Your hand-held transmitter 1 sends radio signals to the receiver 2, which sends signals to the ESC 3, which controls the flow of battery power 7 to the motor 4, which drives the transmission 5, which powers the rear tires. The receiver 2 also translates your steering commands to the steering servo 6 to turn the front tires.
(Hold mouse over underlined text to read about numbered features above)
Feature 1 |
Feature 2 |
Feature 3 |
Feature 4 |
Feature 5 |
Feature 6 |
Feature 7
Not your ordinary glue-together plastic model kits, these vehicles are created for aggressive speed and heart-pounding action! The following are the major items that elevate these racing cars from the more common radio/remote control kits sold in toy stores. These parts are required by every competitive electric car or truck. They are usually purchased separately, although some hobby shops will sell packaged systems for one low price.
For more details about these components, hold your mouse pointer over the corresponding numbers above. If your browser gives error messages, then just read below for the same info.
1 Transmitter
The hand-held radio transmitter sends radio signals along a narrow frequency to the on-board receiver. It is powered by batteries of its own. The wheel knob for steering is popular in the US. It s used with electric and gas vehicles.
2 Radio receiver
Through its antenna, the "brains" of the vehicle receives the radio commands from your hand-held transmitter and relays them to the electronic speed control (ESC) and steering servo. It is the direct radio link from you to your vehicle. It is included in the purchase of a transmitter.
3 Electronic speed control
As its name implies, it controls the RPMs of your motor, and thus the speed of your vehicle according to the acceleration you give it at your hand-held transmitter. A better, more advanced breed of ESCs are the LRP digital speed controls. Gas engine vehicles do not use an ESC. A low-cost mechanical substitute for the ESC is the resistor speed control.
4 Electric motor
The ESC feeds your radio transmitter commands to the motor, then the motor turns the transmission gears, which then turns the axles that drive your rear wheels. Motors come in many stock and modified varieties. Some soldering is required; your hobby shop may do this for you. Nitro vehicles use an engine instead of an electric motor.
5 Transmission
As in a real car, the transmission ("tranny") transfers the force of the motor to the axles. The sophisticated Associated tranny includes an adjustable slipper clutch that saves differential wear and maximizes your motor's power by allowing it to slip at critical moments, and independent outdrive hubs that drive each tire for maximum independent traction.
6 Steering servo
Under your radio direction, the servo arm pivots left or right, pushing or pulling the links connecting between the servo and the wheels to steer your vehicle. The servo is usually included with your purchase of a transmitter. Nitro engine vehicles also have a servo that uses the same push/pull leverage principle for throttle and braking.
7 Battery pack
The on-board power source for your R/C vehicle's receiver, ESC, motor, and servo. Not your more familiar C-size batteries, these powerful NiCad or Ni-MH batteries are rechargeable and typically give you around 5 or so minutes of all-out racing. The six cells are soldered in series by the hobbyist or purchased already assembled in 6-cell packs. A battery charger must be purchased separately. Racers usually buy several packs to keep racing, recharging the used ones in the meantime. Nitro vehicles substitute a fuel tank for batteries.
|
Team Associated has won more IFMAR World Championships than any other manufacturer! |
|
Associated Electrics, Inc. |
www.teamassociated.com |
|
Get the Adobe Reader | Subscribe to Team Associated Insider's Newsletter |
|
Prices subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographic errors.