https://www.edusportsonline.com/blogs/news.atom edusportsonline - News 2024-05-24T16:43:56-04:00 edusportsonline https://www.edusportsonline.com/blogs/news/beginner-rc-series-nitro-vs-electric 2023-08-09T16:23:14-04:00 2024-03-25T10:41:57-04:00 Beginner Series: Nitro vs Electric Hannah Hardison Beginner Series: Nitro vs Electric RC Cars

Welcome to the world of radio control! edusportsonline is all about helping new comers or beginners decide which type of RC Car is best for them. This series will also include a bunch of other tips and tricks that all RC Car drivers won't want to miss! 

Today we are going to start at the first basic question you will want to ask yourself. Should I buy an electric or nitro car? 

To start, we are going to make a list of things you should know about each type. You can then look at this list and decide if a nitro or electric rc car sounds like a good fit for you. 

A wide-angle view of our old outdoor rc track

Electric RC Cars:

  1. A rechargeable battery powers these cars. 
  2. Lower maintenance compared to Nitro Cars.
  3. You can run this indoors. 
  4. Cleaner than Nitro Cars, and don't need engine tuning. 
  5. Typically cheaper to run. 
  6. These cars are much quieter and practically silent compared to Nitro Cars. 

Electric Cars are much faster then Nitro cars with upgrades. Typically, manufacturers stock Ready to Run (RTR) models with basic parts that are mostly plastic. If you are really into speed, you can upgrade to better, more durable metal parts for higher performance.

60+ mph here we come! A lot of the expensive items are a one time purchase and then you can use them in almost any electric car you buy! They also last a long time, if you take care of it! 

    Nitro RC Cars

    1. Nitro cars use fuel. 
    2. If you love the smell of fuel, the sound of a loud engine, and exhaust fumes filling the air, then you will love what nitro has to offer! 
    3. This type of car can run for a longer duration of time compared to electric cars. With Nitro, once your car runs out of fuel, you simply fill it back up and keep running! No waiting for batteries to charge! 
    4. You should only run nitro cars outside. Running them indoors can lead to toxic exhaust fumes overwhelming the air quality. 
    5. Requires more maintenance and mechanic work. 
    6. If you wish to race, you must have a pit person who can refuel your car mid-race. 

    Summary from Beginning RC

      Nitro Electric
    Speed, RTR  Very Good  Fair
    Speed, upgraded  Great Great
    Acceleration Very Good  Great
    Power band RPM-happy Torquey
    Ease of starting out  Medium Easy
    Maintenance Can be difficult Medium
    Initial purchase cost High Low
    Long-term cost  Medium Low to Very High, depending upon how fast you want to go 
    Sound level  Loud Quiet
    Driving environments Almost exclusively outdoors Indoors or out, but nothing wet 
    Key strengths  Fast out of the box, realistic sound, long runtimes Easy to get started with, clean, quiet 
    Key weaknesses  Loud, messy, tuning can be difficult  Batteries take time to charge, upgrading to go very fast can be very expensive

     

     

    Sources: RC Web Car, Beginner RC Cars how to choose the best, ( 2016). 

    Beginning RC, General Buying Decisions: Nitro vs Electric

    ]]>     https://www.edusportsonline.com/blogs/news/lithium-polymer-lipo-vs-nickel-metal-hydride-nimh-batteries 2023-08-09T16:23:14-04:00 2023-08-10T14:28:49-04:00 Beginner Series: LiPo vs NiMH Batteries Hannah Hardison

    We are back again with some helpful information on RC Car Batteries! This article will help you determine which type of battery is a good fit for you and the advantages vs disadvantages of each type. 

    Note: When choosing a battery you have to make sure you have the proper charger that works with that battery type. 

    Let's Get into it!

    LiPo: 

    Advantages: 

    • LiPos are lighter and smaller in dimension. 
    • Not limited in the shape or size they can come in.
    • Have higer capacities and voltages - this can potentially allow for more speed and power. Typical Voltages include: 7.4V, 11.1V, 14.8V, and 22.2V
    • They discharge energy at a different and flatter rate which is what allows them to have more power. This allows for a more consistent stream of energy to your motor.
    • Charge Faster

    Disadvantages: 

    • LiPos can be dangerous. If the battery is not stored properly or if it becomes damaged and punctured, fire could occur. 
    • They have a shorter life span meaning they last between 300 and 400 cycles. 

     

    "LiPos are made of carbon and highly reactive lithium, which can store a lot of energy.  With the flat structure the inner resistance is smaller (UPOWER)."

    NiMH: 

    Advantages: 

    • More User Friendly
    • Typically can endure more charging cycles, meaning they potentially have a larger life span. 
    • They cost less then LiPos. 
    • Not as likely to catch fire if punctured.

    Disadvantages:

    • This battery loses power throughout the run, meaning your car slowly loses power until the battery is completely dead. 
    • Heavy Weight 
    • Lower Voltages: Typically come in 3.6V and 7.2V, etc. 

     

    "NiMH batteries use hydrogen to store energy, with nickel and another metal (such as titanium) keeping a lid on the hydrogen ions. It often comes in a cylindrical shape.(UPOWER)."

     

     

     What are your opinions on these Batteries? Leave us a comment below! Check out our Batteries Here. 

     

    Sources:

    • Nosy Nation: LiPo vs NiMH: What's your battery of choice? (2016). 
    • UPOWER: 8 Difference Between Nimh vs Lipo Battery 
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