Getting Started In R/C Page #2
(Under Construction)
Initial Purchases
Are you ready for this? This is where you will see that things do add up to some costs. You will also get a clearer picture of what items are necessary to get started in Electric R/C Truck Racing. The products listed on the invoices below reflect my recommendations of what is the best, least expensive way to get started in the R/C Off-Road hobby. I would refer to the products listed below as "Entry-Level" equipment. These products are of good quality and will provide good performance. The Traxxas Rustler Truck is an entry-level model that comes with a motor, motor pinion and a mechanical speed control that is operated by one of the two servos you get with the radio system listed. This saves some initial added expense required to get the model running, because most kits don't include these items. The first invoice shows all needed items along with two HIGHLY RECOMMENDED upgrades. The second invoice continues upgrades showing the addition of an Electronic Speed Control, four high-quality connector sets and ball bearings to replace all wheel axle bushings.
The images of the invoices below will take time to download. Please be patient.
First Invoice: 10th Scale Electric Truck & Equipment for Entry-Level
Q & A section following this invoice
Question: Are there cheaper products that these?
Answer: For sure, but these have proven their reliability to me and are normally stocked for that reason.
Question: The "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" upgrades add $26.50 to the costs. Why do we need these items?
Answer: The six 5 x 11mm Sealed Ball Bearings are to replace the bushings that come with the kit for the transmission. This will result in a much smoother, faster and longer-lasting transmission. The Slipper Clutch Upgrade will do two very important things for the model. Slipper Clutches allow a place for the transmission to "slip" after bumps and jumps instead of ripping the teeth off the gears. Slipper Clutches can also be adjusted to help stop you from spinning out on slippery tracks. The parts are well worth the added money! These parts are standard equipment on Pro-Level models.
Question: Why two battery packs?
Answer: Just trying to keep the action rolling for you as possible. A person should really have, at least, three packs. There would be one on the charger, one in the truck and one cooling off. You see, it takes from 20 to 45 minutes to fast-charge a pack depending on the charger and battery pack used. After running the model, the battery pack is very hot. If you want your packs to last, they must be allowed to cool before recharging them. If you only have one pack, well, you get the picture.
Second Invoice: 10th Scale Electric Truck & Equipment for Entry-Level Plus ESC
Q & A section following this invoice
Question: What is an ESC?
Answer: "ESC" stands for Electronic Speed Control. It is a very sophisticated device that controls the power output to the model's motor. The Traxxas Rustler comes with a Mechanical Speed Control. This is a low-tech device allows only limited speed control of the motor: off, low, medium and high in both forwards and reverse. (No Brakes) The entry-level Reversible ESC listed in the above invoice replaces this part and will give the model fully proportional forward, reverse and brakes. Much more like a real truck. The model listed is a high-quality unit made to run stock and mild modified motors. It is also over-load protected, One-Touch programmable and has reverse lock-out for racing. (Using reverse is not allowed in racing) This is the best modification to the performance of this model that you can do, in my opinion.
Question: New Connectors?
Answer: The connectors that come with the model's speed control, on the battery packs and on the charger are not the best. To prevent problems, I recommend they all be replaced.
Question: 5 x 8mm Ball Bearings?
Answer: Replacing all of the remaining bushings in the model will greatly improve it's performance. The eight 5 x 8mm Bearings are needed to replace the stock bushings in all the axle shafts.
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