Getting back into RC - Basic Electronics Qs

[blueST]

I hope you can spare some patience to answer these lame questions. I’m looking to revive my old Tamiya cars, I’ve DF03 buggy and FF01 touring car. I’ll hoping the Birthday Fairy might bring me new build rally car this year too. But, in doing my research I’ve realised I’ve forgotten most of what little I knew, and lots has changed, so here goes….

Servos - what’s a good mid range brand, my old Acoms one in the DF03 is a bit wobbly. Anything else I should look for when choosing?

Transmitters/Receivers - I still have my old 27mhz Acoms Techniplus gear which functions well, but I want to upgrade so I can race others without mucking about with crystals. If I get a 2.4ghz set, does any receiver work with any transmitter, or do I have to stay with a brand? How does the transmitter know which car I want it to control if I use it for more than one? What’s a good mid range brand, a lot of the transmitters look awfully plasticky. Also, stick or wheel? Never used a wheel, but there seems to be more choice.

[MBBlat]

By no means an expert but you can bind a transmitter (tx) to more than one receiver (rx). If the tx has a multiple model memory then each car is bound to a distinct setting, this will also store stuff like servo centering, you just select your car on the tx, turn the car on and your all set.

In theory any make of tx should work at a basic level with any make of rx, reality is different and I would stick to the same brand. There can also be generational issues even within the same brand.

[blueST]

That makes sense. So what brands are good?

[anonymous-user]

I use Spektrum for my Heli radios but I would choose a decent brand where you can easily purchase additional receivers, etc separately. I still use my old 27MHz stuff for cars which is basically Futaba, Sanwa, Acoms, etc, if I upgrade the cars it would be to Spektrum radios.

Just wait until you get to batteries and chargers...

And motors..

[blueST]

Brushless motors I'm ok with,got one in my buggy, but I have not ventured into the world of LiPo batteries yet.

Anyone any advice on servos? There are myriad brands, just need to know what isn't junk.

[shedweller]

servos - savox... Or the 15-25kg ones from Amazon aren't bad either just look for metal gears and a decent speed.

Lipos - get a branded lipos from an established online RC model shop and an automatic charger + lipo bag... I keep my lipos in a galvanised bucket in my garage.. I have used lipos heavily for 15+yrs and never had a fire.
Just make sure that your ESC is set to cut off at correct voltage and you store them at the correct voltage...

This can be a faff if you don't use them once charged as you will need to discharge to storage voltage every time (your charger will have this function)
If one gets soft or puffy - dispose

[anonymous-user]

shedweller said:

servos - savox... Or the 15-25kg ones from Amazon aren't bad either just look for metal gears and a decent speed.

Lipos - get a branded lipos from an established online RC model shop and an automatic charger + lipo bag... I keep my lipos in a galvanised bucket in my garage.. I have used lipos heavily for 15+yrs and never had a fire.
Just make sure that your ESC is set to cut off at correct voltage and you store them at the correct voltage...

This can be a faff if you don't use them once charged as you will need to discharge to storage voltage every time (your charger will have this function)
If one gets soft or puffy - dispose

Ah Li-po batteries, you need to treat them with respect and if you have any doubts over a pack get it outside in a bucket of sand. We had a product with Li-po batteries and the batteries were causing issues in the factory. Our manager didn't think it was a problem so we tested one by stabbing it with a scalpel, that changed his mind PDQ.

[blueST]

Thanks all, I’m not bothering with LiPo for the time being. Cars are fast enough on NiMH with a brushless motor for my current desires,

I’ll look at Savox servos