Fly an electric radio control airplane today
One
electric radio control airplane
is the E-Flite Super Airliner in which two fan units and motors are included. This particular model flies around at 2/3 throttle and the speed grows at a phenomenal rate when you increase the throttle. It is quite large with a 55" wingspan and weighing in at 3.25 pounds (1.5 KG) With exceptional slow speed handling combined with high speed passes, it looks and sounds just like the real thing! Definitely not for beginners but once you've had some aileron experience you should be ready for it. For convenience, the wings are detachable for transport. Another electric radio control airplane is the
P-51 Mustang RTF
by Parkzone. Ready to fly when you open the box, it too has removable wings for transportation and storage purposes. The wings are semi-symmetrical as is the elevator which allows it to fly equally well inverted. Take off from the ground or a hand launch is very simple by means of an easy grip area under the wing. Through the Telemaster Electro ARF plane, plenty of modelers have tasted their initial triumphant flying experience. With this unit, the motor mount is installed, the access hatch for the battery is built and the magnetic latch pre-installed. The excellent photo-illustrated instructions show step-by-step how the model is assembled, including the addition of optional flaps.The Easy Star ARF electric radio control airplane is perfect for beginners because of it's very stable flight characteristics. This model might be placed somewhere between a sailplane and a sports plane and it's a pleasure to hand launch and fly it. Made of resilient and repairable foam it provides beginners a safe ride and the prop folds back so that landings won't break it. The Hydro Plane combines the looks of a hydroplane racing boat with the performance of an aerobatic airplane. It's flight character is smooth with a high roll rate and broad speed range. The model is intended for pilots with enough flying skill to handle ailerons. So, if you can fly a 3D foamie, you can fly this as well. It comes unpainted to use your imagination or with several color schemes and decals.As you can see, there is an electric radio control airplane for anybody, from young to old, newbie to pro...enjoy!
Aug 22, 2008
Aug 21, 2008
Radio control submarines info
All About Radio Control Submarines
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The RC Super Explorer is a fine example of the various
radio control submarines
available today. She's a great looking, ready-to-run unit that will give you hours of fun. Another model to consider is the
Mini Ocean Explorer
submarine which more like a toy but is still a great model to start with.
Now, if instead of purchasing a complete submarine package like those above, you decide to put your sweat and tears into building your own model, you'll want to pick a radio system and components that will give your submarine life and bring it safely home.
How do you choose the right
radio control system
to navigate this new addition to your R/C family?
The first thing to take into consideration when choosing your system is that radio control submarines can be static divers or dynamic divers.
Whats the difference?
Dynamic divers use an angle on the diving plane to direct themselves downward as they use their momentum to actually dive in the water. The dive will last as long as the forward motion is sustained. Once the force applied by the motor is removed by shutting it off, these radio control submarines will float back to the surface.
Static divers use forward motion in addition to their weight to dive down into the water. Ballasts, or small compartments, fill with water to increase the weight of these radio control submarines. Increasing the weight in turn decreases the buoyancy and means less power must be utilized in the actual dive. Also, once the motor is shut off on a static diver the position the submarine takes in the water will depend on how much water it has taken into the ballasts.
The main point is that static divers, because of the action of filling and emptying the ballasts, require an extra channel on the radio control transmitter. Dynamic diving submarines need a control with 3 channels: one for the rudder, one for diving planes, and one for speed control. Static diving R/C submarines require a fourth channel to control the ballast tanks.
When choosing your radio control, remember that these are the minimum channels necessary for radio control submarines. Each extra accessory on your sub that requires control will require an additional channel.
In addition to the transmitter, radio control submarines need to be equipped with a receiver that handles all of the channels you need to control your sub.
Often these receivers come as a package with the transmitter to insure that they are the same frequency. If you buy them separately, make sure you match the frequency or you and your sub wont be able to communicate.
Once you have the transmitter and receiver figured out, there is another component to consider for controlling radio control submarines. This is the fail safe. While this component is listed as optional on a sub, unless you always operate your sub in a pool this device could mean the difference in whether your submarine makes it home or not.
