1. Introduction

So, you are interested in rc trucks (radio controlled) models of cars. Whether it is a model with an internal combustion engine (ICE) or a model with an electric motor, this article will help you determine what you prefer, to understand some general principles of model and radio control and buy everything needed for further operation.

2. Types of the car

Radio-controlled model cars can be classified as follows:
Scale (size): 1:12, 1:10, 1:8
The type of engine: internal combustion engine (or nitro) (internal combustion engine) or the Electricity (electric)
Type chassis: road racing, Formula 1, buggies, trucks, monster truck (or monsters)
Consider everything in order:
Scope
Scale model is denoted as eg 1:10 (or 1 / 10) .The most common scale - 1:10 and 1:8. Scale 1:12 is quite rare. Gaining popularity scale 1:18 (very popular among ordinary bench models of cars), there are new models as road vehicles, and monsters.
There is still scope 1:24 and 1:28, which makes a series of Mini-Z Japanese firm Kyosho, but the extent of the approximate; they indicate the average for the series.
And, finally, other extreme - the scale of 1:5 - this is a huge machine (about a meter in length) with gasoline engines.
DIC (left) and the electric motor .Drawing not to! Typically, the electric motor is much smaller engine.
Engine Type
Engines on the models used are as follows: The internal combustion engine (ICE, also uses the term nitro) and electric motors.
DIC (left picture) are working on a mixture of methanol, nitro methane and oil. This fuel is sold in cans in model shops. It is better to use high-quality branded fuel to the engine worked well and served for a long time. Engines are divided into classes according to their working volume:
Grade 12 (2.11 cu. Sm) - road racing model scale 1:10
15 th grade (2.5 cu. Cm) - road racing model 1:10, buggies, trucks, monsters 1:10
18 th grade (3.0 cubic cm) - buggies, trucks, monsters 1:10
21-grades (3.5 cu. Cm) - highways 1:8, buggies and monster 1:8
25 th grade (4.1 cu. Sm) - buggies and Monster 1:8

Name class went from American classification of volume in cubic inches. For example, the 15-th grade means that the engine capacity is 0.15 cu. inches. When calculated in cubic centimeters obtained: 0.15 * 2.543 = 2.458 cu. cm, ie approximately 2.5.

The higher the class ,the greater engine capacity, the higher the power. For example: the engine power of 15-th class is approximately 0.6 hp to 1.2 hp Engine 25-Class is already developing 2.5 hp and more.

Electric motors (on the right) usually operate on batteries 7.2 V or higher. Batteries are welded together from the elements by 1.2 V. Sell and individual elements for the spikes and ready-made batteries.
Electric motors are classified according to the length of wire wound inside (the number of revolutions) - 10 turns, 11 turns, 16 turns, 24 turns and so The smaller the number of turns to fast engine.

Chassis type

Chassis - the basis of the model. It fixed all the important elements - the engine, electronics, etc. Different types of gear serve different purposes and are developed based on the application.

Formula-1 - designed for the development of high speeds and racing on an absolutely flat surface. Drive - rear-wheel (2WD), although there are models with four-wheel drive (4WD).
Buggies - for racing off-road (sand, clay, gravel, dirt), can jump from a springboard. Drive - Full (4WD) or rear (2WD).
Truckee - similar in construction to the buggy, but have greater ground clearance and bigger wheels. Drive - Full (4WD) or rear (2WD).
Monsters - have huge wheels and can overcome any obstacles and ride on any surface. Large suspension travel allows you to jump from high jumps and fabricate anything. Drive - Full (4WD) or rear (2WD).
Racing models - capable of driving on a flat surface and have a high speed and good handling. Drive - Full (4WD), less rear (2WD).

3. ICE (internal combustion engine) against Electro. Comparison
Before you make a choice, you need to weigh all a and against the type of engine. Proper understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of models with an electric motor and internal combustion engines will rationally spend money and avoid problems and disappointments. So:

Models with ICE
Many models of ICE faster models with electric motor and can exceed the speed of 70-80 km / h. Be that as it may; the impact on the speed of 70 km / h in the curb or a wall could destroy the model completely, or cause costly repairs.
Engines for the car-single-cylinder two-stroke engines, which means that they need fuel (not gasoline and special fuels) .This means that you have to regularly buy fuel to the model (approximate price of 4 liters of good fuel - 45 $, though can is sufficient enough for a long time) . Plus models with engines that you can ride it as long as they wished - the main refueling tank .Typically, models with internal combustion engines are more expensive models with the electric motor (due to the higher cost of the engine).Among the major
pluses of models with internal combustion engines - a realistic sound.

Models with electric
The main disadvantage of analogue computers - quickly sits battery. You are unlikely to ride continuously for more than 15 minutes on one charge. But except for a small-time ride and slightly lower maximum speed throughout the rest of the model with the electric motor are better. The main advantage of models with
the electric motor is their silence, environmentally friendly and much better acceleration compared with models with internal combustion engines.

