How to Build an Electric Car
Electric cars are a great way for us to enjoy speed and the thrills of racing cars on a small scale. Most kids grow up with a variety of electric radio controlled cars that they can easily navigate from a distance. Whilst the electric cars that are sold in most toy stores are extremely affordable, and are a lot of fun, the do not reach anywhere near an electric cars full potential. For hobbyists that want to get the most out of an electric car, including extreme speed and performance, there are several types available. Here are some tips.
Key Features of an Electric Car
When it comes to remote control cars, there are two types; gas and electric. Gas powered cars use tiny engines to propel the vehicle. Electric cars use tiny electric motors and an on board battery to power the vehicle. While some basic electric cars can be powered with general triple AA, AAA, C or D batteries, most intermediate and advanced electric cars use a rechargeable battery pack Electric motors can be sold with or without the body of the electric car. Obviously, basic vehicles will come pretty much intact or require simple installation. High end electric cars are sold piece by piece and require lots of time and customization to create.
For the most part, electric cars, when fully charged, will perform for about 6 to 8 minutes. Top speeds for electric cars are about 20 to 30 mph. This is quite fast for such small vehicles. Most electric car enthusiasts will purchase two rechargeable battery packs and a 15 minute battery charger. With this set up you can easily charge one battery while using the other battery with very little downtime.
It should be noted that if you plan to use your vehicle away from an electric outlet, you should purchase a field charger. A field charger can run your 15 minute charger from the field utilizing a 12v power source such as a car’s battery.
Components of an Electric Car
Besides the electric motor and battery, the other major part of the electric car is the chassis. The chassis is where other parts of the vehicle are attached to. Most electric cars come in either 1/8 or 1/10 scale. In certain cases, you can even swap some body parts with each other even if they are a different scale. You may need to trim away the body or customize it slightly. The body should include the hood, frame, accessories, etc. It should be noted that high quality vehicles are created with aluminum or graphite chassis for strength and heat resistance.
Tires are another piece of equipment that most intermediate electric cars require. While basic and some intermediate electric cars do come with tires, others require a set to be bought separately. Depending on how you drive your vehicle and the surface you drive it on, this will determine how often the tires will need to be replaced.
Electronic Speed Control is another major part of an electric car. An ESC, as they are commonly referred to, replaces either mechanical or servo speed control systems. An ESC can take advantage of the full power of the motor and utilizes the electric current for maximum performance and speed. Finally, the radio control unit usually comes in the form of a small steering wheel, and a lever or button, for acceleration and braking in order to control the car. These devices can be powered from a decent distance, however for maximum effectiveness, you should be able to see your vehicle at all times.
How to Build a Basic Electric Car
If you are just getting started in the incredibly fun electric car hobby, you might want to start with a basic electric car. Basic types are incredibly easy to build, operate and are very easy to keep on the road with minimal upkeep. While you won’t get the best performance or speed out of a basic electric car, you can practice driving, learn how to maneuver them, and most of all, have lots of fun at a low cost. Basic electric cars usually come preassembled with the electric motor and chassis already together. Most basic models allow you make slight modifications to the body and tires. You can also have fun applying stickers to the vehicle. These vehicles are usually very affordable, costing less than $100.
How to Build an Intermediate Level Electric Car
An intermediate level electric car is a great choice for those that want to customize their cars and also want to get more performance, specifically speed out of them. These cars are generally more expensive, costing from about $75 to $300. Besides being moderately priced, they offer many options for hobbyists such as adding or replacing specific parts including the body, motor, battery pack, wheels, tires, ESC, clutch, differential, etc. In most situations, you will need to install major components to the chassis and a large percentage of your components can be customized and swapped to your liking.
How to Build an Advanced Level Electric Car
An advanced level electric car will require total assembly, and for most parts, customized pieces that you would like to use. Each piece of the vehicle should be purchased separately including the motor, chassis, brakes, ECS, tires, wheels, differential, battery pack, etc. Most advanced level electric cars can vary in price, but almost all require an initial investment of several hundred dollars. Advanced level electric cars can require that you work on your vehicle to insure all of its components are working properly and are calibrated precisely to your surface and performance conditions.
Depending on the way you operate your vehicle, there should be a major influence on the way you build it. If you are interested in purchasing advanced components, you will need to shop at a hobby store, due to the fact that common toy stores won’t carry these specific components. If you would like to get into building advanced electric cars, it is a good idea to start talking to the RC community found on forums online or at your local hobby shop; you can always find good information and other enthusiasts that are interested in electric model cars.