Electric RC Cars & Trucks - A Guide for Beginners
#26
Senior Member
My Feedback: (-1)
Join Date: May 2008
Location: saywhat,
AE
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Never heard of "Traditional scales".Who made up the guidelines for that??
Your going from 1/18th to 1/18th, wheres the others?The Losi micros(1/36th to 1/24th for their crawler) are VERY popular, as are 1/5th scales.Why dont those fit into "Traditional scales"? I think its a little mis leading to inform someone that batteries cant go below 2s or 6c,and HAVE to be above that...

#27

Thread Starter
My Feedback: (8)
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Plainfield, NJ
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

It's not misleading, it's helpful. Otherwise, someone is likely to buy a 1/10 car (what most people start out with) and think that a 1s battery is sufficient.
There are no commercially available 1/5 electric vehicles, and mini/micro vehicles are different enough that they have their own forum, and should have their own beginner's guide. Which, as it turns out, [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4353446/tm.htm]they do[/link]. No guide can be all things to all people. There is just too much information, and if it were all put into one place, it would be too confusing. Instead, this is intended to be most things to most people who are just starting out in electric RC.
There are no commercially available 1/5 electric vehicles, and mini/micro vehicles are different enough that they have their own forum, and should have their own beginner's guide. Which, as it turns out, [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4353446/tm.htm]they do[/link]. No guide can be all things to all people. There is just too much information, and if it were all put into one place, it would be too confusing. Instead, this is intended to be most things to most people who are just starting out in electric RC.
#28
Senior Member
My Feedback: (-1)
Join Date: May 2008
Location: saywhat,
AE
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Ok than.I just think people deserve to know that batteries arent limited to one size or above...But its not m guide, so i guess i have no right trying to help and make it better.
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Moncton,
NB, CANADA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Great write up Candre! Could of used this a few months ago...
There seems to be a new class of Desert / Pre Runner Trucks coming out that's a little smaller than the SC trucks - Closer to 1/12th scale and more attention to scale details. I'm referring to the new Duratrax and HPI models..
http://www.bigsquidrc.com/duratrax-e...ruck-goodness/
http://www.bigsquidrc.com/hpi-racing-mini-trophy-truck/
Might be worth mentionning since they do not meet ROAR specifications for SC trucks and would not qualify to race...
ORIGINAL: Candre23
I wasn't sure if there was enough difference between desert trucks and SC trucks to make the distinction. I know they're different for racing classification purposes, but in reality, is there much difference besides DTs being more to-scale?
I wasn't sure if there was enough difference between desert trucks and SC trucks to make the distinction. I know they're different for racing classification purposes, but in reality, is there much difference besides DTs being more to-scale?
http://www.bigsquidrc.com/duratrax-e...ruck-goodness/
http://www.bigsquidrc.com/hpi-racing-mini-trophy-truck/
Might be worth mentionning since they do not meet ROAR specifications for SC trucks and would not qualify to race...
#31

Thread Starter
My Feedback: (8)
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Plainfield, NJ
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

OK, I wasn't aware HPI had a DT as well. Added a bit about them to the SC section. Also added a note about hardcase packs to the lipo battery section.
#32
Senior Member
My Feedback: (-1)
Join Date: May 2008
Location: saywhat,
AE
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

ORIGINAL: bside
Might be worth mentionning since they do not meet ROAR specifications for SC trucks and would not qualify to race...
Might be worth mentionning since they do not meet ROAR specifications for SC trucks and would not qualify to race...
Yeah but who goes by ROAR anyway?

Just like the sc, after a few pop up, Dt's will have their own class...
#33

Thread Starter
My Feedback: (8)
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Plainfield, NJ
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Didn't really consider any of that since I have no interest in organized racing myself. Added a bit to the general info section about checking out your local track before buying if you want to get into racing.
#34
Senior Member
My Feedback: (-1)
Join Date: May 2008
Location: saywhat,
AE
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

