You may not be able to buy a hydrogen car to park in your garage just yet (there's a good possibility you never will), but you can build one to put on the stand right next to your Traxxas Slash and HPI Blitz. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies just began shipments for their H-Cell 2.0, the world's first hydrogen fuel cell hybrid powertrain platform for radio-controlled machines.
Emulating the function of real-scale, zero-emission hydrogen powertrains, the system lets you shed the traditional all-electric power source from any RC kit, replacing it with a hydrogen-based hybrid system (such as the Tamiya TRF416 in the picture). We do mean any RC kit, as it can be set up to run on boats, planes and even robots too.
We're still not completely clear on the installation, but you basically get a fuel cell powertrain with two refillable HydroSTICK cartridges lining up with the two sides of the chassis. Each cartridge carries 10L of hydrogen, which translates to about 12Wh of energy to power the vehicle's movement. It works hand-in-hand with a lithium battery that provides peak power for acceleration and high-speed requests, while the hydrogen system handles cruise power, apart from replenishing the battery throughout its use. According to Horizon, this allows hobby-grade RC vehicles to run with 3 to 4 times more endurance than all-electric versions of the exact same model.
But how do you replenish the hydrogen cartridges? You do it using HydroFILL, a separately-sold, small-scale hydrogen refueling station that can recharge your canisters automatically using water and electricity. They also have a solar panel kit that you can use, in case you don't have a wall plug available (like if you find yourself in the middle of the park).
There's still no pricing for the Horizon H-Cell 2.0, but they'll be doing the trade show rounds beginning June. Expect an actual release very soon.
[Horizon Fuel Cell via Engadget]
by sunny on April 26, 2010
Looking to take your RC down the tracks for the first time? No need to mince words, you'll probably lose. Just because your chances of winning are slim doesn't mean you shouldn't do your best, right? After all, giving it all is how you improve in this game.
1. Aim for consistency. Your first couple of times racing should be about trying to get consistent lap times. Forget about beating that obnoxious loud dude and his beefed-up truck. Instead, aim to run a consistent course lap to lap.
2. Let faster trucks have their way. Sure, you can be competitive and refuse to give way during tangles. Do realize it's the easiest way to slow everyone down, including yourself, apart from heightening the chances of accidents occurring. Unless you've got a good shot at winning, wrecking your truck isn't worth the ego boost. You can get them later - after putting in some practice time.
3. Make sure your car can handle the occasional nervous driving. Racing brings out everyone's nerves. That means a potentially disastrous trigger finger at the most inopportune times. As long as your vehicle can recover and keep itself from spinning out, you'll be fine.
4. Watch experienced racers run the course. If you get the chance, watch some of the more experienced drivers handle the course. What lines are they talking? Where do they go fast or slow? Which jumps are they going for and which ones are they passing on? Seeing that gives you a good idea of how you should handle the tracks come race time.
by sunny on March 17, 2010
Your RC won't start, has come to a sudden halt or runs like it just woke up from 100 years of slumber. Don't panic. Most of the time, it's actually just a little snag that won't require an engineering degree (or plenty of RC experience) to fix. In fact, it's probably an obvious problem. Here's a laundry list of what you need to check.
1. Switches. Are you sure the car is turned on? Believe it or not, this is the most common culprit for novice drivers suddenly screaming like they're about to cry. Check the power switch on the vehicle and check your transmitter too. If both are turned on, then you're not stupid. Congratulations.
2. Transmitter. Are you sure you have the right one for the car you're using? Look for the frequency label on both the vehicle and the transmitter. Oooops. If that's not the culprit, check the antennas. Make sure they're not damaged and are installed properly.
3. Batteries. Change the batteries (or install them, in case you forgot - duh). Make sure you insert it snugly, facing the right directions.
4. Fuel. If you're driving a nitro RC, check the fuel tank. In case it's not running on empty, check the fuel system. Warning: this can get a bit involved. First, try adjusting the fuel mixture (leaning out or enriching it) and see if that solves the problem. If not, look for bends or tears in the fuel line, as well as blockage (you have to disconnect it). Also, inspect the tank and lids for any air leaks.
