the different model configurations offered on the simulator. After
several months of practicing on the simulator, he went back to the field and
flew every model at the field including a ducted fan jet plane. He had no
problems with basic maneuvers because he had developed the skills required
through many hours of practice with the simulator. This is an extreme case but
it shows what can be accomplished through using a simulator, even FMS download free flight simulator, if the basic methods
have been taught.
If pilots get proper instruction
and use the flight simulator to practice what is taught, it can be of
significant value in learning to fly or to perfect various maneuvers. It can
greatly increase the "stick time" that the pilot is able to achieve in given
period of time. It is a tool that if properly applied can help a pilot to
progress at a much faster rate than normally possible. Above all, it is up to
the pilot to make sure that this tool is properly applied by getting the right
kind of instruction and not try to learn on his own.
If, after you download free flight simulator FMS, you want to explore commercial versions, then be sure to take a look at the hugely popular Real Planes G3 simulator below...and enjoy!
Click on above photo
(All links open new windows)
Download Free Flight Simulator ? - The Benefits!Copyright 2002 Howard
Sullivan
So your looking for an RC flight simulator? There are so many available now it can be very confusing but this article will help clarify things.
To start with I will suggest that you do yourself a huge favor and
download free flight simulator
FMS (Flight Model Simulator) because it's an excellent tool
if used properly. The big mistake that so many people make is to
believe
that the simulator will teach them to fly. A simulator cannot teach
anything, whether you download free flight simulator or anything else.
They are simply not programmed with that ability. Many software
packages have a
built-in tutorial that allows the user to step through the functions of
the
program as it explains how to use each one. The RC flight simulator does not have
this
feature.
For instance, it does not explain that stick
movements
should be gentle and only enough to get the model to perform a
maneuver. It does
not explain that the model must be controlled into and out of a turn
with the
ailerons. These are the functions of an instructor. The flight simulator is a
tool to
practice the maneuvers that have been taught by an instructor. A
student pilot,
especially a beginner, can develop some very bad habits while using a
simulator
that are difficult to break later.
There is a young pilot who taught
himself to fly using an RC flight simulator (I don't know if it was a download free flight simulator or not). When he arrived at the field to
get some one-on-one instruction, he had already developed some bad habits. He
managed to fly circuits around the field maintaining a good altitude although a
little low according to the instructor. The problem that he had developed was
his execution of the turns. He would make the turn with a series of very quick
movements of the aileron stick. This was obvious by the erratic banking into the
turn. The instructor showed him on several occasions how to make the turns
smoothly with gentle movements of the sticks. He is now flying an aerobatic
plane and his turns are only slightly less erratic.
For beginners, RC flight simulators
are excellent tools for building spatial orientation, motor skills, and
confidence. For more experienced pilots, flight simulators, even the download free flight simulator, can help in building
motor skills required in doing the more difficult maneuvers. The amount of
benefit that the pilot can gain from the simulator depends entirely on how well
the simulator emulates the model. On most simulators, the flight characteristics
can be adjusted so that it more closely emulates the "feel" of the model. None
of the flight simulators have progressed to the point that the flight physics are
perfect but they are close enough that they can be of significant benefit.
Dne of the most difficult things to
master for the beginning pilot is approach orientation. There is a natural
tendency for the beginner to move the stick in the direction he wants the model
to go. When the model is moving toward the pilot, the aileron and rudder
controls are reversed. This means that in order for the model to turn to the
pilot's left, the stick must be moved to the right. Using a simulator, even a download free flight simulator, allows the
pilot to practice approaching maneuvers for hours on end so that it becomes
second nature to move the stick in the correct direction for the model to take
the desired flight path. After approach orientation has been mastered, all other
maneuvers start to become easier to accomplish, especially landings.
The primary benefit of flight
simulators, including FMS download free flight simulator, is that of building motor skills. The pilot, whether a beginner or
experienced, can practice specific maneuvers for hours without having to be
concerned about weather, time of day, temperature, or number of people at the
field. The motor skills that are developed through hours at the simulator are
basically the same as "muscle memory" in golf. This means that the skills are
related more to the muscles reacting to a simple command than the brain sending
a series of commands to the muscle.
For instance, the pilot wants to perform a
snap roll with a Giles 202 model. He thinks "snap roll" and his fingers simply
move the sticks to the appropriate position rather than his having to think in
what position the sticks need to be. The end result of the muscle memory is
where modelers get the term "feel" for a model. Since there is no positive
feedback system built into a transmitter, there is not true feel for a model.
The feel of the model comes from the difference in the expected feel based on
muscle memory and the actual feel from the movement of the sticks.
Many beginners do not progress as
well as others simply because of a lack of confidence. This is especially true
if the student is not able to fly very often due to conflicts in scheduling time
to devote to learning to fly. With each trip to the field, he must re-learn some
of the things that he has forgotten during his absence from the field. He must
again reinforce his motor skills and regain his muscle memory or feel for the
trainer. Since his progress may be much slower than that of other students at
the field, he may become frustrated and much less confident. The download free flight simulator allows the beginner to practice what he has learned to maintain or improve his
motor skills and not lose his confidence. When he goes to the field, he will
subconsciously think, "I can do this."
A few years ago, there was an
article in one of the leading R/C magazines about the benefits of an RC flight
simulator. There was a story of a young man who flew a club trainer a few times
then bought a flight simulator. He knew enough of the basics to be able to hone
his skills on the different model configurations offered on the simulator. After
several months of practicing on the simulator, he went back to the field and
flew every model at the field including a ducted fan jet plane. He had no
problems with basic maneuvers because he had developed the skills required
through many hours of practice with the simulator. This is an extreme case but
it shows what can be accomplished through using a simulator, even FMS download free flight simulator, if the basic methods
have been taught.
If pilots get proper instruction
and use the flight simulator to practice what is taught, it can be of
significant value in learning to fly or to perfect various maneuvers. It can
greatly increase the "stick time" that the pilot is able to achieve in given
period of time. It is a tool that if properly applied can help a pilot to
progress at a much faster rate than normally possible. Above all, it is up to
the pilot to make sure that this tool is properly applied by getting the right
kind of instruction and not try to learn on his own.
If, after you download free flight simulator FMS, you want to explore commercial versions, then be sure to take a look at the hugely popular Real Planes G3 simulator below...and enjoy!
Click on above photo
Model airplanes information
Essential Gas & Electric Model Airplanes Info
(All links open new windows)
Much of the attraction of model airplanes is how realistic the aircraft looks in comparison with its full size counterparts. Thanks to advances in technology, the components have come a long way in their construction. This is due in part to the fact that todays models are created from a variety of different materials, each having its own benefits.
Wood has always been a popular material for constructing models, and in the past most frames and components were wooden. Many model airplanes are still made from wood, especially by those model builders who want to completely start from scratch when designing and building their own aircraft.
Balsa wood is a common material used in model construction because of its ease of carving and lightweight properties. Wood is fairly inexpensive and easy to find, and once you learn the basic skills it is fairly easy to work with. The ready availability of woodworking tools also makes this a popular form of construction for gas powered
model airplanes
today.
Fiberglass has also been a common material for making model airplanes because of its sturdy nature. The drawback of fiberglass is that most model builders have to buy pre-made frame pieces for fiberglass construction. It just isnt a material that many people work with in their own workshops. But the strength it provides in relation to its weight makes it a great model aircraft material.
From those builders who like to work from kits, the main advance in airplane frames and components has been the manufacturing of injection molded Styrofoam & plastic parts such as GWS
electric radio control airplanes.
The molding of plastic certainly isnt a process you would want to carry out in your own garage, but this technology offers several benefits to the construction of model airplanes. The main benefit is that pieces and components can be formed that are very precise and of great detail. This results in smooth curves, accurate and well-defined detail, and a basically more aerodynamic and realistic model.
So what is injection molding, anyway? In injection molding, a detailed mold is created for model components. These molds are made in a variety of ways from detailed carving to creating a mold from an already formed piece. Once the mold is created, small plastic pellets are heated and the resulting melted plastic substance is injected into the mold. Injection is more effective than pouring because it gets the plastic into small crevices and very detailed parts of the mold. The plastic is then allowed to cool, and thus the part is formed.
