The following information on kits, motors, battery packs, chargers and speed controllers should provide answers to the questions we are most frequently asked.

Electric Or Nitro? 

Electric vehicles are the most popular choice for beginners as after construction you can just plug in a ni-cad and go. Only basic maintenance is required. Depending on the model, run times range from 5-20 minutes per charge - with a fast charger and several ni-cads long run times can be achieved. 

Nitro versions generally involve more assembly and more detailed set up and maintenance. The engine will initially require setting up and running in - in addition to this the mixture settings will need to be continually adjusted as the temperature changes. Run times per tank of fuel varies from 5 minutes upwards, and they can be re-fueled in seconds whilst the engine is running. Several tankfulls can be run through before a pause is required for cooling and checks. More detailed maintenance is required to keep the engine in good condition, and due to the extra vibration frequent checks of screws and fastenings is required. Most are fitted with a pull-start unit for easy operation. 

2 stroke petrol engines are now available in the larger 1/5 scale models. 

How Fast Do They Go Mr? 

Electric cars generally have a much quicker acceleration than the nitro cars with top speeds ranging from 15MPH up to 40MPH + for a top competition car. Nitro cars accelerate slower as they have a centrifugal clutch, but have a higher top speed ranging from 20MPH up to 80MPH. 

On Road Or Off Road? 

On road cars are suited to any flat road surface due to the low bodyshell and limited suspension. Just like a real racing car this provides good handling and stability. A wide range of tyres & compounds are available for different surfaces. Off road cars are suited to grass or dirt surfaces and come into their own on purpose built off road tracks. They are not suited to road surfaces due to the large amount of suspension movement and tyre choice. As a compromise several manufacturers are producing 'rally' cars which are suited to a mixed surface. Off road racing is split into 2 & 4 wheel drive classes, whilst all on road is 4 wheel drive.

What is a stock motor? 

These are generally a sealed bushed 27 turn motor, with retail prices from £7.99- £27.99. Some manufacturers offer alternative ones with a lower number of turns but these are not legal for racing in a stock class. Rebuildable versions are now available and can be run in certain classes. Due to the high tuning of stock motors, and the fact that they are bushed or sealed they generally have a fairly short life span. 

What is a modified motor? 

These can be split into two types; sport and handwound modifieds. Sport types are factory wound and cost from approximately £35.00. Handwound motors have the armature wound by hand and are hand assembled to achieve a higher level of performance with a retail price of approximately £60.00. All modifieds are ballraced and can be taken apart for cleaning. The commutator can be skimmed several times during it's life to maintain the performance. A wide range of variations are available with different numbers of winds and turns. 'Turns' range from 7 to 30 - this is the number of times the wire is would on the armature. ''Winds' is the number of pieces of wire on the armature and range from 1 (single), 2 (double) to 5 (quint) etc. In general the lower the number of turns the more speed & power the motor will have but it will of course use more battery power. The number of winds will determine how the power will be delivered; a single will give more punch whilst a quad will be smoother. The motor has to be matched to suit the car, speed control capability and the type of track. Be sensible when choosing a motor to suit your car - you wouldn't put a Formula 1 engine in a Mini would you!! 

The latest generation of motors are now brushless which will gradually replace the brushed type. 

What are the different types of battery packs available? 

Battery packs are more commonly known as Ni-Cads. These are probably the most important part of your car package as they are providing the power to the motor. The best motor in the world will be limited by the ni-cad it is connected to. Prices range from £9.95 for a budget pack through to £60.99, which is the current maximum price permitted for racing. A budget pack is suited for recreational use in a standard car and cannot be expected to perform with an up-rated motor. Capacities available include 1400, 2000, 2400 Ni-Cads & 3000 and 3300Ni-MH. Ni-Cads are the types used in rechargeable power tools and can take a fair amount of abuse and repeated charging. The 3600/4200 is a Metal Nickle Hydride cell is similar to the type used in mobile phones and have an extended run time but reduced power. Generally the more you spend on a battery pack the higher the performance will be expected as they will have been through a sophisticated matching and grading process - this ensures that all of the six individual cells have the same performance and increases the overall life span of the pack. 

Li-Po cells have recently entered the R/C car market and work well in conjunction with the new brushless motors. 

What are the different types of chargers available? 

There are two types of chargers, trickle and fast. Trickle chargers known as 'slow' chargers are designed to charge for approximately 16 hours. Fast chargers are the most commonly used and can charge in around 30 minutes upwards depending on the type and the capacity of the battery that you are charging. Fast chargers generally operate from a 12 volt supply, with a few versions working from the mains 240 volt supply. A 'peak' type that automatically cuts off when a full charge is achieved is recommended over the timer type for Ni-Cads. Ni-MH packs require a specific type of charger. As chargers increase in price so do the features - digital displays and adjustable charging currents are some of the features available to make sure you get the most out of your batteries. It is recommended to discharge the battery before re-charging. Some chargers have this built in and separate versions are available. 

What are the different types of speed controllers available? 

The majority of entry level cars will come with a mechanical speed control. As an alternative to this, or as required in higher specification cars electronic speed controllers are used. These are self contained and replace the mechanical unit and servo, providing smoother more efficient operation. Prices range from £20.00 to £190.00, and like all modern day electronics the quality and performance is reflected in the price. There are two categories to choose from, forward only or reversible. Reversible ones are larger in size and tend to be less efficient than a forward only type. The reverse is designed for intermittent use and cannot be used for continuous running. Forward only ones are the most popular choice especially for racing. The lower priced types have restrictions on the motor limit they can use, whilst the majority can be used with any motor. Care must be taken as water and short circuits can cause permanent internal damage. The later competition ranges are now suited to both brushed and brushless motors 

All of these FAQ's are intended to give a brief guide to the most commonly asked questions and are for guidance only. Please contact our sales team if specific information is required on any product or it's application.