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Buy one 7.2v battery pack to power the rc car.

Buy 8 AA nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries for the transmitter (controller).

Buy a quick battery charger.

Have Fun!

RC CARS EQUIPMENT

For newcomers to the hobby, it is best if you start of with electric rc cars. Here are basic rc equipment that you need to purchase.

HOBBY SHOP

Although not an equipment per se, finding a good hobby shop will go a long way to ensure that you will have fun in this hobby. They can provide you the help you need to get started in this hobby, and they can provide the equipment and spare parts that you will eventually need.

CARS

Start of with the model car. As a newcomer, begin with an electric, off road car. A good brand is Tamiya, because of their excellent instruction manuals, realism, and good manufacturing quality.

Good brands are Tamiya, HPI, Associated, and Kyosho.

Price should be in the P 3,000 – P 5,000 range.*

R/C BATTERIES

To power the cars, you will need special batteries. These are normally 7.2 volts, nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries. For playing around, stick to buying the cheap batteries. The more expensive ones are for racing, and is a waste of money for those just seeking to play around and have some fun.

Good brands are Tamiya, Sanyo, and Panasonic.

Price should be in the P 800 – P 1,000 range.

CHARGERS

There are special chargers designed to charge the battery packs mentioned above. There are two basic types, the timer, and the peak detection chargers. With the timer type charger, you will have to monitor whether or not the battery is fully charged, which can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

The other type is a peak detection charger. It is more expensive, but does a better job of charging the batteries. It can sense when a battery is fully charged and will automatically shut off, preventing overcharging, which can destroy the battery. If you can afford it, buy the peak detection charger.

Good brands are Tekin and Novak.

Price can be anywhere from P 1,000 - P 5,000 range.

RADIO CONTROL SYSTEM

To control the car, you will need to buy the radio or remote controller. These consist of the transmitter, receiver, and servos. The transmitter is what you will hold in your hand, to control the speed and steering of the car. The receiver is located in the car itself and receives signals and commands from the transmitter. The servos are small motors that physically control the steering and speed of the car. The servos are in turn attached to the receiver.

Beginners are advised to buy a two channel proportional unit. Two channels mean the receiver can control up to two servos, one for the steering and one for the speed.

Radio controllers operate via frequencies, and if you and your friend operate controllers at the same time using the same radio frequency, then you will have what is called interference, and you will be unable to control your car. Hence it is important to know what the frequency your radio controller is, and to ensure that there are no other radio controllers operating nearby using the same radio frequency. Two or more controllers can work at the same time if they all have different frequencies.

Good brands are Futaba and Airtronics.

Price should be in the P 3,000 – P 5,000 range.

* Prices are in Philippine Peso.
   $ 1USD = P 56.