Essentially, many models today are made from a collection of each of the types of materials depending on the components themselves. Basically, the type of material you will use for each of the parts of your aircraft depends on size and sturdiness of the individual part, the level of detail you want, and how much of your model airplanes components you want to build from scratch.
Whatever material you decide to use, have fun and happy building!
(All links open new windows)
Much of the attraction of model airplanes is how realistic the aircraft looks in comparison with its full size counterparts. Thanks to advances in technology, the components have come a long way in their construction. This is due in part to the fact that todays models are created from a variety of different materials, each having its own benefits.
Wood has always been a popular material for constructing models, and in the past most frames and components were wooden. Many model airplanes are still made from wood, especially by those model builders who want to completely start from scratch when designing and building their own aircraft.
Balsa wood is a common material used in model construction because of its ease of carving and lightweight properties. Wood is fairly inexpensive and easy to find, and once you learn the basic skills it is fairly easy to work with. The ready availability of woodworking tools also makes this a popular form of construction for gas powered
model airplanes
today.
Fiberglass has also been a common material for making model airplanes because of its sturdy nature. The drawback of fiberglass is that most model builders have to buy pre-made frame pieces for fiberglass construction. It just isnt a material that many people work with in their own workshops. But the strength it provides in relation to its weight makes it a great model aircraft material.
From those builders who like to work from kits, the main advance in airplane frames and components has been the manufacturing of injection molded Styrofoam & plastic parts such as GWS
electric radio control airplanes.
The molding of plastic certainly isnt a process you would want to carry out in your own garage, but this technology offers several benefits to the construction of model airplanes. The main benefit is that pieces and components can be formed that are very precise and of great detail. This results in smooth curves, accurate and well-defined detail, and a basically more aerodynamic and realistic model.
So what is injection molding, anyway? In injection molding, a detailed mold is created for model components. These molds are made in a variety of ways from detailed carving to creating a mold from an already formed piece. Once the mold is created, small plastic pellets are heated and the resulting melted plastic substance is injected into the mold. Injection is more effective than pouring because it gets the plastic into small crevices and very detailed parts of the mold. The plastic is then allowed to cool, and thus the part is formed.
Essentially, many models today are made from a collection of each of the types of materials depending on the components themselves. Basically, the type of material you will use for each of the parts of your aircraft depends on size and sturdiness of the individual part, the level of detail you want, and how much of your model airplanes components you want to build from scratch.
Whatever material you decide to use, have fun and happy building!
Radio Control Batteries Info
Radio Control Batteries FAQ
How do radio control batteries work?
When a load (motor, receiver, anything that takes power) is connected to a battery, electrons travel from the positive terminal to the negative terminal (also referred to as electrodes). The flow of electrons causes a chemical reaction in the inner electrolyte of the battery providing power to the load.
In rechargeable batteries, the chemical reaction can be reversed. This, in essence, puts things back the way they were. Thats why a rechargeable battery can be used over and over. By charging it, you just keep reversing the chemical reaction allowing it to start over.
What types of batteries do radio control vehicles use?
There are a few common types of radio control batteries:
Zinc-carbon This is the technology of inexpensive dry cell, non-rechargeable batteries such as AA, AAA, C, and D. Zinc and carbon serve as the electrodes while an acidic paste serves as the electrolyte.
Alkaline This is the technology of the more expensive dry cell, non-rechargeable batteries. Duracell and Energizer are two of the most popular manufacturers of alkaline batteries. These batteries have zinc and manganese-oxide as their electrodes and an alkaline compound as the electrolyte.
NiCd Nickel Cadmium radio control batteries are rechargeable with nickel-hydroxide and cadmium electrodes and potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte.
NiMH Nickel-metal hydride batteries are also rechargeable. They have a nickel hydrogen and a hydrogen absorbing alloy as the electrodes and potassium-hydroxide as the electrolyte.
Lithium polymer These have lithium nickel cobalt oxide-based and carbon based electrodes with a polymer biphasic electrolyte. (Say that ten times quickly!)
Whats the difference?
The obvious difference between dry cell batteries in relation to the others is that these types of batteries are not rechargeable. Once the irreversible chemical reactions inside them have occurred, they no longer react to create power.
In the world of radio control batteries, dry cells are used mostly for transmitters and receivers. The reason for this is that the radio components have much lower power consumption than the motor components of radio controlled vehicles. For this low power application with infrequent battery changes, many people would simply rather carry a spare pack of brand new dry cell batteries for replacement than deal with rechargeable radio control batteries.
The difference between the two most common rechargeable radio control batteries, the NiCd and NiMH, is not an exact science. The battery sizes used for radio control batteries come in both types, and there really arent many differences except that NiMh is lighter than NiCd.
NiMH have a higher discharge capacity and therefore may last longer depending on the size and application. They have virtually the same initial power and life cycles. One difference that interests a lot of people is that the NiMH batteries contain less toxic material and therefore create fewer environmental issues.
Lithium polymer batteries are creeping up on the market of radio control batteries. They claim higher power at lighter weight, no memory problems, and longer charge life.
What is the memory effect?
Rechargeable batteries do actually have what is commonly referred to as a memory. If a battery is consistently used at only partial capacity, the crystal structure of the inner chemicals will physically change, altering the capabilities of the battery. In essence, if you consistently use 25% of a batteries charge, it will change to only offer you 25% of its original charge.
For
radio control batteries
used in cars, running your vehicle until the charge is used up may not be so difficult. But if you use these radio control batteries in airplanes, draining the battery all the way down in your plane can obviously be disastrous.
Finally, lithium polymer batteries like those above never develop the dreaded memory effect and coupled with their light weight they are perhaps the ideal RC batteries availalbe today!
How do radio control batteries work?
When a load (motor, receiver, anything that takes power) is connected to a battery, electrons travel from the positive terminal to the negative terminal (also referred to as electrodes). The flow of electrons causes a chemical reaction in the inner electrolyte of the battery providing power to the load.
In rechargeable batteries, the chemical reaction can be reversed. This, in essence, puts things back the way they were. Thats why a rechargeable battery can be used over and over. By charging it, you just keep reversing the chemical reaction allowing it to start over.
What types of batteries do radio control vehicles use?
There are a few common types of radio control batteries:
Zinc-carbon This is the technology of inexpensive dry cell, non-rechargeable batteries such as AA, AAA, C, and D. Zinc and carbon serve as the electrodes while an acidic paste serves as the electrolyte.
Alkaline This is the technology of the more expensive dry cell, non-rechargeable batteries. Duracell and Energizer are two of the most popular manufacturers of alkaline batteries. These batteries have zinc and manganese-oxide as their electrodes and an alkaline compound as the electrolyte.
NiCd Nickel Cadmium radio control batteries are rechargeable with nickel-hydroxide and cadmium electrodes and potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte.
NiMH Nickel-metal hydride batteries are also rechargeable. They have a nickel hydrogen and a hydrogen absorbing alloy as the electrodes and potassium-hydroxide as the electrolyte.
Lithium polymer These have lithium nickel cobalt oxide-based and carbon based electrodes with a polymer biphasic electrolyte. (Say that ten times quickly!)
Whats the difference?
The obvious difference between dry cell batteries in relation to the others is that these types of batteries are not rechargeable. Once the irreversible chemical reactions inside them have occurred, they no longer react to create power.
In the world of radio control batteries, dry cells are used mostly for transmitters and receivers. The reason for this is that the radio components have much lower power consumption than the motor components of radio controlled vehicles. For this low power application with infrequent battery changes, many people would simply rather carry a spare pack of brand new dry cell batteries for replacement than deal with rechargeable radio control batteries.
The difference between the two most common rechargeable radio control batteries, the NiCd and NiMH, is not an exact science. The battery sizes used for radio control batteries come in both types, and there really arent many differences except that NiMh is lighter than NiCd.
NiMH have a higher discharge capacity and therefore may last longer depending on the size and application. They have virtually the same initial power and life cycles. One difference that interests a lot of people is that the NiMH batteries contain less toxic material and therefore create fewer environmental issues.
