{"id":105,"date":"2019-01-28T19:43:21","date_gmt":"2019-01-28T19:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rcdedication.com\/?p=105"},"modified":"2019-01-28T19:43:21","modified_gmt":"2019-01-28T19:43:21","slug":"rc-car-components","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rcdedication.com\/rc-car-components\/","title":{"rendered":"RC Car Components – What different types are there?"},"content":{"rendered":"
When shopping for a remote control car, it can be difficult to know what kind you should purchase. There are a lot of options out there, and for a first time shopper, the terminology can be confusing. Knowing which components are best suited for you can save you a lot of time now and some headaches later.<\/p>\n
What are the main RC car components? There are several options for different kinds of RC cars, but usually you can choose either an electric or nitro engine, and a brushless or a brushed motor.<\/strong><\/p>\n Below, I’ve compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages for each type of major component that will aid you as you decide on the perfect RC for you.<\/p>\n Electric engines have several advantages. The main one is the lack of sound. Electric engines run quietly and very seldom cause conflict with neighbours. They are also simple to operate and maintain, making them an excellent choice for beginners.<\/p>\n Electric engines can be run on any track, outside or inside, and are capable of reversing. When coupled with brushless motors, they are also capable of incredible speeds.<\/p>\n Electric engines can be purchased at relatively low costs with varying mileage, depending on which company created the vehicle. You can get pretty good bang for your buck.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the electric variety also has its failings. One of the largest drawbacks to the electric engine is the fact that it only lives as long as its batteries.<\/p>\n Once your batteries die, playtime is done, whether you wanted to be finished or not. Depending on the type of battery pack, you might get anywhere from 12-45 minutes. If coupled with a brushed motor, the electric is also the slowest of all the types of RC vehicles.<\/p>\n The nitro engine can be a driver’s best friend or worst nightmare. A system with a much higher learning curve, nitros can give realistic mechanical experience as the purchaser learns to keep the engine well-tuned.<\/p>\n Some drivers love the way that the small engine roars and spews smoke while it races forward at high speeds. While a tank of nitro fuel will only last around 10 to 15 minutes, you can refill immediately and keep going.<\/p>\n Nitro gas can now be purchased through many online retailers, so it is no longer difficult to keep a supply of gas on hand. The engine also tends to be more water resistant and can travel faster than anything except a brushless electric vehicle.<\/p>\n However, the nitro engine also has its shortcomings. It can be very noisy, which can occasionally cause problems.<\/p>\n Not everyone likes the sound of this little car Doppler-effecting past their window, and in most cases, you won\u2019t be able to use this vehicle indoors because of the fumes that it generates. For a casual hobbyist, the nitro system can also be a lot of work, especially if you\u2019re not already familiar with its maintenance.<\/p>\n You may end up watching a lot of YouTube instructional videos at first. It also tends to be a more expensive vehicle, especially long-term, as you will have to continually purchase nitro fuel in order to keep your vehicle running. Many nitro cars do not have a reverse function, either.<\/p>\n To keep it simple, we\u2019re not going to delve into the mechanics of what exactly a brushed or a brushless motor is in this article. Instead, we\u2019re simply going to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.<\/p>\n The brushed motor is a fairly simple system. It is reliable and especially useful when manoeuvring through rough terrains. It has very few external components and the ones that it does have are very basic in nature.<\/p>\n These motors react more quickly and can be hardier. The brushed motor is very affordable and easy to control for beginning drivers. These motors are also easily configurable if you\u2019re interested in modifying your vehicle.<\/p>\n Some of the same things that give this motor its advantages can also be disadvantageous. The efficiency level of the brushed motor is much lower than its counterpart. The brushed motor, as the name implies, contains brushes, which slow it down and increase the amount of heat loss.<\/p>\n This means that the car has to use more electricity in order to keep the motor running. It can also be noisy. The brushes also wear down eventually and need to be replaced periodically, which will cost more over time.<\/p>\n Brushless motors obviously don\u2019t have brushes. Due to their design, brushless motors last for a long time and very seldom need maintenance. Though they generally are more expensive initially, the lack of repairs can make up for those costs in the long term.<\/p>\n Some people and manuals recommend oiling your motor frequently (some say every day, while others advise every few months), while others claim that this simply provides a place for debris and dirt to collect.<\/p>\n To the naysayers, they claim that this actually will destroy your engine and it lasts much longer without oiling, especially on sealed motors. The brushless motor is also a lighter motor, which in and of itself will help your vehicle run at faster speeds.<\/p>\n However, those aren\u2019t the only reasons that the brushless motor leaves its competitor in the dust. A brushed motor\u2019s capability is limited by the speed at which the brushes can rotate.<\/p>\n The brushless motor doesn\u2019t have this handicap, and can move at much greater speeds, delivering a much higher torque to your vehicle. The heat loss is also much less, so less electricity is needed to power it and the sound is much quieter.