Battery Type for Remote Controlled Toys

Your RC toys life depends very much on your battery. Each remote controlled toy is using different type of battery. I will try to describe all type of battery available now, and my next article will discuss on how to handling them for longer life-span.

Each RC Battery type has its own characteristics, such as voltages, chemical compositions, life-cycle and so on. Technology on batteries has evolved so much focusing on the main principle, which is to find a media that keep the energy as long as it can, safe for use and also for environment and has longer life-cycle.

So now we have better type of rechargeable batteries that we can use, especially for our beloved RC Model, but still every type has its own pros and cons.

Nickel Cadmium (NiCad or ni-Cd)

Some RC Car models are using Ni-Cd battery, each of them has 1.2V voltage. This kind of battery need to discharge fully before you wants to charge it, because it is said that the battery won’t be fully charged as a result. It's called memory-effect. Please purchase a battery discharger if you want to keep your battery longer.

Ni-Cd usually sold in package containing several soldered batteries - two or more, to form the voltage required by the application. Self discharge rate is about 10% per month.

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)

NiMH is the next generation of rechargeable battery, which comes with the same size and voltage like Ni-Cd, also sold in packaged according to the voltage they need to form. NiMH has more advantages than Ni-Cd as it has longer life cycle and safer for environment.

Disadvantage is its high self-discharge rate at about 30% per month, higher than Ni-Cd battery. But there are also available Low Self Discharge NiMH - introduced at November 2005 - which is having the lowest self discharge rate, that is 1,25% per month.

Lithium-ion Polymer (LiPo, Li-Poly, PLI, LiP, LIP, Li-Pol)

LiPo is the new technology of Lithium ion cells and some RC toys has been using it because of its light-weight reasons. Li-Po battery can be stored for about 1-2 months without losing charge significantly. But if you intend to keep it longer better discharge it to 40% of full charge capacity. I read somewhere that you can refrigerate it, but not freezing it.

Please be careful when charging Li-Po battery, as it becomes hazardous when you overcharged. This can cause explosion or fire. That is why some good charger manufacturer will stop charging process at about 90 minutes to prevent this thing.

Lithium-ion Battery (Li-on or LIB)

Lithium-ion has been widely used in consumer electronic, such as laptop, cell phone and in RC Toys as well. This battery has some advantages, light-weight, no memory effect, self discharge only about 5-10% per month, and a lot safer for environment. Disadvantages of Li-on is in it's cell life, cell's capacity reduce over time, because each charging form deposits inside  the electrolyte that inhibit ion transport.

Be careful when charge the unit, overheat or overcharge can lead to combustion. But some battery manufacturer already put fail-safe circuitry, that will shut down the battery when the voltage outside of the safe range (3 - 4.2V).

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Remote Controlled Gadget

Assembling, running and adjusting radio controlled toys equipment is a common hobby between radio controlled hobbyists. The radio controlled gadgets are a well-known hobby, and are a main part in a sport that showing off the user ability in controlling their rc toys efficiently.

Radio Controlled gadgets or remote controlled toys as most people know, are gadgets that are controlled by using radio frequency from a distance.

Remote Controlled Gadgets are commonly called RC devices – RC stands for Radio Controlled. The first radio controlled airplane was flown in 1937 by Dr. William Good and Walter (his twin brother). Dr. William expertise is in radios and his brother in aero-modeling, and by combining those two skills they create the RC plane. Radio Control technology also have been used in World War II. Then in 1960s, transistors invention makes the circuit much smaller, and it leads to more compact and light design in RC technology.

Modern RC Toys Standards

In the middle of 1960s, Mardave – a British company based in Leicester, start to produce first commercial functional RC Cars. This first product were Nitro RC Cars or rc cars powered by gas, and in 1970s sold in the neighboring area. RC cars or all other RC gadgets require transmitter complete with controller, wheels, and a throttle trigger. Receiver located in the toy’s body.

RC Cars model comes with electric models and fuel or nitro models. Electric models operate with electrical speed power, and the nitro or fuel models make use of radio control to organize the fuel input and other mechanisms.

Radio Controlled Toys comes with toy grade or hobby grade. The toy grade gadget can be obtained in toy shop or online at a cheaper price. They usually labeled with RTR (Ready To Run) or RTF (Ready To Fly) acronym, meaning they are ready made model, and usually operate with electric power. Hobby grade models come with far more greater prices but their advantage is in durability and service-ability. Hobby grade mostly needs you to assemble and you can find mostly operates on gasoline or nitro type. Radio Controlled Cars Hobbyist used to follow their RC Car in races.

RC gadget comes with various models such as cars, tank, boats, airplanes, helicopters, trucks and also robots. Robotics contest held for RC Robot hobbyist, you could see many international contests from online or offline news for them. Robotics is a hobby, which is also using remote controlled or radio controlled toys technology.

Utilizing radio control is immeasurable, there are lots of distinctive ways where you can get pleasure from radio controlled hobbies.

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Why Syma S107/S107G The Best Seller in RC Helicopter ?

After seeing our Best Selling RC Helicopter list, I think you want to find out the review or pros and cons of the first spot in my best selling list, which is Syma S107//107G. Why buyers preferred this one than another.

If you want to check Syma S107/S107G product page in the Amazon, they have 1,010 customer reviews and 633 of them giving the highest star (5 star), in other words almost 63% is extremely satisfied with it.

Syma S107/S107G is a 3 channel co-axial micro-size infra-red RC helicopter equipped with gyro technology for stability. It's small but very stable and also durable, suitable even for a newbie. I recommend this mini helicopter.