Lithium polymer batteries are creeping up on the market of radio control batteries. They claim higher power at lighter weight, no memory problems, and longer charge life.
What is the memory effect?
Rechargeable batteries do actually have what is commonly referred to as a memory. If a battery is consistently used at only partial capacity, the crystal structure of the inner chemicals will physically change, altering the capabilities of the battery. In essence, if you consistently use 25% of a batteries charge, it will change to only offer you 25% of its original charge.
For
radio control batteries
used in cars, running your vehicle until the charge is used up may not be so difficult. But if you use these radio control batteries in airplanes, draining the battery all the way down in your plane can obviously be disastrous.
Finally, lithium polymer batteries like those above never develop the dreaded memory effect and coupled with their light weight they are perhaps the ideal RC batteries availalbe today!
Model airplanes information
Essential Gas & Electric Model Airplanes Info
(All links open new windows)
Much of the attraction of model airplanes is how realistic the aircraft looks in comparison with its full size counterparts. Thanks to advances in technology, the components have come a long way in their construction. This is due in part to the fact that todays models are created from a variety of different materials, each having its own benefits.
Wood has always been a popular material for constructing models, and in the past most frames and components were wooden. Many model airplanes are still made from wood, especially by those model builders who want to completely start from scratch when designing and building their own aircraft.
Balsa wood is a common material used in model construction because of its ease of carving and lightweight properties. Wood is fairly inexpensive and easy to find, and once you learn the basic skills it is fairly easy to work with. The ready availability of woodworking tools also makes this a popular form of construction for gas powered
model airplanes
today.
Fiberglass has also been a common material for making model airplanes because of its sturdy nature. The drawback of fiberglass is that most model builders have to buy pre-made frame pieces for fiberglass construction. It just isnt a material that many people work with in their own workshops. But the strength it provides in relation to its weight makes it a great model aircraft material.
From those builders who like to work from kits, the main advance in airplane frames and components has been the manufacturing of injection molded Styrofoam & plastic parts such as GWS
electric radio control airplanes.
The molding of plastic certainly isnt a process you would want to carry out in your own garage, but this technology offers several benefits to the construction of model airplanes. The main benefit is that pieces and components can be formed that are very precise and of great detail. This results in smooth curves, accurate and well-defined detail, and a basically more aerodynamic and realistic model.
So what is injection molding, anyway? In injection molding, a detailed mold is created for model components. These molds are made in a variety of ways from detailed carving to creating a mold from an already formed piece. Once the mold is created, small plastic pellets are heated and the resulting melted plastic substance is injected into the mold. Injection is more effective than pouring because it gets the plastic into small crevices and very detailed parts of the mold. The plastic is then allowed to cool, and thus the part is formed.
Essentially, many models today are made from a collection of each of the types of materials depending on the components themselves. Basically, the type of material you will use for each of the parts of your aircraft depends on size and sturdiness of the individual part, the level of detail you want, and how much of your model airplanes components you want to build from scratch.
Whatever material you decide to use, have fun and happy building!
(All links open new windows)
Much of the attraction of model airplanes is how realistic the aircraft looks in comparison with its full size counterparts. Thanks to advances in technology, the components have come a long way in their construction. This is due in part to the fact that todays models are created from a variety of different materials, each having its own benefits.
Wood has always been a popular material for constructing models, and in the past most frames and components were wooden. Many model airplanes are still made from wood, especially by those model builders who want to completely start from scratch when designing and building their own aircraft.
Balsa wood is a common material used in model construction because of its ease of carving and lightweight properties. Wood is fairly inexpensive and easy to find, and once you learn the basic skills it is fairly easy to work with. The ready availability of woodworking tools also makes this a popular form of construction for gas powered
model airplanes
today.
Fiberglass has also been a common material for making model airplanes because of its sturdy nature. The drawback of fiberglass is that most model builders have to buy pre-made frame pieces for fiberglass construction. It just isnt a material that many people work with in their own workshops. But the strength it provides in relation to its weight makes it a great model aircraft material.
From those builders who like to work from kits, the main advance in airplane frames and components has been the manufacturing of injection molded Styrofoam & plastic parts such as GWS
electric radio control airplanes.
The molding of plastic certainly isnt a process you would want to carry out in your own garage, but this technology offers several benefits to the construction of model airplanes. The main benefit is that pieces and components can be formed that are very precise and of great detail. This results in smooth curves, accurate and well-defined detail, and a basically more aerodynamic and realistic model.
So what is injection molding, anyway? In injection molding, a detailed mold is created for model components. These molds are made in a variety of ways from detailed carving to creating a mold from an already formed piece. Once the mold is created, small plastic pellets are heated and the resulting melted plastic substance is injected into the mold. Injection is more effective than pouring because it gets the plastic into small crevices and very detailed parts of the mold. The plastic is then allowed to cool, and thus the part is formed.
Essentially, many models today are made from a collection of each of the types of materials depending on the components themselves. Basically, the type of material you will use for each of the parts of your aircraft depends on size and sturdiness of the individual part, the level of detail you want, and how much of your model airplanes components you want to build from scratch.
Whatever material you decide to use, have fun and happy building!
Sep 24, 2008
Nitro RC car
Get Rev'd Up With a Nitro RC Car Today
(All links open new windows)
How To Get Started With a Nitro RC Car Even if You Are a Total Beginner!
By Joel Mangilit
Note - this is a very long and very informative article folks!
About the Author:
Hello Friend,
My name is Joel Mangilit and I have loved
nitro RC cars
since I was 7 years old. Starting out with toy models, my parents eventually bought me my first hobby quality RC car in 1981. It was a Tamiya Ford Ranger XLT electric powered RC car. My first electric RC car was so much fun, that my collection started to grow Tamiya Wild Willy 1, Tamiya
HotShot I, Team Associated RC10, Bolink 10, Tamiya Lamborghini Tamtech,
and Tamiya Ferrari Testarrosa Tamtech.
Although I was enjoying electric RC cars, it was during the early
90s when I read about gas powered RC cars. I became
fascinated and excited at the though of owning gas powered RC cars
because of the realism and speed of the 2-stroke engine. I wanted to
buy one. So I looked at a lot of models, compared prices, and
eventually bought a 1/10 scale Kyosho Rampage. It was an off-road buggy
similar to my RC10, except that it had a .12 size 2-stroke engine.
Being new to gas RC cars, I made a lot of mistakes, especially when it
came to tuning the 2-stroke engine. I encountered
various problems. There where days when the engine simply refused to
start. And when it did start, the car ran very slowly, sputtered, and
stopped. It was frustrating at times, but when the car ran properly, I
had a lot of fun. And as I gained more experience, I no longer had
problems with the 2-stroke engine. I bought two more gas powered RC
cars. One was an OFNA Touring Car (1997), and the last was a NEO
Touring Car (1999). It was the NEO Touring Car which I used to luckily
win two major RC racing events in the Philippines: the 1999 Neo Gas
Touring Championships, and the 1999 Futaba Open Gas Car
Championship.
Today, 25 years later since my first RC car, I still enjoy and have
fun, especially with my gas powered RC touring cars. I wrote this eBook
Secrets of Nitro RC Cars to help you have a
trouble free experience, and have lots of fun with nitro RC cars. Enjoy!
Joel Mangilit
{~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ O ~~~~}
Equipment for Nitro RC Cars
Nitro RC cars are actually simpler and require less equipment than electric RC cars. All you need to buy are the following:
1. Car
2. 2-stroke engine
3. Radio control system
4. Glow plug igniter
5. Glow plug (included in the engine)
6. Fuel
7. Fuel bottle
8. AA-size batteries
The best part is companies are now selling ready-to-run (rtr) gas RC
cars that come complete with all the equipment mentioned above. Simply
open the box, put fuel, start the engine, and enjoy playing!
Cars
There are many types of gas powered RC cars to choose from. You can
start out with the fast 1/10th scale gas cars, and as you gain
experience, move on to the even faster 1/8th scale category. 1/10th
scale nitro RC cars are usually powered by .12 size engines that have
around to 1 horsepower. Normal speeds are in the range of
30 mph, but some are capable of
speeds in excess of 50 mph.
