radio control kits

While you may hear that a 4-channel radio is the absolute minimum and will work, using this type of radio requires you to combine the link throttle and collective pitch onto one servo. Having at least 5 channels allows you to put these on separate channels and greatly increases your helicopter's capabilities and fun factor!

In my opinion,if your radio control helicopters or kits dont come with a radio transmitter and receiver you need to know the basics you will be looking for in a radio. While you can use many airplane radios for helicopter flying, youll get the best control and enjoyment if you have a radio specifically designed to work with helicopters. These have a few helicopter specific utilities such as mixing functions to give you more control over your radio control helicopters.

The next question is how many channels will you need? The radio used for helicopters should have at least 5 channels: throttle, collective pitch, tail rotor pitch, fore-aft cyclic control and left-right cyclic control.

But if you are going to buy a radio, you should go ahead and pay the few extra dollars for at least 6 channels. This will allow you some room to grow and add accessories to your radio control helicopters. And if you plan to use a gyro this 6th channel is a must.

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!)

keep the running temperature of the engine

The lubrication in the fuel can also help keep the running temperature of the engine desirably low. But you cant rely on too much of a good thing.

While more oil may keep temperatures even lower, it also lowers the ratio of nitromethane in the fuel, which is responsible for the actual amount of power transferred to the vehicle. But putting in too little oil to make room for more of the nitro can result in overheated, worn down engines in which extra power wont do much good.

The nitromethane content of a fuel is what it is generally rated on. This is the fuel that results in power in the vehicle.

Typical radio control car gas has a nitro content of about 10% - 20%, but many enthusiasts experiment with their own levels to achieve the mixture of power results and long engine life they are looking for. Larger radio control cars may benefit from higher nitromethane ratios, but remember the warning about too much of a good thing.

Hobby RC Cars Information Guide

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

Helpful RC Transmitter Information

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.

Nitro RC cars

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.

Cheap RC Plane

If it's your first model, then a cheap RC plane may be your best bet for several good reasons:

1) Don't spend a lot of money at first, just in case it turns out that you don't like the sport after all.

2) Less pressure and stress while learning to assemble it and especially when flying your RC model plane for the first time.

3) Simpler transmitter controls that take much less time to master and allow you to concentrate on just having fun in a hurry. In fact, if you decide to go with a really all you need to do is plug in the batteries and squeeze the trigger...what could be simpler?

Now, while I've just mentioned some valid points for not spending much money on your first plane, here's a strong reason to lean more towards the middle price range:

If you have any interest in the sport after the first hour or so and continue flying, it won't be long at all before you're bored with that cheap RC plane due to it's very limited flight controls. Then you'll need to purchase another model to satisfy your desire to go faster and farther and with more control.

So, in my humble opinion based upon my own experiences, it's actually best to spend as much as you can possibly afford on RC model planes that cost more but do more too. And in the long run, you'll definitely be more satisfied with your purchase!

The World of Radio Control Nitro Cars

While electric models may be less expensive and easier to operate, "gas" powered radio control nitro cars and trucks have the definite edge when it comes to realism and performance. These RC cars are NOT powered by gasoline-they use a special fuel, commonly referred to as "glow fuel" or "nitro." But they do capture the sights and sounds of real, full-size racing like no electric can. The nitro RC car engines roar powerfully...exhaust vapors trail your machine...and the speeds are unbelievable (up to 80 mph!)

There is a huge variety to choose from: trucks, buggies, sedans, stock cars and more. Many come in "sport" or "competition" versions. First-timers might prefer the sport models gas powered rc cars for their lower cost, though if you're set on racing your radio control nitro cars you may want some competition features, such as ball bearings and oil shocks. When you choose a nitro RC car, make sure you understand what it does and does not include. Some kits already come with an engine. Competition-level cars provide the basic chassis, but often require you to purchase an engine and body separately.

You can control radio control nitro cars with the same type of 2-channel radio system used for an electric model. The one difference is that you will also need batteries to power the receiver in your vehicle. There is no battery pack for this RC cars motor that might also be used to power the receiver.

Some gas powered RC cars are powered by 4-cycle small internal combustion "glow" engines but most use a 2-cycle unit. They burn a nitromethane-based fuel that includes special lubricants for engine protection.

In addition to glow fuel, a number of fuel accessories are available that make it easier to operate radio control nitro cars. To get the fuel from its container into your model's tank, for example, you can use a Fuel Pump (powered and hand-crank options are available), suction-type Fuel Bulb, or a small Fuel Bottle with specially angled neck for reaching easily into confined areas. And fuel filters, installed in the fuel lines, will trap impurities before they can reach and possibly damage your RC cars engine.

Full-size automobile engines use spark plugs that ignite fuel with a spark...glow engines use a "glow plug" that, once heated with a battery-powered "glow starter," hold that heat to continue igniting the glow fuel as you race. Your radio control nitro cars engine may or may not come with a glow plug. Regardless, you will need additional plugs because they do need to be replaced-it's always a good idea to take several spares with you to the track for your RC cars. The glow starter, too, must be purchased separately.

You now have an assembled nitro RC car or truck, a radio, an engine and fuel. That covers the basic equipment that makes an assembled gas model ready race. But you need a few additional items to transform it from a static machine to a radio control nitro cars that springs into action at your command. Those include the following pieces of track equipment. (Remember, the vast majority of these are one-time purchases. Buy them once and you're all set for a long, thrilling nitro RC car racing career!)

Cheap Radio Control Cars

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!