RC Car Info

So you purchased that fine RC airplane car, boat, helicopter or whatever with LiPo batteries. What about the RC battery charger? Batteries can only last so long and replacements are costly. RC hobbyists like me, who own a variety of RC vehicles, are constantly required to recharge multiple types of RC batteries. To make this a productive and safe endeavor a quality RC multi function battery charger can be one of the most important items in our pool of accessories. Just think we spend a lot of money buying RC batteries and battery packs, so it is reasonable to expect that we will do our best to take care of them with proper charging for higher performance and a longer life span. After all, when we are ready to go, battery power should not be our major concern. RC battery chargers are often taken for granted and most new comers will buy the charger recommended by a friend or sales person without doing any homework.  This will cause them to purchase a charger that does not meet their needs and leave out some important features that are available on today’s robust multi function chargers. Purchasing a quality multi function charger is an investment for years of enjoyment and fun with your RC hobby vehicles, so don’t take it for granted. LiPo and various forms of lithium chemistry such as LiFe, and lithium ion, are very popular so good lithium battery charging & balancing support will make or break a good multi function charger. The first considerations when buying your multi function charger is how much power it can deliver and maximum cell count it will support. Most good RC multi function battery chargers support at least 6S LiPo cell counts and up to 15 or more NiCad, NIMH celled packs.

 For the last year or so, I have used the Venom Pro charger/w/Power Supply and found it to be a great asset for charging all of my RC batteries. They have been a bit hard to find but a few are available now. Here are a few notes on this quality charger that has a very reasonable price tag.

It is available in both DC and AC/DC power configurations (very important) so there are no limitations. This machine can handle charging, discharging, balancing (LiPO/LiON/LiFE cells), cycling and more!

If you have multiple kinds of RC vehicles and other battery charging needs, the Pro Charger is able to service multiple types of batteries.

This multi function Pro Charger as a stand alone charger can handles five different kinds of batteries; NiCD, NiMH, LiPO, LiON/LiFE ,Lead Acid batteries and a whopping one to fifteen cells for NiCD and NiMH batteries.

This charging system allows users to define charge rates from 0.1 amps to 5.0 amps depending on what they need and also allows the user to create up to ten different charger profiles with a USB PC connection.

That’s my take. Check out a RC multi function charger and keep your RC vehicles batteries powered and ready for your next big RC adventure! Zoooooooom!

Trying to decide between a Brushed or Brushless RC Motor for your dream RC model? Making a big RC motor decision with price in mind? Well, this is an easy choice if you are talking about motors for hobby grade RC models. The two main types of RC electric motors are – Brushed and Brush less.

Brushed motors- have small contact brushes inside the motor to make it spin! This is what you will find in a lower hobby grade RC, like toy grade RC trucks. Most, but not all have replaceable brushes that can be fitted. Regularly cleanings are necessary since dust and debris will builds up inside and cause overheating. Brushless- motors in the RC hobby world are more popular now than ever before and offer more benefits with no brushes. There is much less friction and the motor produces less heat for faster and longer run times. Brush less motor can take more voltage than the brushed motor so speed and performance is greatly improved.  Overheating becomes less of a problem and you will be less likely to burn out the motor. Brush less is worth the extra cash outlay but you will save in the long run. Now, go get your prized RC.

Changing your RC car or truck tires and rims can upgrade your vehicles appearance and; improve it’s the overall performance! When I change my RC tires, I use one of two methods. In the end, no matter which method you chose, a successful RC tire change will bring you pride and satisfaction. By the way, safety first, get your self some water proof heat resistant gloves, trust me!  Remember, your objective is to de-activate the CA glue attaching the tire to the rim. Here is how I do it.

Boiling:

With this method you will not save the old RC tires because of water damage! Rims should be ok.  Bring your pot of water to a boil. Set the pot aside and let the RC tires and rims soak in the water for five to ten minutes. Have your gloves on and Remove the rim and tire from the water. Slowly peel the tire from the rim.

