| Electric RC cars and trucks are generally | | | | years. Always consult your manufacturer's |
| considered best for beginners, since even if | | | | instructions to make sure you're getting the |
| you choose to build your own car, they tend | | | | right battery packs for your car, and that |
| to be simpler and easier than nitro cars. | | | | you're caring for them properly. |
| They're also a great deal quieter and run | | | | |
| much cleaner, meaning you're less restricted | | | | Easier and cleaner, electric RC cars and |
| by where you can run them. In terms of speed | | | | trucks offer the genuine racing experience to |
| and power, they do have a great deal of | | | | the beginner on an easy learning curve. |
| pickup, though not as much as the nitro cars. | | | | Proper conditioning and maintenance of the |
| | | | car and its battery packs are still easier |
| Electric RC cars use rechargeable battery | | | | than the many parts and problems often |
| packs to power their motor and steering, | | | | associated with nitro RC's. If you're a |
| which are usually recharged from a 12-volt | | | | beginner, or if you just want to get to the |
| car battery or wall socket. Batteries run for | | | | races, an electric RC can offer you the speed |
| about 5-10 minutes, depending on the type of | | | | and fun you're after for less work. |
| engine your car has, and charging the battery | | | | |
| usually takes 15-30 minutes. Because of this, | | | | Also keep in mind that if you think you'd |
| it is strongly recommended you have at least | | | | prefer an electric RC, but still want the |
| two battery packs, to allow for quick | | | | experience of building your own car, that you |
| replacement of the battery. This means your | | | | can also purchase electric kits. These |
| car can keep running while the other battery | | | | include complete instructions to build your |
| is recharging, giving the car more overall | | | | own car from scratch, and because their |
| running time. | | | | systems are less complex than the nitro cars, |
| | | | they are a little easier to build yourself. |
| At first glance, getting started with an | | | | |
| electric RC car can be much less expensive | | | | Electric RC Car Motors |
| than a nitro vehicle. But there are other | | | | |
| costs to consider as well, such as additional | | | | In order to prevent unnecessary wear and tear |
| battery packs, a battery charger and other | | | | on your electric motor, it is important to |
| accessories that will add to the cost, making | | | | always break in your motor, before you drive |
| it closer to the price of a nitro car in the | | | | it for the first time, and every time after |
| long run. Of course, this cost also depends | | | | you change its brushes. One easy method is to |
| on what kind of car you end up purchasing and | | | | run the vehicle with the wheels off of the |
| what kind of battery pack it requires, as | | | | ground at about 1/4 power for about 5 |
| well as how often you run the car and the | | | | minutes. This will slowly get the brushes |
| quality of the batteries you get. Though the | | | | fully seated to the commutator without |
| initial outlay of cash can be steep, but | | | | causing wear and tear on the engine, and will |
| you'll want to get quality battery packs and | | | | allow your motor to run at its full |
| a good charger to save replacing cheaper | | | | potential. |
| batteries. | | | | |
| | | | Your electric car will come with instructions |
| The main reason electric RC's are said to be | | | | on how to change the brushes on the motor, as |
| easier than nitro is in the amount of | | | | well guidelines for how often. Remember, if |
| maintenance and tuning their engines require. | | | | you change the brushes on your motor, be sure |
| Though the care, maintenance and cost of | | | | to break it in again. How often you replace |
| battery packs is steep, it is still less | | | | the brushes-and the motor, for that |
| trouble for the new driver than the air | | | | matter-depends on where and how much you're |
| filters, tuning, fueling and various other | | | | running or racing your car. Generally, a |
| engine parts that require attention on a | | | | motor should be replaced after it has gone |
| nitro car. Instead, careful conditioning and | | | | through five or more pairs of brushes, but it |
| proper storage of your battery packs will | | | | will always depend on the individual car, its |
| keep your electric RC running smoothly for | | | | motor and how well they're running. |