In any case, you will have to purchase some equipment to the model - the batteries and charger. Rechargeable batteries cost between $ 15 and vary thecapacity and impact of current. Better battery, the higher the price, and itincreases nonlinearly. Chargers are either from 12V (powered from the cigarette
lighter, or normal car battery), or from 220V (network). There are chargers that can operate on 12 and from 220V.

4.  rc trucks hardware

No matter what type of gear and what scale you choose, you will need a system of radio control model. Many companies make models of their models in the form of RTR (Ready To Run) - ready to use straight out of the box - they are usually already assembled and includes everything you need, including a control panel.
However, some models still sold as a kit for assembly and control equipment will have to buy extra. Consider the principle of governance model.
The system of radio control model car with an electric motor:
1. When the racer pulls the trigger or turns the steering wheel on the remote control signal is sent to the receiver model.
2. The receiver receives the signal, processes it and sends a signal to the appropriate device model.
3. If a racer turns the steering wheel, then the receiver sends a signal Servo (also called servos), forcing it to turn in the right direction. Through the system of rods that turn the servo leads turn the wheels of the model.
4. If the racer pulls the trigger, the receiver sends a signal regulator (speed).
5. Speed controller (still referred to as speed control, Speed controller) changes speed electric motor and, consequently, the velocity model (the engine is connected to the wheels of a system of belts and / or cardanic).
6. The battery used to power the motor, Servo, 1 receiver and speed controller. If the model is an electronic speed regulator, the battery is connected to it, but the regulator distributes power to the motor, receiver and servo.
The system of radio control model car with a combustion engine:
1. When the racer pulls the trigger or turns the steering wheel on the remote control signal is sent to the receiver model.
2. The receiver receives the signal, processes it and sends a signal to the appropriate device model.
3. If a racer turns the steering wheel, then the receiver sends a signal Servo 1, causing it to turn in the right direction. Through the system of rods that turn the servo leads turn the wheels of the model.
4. If the racer pulls the trigger, the receiver sends a signal to Servo 2.
5. Servo 2 moves the valve carburetor, which alters the flow of the mixture of fuel and air and, consequently, the engine speed and the speed of the model.
6. The battery used to power the receiver 1 and Servo Servo 2.

The above elements constitute a complete list of radio model. All these elements are necessary for the management model. Regulators speed are usually sold separately, and the remote control, receiver and servos are sold either separately or all in one set.

5. Batteries

If you decide to buy a model with an electric motor, you will need batteries. In the car models are commonly used battery 7.2V, which fused elements from 6 to 1.2V. There are currently two common types of batteries - Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) and Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH). Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, but the NiMH can get a larger battery capacity and almost did not have «memory
effect».
How different batteries:
Batteries have many options - internal resistance, the average voltage, discharge current, etc. The exact values of these parameters are given for expensive batteries for a serious sport for hobby and amateur races they can not focus attention and to buy batteries more affordable. The most important parameters - type of battery (NiCd or NiMH) and its capacity (measured in mAh, example 2400 mAh), it is listed on batteries large numbers. The higher the capacity, the longer you can ride on the model. Price, however, also increases…

How many batteries to buy?
For a start it is good to buy a 2.3 battery, which will ride with the replacement batteries for quite some time. As for containers - it is better not to buy batteries with capacity less than 1500mAh, and the time away will be quite small.

6. Fuel

Internal combustion engines for models can not be run on ordinary gasoline. They require a special fuel based on methanol and with addition of different amounts of nitromethane and oil. Nitro methane manage performance of the engine, its content in fuel for the car is usually from 16 to 25%. Oil in the fuel
contributes to lubrication of the engine and protects it from damage. On canisters of fuel usually indicate the content of nitromethane and the type of models, which applies a fuel.
7. Body Models

Body for car models are made of special plastic - polycarbonate (Lexan) .Body fairly light and flexible, so as not to break upon impact. Models can be sold as a body, and without .But you can always buy a separate body - the benefit is available a great variety of bodies that replicate the huge amount of real cars. Body sold already dyed or undid form (transparent) .Transparent body paint inside a special paint for polycarbonate, which can be found in any store for modelers.
Bodies different manufacturers may vary in the degree of detail and strength:
some body well developed, just copy the original, but quite fragile. Other bodies contain less detailing, but more flexible and resistant to shocks. If you are - beginner, try to choose a more flexible body, because accidents are inevitable at the beginning and happen more often than it seems at first glance.

8. The list of needed items

And, finally, a full list of what you should buy a model for its full operation, launch and maintenance.

For models with electric motor:
Chassis (with motor)
Radio Control (kit should contain 1 remote, 1 receiver, 1 servo)
Speed controller (depending on engine model, consult with the seller)
Batteries (buy at least 2 batteries, capacity not less than 1500mAh)
Charger
Body (if included with the chassis it was not)
Paint for the body (better to buy 2 cans)
For models with internal combustion engines:
Chassis (engine)
Radio Control (kit should contain 1 remote, 1 receiver and 2 servo)
Batteries
Body (if included with the chassis it was not)
Paint for the body (better to buy 2 cans)
Fuel
Bottle for filling fuel in the tank model
Device for glow plugs (in English called glow star