Baking:

With this method you have a reasonable chance of saving your RC tires. If you fail, you are not alone. Heat de-activates the CA glue and you can then pull the tire off the rim. Place rims and tires on a cookie sheet, I use aluminum foil,  and bake in  pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for about five to ten minutes. Remove from oven and slowly peel of the rim from the tire. When you feel resistance, put the tire and rim back into the already warm oven and work on another tire and rim. Soon you should have them removed and hopefully, saved your old RC tire as well as your rim.

When talking to RC beginners and friend about RC car and truck parts, I make a point to explain that I am talking about hobby grade RC cars and trucks. As a general rule you cannot expect to find parts for toy grade RC cars and trucks. These toys are factory made and pre-assembled and have a limited life span. They are great for kids to learn the basic controls but trying to repair them is a no win game. This is different with hobby grade cars and trucks and there are quality parts available to repair or to upgrade your vehicle. Don’t get confused with standards and use your common sense. Here are a few tips to help you in choosing the right RC parts

Always think of compatibility as some RC car and truck brands can only be used with specific parts. Before you buy any brand of RC car or truck parts, make sure that they are compatible with your RC product. This is especially important if you are just beginning With RC hobbies. You must strictly follow this rule to avoid damaging your car or truck!.
Watch the price! This can be an expensive hobby before and after you start. Always search for the best price and decide before your search what you are willing to pay. Don’t buy the first part you see, do your research and understand that prices will eventually come down. This will save you a bundle of cash. If you are into RC Racing then, I would give you the same advice but I would suggest you get the best parts for competition. I have a couple of Traxxas RC trucks that I sometimes race so, I usually stick with the standard Traxxas RC parts. When you can, only buy quality RC parts and only those that will improve the life and performance of your RC car or truck. Remember, if you buy cheap low quality parts that’s what you will probably get. These are just basic tips for in all buying decisions, you must decide!

k8597dsqai

If you’re new to the RC world, it’s very common for people to get excited about purchasing their various vehicles only to forget the necessary accessories. But without these accessories, many people find that they can only operate the RC product for a few hours. And then, after that, they simply have to wait until they purchase those necessary accessories to start playing again.

One such accessory is the charger for your RC battery. Without RC chargers, people will only be able to get one full charge out of their batteries. And this can be very disappointing, especially if you’re purchasing the item for a child. For this reason, if you’re giving RC vehicles as a gift, make sure they are accompanied by the charger. In this way, their fun doesn’t have to be interrupted.

AN ESC is used on some but not all RC electric vehicles. Its job is to regulate the amount of power that goes to the electric motor. This unit can come as a separate part and plugged into the receiver or it may come as a part of your receiver. ESC = electronic speed controller. The ESC interprets signals from the receiver and provides different motor speeds and directions, some act as a braking mechanism. Electronic speed controls are available for both brushed and brushless motors.

 I  Purchased a Venom™ 120 amp Pro Brushless ESC  for versatility, since it is compatible with all sensored and sensorless brushless 540 motors as well as all 540 brushed motors. This is an all encompassing Electronic Speed Control that includes the programming card that allows you to adjust eleven individual parameters including Forward/Brake, Forward/Reverse, Drag, Initial and Maximum Brake Force, Low Voltage Cut-Off, Start Mode, Maximum Reverse Force, Throttle Neutral Range, Motor Timing, Motor Type and Over-Heat Protection.  A great feature is the high efficiency cooling system that includes an aluminum heat sink and cooling fan that keeps your operating temperatures in check!  Its pre wired with 14 gauge wire to ensure minimal power loss and is very compact at 44mm x 31mm. This made the Venom™ 120 amp Pro Brushless ESC a perfect choice for my on and off-road applications. Check it out if you are looking for a great ESC.

Here are some things to consider before you purchase an ESC.

