Radio controlled model car

A remote-controlled model car (also RC-car, short for radio controlled car, but actually remote-controlled-car) is a model car that can be remotely controlled by radio.

common scales are 1:5, 1:8, 1:10 or 1:12. Since the end of the 1980s there are also radio-controlled trucks in scale 1:87, since approx. 2003 also radio-controlled cars in scale 1:87. These models are not called RC-cars but micromodels .

Table of contents

Variations

Flat track

flat trackers or smooth trackers are cars with low ground clearance and treadless tires (mostly sponge rubber tires or fabric reinforced slicks). Partly they are also driven with slightly profiled tires.

These vehicles are intended for use on solid, level ground, as the flat design prevents them from "getting stuck" of the vehicle resp. Damage would also be difficult to avoid.

Flat trackers are mostly used with real existing racing cars, like e.g.B. Lola bodies or touring car bodies are based on lexan bodies and are very popular in RC clubs.

These vehicles are regularly used in competitions on model racetracks, where both electric and internal combustion models are used.

Buggies

Radio controlled model car

Buggies are those remote-controlled cars that are mainly used for off-road driving or for. Designed to run off paved tracks. Unlike the flat trackers, they are equipped with heavily treaded tires and a chassis with greater suspension travel.

The wide wheel arches and greater ground clearance also make the off-road use apparent on the bodywork.

Miniature RC cars

These are very small vehicles (ca. 5 cm long), up to 20 km/h, which you can practically drive on the table. In the transmitter there are batteries, which can be used to charge a small capacitor in the car. Driving time between one and two minutes. In contrast to its "big brothers steering and speed are not infinitely variable.

In the 1:10 ner class, just like in the 1:8, there are all kinds of cars, buggies, flat trackers etc.

The 1:10 class is divided into two categories for flat track racers:

  • 1:10 scale (100 km/h), z.B. The serpent 710
  • 1:10 wide (120 km/h), z.B. The serpent impact

The wheelbase of both vehicles is the same, but scale and width are differentiated by the vehicle width. For scale this is 200 mm and for wide 235 mm. The exception here are the electro-flat trackers, whose width is 190 mm. As an engine is used in the 1:10 scale a 2.11 cc engine and 1:10 wide 2.49 cc engine, although here again there is an exception. For 1:10 scale cars are also offered, which also have a 2.49 cc engine. At 178 km/h, the 1:10 wide has broken the world record (serpent impact). The serpent impact in the standard version can reach speeds up to 120 km/h.

These vehicles are the royal class of remote controlled cars. They are operated with a 3.5 cm³ two-stroke engine, which can reach up to 2.Have 8 hp. The models are ca. 40 cm long.

With the right tuning parts, a smooth track car can reach up to 125+km/h. Buggies on the other hand are a little slower. These are mainly driven in the size 1:8.

Radio controlled model car

Radio controlled model car

These vehicles are the largest remote control cars. They are up to one meter long, and have a weight of 9.5 to 12 kg. The drive is made with gasoline engines. The engine has a displacement of 23 cm³ with a power from 3 to approx. 5 HP. The tank volume is 700 ml, and is enough for a driving time of 45 min. The running behavior of the motors is quite smooth. Fuel is two-stroke gasoline with a little oil (1:25).

Speeds of 70-90 km/h are possible depending on the model. Brakes are the models with cable or hydraulic brakes. The wheels are braked individually with one brake disc (see picture) per wheel. The popularity of these models has increased steadily in recent years, in racing these models size has a very positive effect. It looks very original when the 1:5 models race around the track.

Control system

Remote-controlled model cars are controlled by proportional d.H. Continuously variable 2-channel remote control (throttle/brake, steering).

The radio frequency used to transmit is controlled by the "crystal" intended. This can be exchanged without any problems, which is especially important for events with several vehicles, so that under no circumstances 2 cars are moved on the same frequency. The consequence of such overlaps is that the signals overlap and the vehicles become uncontrollable.

Frequencies are usually in the 27 mhz or. 40 mhz range used. Frequency modulation (FM) or amplitude modulation (AM) is used for modulation.

the battery-powered receiver is the counterpart to the remote control on the car. It receives the signal and prepares it for the servos to run at. Servos are used to transform the signals from the receiver into mechanical movements and thus, for example, to actuate the steering, the throttle of the combustion engine or the brakes. In electric RC cars, a continuously variable electronic speed controller is usually used (see below). This is also connected directly to the receiver.

Drive

A basic distinction is made between gasoline and electric drive and between two-wheel and four-wheel drive.

Gasoline drive (internal combustion engine)

As combustion engines up to about 8cm³ displacement are mostly called. Glow ignition engines used.