1/10th scale Neo Nitro Touring Car
.21 size engines that have 2 to 3 horsepower power 1/8th scale gas
cars. Twice the power of 1/10th scale, these cars are capable of racing
speeds in excess of 70 mph! Definitely not for beginners.
2-Stroke Engine
A nitro RC car uses a 2-stroke engine. This use specially blended fuel,
and will not run on regular gasoline. There are two major sizes. There
is the .12 size engine commonly used in 1/10th scale, and the bigger
and more powerful .21 size engine commonly used in 1/8th scale.
O.S. CV 2-stroke engine
Engine Parts:
1. Air filter
2. Gears
3. Flywheel
4. Carburetor idle adjustment screw
5. Carburetor low-end adjustment screw
6. Heatsink
7. Pull-start mechanism
Air filter - the air filter on a nitro RC cars is used to prevent dirt from entering and
damaging the engine. For maximum power, it is important to clean,
lubricate, and replace the air filter on a regular basis.
Gears - gears are connected to the engine via a clutch system. The
gears are used to transfer power from the engine to the transmission of nitro RC car.
Flywheel - Used in a bump start system and houses the clutch system.
Carburetor Idle adjustment screw - Rotating the screw clockwise or counter-clockwise increases or decreases the idling
speed of the engine.
Carburetor Low-end adjustment screw - Rotating the screw clockwise or
counter-clockwise makes the low-end mixture leaner or richer.
Heatsink - These nitro RC cars engines are air-cooled. The heatsink is designed with fins to make the engine run cooler.
Pull-start mechanism - Used to start the engine, similar to a lawn mower.
Glow Plug - Similar in function to a spark plug.
Radio Control System
In hobby quality nitro RC cars the radio control system is fully
proportional. This means that the speed of the car can be finely
controlled. You can go at 0% to 100% full speed, and any speed in
between, just like a real car. The same goes for steering the car. You
can turn left gently, or turn left aggressively. You can turn right
gently, or turn right aggressively.
Radio control parts that are installed inside a nitro RC car:
1. Receiver
2. Fail safe
3. Servo for carburetor and brakes
4. Servo for steering
5. Receiver batteries
6. On/off switch
Transmitter - The transmitter is what you hold in your hand. Your left
hand is usually used to squeeze the trigger,
which controls the speed of the car. The more you squeeze, the faster
the car will go. If you want to stop or brake, push the trigger towards
the opposite direction. Your right hand controls the
steering wheel on the transmitter. This controls
the
direction of the car, whether to turn left, right, or just go straight.
The stick type used two sticks. The left stick is
used to control the speed of the car, and the right stick is used to
steer the car. The pistol type uses a trigger and
a steering wheel. The trigger is used to control the speed of the car,
the wheel to steer the nitro RC cars. The transmitter needs a 12-volt
supply to run, usually via eight AA sized batteries.
Receiver - The receiver is a small rectangular device mounted on the nitro RC car. It has a wire (usually 19) that acts as an
antenna to receive signals from the transmitter. Gas RC cars need a
2-channel radio control system. 2-channel means that there are 2 servos
connected to the receiver. The receiver needs a 6-volt supply to run,
usually via four AA sized
batteries.
Tips:
Never, ever, cut the antenna wire. I know the wire is long but still, resist the temptation to cut it.
To avoid radio glitches, keep the receiver and antenna as far away as possible from the 2-stroke engine.
Servos - The servos are small mechanical motors with decide the speed
and direction the car will travel. Nitro RC cars have two servos, one
connected to the carburetor, another to the steering mechanism. The
servo connected to the carburetor
controls the speed of the car. It also controls the braking mechanism. The second servo is connected to the
steering mechanism, controlling the direction of the cars front wheels.
Frequency Crystals - The transmitter sends signals to the receiver on a
specific frequency. Removable frequency crystals, located at both the
transmitter and receiver, determine this frequency.
Tip:
Be careful, the crystal with an Rx label is used for the receiver, and
the Tx label for the transmitter. The purpose of these frequency
crystals is to ensure that signals from the nitro RC cars do not interfere with
signals for another car. For example, if you are using a frequency of
27.255, make sure no one nearby is using the same frequency. Operating
two cars next to each other using the same frequency will cause loss of
control and cause the cars to crash. Make sure that the people you play
with are on a different frequency than what you are using.
Fail-Safe Unit - The fail-safe unit is inserted between the receiver
and a servo, usually the servo that controls the carburetor and brakes.
Its purpose is to set the servo in a pre-set position should the
receiver get signal interference. In other words, the fail safe will
help prevent your gas car from going out of control should the receiver
get interference (e.g. another person playing with the same frequency).
Or, if the transmitter batteries become weak, the fail-safe unit will
activate and the servo will go to a pre-set position. What is a good
pre-set position? In nitro RC cars, the servo should be pre-set to a
braking position.
Is it 100% fool proof? No. If the receiver batteries become weak, the
fail-safe will not set the servo in the pre-set position. High-end
radio control systems usually have a fail-safe unit integrated into the
design of the transmitter and receiver. However, entry-level radio
control systems do not have a fail-safe unit. Good news is that
fail-safe units are cheap, and I recommend you buy one.
Glow Plug Igniter - 2-stroke engines have a glow plug. The glow plug is
the one that creates a spark inside the engine, which ignites the
fuel/air mixture in the cylinder, causing the crankshaft to rotate. In
short, the glow plug is similar to the spark plug on a real engine. To
start a 2-stroke engine, 1.5 volts must be applied to the glow plug.
This will heat up
the coil, which will then ignite the fuel/air mixture. Once the engine
is running, the 1.5 volt supply is removed from the glow plug. The glow
plug igniter is the device that provides the 1.5-volt supply to the
glow plug. It can be as simple as a sub-C battery with alligator clips,
or can be a purpose made device powered by 1.5-volts.
Glow Plug - 2-stroke engines have a glow plug. The purpose it to ignite
the fuel/air mixture inside the cylinder, similar to spark plugs. When
starting a nitro RC cars engine, the glow plug igniter provides 1.5
volts to heat up the glow plugs filament. Once the engine
has started, the glow plug igniter can be removed.
Tips:
A good glow plug will have a filament that heats up to a bright orange/yellow/red color.
Not all glow plugs are the same. Use only glow plugs specified in your engines manual.
Fuel - The fuel used for nitro RC cars are special type fuels which you
can buy at your local hobby shop. Be careful, fuel used by nitro RC
cars is different from gasoline and fuels for model airplane. Make sure
you buy fuel made specifically for RC cars. The fuel is made of methyl
alcohol, nitro methane (i.e. nitro), and lubricants. The percentages
used are normally guarded secrets, but in general it is 70% - 10% - 20%
respectively.
Fuel with higher percentages of nitro provides more power, and is also
more expensive. Beginners of nitro RC cars would do well with 10% nitro, while racers
would normally use fuel with 20% nitro. Some fuels are blue, others
pinkish. The color does not matter as long as it is fuel for nitro RC
cars. Be extra careful with gas RC car fuel. It is flammable and
poisonous. Avoid contact with eyes, do not drink, and store it in a
cool place. In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with running
water. If swallowed, induce vomiting and call your physician. Keep out
of reach of children.
Fuel Bottle - The fuel bottle makes it easy to put fuel in the fuel
tank. They come with short and long nozzles, and what you buy depends
on the type of car you have. Some nitro RC cars have gas tanks that are hard to
reach, and require fuel bottles with long nozzles.
Fuel Tank System
The fuel delivery system of a RC nitro car:
1. Fuel tank
2. External fuel filter
3. Primer
4. Fuel line
5. Air pressure line
Fuel Tank - Fuel is stored in a fuel tank. Some fuel tanks have an
internal fuel filter while others do not. An external fuel filter
should be used with fuel tanks that do not have an internal fuel filter.
External Fuel Filter - To prevent debris from entering the engine, a
fuel filter is placed between the fuel tank and the carburetor. If the
tank has an internal fuel filter, there is no need to use an external
fuel filter.
