Remote-controlled cars may seem quite straightforward to a layperson. Turn it on, turn on the remote, push the buttons, and watch it go — simple as that, right? If you ask the average person what makes any of that possible, though, they likely would not be able to answer.
The RC vehicle hobby is hardly inaccessible, thankfully. Anyone can get into it just by getting their own set. If you decide to give it a whirl, there is plenty of information you might want to have at hand. This article shares some RC car basics that can make everything easier for you.
What Kind Should I Get?
There are many ways to categorize remote control cars , but beginners should be aware of two kinds in particular. Kit cars come almost completely unassembled. Using the enclosed instructions, you must put all the pieces together. Ready-to-run ( RTR ) cars require no such work. Just open the box and you will be good to go right away.
First-timers are advised to just go with the RTR cars. With the tedious obstacle of vehicle assembly removed, you can start learning RC car basics and enjoying the pastime right away. On the other hand, building a kit car can give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for the vehicle’s inner workings. We suggest trying it at least once — though perhaps not for your first RC vehicle.
Should I Go with On-Road or Off-Road?
Another way to classify RC cars is their terrain capabilities. On-road cars have smooth tires and bodies that go low to the ground. They can be quite zippy, especially when running on flat paved surfaces as intended. Many RC hobbyists enjoy testing their on-roaders’ acceleration and speed against others in races. If you feel the need for speed, these are the cars to get.
Off-road vehicles go further off the ground and often sport big, bumpy tires. They do not go as fast as their on-road counterparts, but they perform excellently in rocky and uneven environments. You can still race them, but you can also enjoy taking them off the beaten track and testing their all-terrain capabilities. Outdoorsy types may get the most out of these.
What is With These Fractions?
Should you get a 1/12 RC or a 1/8 RC? If you have no experience with these vehicles, you may be wondering where fractions come into the picture. Do not worry about needing to solve math problems or anything. All you need to know is that bigger denominators mean smaller cars.
These fractions refer to the vehicle’s scale, which means how much smaller it is than its life-size counterpart. A 1/12 Corvette is twelve times smaller than a regular Corvette. A 1/8 Corvette is eight times smaller, which means it is substantially bigger than the 1/12.
Scale means little if you are not a stickler for sizes. Anyone interested in competitive RC racing, though, should know their vehicle’s size. Just as lightweight wrestlers do not enter the ring with heavyweights, so do cars of the same scale stick within their class.
How Do RC Vehicles Run?
Yet another way that RC cars are divided is by their power source . It determines much about an individual vehicle’s overall performance, so whichever one you choose will seriously affect your experience.
Electric vehicles run on batteries , with wires connecting them to the motor. Make sure they are charged when you take your RC somewhere and make sure to bring spares. Brushed motors are cheaper and work perfectly well. Brushless motors are more efficient in converting the batteries’ juice into electricity, which blesses the vehicle with greater speed.
Gas-powered vehicles burn a mix of gasoline and oil. The fuel mixes with air inside the RC engine and strikes from pistons ignite it for dazzling results. Their use of internal combustion makes them similar to life-size cars, at least in that sense.
You may have heard the term “nitro” but not know what it means. It refers to a type of fuel that uses nitromethane as a major ingredient. It combines with air and compression, and the heat from the glow plug engines ignites the mix. A continuous flow of both fuel and air can result in high speeds and even greater power, which makes nitro fuel RC cars quite popular. Just watch out for the fumes and the noise they produce.
How Do Remotes Work?
Remotes do not make remote-controlled cars move and turn with magic. They have transmitters, which send our radio signals. The car should have corresponding receivers, which are found in special motors called servos. The gist is that they translate the signals into commands, with different pulses producing different results in the vehicle’s actions.
We have gone into greater detail about remote control car servos in a previous blog post. Something we did not touch on is frequency. Remotes and servos are already paired on the same frequency when you get them. This prevents remotes from controlling other people’s vehicles. You can change the frequency with the right tools and know-how, but make sure the devices stay connected.
What Other RC Car Basics Should I Know?
Is playing with RC cars by yourself starting to lose its novelty? We advise looking for fellow hobbyists, who may be more than happy to make your acquaintance and challenge your vehicles. Most areas have a racing scene, and you can probably learn about clubs and events at hobby shops or online.
You can certainly take RC cars into hobby shops for professional repair, with a mechanic looking under the hood. With that said, there are plenty of basic actions that you can learn to do yourself. Tools are available specifically for fine-tuning RC cars and removing parts for replacement.
Speaking of replacements: once you get the hang of RC car basics, you should look into modifying your vehicle. Anyone serious about winning competitions at least considers replacing the factory parts with stronger, more efficient versions. If you need high-quality RC bodies, engines, tires, or any other parts for any reason, Absolute Hobbyz can provide you with everything you need.
