RC Vehicles 101: Here’s Why Electric Motor Powered are Better Than Nitro Gas Powered Cars
With modern versions of RCs that can out-accelerate a Ferrari and surpass the legal speed limits, remote-control vehicles have come a long way since the cheapies that were being sold in department stores. While there is a tendency to think of an RC car as something for a child, the reality is that there are just as many adults who indulge in collecting these cars and even racing them in various competitions.
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Why Electric is Better Than Nitro
Batteries and nitro are the two major forms of propulsion for RC vehicles. Nitro vehicles employ small internal combustion engines that require a specific mixture of nitromethane, methanol, and oil. The exact mix varies depending on the engine, and the engines must be maintained and serviced. So, prepare to get your hands a little filthy.
Nitro vehicles are also significantly louder, and as a result, some tracks in suburban areas will not allow them to be utilized. As a result, the industry is shifting toward electric RCs, which can now outperform nitro vehicles in terms of speed. RC batteries might cost $100 or more, yet everyone has a way to charge them.
In the RC hobby world, speed isn’t everything, although many fans pay close attention to how quickly particular models can travel. So when it comes to speed, high-spec electric RC cars outperform their nitro counterparts. Nitro RCs were formerly quicker than electric RC vehicles, however, with new developments like brushless motors and LiPo batteries, electric RC cars are much better and faster than they were.
The fastest electric car with remote has a peak speed of more than 160 km/h, while the fastest nitro RC car has a top speed of slightly over 100 km/h. Just by glancing at these figures, it is clear that the electric RCs are the fastest.
Electric remote control models operate on the basis of a rechargeable battery pack (often included with starter “Ready to Run” vehicles), they’re highly dependable and do not necessitate much mechanical expertise or maintenance. They are incredibly clean, simple to operate and make very little noise. Electric-powered RCs may also reach longer run durations since the battery allows for considerably higher energy densities than ever before. Lithium batteries may attain run durations of 40 minutes or more, which is far longer than prior battery packs.
They also have minimal continuing expenses because they don’t require consumables like nitro/petrol fuel, glow plug/spark plugs, air filters, oils, and so forth. They don’t gather as much dirt or grime because they don’t use an oil-based fuel source, making them simple to clean using an air compressor. Since they don’t require much mechanical knowledge or maintenance, an electric car with remote is by far the smarter investment for any beginner RC hobbyist.
When looking for an electric RC, you may come across the terms “brushed” or “brushless.” It refers to the tiny carbon blocks (or brushes) that are found within motors. The short version is that brushless ones are quicker, so if your budget allows, purchase one of them.
Brushed or Brushless
Brushed and brushless motors are two types of DC motors used in RC vehicles and automobiles. The essential operating principles of both are the same; the only variation between these two motors is how they are built. The primary distinction between brushed and brushless motors is that the latter, as the name implies, does not use a brush to convert energy in the motor. In essence, this makes the brushless motor more efficient than its brushed counterpart.
Brushes, which are often composed of copper, graphite, or silver, are used to power the commutator, ensuring that the rotor rotates in a single direction. These carbon brushes, coupled with the commutator ring, flip the electrical polarity of the armature in a brushed DC motor (The stator). This polarity flipping in the coils keeps the armature rotating in one direction.
Brushless motors are built differently and are also known as Electrically Commutated Motors (ECM). Unlike brushed motors, the windings, in this case, are situated on the stator while the permanent magnets are located on the rotor, and this unique design eliminates the need for brushes. These motors additionally employ three phases of driving coils and extra sensors to determine rotor and electronics position. Brushless motors also employ an amplifier, which is activated by an electrical device, to generate a magnetic field inside the rotor. A brushless motor, as opposed to a brushed motor, employs position sensors rather than mechanical rotary switches to switch the polarity of the electromagnet.
The Batteries for Electric RC
The most affordable batteries are often made of nickel-metal hydride. They may be purchased for as little as $30. And, like all batteries, they deteriorate with time, despite their relatively long lifespan.
However, the RC business is rapidly shifting toward lithium polymer batteries. They are often more costly, lighter, and can store more energy. The higher the value, the better. However, the capacity of the battery does not influence how strong the car is. You should check at the voltage, a greater voltage causes the engine to spin faster, allowing you to drive it faster, providing the controller and motor can handle the higher voltage.
But there’s more. Batteries are also sold with a variety of charge and discharge connectors. The most common connectors are supported by the majority of chargers. However, the discharge plug (the one you put in to start the car) will be individual to your vehicle and, in certain circumstances, exclusive to specific brands.
The Scale
When discussing the speed of RC cars, there are two types of speeds to consider: actual speed and scale speed. The true speed of an RC car, as the name implies, is its true speed, and the speed we discussed earlier. The scale speed, on the other hand, is the automobile’s speed in proportion to the full-size car it is patterned after. If the scale of your RC car is 1:8, and the full-size automobile’s speed is 110 mph, the real speed of your RC will be around 14 mph.
Different Models
Prepare to be wowed by the variety of body shapes and what they’re meant to perform. The RC vehicle industry, like the actual automobile market, has a dizzying array of options. The first option is whether you want an on-road or off-road vehicle. Off-road is preferable for most individuals since it lets you drive it in more areas.
You’ll drive quicker in an on-road automobile, especially around curves, because the tyres have a greater grip, but you’ll need to find large areas of smooth bitumen. Drift machines, which are intended to slide around and do amazing drifts, are also on the road.
Off-road RC vehicles come in a variety of body forms, including buggies, monster trucks (or stadium trucks), and short course trucks that resemble utes. Many of the components are the same, whether it’s the car’s skeleton structure, an electric motor, or a component within the suspension.
However, each automobile will have its own set of features. Monster trucks and stadium trucks, for example, have tyres that are far wider than the automobile. Because of their larger footprint, they are less prone to rolling over. Buggies are fantastic all-rounders with a low centre of gravity, making them ideal for setting a lap record. And the short course trucks are cool.
Crossovers, like genuine automobiles, exist, such as the “truggy,” which combines a buggie and a monster truck. Crawlers are an alternative if you like more technical off-roading. They are not quick, as the name implies, and instead emphasise off-road capability. They often have adequate suspension travel and improved 4WD hardware for navigating rocks, mud, logs, and other obstacles. Crawlers are also ideal for novices who do not require a high peak speed; crawlers typically top out at approximately 8km/h.