Primer - To start an engine, it must have fuel in the carburetor. The
primer helps push fuel into the carburetor. This is done buy pushing
the primer up and down several times. You can actually see the fuel
inside the transparent fuel line move from the fuel tank to the
carburetor.
Fuel Line - This is a rubber tubing allowing fuel from the fuel tank to reach the carburetor.
Air Pressure Line - Rubber tubing coming from the tuned pipe going to
the top of the fuel tank. Exhaust air from the tuned pipe helps to
pressurize the fuel tank, helping fuel move from the fuel tank to the
carburetor.
Tip1:
To prevent confusion, try using different color tubing for the air
pressure line and the fuel line. For example, use orange for the air
pressure line and blue for the fuel line. This will help prevent
mistakes in connecting the line. For example, if you mix up the
connection, your car will not start.
Tip2:
I personally prefer a fuel tank with a primer because I can easily force fuel into the carburetor before starting the engine.
Some fuel tanks do not have a primer, and I find it takes a few pulls
on the pull-start to get fuel to even reach the carburetor.
Tuning 2-Stroke Engines
A finely tuned 2-stroke engine will provide power and reliability. That
means longer run times and parts, such as glow plug, piston, sleeve,
and rod will last longer. On the other hand, an out of tune 2-stroke
engine will run erratically. You might notice a loss of power and
decreased reliability. Glow plugs will burn out faster, and the piston
and sleeve will wear out quicker. A finely tuned 2-stroke nitro RC car engine is
therefore the most important item to achieve in order to have fun with
gas RC cars.
Starting the Engine - It is easy simply fill the fuel tank,
pump the tank so that a small amount of fuel is in the carburetor,
attach the glow plug igniter to the glow plug, then rotate the engine.
There are two ways to rotate the engine. The pull-start (ps) type of
engine has a pullstart mechanism built into the back of the engine.
Similar to a lawn mower engine, the
cord is pulled to rotate the engine. There are engines that do not have a pull-start mechanism. To rotate them, the flywheel
is bumped against a rotating rubber disk.
My Personal Experience
My first experience with a
2-stroke engine in my nitro RC car was not pleasant. First, the engine
refused to start. I kept pulling and pulling on the pull-start cord,
but the engine will not start. After several pulls, it became harder to
pull the cord because the engine was becoming flooded.
~Sidebar~: Pulling the cord of the pull start also causes fuel to enter the cylinder of the piston and sleeve.
If this fuel does not ignite, it will accumulate, causing the engine to
flood. Once this occurs, the only solution is to remove the glow plug,
and turn the engine upside down to drain the excess fuel. Then replace
the glow plug and try to start the nitro RC cars engine again.
What was the reason for the engine not to start? I found out that the
battery of the glow plug igniter was weak. So I replaced the battery
with a NEW battery. This has happened to me MANY times, as I assumed
that the battery I was using was freshly charged. However, the
rechargeable batteries lose their charge, so I suggest using alkaline
batteries for the glow plug igniter.
Another possible cause was that the glow plug was burnt out. This means
that the coil in the glow plug no longer produces enough heat to burn
the fuel/air mixture. So replace old glow plugs with NEW ones. Once I
fixed these items, the engine finally started. Everything seemed fine,
as puffs of blue smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe. Visible blue
smoke is desired. It is a rough indication that the engine is within
the correct setting.
~Sidebar:~ What is the correct setting? Well the engine must not run too lean or too rich.
Too lean means that there is too much air in the fuel/air mixture. This
will overheat the engine and cause MAJOR damage. Too rich means that
there is too much fuel in the fuel/air mixture. The means the engine
will run slowly or bog down. The reason is the engine is having
problems burning the excess fuel. A fine tuned engine is one that runs
in between the two extremes, not to lean, not too rich. But after a few
hours of fun, I noticed that the engine started to run hotter, and the
car ran slower. My assumption was that the engine was running lean, so
I adjusted the carburetor to a richer setting. It did not solve the
problem.
The problem was that the engine developed an air leak. That means
unwanted air was entering the cylinder, increasing the amount of air in
the fuel/air mixture. This caused the engine to run lean. The air leak
also occurred in the part between the cylinder and the exhaust chamber,
so adjusting the carburetor would not solve the problem. The only way
to solve the problem was to seal the air leak. So I removed the exhaust
chamber, applied sealant, and reassembled.
However, after a few minutes of running my nitro RC car , the engine
again started to overheat. The reason was that the
sealant I used was melting, causing the air leak
condition. I therefore replaced the sealant with a high-temperature
automotive sealant used to seal gaskets in a real engine. And this
finally solved the air leak problem.
So, to ensure a fine tuned engine, the fuel/air mixture must be
correct. The difficult part is that days are different, some days are
hot, and some days are cold. This means that a properly set carburetor
during hot conditions will be wrong for cold conditions. The goal is to
set the carburetor in a ballpark setting, then fine tune the setting on
the day you are running the engine.
Low-end High-end Settings - Some carburetors have single adjustment points to control the fuel/air mixture. Others
have two settings, one to control the low-end, another the high-end.
The low-end setting determines how fast your car will accelerate. The
high-end setting determines the top speed of the car. Both settings are
dependent on each other. Adjusting the low-end will also affect the
top-end, and vice versa.
Let me give you and example. Back in 1999, I was racing my gas touring
car. I already had years of experience with nitro RC cars, so I was
confident in my tuning skills. However, during my races, I noticed that
my car lacked top speed. So I kept on adjusting the top-end setting of
the carburetor. But no matter what I did, I could not get top end power
from the motor. Other gas RC cars were zooming past me in the long
straights. Eventually, I found out that my low-end setting was too
lean. So what I think happened was at high speeds, the engine ran too
lean, losing power. But I was adjusting the high-end setting, when I
should have been adjusting the low-end setting.
This happened to me in two major races. Fortunately, I still won despite my lack of engine tuning skills.
Troubleshooting - To begin, all 2-stroke engines are different. I
strongly advise you read and follow the manual that comes with the
engine. Assuming you have followed the manual, yet still have problems,
below are some common causes:
Problem 1: Engine Does Not Start
There are two main factors in making an engine start. First, the glow
plug must be working. This means that when 1.5 volt is applied, the
filament will burn a bright orange. A bad glow plug will not generate
enough heat to burn the fuel/air mixture in the cylinder. Second, the
engine cylinder must have the correct fuel/air mixture when cranking
the engine (via pull-start or bump start). If there is no fuel in the
cylinder, the glow plug has nothing to ignite. And if there is too much
fuel in the cylinder (i.e. flooding), even a new glow plug will not
have the energy to burn the excess fuel.
Problem 2: Engine Starts but Immediately Stops When the Glow Plug Igniter is Removed
Replace the glow plug. Another possible cause is the fuel/air mixture is too rich. Readjust the carburetor.
Problem 3: Engine Temperature is Too Hot (Lean)
A lean engine will cause a lot of damage. An engine will run lean if
there is too much air or not enough fuel in the fuel/air mixture. The
carburetor controls the fuel/air mixture. Adjust according to the
instruction manual that comes with your engine. If adjusting the
carburetor does not solve the problem, chances are the engine has
developed an air leak. That means air is entering the nitro RC car engine in places it is not supposed to, such as the section between the cylinder and the exhaust manifold. Another common source of an air leak is the section between the body of the engine and the pull-start mechanism or back plate. Solving the air leak is easy. Disassemble the affected sections, apply a high quality, high temperature automotive gasket sealant, and then reassemble the sections. Make sure to read the instructions on how to use the gasket sealant.
A dirty fuel filter will also cause a lean setting. The dirty fuel filter will prevent fuel from reaching the carburetor. Solution is to clean the fuel filter. Binding in the nitro RC car itself will also cause an engine to overheat. Check that there is no binding in the car by checking how freely the transmission and wheels rotate. It should be easy to push the car by hand, and the car should roll a few feet.
Problem 4: Engine is Too Rich
An engine that has too much fuel in the fuel/air mixture has a rich setting. A rich engine setting will also have the tendency to flood the engine, causing it to die. A rich engine will consume a lot of fuel and not generate enough power. The car will run slowly. The solution is to readjust the carburetor per the instruction manual. A weak glow plug may also cause an engine to run rich. This is because the glow plug is too weak to burn all the fuel. Unburned fuel will accumulate in the cylinder, causing the engine to run rich.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nitro RC car or truck for beginners?