Fail safe devices detect low power, signal loss, interference, undesirable pressure, and other things that may have a negative effect on your submarine adventure. When one of these occurs the fail safe returns the submarine servos to a preset state. This is especially important in static divers because the fail safe can tell the ballasts to empty even if you have lost control of the sub.
This will cause radio control submarines to surface and make your fail safe worth the investment.
Happy diving!
(All links open new windows)
The RC Super Explorer is a fine example of the various
radio control submarines
available today. She's a great looking, ready-to-run unit that will give you hours of fun. Another model to consider is the
Mini Ocean Explorer
submarine which more like a toy but is still a great model to start with.
Now, if instead of purchasing a complete submarine package like those above, you decide to put your sweat and tears into building your own model, you'll want to pick a radio system and components that will give your submarine life and bring it safely home.
How do you choose the right
radio control system
to navigate this new addition to your R/C family?
The first thing to take into consideration when choosing your system is that radio control submarines can be static divers or dynamic divers.
Whats the difference?
Dynamic divers use an angle on the diving plane to direct themselves downward as they use their momentum to actually dive in the water. The dive will last as long as the forward motion is sustained. Once the force applied by the motor is removed by shutting it off, these radio control submarines will float back to the surface.
Static divers use forward motion in addition to their weight to dive down into the water. Ballasts, or small compartments, fill with water to increase the weight of these radio control submarines. Increasing the weight in turn decreases the buoyancy and means less power must be utilized in the actual dive. Also, once the motor is shut off on a static diver the position the submarine takes in the water will depend on how much water it has taken into the ballasts.
The main point is that static divers, because of the action of filling and emptying the ballasts, require an extra channel on the radio control transmitter. Dynamic diving submarines need a control with 3 channels: one for the rudder, one for diving planes, and one for speed control. Static diving R/C submarines require a fourth channel to control the ballast tanks.
When choosing your radio control, remember that these are the minimum channels necessary for radio control submarines. Each extra accessory on your sub that requires control will require an additional channel.
In addition to the transmitter, radio control submarines need to be equipped with a receiver that handles all of the channels you need to control your sub.
Often these receivers come as a package with the transmitter to insure that they are the same frequency. If you buy them separately, make sure you match the frequency or you and your sub wont be able to communicate.
Once you have the transmitter and receiver figured out, there is another component to consider for controlling radio control submarines. This is the fail safe. While this component is listed as optional on a sub, unless you always operate your sub in a pool this device could mean the difference in whether your submarine makes it home or not.
Fail safe devices detect low power, signal loss, interference, undesirable pressure, and other things that may have a negative effect on your submarine adventure. When one of these occurs the fail safe returns the submarine servos to a preset state. This is especially important in static divers because the fail safe can tell the ballasts to empty even if you have lost control of the sub.
This will cause radio control submarines to surface and make your fail safe worth the investment.
Happy diving!
Jun 17, 2008
An RC battery charger for every need
Review These RC Battery Charger Models
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A quality
RC battery charger
like the MRC SuperBrain 969 above is essential for enjoying your radio control models to the max and in fact, a good charger can actually save you money by keeping your rechargeable batteries in prime condition thereby getting the most life out of them. Ensuring that the batteries are ready for use when you need them most is the job of either an A/C or D/C charger. Some of the models I recommend here even offer both power source options for convenience and the ability to recharge in the field where the action is.
The GWS MC-2002 charger is microprocessor controlled with Automatic Delta Peak detection for both Ni-Cd and Ni-MH battery packs. Input Voltage Range: DC 9.0 ~ 15.0 V Charging Current: 0.25 ~ 6.00A Continuous Battery Types: 50 mAh ~ 3000 mAh Ni-Cd or Ni-MH Cells: 4 ~ 12 Cells Protection: Output Reverse Polarity and Short Protection Maximum Charge Time: 90 Minutes with Safety Cut-off Readout: Large Scale Current Meter Cooling: Sturdy Aluminum Case with Heavy Duty Heat SinkHigh quality, simple to use and very affordable at around $45, you really can't go wrong!
