So, you have discovered your fascination towards rc electric vehicles and are now ready to buy your first automobile. You have opted for an rc electric vehicle to ease you into the enthralling hobby of rc automobiles, but, you are mystified by all that rc terminology and wish that you could understand what a 'brushless' motor is. Fear not, read on and you will soon become an rc pro, 'walking the rc walk' and 'talking the rc talk'.
When you are browsing rc automobiles online and decide to check the details of an rc electric vehicle that you are interested in (let's suppose it is an high speed on road racing car),
this is what you will likely be presented with, if you are on a quality, customer-focussed website, that is:
o SP28404 brushless motor
o SP28405 brushless electronic speed control
o Anodized aluminium centre drive joint
o Compact front/rear differentials
o Suspension arms with adjustable Width
o Anodized aluminium radio tray
o Solid shock towers and front/rear bumper
o High quality on-road tires with chrome sprayed rims
o 7.2v 1100mah Ni-Mh battery power required
o 7.2v 1500mah Ni-Mh battery or 7.4v 1300mah lithium battery pack is optional
o Anodized aluminium motor heat guard
o High duty front bumper foam provides
o Vehicle length: 265 mm
o Vehicle Width: 140 mm
o Height: 80 mm
o Wheelbase: 174 mm
o Track Width: 77 mm (F/R)
o Gear Ratio: 10.6:1
o Ground Clearance: 8mm
o Net Weight: 790g
o Wheel Diameter: 49mm
o Wheel Width: 18mm
How do you make head or tail of this fairly detailed specification for your rc electric vehicle, without it resulting in your eyes glazing over? Help is at hand right here. Let us go through these features one by one and you will be overjoyed with enlightenment.
SP28404 brushless motor
This is the latest, more advanced, powerful type of rc electric vehicle motor, which is reflected in the overall (higher) starting price of the rc electric vehicle in which it is fitted. The benefits to you are a potentially speedier, more dynamically efficient rc electric vehicle, with the added bonus that it should be simpler to maintain. RC electric vehicles with brushed motors however, are the classic, conventional types.
SP28405 brushless electronic speed control
The rc electric vehicle's speed is regulated with an electronic speed controller (abbreviated to ESC). This is the component that controls the drive motor mentioned above, together with the general electronics. Most rc electric vehicles come integrated with the motor and ESC, but are separate purchases in the more enhanced rc electric vehicle set-ups.
Anodized aluminium centre drive joint
More commonly known as the rc electric vehicle's drive shaft, this is the central rod that runs from the front to the rear of the automobile. Being made of aluminium makes it lighter without compromising on the vehicle's overall stability and sturdiness.
Compact front/rear differentials
A differential is a device that in most cases incorporates gears and is designed to drive each pair of front and rear wheels with equal force, but still allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds. Differentials on good rc electric vehicles are high performance.
Suspension arms with adjustable Width
The suspension arms provide your rc electric vehicle with powerful cushioning, as in a conventional car. Being adjustable allows the vehicle to be driven at optimum suspension on different terrains, especially when running over bumpy or rocky ground and when turning corners.
Anodized aluminium radio tray
This is tray that houses the in-built radio receiver in your rc electric vehicle. Being anodized gives it increased corrosion and wear resistance, making it harder than bare aluminium.
Solid shock towers and front/rear bumper
Integrated with the suspension system, the shock towers provide a damping effect on the overall vehicle suspension.
High quality on-road tires with chrome sprayed rims
The specification for this rc electric vehicle relates to an on road racing car. The makeup of the tires is important here. It is like differentiating between a mountain bike, with its thick, knobbly, high-friction tires and a road bike, with its slimmer, low-friction tires and a less prominent tread. It all comes down to performance requirements on the terrain that the rc electric vehicle was designed/intended to run on. The chrome rims adds a splash of quicksilver that finishes off the wheels nicely.
7.2v 1100mAh Ni-Mh battery power (required), 7.2v 1500mah Ni-Mh battery or 7.4v 1300mah lithium battery pack (optional)
7.2-volt nickel cadmium batteries are standard power sources, often referred to as battery packs. Although they are identical in size, they differ in capacities ranging up to 3700mAh typically. As the battery pack is extra, it is advisable to go for the largest capacity that you can afford, if you desire more running time (the downside is that you'll need more time to charge it up).
Anodized aluminium motor heat guard
Unsurprisingly, your rc electric vehicle's motor will get very hot. The guard thankfully provides protection against heat, which results from high speed running.
High duty front bumper foam
As with conventional, real-world automobiles, the front foam bumper needs to deliver maximum protection to your rc electric vehicle against impacts.
Vehicle dimensions
Length, width, height, ground clearance, net weight, wheel diameter and wheel width are self-explanatory.
Your rc electric vehicle's wheelbase will be the length from the leading edge of its front wheels to the trailing edge of its rear wheels.
Track
Track refers to track width, the distance between the center of the left tire and the center of the right tire.
Gear Ratio
This is the relationship between the numbers of teeth on two gears that are meshed or two sprockets connected with a common roller chain, or the circumferences of two pulleys connected with a drive belt.
So, there you have it. We've just covered some of the basic technical terms that you are likely to come across when you are enjoying your time shopping for your future rc electric vehicles. Whatever you do, don't be fazed by these terms - think of it as an educational experience, a journey of discovery that is a part of your enjoyment of rc electric vehicles.