5. Servos. We're getting a bit more advanced here, but this is usually the problem when you can make the RC do some things but not others (that it's supposed to - you can't expect a monster truck to fly 30 feet in the air). To test, unplug the servos and put them on a different receiver, then check if it responds properly.
Now, if none of those things are the culprit, then you might have a more serious problem on your hands. Unless you know what you're doing, we recommend just going down to your local shop to have them take a look.
by sunny on March 3, 2010
Here's something new for fans of older racers to watch out for: an upcoming Tamiya model of the 1971 East African Safari Rally superstar, the Nissan Datsun 240Z. If you're not familiar with that 6,200 km race, the #11 240Z basically took it all - Overall Victory, Class Victory, Team Victory and Manufacturers Championship, along with the hearts of every spectator looking on.
The Tamiya RC Datsun 240Z Rally Version is a 1/10th scale model that revives the legendary vehicle that both Herrman and Schuller drove during that period. Reproduction looks very good from the photos, managing to produce a really cool-looking vehicle that will continue to turn heads even to this day.
Available as a kit, the package includes a polycarbonate body (with bundled, non-applied stickers and masking seals), all the molded resin exterior components in the photo (including the front/rear bumpers, hood spotlights sans the LEDs and light cases), black offset wheels and Rally Block tires. A Type 540 motor and a TEU-104BK ESC comes with the box as well, although you'll have to purchase the 2-channel R/C system, battery pack and charger separately.
Not much info on the chassis, along with the rest of the parts, so it's best to wait for more details before deciding on this one. While I doubt this can stand up to HPI's awesome Cup Racer version of the same vehicle, the Tamiya RC Datsun 240Z Rally Car is easily the better-looking one. The scale reproduction is just hot. There's no exact availability date, although pre-orders are priced between $220 and $250.
by sunny on February 23, 2010
Slated for release in the Spring, the HPI Blitz ESE vows to take short course RC to the next level. Throwing in a ton of premium upgrades to the already impressive 2WD's stock chassis, this can make an excellent replacement for your worn-down Blitz or a powerful entry to the short course truck scene.
Available as a kit, you can let your creativeness shine through as you customize the included ATTK-10 clear body with a paint job of your choice. It comes with a set of graphic elements and official logos to help you out in decorating, as well.
The Blitz ESE boasts a stiffer composite main chassis that claims overall quicker response. Color coded performance parts (white, cool gray and warm gray) let you see high-response parts at a glance, apart from lending it a more attractive appearance. Of course, it's only likely to remain that way until the first time it tastes dirt, at which point it will have to say hello to your favorite scrub.
HPI wasn't short on superlatives when describing the release. Precise steering and cornering from the firm front and rear arms, tougher skid plates for aggressive take-offs and landings, firmer bumpers for stronger and a whole host of other tune-ups have been outlined that make it a potentially super fast ride.
You'll have to supply a lot of the parts for this kit, including the motor, batteries, servos, wheels and tires. This adds a laundry list of things for you to pick up, but allows for plenty of customization on actual racing abilities. Expect the HPI Racing Blitz ESE Kit around April for a $250 price.
[HPI Racing]
by sunny on February 14, 2010
Looking for something to add to your collection of high-performance GT replicas? The Tamiya Corolla Axio apr GT should ably hold its own among your favorites, recreating the multiple-time racing champion to gorgeous detail.
Dressed to look like the version that raced at the 2009 Super GT Round 3 in Fuji (GT300 class), the kit comes with an unpainted, lightweight, polycarbonate shell (with those sleek, aerodynamic lines copied to perfection) and a slew of authentic-looking decals. The resin side mirrors, rear wing and polycarbonate fender fins are all separately molded, providing intricate realism. Hopefully, you know how to paint your way to something that looks as cool as the photo above.
The Axio apr GT uses a two-belt-driven TA05 chassis, which has been evolved to race specifications for its latest iteration (ver. II). It boasts reduced width for better roll movement range during cornering, repositioned battery mounts for enhanced handling, separate suspension mounts for easier maintenance and a one-piece motor mount with cantilever center shaft.