<\/p>\n One of the few disadvantages of a brushless motor is the cost. The initial cost is much more than that of its counterpart and may be daunting to someone who doesn\u2019t want to invest a lot of money into their new RC car. They also are harder to control at low speeds and do not respond as well on rugged ground.<\/p>\n What are the different kinds of batteries I can purchase for my RC?\u00a0<\/strong>There are two different kinds of batteries you can purchase if a battery pack doesn\u2019t come with the car: LiPo or Ni-Mh.<\/p>\n LiPo batteries are more expensive, but they are worth the investment. They give longer run times, more power, and they don\u2019t lose their ability to recharge over time.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, they can also explode if charged improperly. This usually happens when someone leaves their battery plugged into their car and just turning the car off. You need to actually removed the battery from the car, because even off, the battery will continue to drain until it is below safe discharge voltage.<\/p>\n Once that happens your battery is ruined. If the damage is intense enough to expose the lithium ions inside the battery to the air, the battery will combust. You won\u2019t usually have an epic explosion unless you\u2019ve overcharged your battery. Instead, you\u2019ll have a battery that smokes and generates enough heat to catch fire to anything flammable nearby.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a couple of tips to prevent you from destroying your LiPo battery (and possibly the surrounding area):<\/p>\n Overcharging will occur if you apply more than 4.2 volts to your battery. Either of these scenarios will cause a chemical reaction which will cause the battery to swell and begin to produce gas and heat.<\/p>\n The damage is irreparable and, in nearly all cases, will build up to an explosion. Unlike most situations, overcharging can lead to large, fiery explosions. Homes and cars have burned down in these types of situations.<\/li>\n For this reason, it is advised that you bring a fire extinguisher with you when driving with a LiPo battery. It is worth mentioning that there are some battery manufacturers who make packs with protective layers of fiberglass on both sides of the batteries.<\/li>\n This makes the battery heat up and distend. If this continues, eventually one or more cells will rupture, which will cause hot smoke or even a fireball. Check your wires before you drive to make sure that none are exposed or loose.<\/li>\n With those things in mind, LiPo battery explosions are rare. As long as you\u2019re careful, you shouldn\u2019t need to worry about it.<\/p>\n However, if the thought of your battery exploding worries you, you probably should stick with Ni-Mh batteries.<\/p>\n Ni-Mh batteries are cheaper and safer if you\u2019re worried about your battery pack exploding. However, they lose their ability to recharge over time and don\u2019t deliver nearly the same amount of power.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find yourself charging battery packs much more often and eventually having to buy new packs.\u00a0 Hopefully, battery designers will eventually fix the LiPo\u2019s glitches and render them as safe as the Ni-Mh packs.<\/p>\n Can I replace the motor of my existing car?\u00a0<\/strong>If you already have a remote control car with a brushed motor and you want to upgrade, it is possible to buy a brushless motor for your car and replace the existing motor.<\/p>\n Many places sell a brushless motor for specific vehicle types. Try and find one that matches your vehicle. Not every RC car is the same and some motors won\u2019t fit every car. Often the same distributors who made your car will sell brushless motors for it.<\/p>\n Are there other ways I can upgrade my car?\u00a0<\/strong>There are many ways that you can upgrade you RC vehicle. You can upgrade your transmitter, your radio, your bearings, the body of your car, and your tires. Many of these require an basic knowledge of how things should be put together.<\/p>\n Fortunately, learning how to do so is a fantastic first step into having legitimate mechanical experience. There are many tutorials all over the internet and, with a little research, any kind of upgrade is possible. RC hobby stores sell many parts for upgrading both the look of your vehicle and its components.<\/p>\n Which components are better for beginners?\u00a0<\/strong>The best type of car for a beginner would be an electric RC car with a brushed motor. They are easy to handle, less expensive, and simple to maintain. They won\u2019t last as long, but they\u2019re enjoyable for a casual driver.<\/p>\n What are the different types of RC cars?\u00a0<\/strong>We\u2019ve already covered nitro vs. electric, but there are a few other types of cars out there. Style-wise, you have the options of on-road, off-road, and rally. As far as out-of-the-box choices go, you can purchase RC car kits or RTR cars. I\u2019ll explain a little more about each type of car and\/or kit.<\/p>\n Who sells the best quality RC cars?\u00a0<\/strong>There are a lot of different brands of RC cars. However, they vary greatly in quality and price. You can buy pretty good cars for $30 or less, but if you want a car that\u2019s going to last for a while and has a good reputation, here are a few options:<\/p>\n When shopping for a remote control car, it can be difficult to know what kind you should purchase. There are a lot of options out there, and for a first time shopper, the terminology can be confusing. Knowing which components are best suited for you can save you a lot of time now and some …<\/p>\nElectric Engine<\/h2>\n
Nitro Engine<\/h2>\n
Brushed Motor<\/h2>\n
Brushless Motor<\/h2>\n
Related Questions<\/h2>\n
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