ORIGINAL: Candre23
Didn't really consider any of that since I have no interest in organized racing myself. Added a bit to the general info section about checking out your local track before buying if you want to get into racing.
Didn't really consider any of that since I have no interest in organized racing myself. Added a bit to the general info section about checking out your local track before buying if you want to get into racing.
Good thing to add.Ive only been to a track once or twice, and didnt race, it was a practice day.They go by ROAR, but arent real strict on ROAR rules, they let alot slide.And there isnt many people there,(You have to sign up, its a club type thing) so they try to get people in by being lax on the rules.They just let you run whatever you brought, if theres 2 or 3 in the same class theyll race.If not, theyll put you in another class so you can race.
Sorry for the slightly off topicness.
#36
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Norwood,
OH
Posts: 22,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Candre...can you link ThunderbirdJunkie to a video of a lithium polymer battery exploding without having somebody intentionally damage it?
Not hard to look at the package, bro.
Since few companies are honest about whether they are selling authentic deans or not, it can be hard to be sure you're getting the real deal.
#38

Thread Starter
My Feedback: (8)
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Plainfield, NJ
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

ORIGINAL: ThunderbirdJunkie
Candre...can you link ThunderbirdJunkie to a video of a lithium polymer battery exploding without having somebody intentionally damage it?
Not hard to look at the package, bro.
Candre...can you link ThunderbirdJunkie to a video of a lithium polymer battery exploding without having somebody intentionally damage it?
Since few companies are honest about whether they are selling authentic deans or not, it can be hard to be sure you're getting the real deal.
You don't get to look at the packaging when buying online. Even some hobby shops repackage connectors in individual bags, so it's not that cut and dry. Lots of shops sell "deans" connectors that aren't the original thing. They're deans style, but (potentially) lower quality: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7690
#39
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Norwood,
OH
Posts: 22,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

ORIGINAL: Candre23
That would require someone to have been recording video of their battery when it just happened to blow. Pretty unlikely.
You don't get to look at the packaging when buying online. Even some hobby shops repackage connectors in individual bags, so it's not that cut and dry. Lots of shops sell ''deans'' connectors that aren't the original thing. They're deans style, but (potentially) lower quality: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7690
ORIGINAL: ThunderbirdJunkie
Candre...can you link ThunderbirdJunkie to a video of a lithium polymer battery exploding without having somebody intentionally damage it?
Not hard to look at the package, bro.
Candre...can you link ThunderbirdJunkie to a video of a lithium polymer battery exploding without having somebody intentionally damage it?
Since few companies are honest about whether they are selling authentic deans or not, it can be hard to be sure you're getting the real deal.
You don't get to look at the packaging when buying online. Even some hobby shops repackage connectors in individual bags, so it's not that cut and dry. Lots of shops sell ''deans'' connectors that aren't the original thing. They're deans style, but (potentially) lower quality: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7690
If they don't come in Deans packaging they are NOT REAL DEANS PLUGS.
Also, LiPo batteries do not EXPLODE. Before you tell people these things, you should back up your facts.
On a lighter note, it is extremely good of you to have taken your time to make this guide. There are a few holes in it, but the effort is what matters.
#40

Thread Starter
My Feedback: (8)
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Plainfield, NJ
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

ORIGINAL: ThunderbirdJunkie
Also, LiPo batteries do not EXPLODE. Before you tell people these things, you should back up your facts.
Also, LiPo batteries do not EXPLODE. Before you tell people these things, you should back up your facts.
Don't think it happens without intentionally damaging the battery? Here's a list compiled on another forum of almost 200 incidents of lipo outgassing/fire/explosion/whatever you want to call it: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...hreadid=209187
Lipos can be very dangerous. If you handle them properly, the risk is minimal. If you don't, it's only a matter of time before you have some sort of catastrophic failure. If you're lucky, you just lose the battery. If not, you could lose your car, or even [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1201043]your house[/link]. It is important that these dangers are impressed upon new users so they can make the decision whether or not they are willing to take the necessary precautions to run lipos, or if they should stick with NiMH. If using colorful language such as "explode" helps drive home the point, then so be it.
#42
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Norwood,
OH
Posts: 22,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Igniting and exploding is a HUGE difference.
ThunderbirdJunkie saw a brand-new RC10T3 EXPLODE on a guy's pit table.
He saw a B2 explode too.
Never seen a B4/T4 explode.
ThunderbirdJunkie saw a brand-new RC10T3 EXPLODE on a guy's pit table.
He saw a B2 explode too.
Never seen a B4/T4 explode.