Technology wise, almost all RC cars today are durable. So if you ask me, I would buy a model that is popular with my friends and with an external look that appeals to me. Today, the craze seems to be 1/8th scale nitro monster trucks and nitro on-road touring cars.
What are the best brands?
Associated, HPI, Kyosho, Losi, Mugen, OFNA, Neo, Tamiya, Serpent, and Schumacher are among the top of my list.
What model to choose from?
Beginners would do well to start with 1/10th scale, preferably off-road. You can choose from touring cars (on-road), to off-road models such as buggy, trucks, and monster trucks. 1/8th scale nitro RC cars are the ultimate RC cars in the hobby. Definitely for the experienced racers and not recommended for beginners.
What accessories do I need to buy?
If you buy a ready-to-run (rtr), you only need to buy minor items such as fuel, maybe paint for the body, and AA batteries for the radio system. If you buy kit versions, you are just buying the nitro RC car. You will need to buy the radio system, fuel, paint, glow plug igniter, and AA batteries. You might even need to buy the 2-stroke engine. For beginners, save yourself the hassle and buy ready-to-run models.
Where to buy?
At your local hobby shop, or http://www.rccartips.com/rc-store.htm .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Secrets of Nitro RC Cars, 2003 by www.rccartips.com Joel Mangilit
You may freely distribute this e-book to your friends and give it away for free on your web site. You may use sections of this book as long as you cite the source as www.rccartips.com
Spread the Word
I wrote this eBook to help beginners get into the exciting hobby of nitro rc cars, while helping them avoid the costly mistakes I have made along the way.
Feel free to email this eBook to all your friends. You may post this book on your website, and give it away for free (as long as you do not modify the contents.)
Many thanks Joel.
More Info
If you want to know more, visit my web site. It currently has over 70 pages and 100 images to help beginner with electric and nitro RC cars and trucks.
The web site URL is: http://www.rccartips.com
Feedback
Your feedback regarding this eBook and the web site is very much appreciated. I do listen to you. In fact, this eBook is already in its second revision based on early feedback I have gotten from readers. And I think this second revision is more informative than the first release.
Disclaimer
All care has been taken to make sure that information in this document is accurate and will help beginners get started in gas powered RC cars. Advice and information in this document is the personal opinion and experience of Joel Mangilit.
Joel Mangilit and www.rccartips.com is
not responsible for any damages that might occur from following the advice in this document.
(All links open new windows)
How To Get Started With a Nitro RC Car Even if You Are a Total Beginner!
By Joel Mangilit
Note - this is a very long and very informative article folks!
About the Author:
Hello Friend,
My name is Joel Mangilit and I have loved
nitro RC cars
since I was 7 years old. Starting out with toy models, my parents eventually bought me my first hobby quality RC car in 1981. It was a Tamiya Ford Ranger XLT electric powered RC car. My first electric RC car was so much fun, that my collection started to grow Tamiya Wild Willy 1, Tamiya
HotShot I, Team Associated RC10, Bolink 10, Tamiya Lamborghini Tamtech,
and Tamiya Ferrari Testarrosa Tamtech.
Although I was enjoying electric RC cars, it was during the early
90s when I read about gas powered RC cars. I became
fascinated and excited at the though of owning gas powered RC cars
because of the realism and speed of the 2-stroke engine. I wanted to
buy one. So I looked at a lot of models, compared prices, and
eventually bought a 1/10 scale Kyosho Rampage. It was an off-road buggy
similar to my RC10, except that it had a .12 size 2-stroke engine.
Being new to gas RC cars, I made a lot of mistakes, especially when it
came to tuning the 2-stroke engine. I encountered
various problems. There where days when the engine simply refused to
start. And when it did start, the car ran very slowly, sputtered, and
stopped. It was frustrating at times, but when the car ran properly, I
had a lot of fun. And as I gained more experience, I no longer had
problems with the 2-stroke engine. I bought two more gas powered RC
cars. One was an OFNA Touring Car (1997), and the last was a NEO
Touring Car (1999). It was the NEO Touring Car which I used to luckily
win two major RC racing events in the Philippines: the 1999 Neo Gas
Touring Championships, and the 1999 Futaba Open Gas Car
Championship.
Today, 25 years later since my first RC car, I still enjoy and have
fun, especially with my gas powered RC touring cars. I wrote this eBook
Secrets of Nitro RC Cars to help you have a
trouble free experience, and have lots of fun with nitro RC cars. Enjoy!
Joel Mangilit
{~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ O ~~~~}
Equipment for Nitro RC Cars
Nitro RC cars are actually simpler and require less equipment than electric RC cars. All you need to buy are the following:
1. Car
2. 2-stroke engine
3. Radio control system
4. Glow plug igniter
5. Glow plug (included in the engine)
6. Fuel
7. Fuel bottle
8. AA-size batteries
The best part is companies are now selling ready-to-run (rtr) gas RC
cars that come complete with all the equipment mentioned above. Simply
open the box, put fuel, start the engine, and enjoy playing!
Cars
There are many types of gas powered RC cars to choose from. You can
start out with the fast 1/10th scale gas cars, and as you gain
experience, move on to the even faster 1/8th scale category. 1/10th
scale nitro RC cars are usually powered by .12 size engines that have
around to 1 horsepower. Normal speeds are in the range of
30 mph, but some are capable of
speeds in excess of 50 mph.
1/10th scale Neo Nitro Touring Car
.21 size engines that have 2 to 3 horsepower power 1/8th scale gas
cars. Twice the power of 1/10th scale, these cars are capable of racing
speeds in excess of 70 mph! Definitely not for beginners.
2-Stroke Engine
A nitro RC car uses a 2-stroke engine. This use specially blended fuel,
and will not run on regular gasoline. There are two major sizes. There
is the .12 size engine commonly used in 1/10th scale, and the bigger
and more powerful .21 size engine commonly used in 1/8th scale.
O.S. CV 2-stroke engine
Engine Parts:
1. Air filter
2. Gears
3. Flywheel
4. Carburetor idle adjustment screw
5. Carburetor low-end adjustment screw
6. Heatsink
7. Pull-start mechanism
Air filter - the air filter on a nitro RC cars is used to prevent dirt from entering and
damaging the engine. For maximum power, it is important to clean,
lubricate, and replace the air filter on a regular basis.
Gears - gears are connected to the engine via a clutch system. The
gears are used to transfer power from the engine to the transmission of nitro RC car.
Flywheel - Used in a bump start system and houses the clutch system.
Carburetor Idle adjustment screw - Rotating the screw clockwise or counter-clockwise increases or decreases the idling
speed of the engine.
Carburetor Low-end adjustment screw - Rotating the screw clockwise or
counter-clockwise makes the low-end mixture leaner or richer.
Heatsink - These nitro RC cars engines are air-cooled. The heatsink is designed with fins to make the engine run cooler.
Pull-start mechanism - Used to start the engine, similar to a lawn mower.
Glow Plug - Similar in function to a spark plug.
Radio Control System
In hobby quality nitro RC cars the radio control system is fully
proportional. This means that the speed of the car can be finely
controlled. You can go at 0% to 100% full speed, and any speed in
between, just like a real car. The same goes for steering the car. You
can turn left gently, or turn left aggressively. You can turn right
gently, or turn right aggressively.
Radio control parts that are installed inside a nitro RC car:
1. Receiver
2. Fail safe
3. Servo for carburetor and brakes
4. Servo for steering
5. Receiver batteries
6. On/off switch
Transmitter - The transmitter is what you hold in your hand. Your left
hand is usually used to squeeze the trigger,
which controls the speed of the car. The more you squeeze, the faster
the car will go. If you want to stop or brake, push the trigger towards
the opposite direction. Your right hand controls the
steering wheel on the transmitter. This controls
the
direction of the car, whether to turn left, right, or just go straight.
