Common Radio-Control Car Terms Explained #2 (Part 1)

Commutator is also known as ‘com’ for short. It is the part of the rotor (the part inside which turns) which has three copper contact for the brushes to run on. Keep clean and skim regularly for optimal efficiency and motor life. Brushes are the two copper contacts that supply power to the commutator of the motor. These should be replaced regularly for optimal efficiency and motor life. When a motor has been used several times, the commutator can become deformed, thereby reducing the motor’s efficiency. Skimming refers to placing the motor’s rotor on a small lathe and turning-down the commutator so that the surface is smooth and round again.

When two or more drivers in a race are using the same frequency, causing interference to one, or both of the drivers it is known as Frequency Clash. All radio-controlled equipment uses crystals to set the frequency which they operate on. Crystals resonate at a set frequency when an electric current is passed through them. They are very delicate and should be stored and handled with great care. Crystals come in pairs, one for the transmitter which is marked ‘TX’, and one for the receivers which is marked ‘RX’. Make sure you use the correct crystals, it DOES make a difference.

A car dives when it is under heavy breaking. This is because of the momentum the car has built-up is being resisted by the breaking force of the motor. The front slings store some of that energy by compressing, this making the front of the car drop. Dive is the opposite of squat. When heavy acceleration is applied to the car at relatively low speed, the forward force exerted by the motor is resisted by the inertia of the car. The rear springs store some of this energy (temporarily) by compressing, thus making the rear of the car drop. This is known as Squat.

1 2 »