When you're ready for lithium power in your models you'll need to buy an RC battery charger dedicated to lithium cells because the technology is very different from NiCd and NiMh batteries. And please don't make the mistake of trying to charge your lithiums with a standard charger because there's the very real danger of an explosion and fire!What I believe is one of the very best values in the RC battery charger field today is the
ProPeak Prodigy II.
A fully digital DC charger for under $70, its capable of doing everything that others costing 3 times as much can do, and it does it well. Whether you want to charge/discharge 1-5 cell lithium batteries, lead acid or any number of NiCd/NiMh batteries, this is an excellent buy!I hope you find what you're looking for here and if you don't then feel free to contact me by email from the Homepage or phone at 1-250-727-9793 Pacific time zone.Cheers,Steve..
Simple lithium charger here
(All links open new windows)
A quality
RC battery charger
like the MRC SuperBrain 969 above is essential for enjoying your radio control models to the max and in fact, a good charger can actually save you money by keeping your rechargeable batteries in prime condition thereby getting the most life out of them. Ensuring that the batteries are ready for use when you need them most is the job of either an A/C or D/C charger. Some of the models I recommend here even offer both power source options for convenience and the ability to recharge in the field where the action is.
The GWS MC-2002 charger is microprocessor controlled with Automatic Delta Peak detection for both Ni-Cd and Ni-MH battery packs. Input Voltage Range: DC 9.0 ~ 15.0 V Charging Current: 0.25 ~ 6.00A Continuous Battery Types: 50 mAh ~ 3000 mAh Ni-Cd or Ni-MH Cells: 4 ~ 12 Cells Protection: Output Reverse Polarity and Short Protection Maximum Charge Time: 90 Minutes with Safety Cut-off Readout: Large Scale Current Meter Cooling: Sturdy Aluminum Case with Heavy Duty Heat SinkHigh quality, simple to use and very affordable at around $45, you really can't go wrong!
When you're ready for lithium power in your models you'll need to buy an RC battery charger dedicated to lithium cells because the technology is very different from NiCd and NiMh batteries. And please don't make the mistake of trying to charge your lithiums with a standard charger because there's the very real danger of an explosion and fire!What I believe is one of the very best values in the RC battery charger field today is the
ProPeak Prodigy II.
A fully digital DC charger for under $70, its capable of doing everything that others costing 3 times as much can do, and it does it well. Whether you want to charge/discharge 1-5 cell lithium batteries, lead acid or any number of NiCd/NiMh batteries, this is an excellent buy!I hope you find what you're looking for here and if you don't then feel free to contact me by email from the Homepage or phone at 1-250-727-9793 Pacific time zone.Cheers,Steve..
Simple lithium charger here
May 13, 2008
Remote control blimp info
A Remote Control Blimp For Everyone
The
remote control blimp
is one particularly interesting aircraft in the RC flying arsenal you may never have considered. But you love to fly radio controlled aircraft, right? From park flyers to jets and helis to gliders, flying is fun. The RC blimp is a fascinating craft, surprisingly affordable, that comes in a wide range of sizes, shapes and flying capabilities and is used for pleasure, business and grand scale entertainment.The ones most RC enthusiasts purchase are 1.5-6 feet long and are used solely for pleasure flying. Businesses normally go for remote control blimps that are 6-12 feet long and are used for advertising and at commercial events, like trade shows. Mammoth RC blimps, some over 30 feet long, are used for advertising and announcements are various sports events and other arena-style gatheringsthese blimps, while radio-controlled, are usually tethered.Getting into lighter-than-air crafts, or airships, as they are often called, involves learning some new terms for components and finding a solid source for helium. Here is a basic list of airship parts:Envelope (also known as the Hull) made of a flexible material with good tensile strength, like Mylar, the envelope that makes up the shape of the airship. The envelope is held in its expanded shape from the internal over-pressure created when it is filled with helium gas. Gondola a container attached to the aft of the airship that normally contains your RC receiver, batteries and motors. Motors may be mounted to the gondola on the backside or one on each side, for extra power. Some motors can be mounted so that they can tilt up and down, creating what is known as vectored thrust.Power Plant combustion engines or electric motors are used to power remote control blimps. Many blimp enthusiasts