• Will the ESC be used for a brushed or brushless motor?
• Is the current rating higher than what your motor can pull? Watch this one to avoid overheating your motor.
• What is the voltage rating? It should be at least equal to or higher than the voltage of your battery.
• Some electronic speed controllers have a low voltage cutoff that prevents damage to your battery pack by shutting down the ESC when the battery voltage drops too low.

RC Batteries can last a long time if you give them proper care! The important tool to have close by is a RC Battery Charger. They have been proven to be cost effective and in this economic climate, saving money is a good thing. Here are some tips for your RC battery or RC battery packs.

 Always unplug the battery and leave it in the RC for later use.  With my kids toy grade RC’s I just pulled out one battery just to break the circuit. Having your on/off switch in the off position can drain your battery slowly. The Circuits involved in steering and throttle are still using current from the battery! Not much but enough to drain your battery over time. Take the time and unplug the battery. You can leave it in the RC for later use. Another consideration is how often you use the RC. Probably a lot less than you use your cell phone! Batteries left in your RC can corrode causing more problems than just dead batteries. If you’re not planning on using you’re RC for a long period of time, take the batteries out completely. Hopefully, its not one with a bunch of tiny little screws on the battery compartment but if so, it is worth it!

Getting ready to order your new RC Car or Truck?  If so consider a RC Quick Charger.  Most RC Cars and Trucks are purchased with a slow battery charger that plugs into a 110 volt wall outlet.  With your purchase of a RC car or truck you will get AA Batteries for the transmitter and charger and a 7.2v battery pack to power the car/truck. These batteries are not usually rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries will work, just remember that  rechargeable batteries produces slightly less voltage.

Rechargeable batteries will save you money over the long haul but if you want to save some real cash get a get a Quick Charger! A Quick Chargers is an  option that you can purchase with your RC to extend the life of all of your batteries. Only takes 30 minutes for a 7.2 volt battery pack charge and you are back on the track and running. Quick Charger maintains your power and adds life to your batteries. That’s where the real savings come into play! Get yourself a Quick Charger, you will not be disappointed. Saving money works for me!

After many hours of R/C tire burning action, it was time to get new rear tires for my Traxxas Jato.  This was a challenge, since there are many manufactures with great tires. My fist decision was to choose a set of tires only or get a tires and wheel combo package. After doing my research, I decided on a set of Assembled Traxxas rear tires and wheels made especially for the Jato. This set is great on any terrain and is an excellent multi purpose All-Terrain  combination. I am really satisfied with the set and highly recommend them.

If you need new R/C Tires here are some key things to remember. The wheel or rims on an R/C car or truck consists of the tire, the rim, and possibly a tire insert. Choose the right R/C tires, inserts, and wheels that are best for your driving conditions and activities. If its rock climbing get Ribbed Tire that are designed to handle the rigors of grabbing a footing on rough terrain.  If street or track racing is your thing then get Street Tires  for optimum performance on hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete. Drift Tires are specially made for drift racing and are composed of rubber and a special resin compound that minimizes the rc drift cars damage to the drift track. If you want longer tire wear then look into Bowtie Tires! I would choose these for a hard packed R/C track. Make the right choice and feel the renewed enjoyment and fun with your favorite R/C vehicle.

HPI RC body shells are fantastic when it comes to changing the look and style of your current street car or drift machine, at a great price!

Using HPI body shells is a fantastic way to customize your prize for a new life. That’s right, you can choice your body style replica and change your whole street car image. The change doesn’t require much time or effort and is well worth looking into.

These pre-painted body shells are custom painted, with drill locations to fit your touring, street or drift car chassis! You also get precisely fitted decals as well as wings or spoilers for your own fast custom look! They are very durable and painted on the inside of the body shell, so the paint stands a much better chance of not scratching during crashes. You can use the bodies (post holes) on HPI and Hot Bodies chassis directly, others may require drilling new holes. Each body is officially licensed and authorized by the car manufacturer so the ones that I have purchases have been totally accurate scale reproduction of real car!