There are a lot of people that would like to get into this hobby, but don't know where to go for asking their questions/ Concerns.

Why not make this the official RC/ Hobby question thread?

Ask Away! Someone oughta know!!!

Alex

 

First question, me!

I see all this jargon in the electric world about a 8 turn motor 12 turn motor etc...

WTF does the above stand for?

Back in the day, we used to take the copper wire wraps off on the inside to make out motors go faster.

Anyone have a link to a good HOW TO understand the above? Like how fast they should go in categories? IE: 8 Turn motor should push 30 MPH ETC... (Total example here)

Also, I would like to learn more about GAS and BRUSHLESS, can someone point me in the right direction, or explain it better for me?

Thank you!!!

Alex

 

The turns are the number of copper winds around the motor armature. The lower the turns, the less weight and higher RPMs which equates to more top end speed and less torque.

A brushless motor is just that, an electric motor without brushes. The lack of brushes means a more efficiently running motor.

Brushless motors typically require a speed control that is not compatible with brushed motors. The brushless motor technology is coming a long way and the prices have definitely decreased so they may be worth a try.

If you have any additional questions, let me know.

 

Wow, nice a RC forum here. I have been involved with racing RC cars for a long time.


Also you will see single and double sometimes triple, and so on

 

Yup, you are correct. Where do you live and race? I have not raced for some time as the races here are almost always on Sundays and I have other obligations. I really wish that there were more events on Saturdays but oh well.

 

I am in Baltimore MD, there is no place to race around here. I would have to drive over an hour.
I used to race back in the day with an original TAMIYA VW beetle; I was like 6 years old! I raced dirt, on road any scale (electric and gas) but I am a big 1/10 electric fan. I am doing Auto-Cross now and I can not race the RC cars because they are usually in the same day (but I still have like 10 RC cars)

 

I'm a noob when it comes to RC. Where would someone start out at? I know it's kind of an open-ended question, but more or less what should a beginner look for if he goes with electric/gar.

 

(1) I assume "gar" meant "gas" unless you're looking for an rc fish.

The new electric motors and batteries neutralize any advantage that gas has over electric. The reason that you would go with gas is because you LIKE gas. the cars are heavier and more substantial, they make noise, they smell like fumes. Race days for gas cars sound like a bunch of crazy weedwackers. A lot of people wear earplugs, it stinks and gives people headaches. Not relaxing at all.
The gas motors also take a lot more maintenance to keep them running properly and it might piss off your neighbors.

You've probably figured out by now that I'm very biased against gas. I think they're neat, they're just not for me.

(2) Are you looking for onroad or offroad?

Onroad and offroad are both really fun and different from each other, What tracks and hobby shops are available to you? If you're not going to race, and you don't mind ordering stuff online, that doesn't really matter, just get what you like. But since you're just learning, it could be a lot easier if you have a local shop that can help you out.

(3) Do you want to race, or just do some backyard/parking lot bashing?

I don't know much about on-road, but when it comes to offroad, there are a lot of great trucks and buggies out there that would be a lot of fun for your backyard, but really don't stack up when it comes to racing. race-quality vehicles are better handling and more nimble but are usually more expensive and more breakable.


I get bored fast when I go outside and run my truck, it just isn't the same as going to the track and trying to figure out the best lines to make the fastest laps.


I rambled a little, hope it helps.

 

Thanks bloodzombie.

They have RC fish? Still learning how to write.

Actually, I'm looking at onroad right now. There is a nice size parking lot next to my house that I can play around at. So, on that note, not really looking into racing right now.

There is actually a couple of hobbie shops around my area and I have been there a couple of times. I guess the main thing is what brand/model would be good startup kit. The hobbie shop has a bunch of different kits, so it can be a little overwhelming to say the least.

I was also looking at maintenance. But by the sounds of it, electric is definitely the way to go.

 

I'm not a big fan of gas myself, maybe somebody who loves gas can chime in and tell you why they prefer it.

I don't know that much about the road cars, I've thought about getting into it but I've dropped a small fortune into the 2 offroads that I have so I'll probably wait awhile. It seems to me that if you're not planning on racing, you should just get the one that looks the coolest to you. They'll all be fun if you're just zooming around a parking lot. If you were going to race, that's when you'd have to worry about which kits were "competitive".

I don't know how much you're looking to spend, but I have a very strong preference for lipo batteries and brushless motors. They cost more at the start, but with a lipo/brushelss setup, you can get more speed than you would ever need, way longer run times, and way less time maintaining a motor.