recommend electric motors, which are heavier than combustion engines, but have better throttle control and can utilize reverse for low speed manoeuvres. Electric motors also maintain their weight throughout your flight, unlike gas engines, which will loose mass as their fuel burns. Propeller as with any propelled aircraft, the RC blimp has special flight needs regarding their propellers. With much of their flight manoeuvrability dependent on low rpm running, a larger prop is usually found to be more efficient.Rudders airship rudders perform the same function as other RC aircraft, controlling direction and aiding in stabilization. Airship rudders are going to be much lighter and have more surface area than those of a plane.A remote control blimp is capable of extreme aerial acrobatics climbing, diving, rolls, flips, loops and even standing on their noses. They can often be purchased as complete RTF units, with the blimp envelope, transmitter/controller, gondola, ballast weights and rechargeable lithium cell. You only need batteries for the transmitter and helium and you are ready to fly. You can expect a 100-300 foot transmitter range, depending on the size of your transmitter. Many RC blimps also include the capability of pre-programmable light displays, music and sound effects.Although remote control blimp flying is usually best indoors, there are some models that can be flown outside on very calm daysor nights! No matter where you fly though, this is one aircraft that is so much fun to fly, you never stop smiling.
The
remote control blimp
is one particularly interesting aircraft in the RC flying arsenal you may never have considered. But you love to fly radio controlled aircraft, right? From park flyers to jets and helis to gliders, flying is fun. The RC blimp is a fascinating craft, surprisingly affordable, that comes in a wide range of sizes, shapes and flying capabilities and is used for pleasure, business and grand scale entertainment.The ones most RC enthusiasts purchase are 1.5-6 feet long and are used solely for pleasure flying. Businesses normally go for remote control blimps that are 6-12 feet long and are used for advertising and at commercial events, like trade shows. Mammoth RC blimps, some over 30 feet long, are used for advertising and announcements are various sports events and other arena-style gatheringsthese blimps, while radio-controlled, are usually tethered.Getting into lighter-than-air crafts, or airships, as they are often called, involves learning some new terms for components and finding a solid source for helium. Here is a basic list of airship parts:Envelope (also known as the Hull) made of a flexible material with good tensile strength, like Mylar, the envelope that makes up the shape of the airship. The envelope is held in its expanded shape from the internal over-pressure created when it is filled with helium gas. Gondola a container attached to the aft of the airship that normally contains your RC receiver, batteries and motors. Motors may be mounted to the gondola on the backside or one on each side, for extra power. Some motors can be mounted so that they can tilt up and down, creating what is known as vectored thrust.Power Plant combustion engines or electric motors are used to power remote control blimps. Many blimp enthusiasts recommend electric motors, which are heavier than combustion engines, but have better throttle control and can utilize reverse for low speed manoeuvres. Electric motors also maintain their weight throughout your flight, unlike gas engines, which will loose mass as their fuel burns. Propeller as with any propelled aircraft, the RC blimp has special flight needs regarding their propellers. With much of their flight manoeuvrability dependent on low rpm running, a larger prop is usually found to be more efficient.Rudders airship rudders perform the same function as other RC aircraft, controlling direction and aiding in stabilization. Airship rudders are going to be much lighter and have more surface area than those of a plane.A remote control blimp is capable of extreme aerial acrobatics climbing, diving, rolls, flips, loops and even standing on their noses. They can often be purchased as complete RTF units, with the blimp envelope, transmitter/controller, gondola, ballast weights and rechargeable lithium cell. You only need batteries for the transmitter and helium and you are ready to fly. You can expect a 100-300 foot transmitter range, depending on the size of your transmitter. Many RC blimps also include the capability of pre-programmable light displays, music and sound effects.Although remote control blimp flying is usually best indoors, there are some models that can be flown outside on very calm daysor nights! No matter where you fly though, this is one aircraft that is so much fun to fly, you never stop smiling.
