Saturday, March 28, 2009

Good Gas RC Car Maintenance

WITTMANN, AZ - MAY 03:  LOORRS limited buggy d...Image by Getty Images via Daylife

How to maintain your Gas RC Cars for Long Life


When you want to make sure that your gas RC cars stay in good shape, and when you want to get the most use out of them, you'll find that good care can go a long way!

First, consider what you need to do before you let it run and before you change out the battery. Is there any damage on the tires or on the structure of the car? Are all the screws tightened? These are just the basics, but you'll be surprised how much grief they spare you.

 All the wires should be connected, especially where they meet the batteries, and if you have adjustable shocks, make sure that they are set for the kind of terrain you want to run. Unless you have decided that you want some interesting weight distribution, make sure that the weight is evenly distributed, and get the right tires for your car.

 Remember that pavement or off-road racing needs heavier tires and if the tires get loose, take some time to make sure that they have been re glued well.

Are your motor and slipper gear properly aligned? If they are not, this can cause some nasty wear on your RC car. Check the alignment; the mesh should be neither too loose nor too tight.

 The gap between them can be measured with the width of a piece of paper, but remember to remove the paper before you put it back together. Are the motor and the slipper gear in tight? If not, consider using some LocTite on the screws before you tighten them down again.

Always make sure that you've put your car down on something that it can handle. A race car, for example, cannot be expected to do so well off-road, and a carpet car isn't made for jumps. If you crash your car too often, you are going to to see more damage. If you are going to jump, always do it at a steady speed, without acceleration and do it head on, not at an angle.

Never let your electrical components overheat. If you can smell burning electronics, this means that there is too much stress on the motor and that there is too much damage being done. Do not allow your RC car to get wet. Moisture will invite corrosion and damage the electrical parts. Before you recharge your batteries, make sure that they are completely discharged unless you have instructions otherwise.

Always make sure that you follow the manufacturer's recommendations when you are dealing with maintenance if you have a gas engine in your RC car. This typically means that you need to clean and oil the filter before storage and drain the fuel.

Use a damp cloth to take away debris or dirt before you put your car away. The batteries should be removed from the car and the controller, and leaving them over an extended time can be quite bad for your car if you leave in long storage. Do you need to replace any parts before you use your car again? Remember that racing with broken parts can lead to more damage, so always make sure that you get the replacement parts that are the most important to the car you have.

Cars do have an end to their use life, but if you get a good quality product from the beginning, it will cost you less in the long run. Always use your common sense and make sure that you follow the maintenance on your RC car or nitro gas rc cars.
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Thursday, March 26, 2009

How to Buy Remote Control Cars

Another pic of my remote control MercedesImage by Wheelz24 via Flickr
When you are looking for a fun and challenging hobby, what about getting involved with remote control cars? There are lots of varieties and models, including gas RC cars, out there for you to choose from and lots of fun to be had, but before you get started, there are a few things that will help you choose what car you should buy and what your style is going to be. To make sure that you get the most out of your remote control vehicle, keep a few things in mind.

First consider whether you are looking for impressive speeds or off road action? There are a number of different activities that this hobby can bring you to, and the type of car that you get can determine what you are going to be doing. If you are looking for intense speed, then you don't need a bulky, heavy off-road vehicle. Similarly, you wouldn't take car designed for racing over dirt roads and rocky cliffs. What activities are you interested in when it comes remote control cars, and what do you want to get out of it?

You'll find that there is quite a range when you are looking to see how far away from you your RC car an operate. For instance, when you are looking for a car that will race over courses and other types of indoor environments, you'll find that you will need a greater range than if you are simply following it around as you control it, which is more common when you are working with off road exercises.

The technology behind remote control cars is quite fascinating and it has only improved over the years. You'll find that there are cars out there that can be sent out on the water, that can climb steep cliffs, and that can even turn into another type of car. This can make choosing the right car for you a little difficult, but make sure that you consider what your interests are. What features are you the most interested in, and which ones can you do without? This is something that you will find to be quite important when you want your best match.

What about battery power? Some remote control cars do use rechargeable batteries, while others need you to purchase separate batteries from some third party source. You will find that some cars can be simply charged from a wall outlet while others can be charged with an power outlet on your own car or truck before it gets back on the road again. What is your preference? Do you prefer to switch out your batteries, or do you prefer to recharge? This can make a huge difference over the kind of car that you can buy. Refer to the previous post on how to get started buying RC cars like a nitro gas powered one.

When you are looking at the remote control car, remember that you are looking at a highly individualized piece of equipment. If you want to see some rugged performance and some very difficult maneuvers out of your car, you'll find that you are going to need a model that is long on durability. On the other hand, if you want something that you don't mind knocking around very much as you learn the ropes, you may be looking for a car that is more disposable than some of the expensive models out there.

What about running your car in the dark. Remember that if you are going to be doing a lot of driving in the dark that you are going to need some lighting that will allow you to see the car in question. You'll find that getting a car that is going to meet your needs for running in the dark is impressively easy, as long as you remember that this is something that you need!

When you are looking for a hobby that will allow you to have some real fun. Just figure out what kind of car you are most interested in and consider what activities you are most likely to enjoy. You'll find that this might be the most fun that you have had in ages, and it really all starts with choosing the right remote control car! If you haven't guessed my favorite type is the nitro gas RC cars!
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Nitro Gas RC Cars: How to Get Started

Nitro gas RC cars, Ah the memories they bring back. Did you have one when you were a little kid too? Do you remember the thrills of tearing around familiar streets, zipping in and out around people’s feet at the park?

Today you can revisit your childhood fun, easier than you may have imagined. RC car involvement has reached an all time high and people of all ages are bringing out their remote control vehicles. RC car clubs are cropping up all over and enjoying tournaments, car shows and camaraderie. Entire cities are getting involved by sponsoring the tiny little speed demons.

Getting started is not complicated; you simply have to find a club in your area. To do that check in with hobby shops or specialty stores that carry remote control cars. They will have information about clubs, tournaments and shows that are being held locally. Go to the local Radio Shack or similar store and see what they know.

To start out you may want to find a used RC car; in fact, that is what many old-timer hobbyist recommend. You can relearn the driving process, save some cash and have a project on the side. What kind of project you might ask? Look at it like buying a used car, most of the time there is something you would like to change, same thing with a RC car. Paint it, fix body damage, work on the engine, buy bigger tires the possibilities are endless.

Used cars are more fun because they take the worry out of the learning process. You will have the freedom to make mistakes because messing the car up is the least of your worries! Once you are comfortable with driving, fixing and showing your car, it is time to move on to a newer model.

A brand new RC car is a major purchase and you will need to decide between battery and gasoline powered cars. The gas powered variety are definitely more time intensive, but also more rewarding. If you are not quite sure which to choose check with a more experienced hobbyist for tips. They can give you the low down on each type of car and making choosing an informed decision and not guess work.

Practice, practice and then practice some more, check out the local track as often as you can. Soon you will have a real feel for what the RC car world has to offer you. Nationally there are competitions, shows, tournaments and clubs, just to name a few of the things you can become involved in. Once you get started, you may be surprised at all the activities.

Getting started can seem like a daunting task but there are several reading materials about RC car hobbyist that will make it much easier. Web sites that sell cars are abundant, but there are also magazines and books you can benefit from. Even your local library may have some excellent resources on the subject, and that information is free to use.

Are you ready to jump in with both feet? Get ready for a wonderful experience and awesome ride. Once you get started, you will be shocked at the world of nitro gas RC cars and all it has to offer in good clean fun. You never know where this journey might take you, maybe the champion car for your city, state or country!
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