RC Hobby: Get to Know More of the RC Electronics

No matter your age, there’s always room for a fun hobby, and the RC vehicles provide just that. With the range of vehicles you can pick from, including cars and trucks, all the way to vessels like boats or even aircrafts differing in size and speed, as much as design and kit difficulty, there’s something for everyone’s taste, skill and budget. 

Still, to be able to make the most of what this hobby can offer, it’s crucial to understand its core – the electronic system that’s the very heart of RC vehicles. As such, it’s essential when you’re assembling the kit, as this system is important for operating the vehicle, maintaining it as well as upgrading it. This becomes even more important if we keep the huge selection of RC electronics in mind, ranging from batteries, transmitters and receivers to motors and servos. All of these are crucial for optimal RC vehicle performance.  

The RC Electronic System Components

What electronics do I need to build a RC car? Or any other RC vehicle? To get the gist of the RC hobby basics and the answer to these questions, you should know the basics of components that provide you the control you require to remotely operate the vehicle. These include: 

Battery

There’s no powering the RC system without these bits of RC electronics so don’t start shopping without knowing more about them to be able to do the right choice. There are many battery options to pick from, and they vary in size as much as ratings and chemistry, out of which it’s the chemistry you have to choose right first and foremost. 

You have two common options here: NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) and LiPo (Lithium-Polymer). The first may be a bit more outdated, but it’s a cheaper alternative that’s also easier to handle, is less sensitive to shock, vibration, plus overcharging and deep discharging. The LiPo choice is more advanced, and although it’s a bit more expensive it comes with its own set of pros, such as delivering huge currents, and a large capacity for the small size. 

It’s also a more sensitive choice as it requires more care when handling and charging, so if you’re a beginner it takes some time and skill to get used to. Some useful ratings to know when shopping for batteries are:

• V – Short for voltage, the higher the number, the more power you can expect to get.
• mAh or Ah – These are short for milliamp per hour, and amp per hour respectively, indicating the battery’s capacity. So, if you choose a battery with 1Ah, you get one amp per hour, or 1000 milliamps per hour.
• S and P – These indicate the series cells and parallel cells numbers respectively. The first is crucial for the voltage of the battery, and the second for the capacity.
• C – This is simply the battery’s current, indicating how fast it can discharge. To be able to get this number in amps, you can just multiply the capacity (which is in amp hours) with this C rating. 

Be sure to consider the compatibility of the motor and ESC with the battery’s voltage for peace of mind. Don’t forget to also match the C rating with the motor’s requirements. And while we’re at these radio control electronics, it’s advisable to pick out an adequate charger too that’s of quality, because that will ensure you have enough power for your hours of fun. A more advanced option, like one of the Traxxas chargers, means you get a design fit for both NiMH and LiPo from this brand, plus the chance to check the battery charging status through a user-friendly app.

Transmitter

This one is the handheld device that sends the signals to your RC vehicle. To be able to do so, it operates on a frequency (usually 2.4GHz), and has several features like sticks, switches, buttons, crucial for speed, direction control, and other functions. To make the right choice, consider the number and type of channels it has so it’s suitable for your requirements.

Receiver

This is the bit that receives the control from the transmitter, and is located in the RC vehicle. It captures the signals then transforms them into commands. To do so, there are several channels among which steering, throttle, and auxiliary functions. 

ESC (Electronic Speed Controller)

As this component is related to the motor, i.e. it regulates the motor’s speed and direction, it’s available in two different types to suit the different motors. These are the brushed and brushless. The brushed is the more affordable and simpler choice, whereas the brushless is the more advanced, powerful, efficient, and as such a bit more expensive. It’s essential to find an ESC that’s suitable for the RC vehicle’s motor type, as well as the specific voltage and current.

Motor 

This is the very component that converts the electrical energy into mechanical so you’re able to operate the RC vehicle. As mentioned with the ESC, there are two types of motors, which are the brushed and the brushless. The primary is the simpler and cost-effective choice, while the latter is the more powerful and durable one as it runs up to 50% longer on battery power. 

If it’s for basic use, opt for the brushed, but is if’s for some higher end RC toy, then don’t refrain from investing in the brushless. A rating you should know here is the KV which indicates the motor’s speed, with lower KV being better for torque, while higher for speed. If it’s buying for an RC aircraft, truck, or 4Wd, be sure to choose the right servos. Higher torque is great for heavier applications, while faster servos for more responsiveness.