May 12, 2008
Build a remote control helicopter
How to build a remote control helicopter
Youve jumped into the
remote control helicopter
hobby and you are about to find yourself with more fun than one person can handle, so why not drag along a friend? Lets start at the beginning with how to build an RC helicopter so you can get busy having some of that fun.First, you need to decide on which model helicopter you are interested in. Once you have it built youll be ready to start flying no matter which one you decide to build, and for the most part the skill level is the same, so why not pick a chopper that appeals to you?Building your remote control helicopter is a daunting task but worth every minute and with the right set of tools and the instructions [yes you do have to read them] youll be up for the challenge and you can be proud of the end result.The best way to decide which RC helicopter to buy is to have a look at the different choppers that are available. Read reviews on the different models and types to discover which fly the best and which fly the worst, find out what others like or dislike about certain models. After that, youll be able to make an informed decision and you wont be wondering if you made the right choice.Purchasing your remote control helicopter is just the beginning. Then you will also need to purchase the various parts that you will need like an engine to make it run, the gyro that will control the rotor, the servos and radio controls which is how you will talk to your RC helicopter. The servo is installed in the helicopter and it is where the signals from the remotes are transmitted to.Next, you need to be sure that you have all the tools that you will need to build your helicopter. Nut drivers, ball drivers, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, fuel filters, glow plugs, pitch gauge, all kinds of nuts and bolts. No matter which kit you buy there always seems to be a screw or two missing, or you loose one while doing the assembly, oh yes, and dont forget those repairs youll have to make after a crash. And you will crash everybody does at first. In fact, its half the fun of learning to fly.After youve built your remote control helicopter, its almost time to take it for a test flight. Remember, anything that turns must be balanced, your end points need to be equal, and all the bolts need to be tight. If you have a friend thats an experienced RC helicopter pilot, ask them to look over your project to make sure youve got it all right. And now its time for lift off the moment youve been waiting for has arrived. What an exhilarating feeling watching the remote control helicopter soar high above. Dont worry this is only the beginning of a whole lot of fun in the RC world.
Youve jumped into the
remote control helicopter
hobby and you are about to find yourself with more fun than one person can handle, so why not drag along a friend? Lets start at the beginning with how to build an RC helicopter so you can get busy having some of that fun.First, you need to decide on which model helicopter you are interested in. Once you have it built youll be ready to start flying no matter which one you decide to build, and for the most part the skill level is the same, so why not pick a chopper that appeals to you?Building your remote control helicopter is a daunting task but worth every minute and with the right set of tools and the instructions [yes you do have to read them] youll be up for the challenge and you can be proud of the end result.The best way to decide which RC helicopter to buy is to have a look at the different choppers that are available. Read reviews on the different models and types to discover which fly the best and which fly the worst, find out what others like or dislike about certain models. After that, youll be able to make an informed decision and you wont be wondering if you made the right choice.Purchasing your remote control helicopter is just the beginning. Then you will also need to purchase the various parts that you will need like an engine to make it run, the gyro that will control the rotor, the servos and radio controls which is how you will talk to your RC helicopter. The servo is installed in the helicopter and it is where the signals from the remotes are transmitted to.Next, you need to be sure that you have all the tools that you will need to build your helicopter. Nut drivers, ball drivers, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, fuel filters, glow plugs, pitch gauge, all kinds of nuts and bolts. No matter which kit you buy there always seems to be a screw or two missing, or you loose one while doing the assembly, oh yes, and dont forget those repairs youll have to make after a crash. And you will crash everybody does at first. In fact, its half the fun of learning to fly.After youve built your remote control helicopter, its almost time to take it for a test flight. Remember, anything that turns must be balanced, your end points need to be equal, and all the bolts need to be tight. If you have a friend thats an experienced RC helicopter pilot, ask them to look over your project to make sure youve got it all right. And now its time for lift off the moment youve been waiting for has arrived. What an exhilarating feeling watching the remote control helicopter soar high above. Dont worry this is only the beginning of a whole lot of fun in the RC world.
RC Battery
Great RC Battery Deals Here!
(All links open new windows)
When you want an RC battery for your radio control car, truck, boat, heli or plane, you want top quality at reasonable prices. I've spent many hours searching the Internet for these valuable batteries from reliable suppliers and I think you'll be pleased with the results.