It includes a Type 540 motor, which should provide ample push for the tracks. Other features include a four-wheel double wishbone suspension (with short, reversible arms and 1050 ball bearings for the upright), single-speed transmission, medium-type racing slick tires and six-spoke gun metal wheels.
You'll need to pick out a two-channel radio system, battery and charger to get your Tamiya Corolla Axio apr GT ready for racing. There's a whole pile of compatible hop-ups, too, which should help you render this beauty into a more competitive ride.
Specifications
- Length: 14.7 in (373 mm)
- Width: 7.4 in (188 mm)
- Height: 4.8 in (122 mm)
- Wheelbase: 10.1 in (257 mm)
- Weight: 2.3 lb (1060 g)
- Requires: 2-channel radio with 1 servo, ESC, Paint, 6-cell NiCd/NiMH battery with standard connector and AC/DC peak charger
by sunny on February 10, 2010
A racing champion from the past makes its way through competition RC tracks in the form of the MR-03LM Sauber Mercedes C9 from Kyosho Racing. Known for rallying its way to become the winner of the 1989 World Sports Car Prototype (WSCP) against the Jaguar XJR-9, the full-scale version remains one of the most gorgeous automobiles my eyes have seen.
Included in Kyosho's Mini-Z racer series (which pays tribute for vehicle excellence), the model comes with a pre-finished body shell (complete with the accurately-applied decals) that recreates the original to dazzling effect. Those lines, those curves, that stylish rear wing - if looks could kill, I'd probably die upon seeing one in a local track (okay, I won't die, but I'll definitely salivate).
For racing performance, it boasts a low center of gravity, a coreless motor (instantaneous pickup and stopping), a newly developed steering gear unit (posting three times the gear ratio of previous versions), variable camber suspension, FET speed control amp and precision geometry settings. Even better, it allows for a ridiculous amount of adjustments, with suspension spacers and a removable motor mount. It's also compatible with all body styles from the Mini-Z series, allowing you to deck it in your choice of some of the most gorgeous car bodies in RC racing.
Released just last month, the Kyosho MR-03LM Sauber Mercedes C9 is not likely to be the fastest RC car in your roster. With that stylish design and a generous room for adjustment, though, it sounds like a definite winner in my book. It's priced at around $190.
by sunny on January 30, 2010
Late model race cars are the cream of the crop of local stock racing vehicles and Team Losi's Mini-Late Model should bring the same excitement to mini RC enthusiasts all over the map. It may be small, but the minuscule racer should pack a solid punch.
Sporting a diminutive 1/18th scale, it appears painfully cute from afar. Come closer, though, and you'll see the fantastic design that gives this late model dirt racer its realistic looks. One glance at that heavy-impact nose, detailed racing body, chrome two-tone wheels and hard compound rubber tires lets you know it means serious business.
The Mini-Late sports an extended chassis (longer than the Mini-Slider), allowing it to more ably support the weight of the electronics and drivetrain - a change you will likely realize in this mini RC's better balance and more dependable performance. With the extra chassis space, the vehicle's battery can be seated at either the left- or right-hand side (instead of in the middle), resulting in improvements on both cornering speed and handling through turns.
Little car can't run fast? Tell that to the pre-installed RX-280 high-speed motor, which should help the car post noteworthy straight line speeds over tough-to-handle tracks both indoors and out. The combination of the heavy-impact bumpers (both front and rear), along with the safety bars (both left and right sides), should ensure maximum protection against untoward racing incidents. Other features include long-arm suspension, low-profile rear tower, ESC system and 2.4GHz DSM technology radio system.
Good things do come in small packages and the Losi Mini-Late Model makes a good point of that. It's an all-in-one too, so you don't need anything else to begin racing. Just keep it away from your clumsy, overweight uncle (who tends to step on things that are a tad too small) and you'll be fine.
Specifications:
Length:15.5 in (394mm)
Width:7 in (178mm)
Wheelbase:8 in (203.2mm)
Weight:25 oz (708 g)
Kit/RTR:RTR
Body:Predecorated (available in Silver, Black, White or Red)