The stick type used two sticks. The left stick is
used to control the speed of the car, and the right stick is used to
steer the car. The pistol type uses a trigger and
a steering wheel. The trigger is used to control the speed of the car,
the wheel to steer the nitro RC cars. The transmitter needs a 12-volt
supply to run, usually via eight AA sized batteries.
Receiver - The receiver is a small rectangular device mounted on the nitro RC car. It has a wire (usually 19) that acts as an
antenna to receive signals from the transmitter. Gas RC cars need a
2-channel radio control system. 2-channel means that there are 2 servos
connected to the receiver. The receiver needs a 6-volt supply to run,
usually via four AA sized
batteries.
Tips:
Never, ever, cut the antenna wire. I know the wire is long but still, resist the temptation to cut it.
To avoid radio glitches, keep the receiver and antenna as far away as possible from the 2-stroke engine.
Servos - The servos are small mechanical motors with decide the speed
and direction the car will travel. Nitro RC cars have two servos, one
connected to the carburetor, another to the steering mechanism. The
servo connected to the carburetor
controls the speed of the car. It also controls the braking mechanism. The second servo is connected to the
steering mechanism, controlling the direction of the cars front wheels.
Frequency Crystals - The transmitter sends signals to the receiver on a
specific frequency. Removable frequency crystals, located at both the
transmitter and receiver, determine this frequency.
Tip:
Be careful, the crystal with an Rx label is used for the receiver, and
the Tx label for the transmitter. The purpose of these frequency
crystals is to ensure that signals from the nitro RC cars do not interfere with
signals for another car. For example, if you are using a frequency of
27.255, make sure no one nearby is using the same frequency. Operating
two cars next to each other using the same frequency will cause loss of
control and cause the cars to crash. Make sure that the people you play
with are on a different frequency than what you are using.
Fail-Safe Unit - The fail-safe unit is inserted between the receiver
and a servo, usually the servo that controls the carburetor and brakes.
Its purpose is to set the servo in a pre-set position should the
receiver get signal interference. In other words, the fail safe will
help prevent your gas car from going out of control should the receiver
get interference (e.g. another person playing with the same frequency).
Or, if the transmitter batteries become weak, the fail-safe unit will
activate and the servo will go to a pre-set position. What is a good
pre-set position? In nitro RC cars, the servo should be pre-set to a
braking position.
Is it 100% fool proof? No. If the receiver batteries become weak, the
fail-safe will not set the servo in the pre-set position. High-end
radio control systems usually have a fail-safe unit integrated into the
design of the transmitter and receiver. However, entry-level radio
control systems do not have a fail-safe unit. Good news is that
fail-safe units are cheap, and I recommend you buy one.
Glow Plug Igniter - 2-stroke engines have a glow plug. The glow plug is
the one that creates a spark inside the engine, which ignites the
fuel/air mixture in the cylinder, causing the crankshaft to rotate. In
short, the glow plug is similar to the spark plug on a real engine. To
start a 2-stroke engine, 1.5 volts must be applied to the glow plug.
This will heat up
the coil, which will then ignite the fuel/air mixture. Once the engine
is running, the 1.5 volt supply is removed from the glow plug. The glow
plug igniter is the device that provides the 1.5-volt supply to the
glow plug. It can be as simple as a sub-C battery with alligator clips,
or can be a purpose made device powered by 1.5-volts.
Glow Plug - 2-stroke engines have a glow plug. The purpose it to ignite
the fuel/air mixture inside the cylinder, similar to spark plugs. When
starting a nitro RC cars engine, the glow plug igniter provides 1.5
volts to heat up the glow plugs filament. Once the engine
has started, the glow plug igniter can be removed.
Tips:
A good glow plug will have a filament that heats up to a bright orange/yellow/red color.
Not all glow plugs are the same. Use only glow plugs specified in your engines manual.
Fuel - The fuel used for nitro RC cars are special type fuels which you
can buy at your local hobby shop. Be careful, fuel used by nitro RC
cars is different from gasoline and fuels for model airplane. Make sure
you buy fuel made specifically for RC cars. The fuel is made of methyl
alcohol, nitro methane (i.e. nitro), and lubricants. The percentages
used are normally guarded secrets, but in general it is 70% - 10% - 20%
respectively.
Fuel with higher percentages of nitro provides more power, and is also
more expensive. Beginners of nitro RC cars would do well with 10% nitro, while racers
would normally use fuel with 20% nitro. Some fuels are blue, others
pinkish. The color does not matter as long as it is fuel for nitro RC
cars. Be extra careful with gas RC car fuel. It is flammable and
poisonous. Avoid contact with eyes, do not drink, and store it in a
cool place. In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with running
water. If swallowed, induce vomiting and call your physician. Keep out
of reach of children.
Fuel Bottle - The fuel bottle makes it easy to put fuel in the fuel
tank. They come with short and long nozzles, and what you buy depends
on the type of car you have. Some nitro RC cars have gas tanks that are hard to
reach, and require fuel bottles with long nozzles.
Fuel Tank System
The fuel delivery system of a RC nitro car:
1. Fuel tank
2. External fuel filter
3. Primer
4. Fuel line
5. Air pressure line
Fuel Tank - Fuel is stored in a fuel tank. Some fuel tanks have an
internal fuel filter while others do not. An external fuel filter
should be used with fuel tanks that do not have an internal fuel filter.
External Fuel Filter - To prevent debris from entering the engine, a
fuel filter is placed between the fuel tank and the carburetor. If the
tank has an internal fuel filter, there is no need to use an external
fuel filter.
Primer - To start an engine, it must have fuel in the carburetor. The
primer helps push fuel into the carburetor. This is done buy pushing
the primer up and down several times. You can actually see the fuel
inside the transparent fuel line move from the fuel tank to the
carburetor.
Fuel Line - This is a rubber tubing allowing fuel from the fuel tank to reach the carburetor.
Air Pressure Line - Rubber tubing coming from the tuned pipe going to
the top of the fuel tank. Exhaust air from the tuned pipe helps to
pressurize the fuel tank, helping fuel move from the fuel tank to the
carburetor.
Tip1:
To prevent confusion, try using different color tubing for the air
pressure line and the fuel line. For example, use orange for the air
pressure line and blue for the fuel line. This will help prevent
mistakes in connecting the line. For example, if you mix up the
connection, your car will not start.
Tip2:
I personally prefer a fuel tank with a primer because I can easily force fuel into the carburetor before starting the engine.
Some fuel tanks do not have a primer, and I find it takes a few pulls
on the pull-start to get fuel to even reach the carburetor.
Tuning 2-Stroke Engines
A finely tuned 2-stroke engine will provide power and reliability. That
means longer run times and parts, such as glow plug, piston, sleeve,
and rod will last longer. On the other hand, an out of tune 2-stroke
engine will run erratically. You might notice a loss of power and
decreased reliability. Glow plugs will burn out faster, and the piston
and sleeve will wear out quicker. A finely tuned 2-stroke nitro RC car engine is
therefore the most important item to achieve in order to have fun with
gas RC cars.
Starting the Engine - It is easy simply fill the fuel tank,
pump the tank so that a small amount of fuel is in the carburetor,
attach the glow plug igniter to the glow plug, then rotate the engine.
There are two ways to rotate the engine. The pull-start (ps) type of
engine has a pullstart mechanism built into the back of the engine.
Similar to a lawn mower engine, the
cord is pulled to rotate the engine. There are engines that do not have a pull-start mechanism. To rotate them, the flywheel
is bumped against a rotating rubber disk.
My Personal Experience
My first experience with a
2-stroke engine in my nitro RC car was not pleasant. First, the engine
refused to start. I kept pulling and pulling on the pull-start cord,
but the engine will not start. After several pulls, it became harder to
pull the cord because the engine was becoming flooded.
~Sidebar~: Pulling the cord of the pull start also causes fuel to enter the cylinder of the piston and sleeve.
If this fuel does not ignite, it will accumulate, causing the engine to
flood. Once this occurs, the only solution is to remove the glow plug,
and turn the engine upside down to drain the excess fuel. Then replace
the glow plug and try to start the nitro RC cars engine again.
