Originally Posted by
BrycHouse32
Long story short:
I'm a car enthusiast event organizer. I need some RC cars as an activity for people who will be at the event to participate in. I know next to nothing about RC cars and need help getting everything I need. If you think you might be able to help please read the long version
Long story long:
I do marketing and logistics for a company called SubieEvents (subieevents.com). We will be putting on 5 of the largest Subaru enthusiast festivals in the US this year and we are currently trying to get some more activities for the attendees to participate in. One of the things we'd like to do is get some decent RC cars and build a small track that people can mess around and have some fun on. The problem is, while I know a good bit about cars, I don't know much of anything about RC cars. I've started researching what to get and compiling a list but I need some input and advice from some people who actually know what they're doing before I finalize the list.
What I need:
-3 RC cars. Probably going with 1/10 scale and bodies MUST be Subarus.
-3 controllers. I assume at least 3 channel because we will have 3 cars.
-3 steering servos. Definitely need help with making sure I get ones that will work. Someone already told me he thinks the ones I have picked out might not work.
-9 batteries. 3 for each car because these will be getting used for a good part of the day.
-6 battery chargers. So we can be charging all of the batteries that aren't currently in use.
What's on my current list: (Unfortunately the forum won't let me post links yet)
RC Cars:
3 different Tamiya 1/10 Subarus (part # TAMC5831, 58538, 58439)
Controllers:
3PRKA 2.4GHz FHSS Radio System w/R203GF Receiver by Futaba (part # FUTK3100)
Batteries:
Traxxas NiMH 6-Cell 7.2V 1800mAh Stick Std (part # 2919)
Chargers:
12V 300mA Charger for 6.0V - 9.6V NiMH and NiCD Batteries with Standard Tamiya Connector (Charger Side) (part # 01009)
Steering servos:
SV-0220MG Standard Digital Metal Gear Servo (High Voltage) by Savox (part # SAV-SV-0220MG)
Any advice on whether all this will work or not or suggestions for better options would be much appreciated. Also I'm working with a
budget of $1000-1300 for everything and of course would like to be on the lower end if possible.
I know that was a long read and thanks in advance!
Your radios are a good choice and those servos will work fine but the radios will all be 2.4ghz these days, you don't need a 3 channel radio because you have three cars. Most radios just happen to have 3ch capability meaning you could run steering, throttle and then use the 3rd channel to the car for a light switch or something similar.
Make sure all three of those Tamiya parts#'s are the ones that come with motor/esc.
An 1800mah pack isn't going to run very long. For what you are doing, NIMH will be fine but consider spending a few bucks more on each pack; look for at least a
3000mah pack. That will get you at least 10 mins of runtime per charge so with six packs, you could run the cars for 20 mins out of every 30 - motors and ESC's need to cool anyway.
You will need to up your charging capability - those little wall chargers take hours per pack. You need one that charges in amps, not mlliamps. This is where your budget will take a hit because your choice as a bare-minimum will be something
like this.
Your other issue will be replacement parts or even a spare rtr car to drop in. Even though those will be relatively slow, noobs+"rental cars" is going to equal some broken parts and you don't want to be down to one car two hours into the event. Otherwise, it sounds like it should be a fun addition to your events though