Bear in mind that a NiMh battery is superior in many ways to the equivelant NiCd battery in that it's much lighter, the charge lasts longer and nickel-metal hydride is friendlier to the environment because it does not contain the toxic chemicals found in other batteries. They are however more expensive but the price keeps dropping now that LiPoly cells are on the market.
I trust that you'll find all that you need here but if you don't, then feel free to contact me and I'll try my best to supply you with the battery of your choice.
Rechargeable R/C Batteries
More RC batteries
Lithium Polymer Batteries
(All links open new windows)
When you want an RC battery for your radio control car, truck, boat, heli or plane, you want top quality at reasonable prices. I've spent many hours searching the Internet for these valuable batteries from reliable suppliers and I think you'll be pleased with the results.
Bear in mind that a NiMh battery is superior in many ways to the equivelant NiCd battery in that it's much lighter, the charge lasts longer and nickel-metal hydride is friendlier to the environment because it does not contain the toxic chemicals found in other batteries. They are however more expensive but the price keeps dropping now that LiPoly cells are on the market.
I trust that you'll find all that you need here but if you don't, then feel free to contact me and I'll try my best to supply you with the battery of your choice.
Rechargeable R/C Batteries
More RC batteries
Lithium Polymer Batteries
Apr 9, 2008
Hobby RC Cars Information
Hobby RC Cars Information Guide
(Some links open new windows)
Hobby RC cars
or radio control cars, are one of the hottest sports in America with kids and adults alike! There are two power sources to choose from - gas and electric and in this article I'm going to discuss only electric cars. If you're mainly interested in a gas or nitro hobby rc car, I've got another page that completely covers that topic and you can read it if you Click Here Now.
The hugely popular electric radio control cars are the most popular choice of first-timers, and for several good reasons:
1) Simple construction and operation makes them the easiest type of hobby rc cars
2) They're less expensive than similar gas powered models
3) They don't make much noise which allow you to drive electric radio control cars indoors
4) And because they aren't messy like gas powered versions, they really appeal to many people
Having said all that in favor of electric powered hobby rc cars, I will mention that they don't have nearly the high performance features of their gas powered counterparts but you can improve that with aftermarket parts and engines upgrades. Stock models, out of the box, will usually run up to 10 minutes before the batteries need recharging, which takes about 15 minutes. By having a second battery pack fully charged and ready when the battery runs low will save down time and after all, we want to be playing...not waiting!
If this is your first hobby rc car, you may want to get a Ready-to-Run (RTR) unit complete with a 2-channel radio so you can be on the road in about an hour. Speeds of between 20-30 miles per hour are common and Nikko radio control cars offer a good variety, but they're certainly not the only manufacturers out there. These types of vehicles are usually targeted at new modelers and "backyard" drivers, rather than racers bent on winning organized competitions. But again, as your skills grow, you can improve your hobby rc cars speed and operation with upgrades like a new motor.
Motors are classified as either Stock or Modified. Stock motors have plain bushings, fixed timing, and 27 turns of machine-wound wire and it usually comes with the car kit. Modfied motors have ball bearings, custom winds, and adjustable timing...offering very different performance specs for your radio control cars. Fewer winds usually equals greater rpm's and shorter run time while more wire strands usually means smoother acceleration. Some of the very best (and most expensive) electric motors available are made by a company named Hacker Brushless.
Many more hobby rc cars come in kit form. You get all the parts necessary to assemble the model including instructions. Often, such basics as the body, motor and radio control electronics may need to be purchased as extras. The benefit of the kit is that there is much to be learned about your car that you will learn during building, and this knowledge will help when making any necessary adjustments or repairs. Building time of a kit can range from 10 hours to 20 hours. The other obvious advantage here is that you can fully customize your hobby rc car to your heart's content. Of course, this is the more expensive route to go so it really depends on your desire and wallet.
"Scale" is a term with two meanings. In one sense, it can refer to the size relationship between a model and an actual vehicle. For instance, the most popular scales of R/C vehicles are 1:8, 1:10 and 1:12. The 1:10 scale category definitely provides the most choices for a first-time hobbyist. However, scale can also refer to a hobby rc cars trueness to a real car's appearance and/or features. Many popular street and racing vehicles have been recreated "to scale" for RC enthusiasts to enjoy.