What was the reason for the engine not to start? I found out that the
battery of the glow plug igniter was weak. So I replaced the battery
with a NEW battery. This has happened to me MANY times, as I assumed
that the battery I was using was freshly charged. However, the
rechargeable batteries lose their charge, so I suggest using alkaline
batteries for the glow plug igniter.
Another possible cause was that the glow plug was burnt out. This means
that the coil in the glow plug no longer produces enough heat to burn
the fuel/air mixture. So replace old glow plugs with NEW ones. Once I
fixed these items, the engine finally started. Everything seemed fine,
as puffs of blue smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe. Visible blue
smoke is desired. It is a rough indication that the engine is within
the correct setting.
~Sidebar:~ What is the correct setting? Well the engine must not run too lean or too rich.
Too lean means that there is too much air in the fuel/air mixture. This
will overheat the engine and cause MAJOR damage. Too rich means that
there is too much fuel in the fuel/air mixture. The means the engine
will run slowly or bog down. The reason is the engine is having
problems burning the excess fuel. A fine tuned engine is one that runs
in between the two extremes, not to lean, not too rich. But after a few
hours of fun, I noticed that the engine started to run hotter, and the
car ran slower. My assumption was that the engine was running lean, so
I adjusted the carburetor to a richer setting. It did not solve the
problem.
The problem was that the engine developed an air leak. That means
unwanted air was entering the cylinder, increasing the amount of air in
the fuel/air mixture. This caused the engine to run lean. The air leak
also occurred in the part between the cylinder and the exhaust chamber,
so adjusting the carburetor would not solve the problem. The only way
to solve the problem was to seal the air leak. So I removed the exhaust
chamber, applied sealant, and reassembled.
However, after a few minutes of running my nitro RC car , the engine
again started to overheat. The reason was that the
sealant I used was melting, causing the air leak
condition. I therefore replaced the sealant with a high-temperature
automotive sealant used to seal gaskets in a real engine. And this
finally solved the air leak problem.
So, to ensure a fine tuned engine, the fuel/air mixture must be
correct. The difficult part is that days are different, some days are
hot, and some days are cold. This means that a properly set carburetor
during hot conditions will be wrong for cold conditions. The goal is to
set the carburetor in a ballpark setting, then fine tune the setting on
the day you are running the engine.
Low-end High-end Settings - Some carburetors have single adjustment points to control the fuel/air mixture. Others
have two settings, one to control the low-end, another the high-end.
The low-end setting determines how fast your car will accelerate. The
high-end setting determines the top speed of the car. Both settings are
dependent on each other. Adjusting the low-end will also affect the
top-end, and vice versa.
Let me give you and example. Back in 1999, I was racing my gas touring
car. I already had years of experience with nitro RC cars, so I was
confident in my tuning skills. However, during my races, I noticed that
my car lacked top speed. So I kept on adjusting the top-end setting of
the carburetor. But no matter what I did, I could not get top end power
from the motor. Other gas RC cars were zooming past me in the long
straights. Eventually, I found out that my low-end setting was too
lean. So what I think happened was at high speeds, the engine ran too
lean, losing power. But I was adjusting the high-end setting, when I
should have been adjusting the low-end setting.
This happened to me in two major races. Fortunately, I still won despite my lack of engine tuning skills.
Troubleshooting - To begin, all 2-stroke engines are different. I
strongly advise you read and follow the manual that comes with the
engine. Assuming you have followed the manual, yet still have problems,
below are some common causes:
Problem 1: Engine Does Not Start
There are two main factors in making an engine start. First, the glow
plug must be working. This means that when 1.5 volt is applied, the
filament will burn a bright orange. A bad glow plug will not generate
enough heat to burn the fuel/air mixture in the cylinder. Second, the
engine cylinder must have the correct fuel/air mixture when cranking
the engine (via pull-start or bump start). If there is no fuel in the
cylinder, the glow plug has nothing to ignite. And if there is too much
fuel in the cylinder (i.e. flooding), even a new glow plug will not
have the energy to burn the excess fuel.
Problem 2: Engine Starts but Immediately Stops When the Glow Plug Igniter is Removed
Replace the glow plug. Another possible cause is the fuel/air mixture is too rich. Readjust the carburetor.
Problem 3: Engine Temperature is Too Hot (Lean)
A lean engine will cause a lot of damage. An engine will run lean if
there is too much air or not enough fuel in the fuel/air mixture. The
carburetor controls the fuel/air mixture. Adjust according to the
instruction manual that comes with your engine. If adjusting the
carburetor does not solve the problem, chances are the engine has
developed an air leak. That means air is entering the nitro RC car engine in places it is not supposed to, such as the section between the cylinder and the exhaust manifold. Another common source of an air leak is the section between the body of the engine and the pull-start mechanism or back plate. Solving the air leak is easy. Disassemble the affected sections, apply a high quality, high temperature automotive gasket sealant, and then reassemble the sections. Make sure to read the instructions on how to use the gasket sealant.
A dirty fuel filter will also cause a lean setting. The dirty fuel filter will prevent fuel from reaching the carburetor. Solution is to clean the fuel filter. Binding in the nitro RC car itself will also cause an engine to overheat. Check that there is no binding in the car by checking how freely the transmission and wheels rotate. It should be easy to push the car by hand, and the car should roll a few feet.
Problem 4: Engine is Too Rich
An engine that has too much fuel in the fuel/air mixture has a rich setting. A rich engine setting will also have the tendency to flood the engine, causing it to die. A rich engine will consume a lot of fuel and not generate enough power. The car will run slowly. The solution is to readjust the carburetor per the instruction manual. A weak glow plug may also cause an engine to run rich. This is because the glow plug is too weak to burn all the fuel. Unburned fuel will accumulate in the cylinder, causing the engine to run rich.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nitro RC car or truck for beginners?
Technology wise, almost all RC cars today are durable. So if you ask me, I would buy a model that is popular with my friends and with an external look that appeals to me. Today, the craze seems to be 1/8th scale nitro monster trucks and nitro on-road touring cars.
What are the best brands?
Associated, HPI, Kyosho, Losi, Mugen, OFNA, Neo, Tamiya, Serpent, and Schumacher are among the top of my list.
What model to choose from?
Beginners would do well to start with 1/10th scale, preferably off-road. You can choose from touring cars (on-road), to off-road models such as buggy, trucks, and monster trucks. 1/8th scale nitro RC cars are the ultimate RC cars in the hobby. Definitely for the experienced racers and not recommended for beginners.
What accessories do I need to buy?
If you buy a ready-to-run (rtr), you only need to buy minor items such as fuel, maybe paint for the body, and AA batteries for the radio system. If you buy kit versions, you are just buying the nitro RC car. You will need to buy the radio system, fuel, paint, glow plug igniter, and AA batteries. You might even need to buy the 2-stroke engine. For beginners, save yourself the hassle and buy ready-to-run models.
Where to buy?
At your local hobby shop, or http://www.rccartips.com/rc-store.htm .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Secrets of Nitro RC Cars, 2003 by www.rccartips.com Joel Mangilit
You may freely distribute this e-book to your friends and give it away for free on your web site. You may use sections of this book as long as you cite the source as www.rccartips.com
Spread the Word
I wrote this eBook to help beginners get into the exciting hobby of nitro rc cars, while helping them avoid the costly mistakes I have made along the way.
Feel free to email this eBook to all your friends. You may post this book on your website, and give it away for free (as long as you do not modify the contents.)
Many thanks Joel.
More Info
If you want to know more, visit my web site. It currently has over 70 pages and 100 images to help beginner with electric and nitro RC cars and trucks.
The web site URL is: http://www.rccartips.com
Feedback
Your feedback regarding this eBook and the web site is very much appreciated. I do listen to you. In fact, this eBook is already in its second revision based on early feedback I have gotten from readers. And I think this second revision is more informative than the first release.
Disclaimer
All care has been taken to make sure that information in this document is accurate and will help beginners get started in gas powered RC cars. Advice and information in this document is the personal opinion and experience of Joel Mangilit.
Joel Mangilit and www.rccartips.com is
not responsible for any damages that might occur from following the advice in this document.
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