The majority of model cars have displacements in the range of approx. 2.11 to 6 cubic centimeters (scale 1:10 and 1:8).

These engines are manufactured as two-stroke and four-stroke engines. The fuel used is methanol with a variable addition of nitromethane (up to about 30%), which can increase the power output of the engines. Lubrication is achieved by admixing castor oil (min. 3%) and possibly. An addition of special synthetic oils.

The engine is started by cable, external or built-in electric starter, i.e. a real starter. Larger models (over 8 cm³ displacement) can be built with real two-stroke or four-stroke gasoline engines with high-voltage ignition.

This drive concept is fascinating because of the combustion technology in a very small space. In the meantime, however, research into the brushless drive in electric vehicles has meant that the difference in performance is no longer so great. With both drive concepts, speeds of more than 100 km/h can be achieved.

A lot of patience is needed to adjust the carburetor and at times also to start the engine. An internal combustion engine also requires careful maintenance and regular cleaning. Depending on the model, a tank filling is sufficient for a driving time of between 7-9 min for a 1:10 with a 75 cc tank and for a 1:5 with a 700 cc tank, the tank filling lasts up to 45 min

Electric drive

Electric powered RC-cars are driven by a small electric motor. These engines can reach idling speeds of up to 60 km/h.000 revolutions per minute.

The engine is usually controlled by an electronic speed controller. Depending on the quality and performance of the regulator and the engine, up to 100 amps are converted into motion. Better drive controllers have u.A. BEC (a circuit that makes a second battery pack for the receiver superfluous), EMF brakes (braking effect via the electric motor), ABS (stutter brake similar to ABS in the "real" car) car) or finely adjustable control ranges for the engine power (for example, to adapt the vehicle to a more winding and therefore slower route).

The motor receives its power from a battery pack, which usually consists of 6 to 8 cells of 1.2 V each. in the rc-car sector, nimh cells have recently become the energy source of choice, since nicd can no longer, and liion cells cannot yet, deliver the high currents required. Battery packs with up to 3700 mah of stored energy are no longer rare.

Depending on the power of the motor and the battery pack, running times of only 5 to 10 minutes are possible, with slower vehicles up to 20 minutes. This is – in addition to the rather low power compared to gasoline drive – the main weak point of electric vehicles.

The advantage of this drive system is that the electric motor always works without any problems and does not need to be started or adjusted. In addition, most of these vehicles can be driven in residential areas on weekends without any problems. Also, the maintenance costs are considerably lower than for internal combustion engines.

Depending on the motor, governor, gearbox and chassis, speeds of up to 80 km/h can be achieved.

Two-wheel drive (2WD)

A distinction is made here between rear-wheel drive and front-wheel drive (FWD). The front-wheel drive is only found in electric vehicles. However, front wheel drive vehicles tend to understeer a lot.

The advantages of this drive system are the lower purchase price for corresponding vehicles and the lower susceptibility to technical problems. On the other hand, the vehicles are much more difficult to control at high speeds or off-road than all-wheel-drive vehicles. For the beginner who wants to get into the hobby with a simple model, however, they are a thoroughly practical alternative.

All-wheel drive (4WD)

The all-wheel drive offers the best possible propulsion, even for smooth track vehicles, and is indispensable off-road. Vehicles with 4WD not only have better handling, but are also much easier to control in extreme situations than 2WD cars. But they are noticeably more expensive and have a higher maintenance/repair effort.

There are several ways to distribute drive energy over four wheels. In the RC car sector, cardan drive (via a rigid shaft) and belt drive (via a rubber toothed belt) are common. Mostly a mid-engine concept (engine in front of the rear axle) is used to achieve an optimal weight distribution. However, front-mounted motors are also found in electric vehicles.

The dual-engine cars that were still common in the 1980s are no longer to be found today. At that time, an electric motor was simply installed on each axle for all-wheel drive. Although these vehicles had enormous propulsion, the (unavoidable) differences between the two engines made them very difficult to control at times. In addition, this type of car was very heavy and had much less driving time due to the higher power consumption.

Chassis/wheels

The larger models (from scale 1:12) usually have double-wishbone suspension with struts and oil-pressure shock absorbers. Gas-pressure shock absorbers are also found in higher-quality vehicles. The tires are usually made of rubber and are mounted on plastic rims.

There are various tuning options for the suspension: the use of harder or softer springs, shock absorber oil with different viscosities, limitation of spring travel, adjustment of toe and camber – everything that is within the realm of "real" suspension cars can also be varied for the RC car if desired.

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Christina Cherry
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