What If I Want to Compete Radio Control Cars?The two main organizations in R/C racing are ROAR (Radio Operated Auto Racing)and NORRCA (National Organization for Racing Radio Controlled Autos. Visit their websites for information on racing classes, as well as upcoming regional and national racing events.
Safety tip: Whenever operating your hobby rc cars, or any RC models, the radio transmitter should be the first thing switched on (prior to switching on any receivers) and the last thing switched off.
I hope this information was helpful and...have Fun out there!
(Some links open new windows)
Hobby RC cars
or radio control cars, are one of the hottest sports in America with kids and adults alike! There are two power sources to choose from - gas and electric and in this article I'm going to discuss only electric cars. If you're mainly interested in a gas or nitro hobby rc car, I've got another page that completely covers that topic and you can read it if you Click Here Now.
The hugely popular electric radio control cars are the most popular choice of first-timers, and for several good reasons:
1) Simple construction and operation makes them the easiest type of hobby rc cars
2) They're less expensive than similar gas powered models
3) They don't make much noise which allow you to drive electric radio control cars indoors
4) And because they aren't messy like gas powered versions, they really appeal to many people
Having said all that in favor of electric powered hobby rc cars, I will mention that they don't have nearly the high performance features of their gas powered counterparts but you can improve that with aftermarket parts and engines upgrades. Stock models, out of the box, will usually run up to 10 minutes before the batteries need recharging, which takes about 15 minutes. By having a second battery pack fully charged and ready when the battery runs low will save down time and after all, we want to be playing...not waiting!
If this is your first hobby rc car, you may want to get a Ready-to-Run (RTR) unit complete with a 2-channel radio so you can be on the road in about an hour. Speeds of between 20-30 miles per hour are common and Nikko radio control cars offer a good variety, but they're certainly not the only manufacturers out there. These types of vehicles are usually targeted at new modelers and "backyard" drivers, rather than racers bent on winning organized competitions. But again, as your skills grow, you can improve your hobby rc cars speed and operation with upgrades like a new motor.
Motors are classified as either Stock or Modified. Stock motors have plain bushings, fixed timing, and 27 turns of machine-wound wire and it usually comes with the car kit. Modfied motors have ball bearings, custom winds, and adjustable timing...offering very different performance specs for your radio control cars. Fewer winds usually equals greater rpm's and shorter run time while more wire strands usually means smoother acceleration. Some of the very best (and most expensive) electric motors available are made by a company named Hacker Brushless.
Many more hobby rc cars come in kit form. You get all the parts necessary to assemble the model including instructions. Often, such basics as the body, motor and radio control electronics may need to be purchased as extras. The benefit of the kit is that there is much to be learned about your car that you will learn during building, and this knowledge will help when making any necessary adjustments or repairs. Building time of a kit can range from 10 hours to 20 hours. The other obvious advantage here is that you can fully customize your hobby rc car to your heart's content. Of course, this is the more expensive route to go so it really depends on your desire and wallet.
"Scale" is a term with two meanings. In one sense, it can refer to the size relationship between a model and an actual vehicle. For instance, the most popular scales of R/C vehicles are 1:8, 1:10 and 1:12. The 1:10 scale category definitely provides the most choices for a first-time hobbyist. However, scale can also refer to a hobby rc cars trueness to a real car's appearance and/or features. Many popular street and racing vehicles have been recreated "to scale" for RC enthusiasts to enjoy.
What If I Want to Compete Radio Control Cars?The two main organizations in R/C racing are ROAR (Radio Operated Auto Racing)and NORRCA (National Organization for Racing Radio Controlled Autos. Visit their websites for information on racing classes, as well as upcoming regional and national racing events.
Safety tip: Whenever operating your hobby rc cars, or any RC models, the radio transmitter should be the first thing switched on (prior to switching on any receivers) and the last thing switched off.
I hope this information was helpful and...have Fun out there!
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