The complete package consist of infra red transmitter, helicopter and USB cable for charging purposes. After opening the package, first you need to fully charge the helicopter's battery through your computer by using USB or via transmitter, but charging with USB is faster. You also need six (6) AA batteries for the transmitter. Everything is set and ready to fly.

Most people choose this micro helicopter because of its durability and quality. Lots of positive reviews and here is mine.

Syma S107/G Pros

1. Built up with light alloy frame and strong plastic blade, make it strong and can resist bad crashes. So it's safe for you if you never flying this kind of thing before. But I would recommend you buying extra main rotor and tail blades, just in case bad crash happens.
2. It's very stable and very easy to control, thanks to the gyro technology. See it when gliding in the air at this video.

Syma S107/G Cons

1. You should fly it in 5 minutes at a time, because its battery last that long. Don't push it or it's battery life span will reduce. Charge it only 10 - 15 minutes after flying, to make it cool enough before charging process. Ignoring this will also cause your battery's life shorter. Make sure you charge it fully for around 30-40 minutes and take it off the charger right away when the indicator shows it fully charge, and wait for another 10 minutes before flying the helicopter again.

2. Built only for indoor, because it is so light than it can't resist the wind. Besides the remote control is using infra red, and it means you can't make it work perfectly in sunlight. So flying it outdoor is not an option.
3. Because of its success, many clone has been made. So if you care to have a real one, buy it from the reputable local or online stores.

You will find many online store selling Syma S107/S107G at more than $30 or even $100, so I would recommend you check it at Amazon. This online store sells it at a discount price, and don't forget to read the customer reviews.

Syma S107/S107G mini RC Helicopter will bring hours of fun with a reasonable price. If you don't want to wait and doing nothing within the charging time, buy more of this. :D With $100 you can get 4 of this same quality, where else you just got one.

READ MORE - Why Syma S107/S107G The Best Seller in RC Helicopter ?

Best Selling RC Tanks

RC Tanks is the options for military vehicle maniac. This is the list of what they are mostly choose in Amazon for this category.

1. Infra-red Laser Battle Tank Set (2 Pcs Included)
2. Abrams RC Battle Tank
3. Dragon Airsoft Electric RTR Remote Control RC Battle Tank
4. M1A2 ABRAMS Iraq War Tank RC US Battle Tank Radio Controlled 1/24 Airsoft Panzer Marui OEM version
5. 1/24 RC 3-Ch Remote Control M1A2 Abrams Tank
6. 1:24 Scale Remote Control Leopard Tank
7. Snow Leopard M26 Pershing WWII RC Smoking & Sound 1/16 Radio Remote Control Airsoft Battle Tank
8. 2-Set M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks RC 1/24 Infrared LED Tank R/C US MBT
9. German Leopard II A5 Main Battle Tank RC Airsoft Radio Control 1/24 MBT Marui OEM Version
10. Defense Force TYPE 90 Japan Battle Tank RC 1/24 Remote Control Airsoft MBT Marui OEM Version

READ MORE - Best Selling RC Tanks

Best Selling RC Trucks

RC Trucks is suitable for outdoor usage, for off-road for instance. Maisto RC Rock Crawler sit in first position in this list, see left picture. OK... now here is the list.

1. Maisto R/C Rock Crawler
2. New Bright - 1:14 Radio Control Monster Truck Ford Big Foot
3. Stampede Monster Truck RTR w/XL-5 w/Battery&Charge
4. New Bright - 1:14 Radio Control Chevy Silverado
5. New Bright - 1:24 Radio Control Ram
6. Maisto 1:14 Off Road Radio Control Ford Raptor
7. Remote Control 4WD Tri-Band Off-Road Rock Crawler RTR Monster Truck
8. New Bright - 1:15 Radio Control Ford F-150
9. Grave Digger 2WD Monster Truck RTR w/2CH AM Radio
10. Remote Control 4WD Tri-Band Off-road Rock Crawler RTR Monster Truck

READ MORE - Best Selling RC Trucks

Best Selling RC Cars

RC Cars is another model in RC Toys. It is a very popular model. Many type of RC Cars technology to choose from with its pros and cons, such as electric, nitro, RTR and more. This time I want to list the best selling RC Cars in Amazon, and here they are :

1. Maisto R/C 1:24 Lamborghini Reventon

2. Maisto R/C 1:24 1967 Ford Mustang

3. Cyclaws Remote Control Vehicle 

4. Hot Wheels R/C Stealth Rides Batmobile Tumbler

5. New Silver MP3 Kids Ride on R/C Remote Control Power Wheels Car RC Ride On Car

6. Maisto R/C 1:24 Audi R8 V10 2009

7. Tonka Ricochet RC Vehicle 4 X 4 RC 27MHZ (RED)

8. AutoTech 1/18 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Radio Remote Control Car
9. 1/16 E-Revo 4WD VXL RTR w/ 2.4 Radio
10. 1/14 Scale Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV Radio Remote Control Model Car R/C RTR (Yellow)

READ MORE - Best Selling RC Cars

Best Selling RC Airplane

Another RC Toys or RC Model type is RC Airplane, and this post will list the best selling in the category. The first spot in best selling RC Airplane is given to Champ RTF and see pictures on the left to find out more. Please visit the link, if you want to know what is RTF or ARF stands for at acronym used in RC Toys.

The most popular RC Airplane are as follow :

1. Champ RTF

2. Super Sonic RC Model Airplane R/C SYMA 9399 Training Plane ARF Radio Control Aircraft

3. Ember 2 RTF

4. Firebird Commander 2 RTF Electric

5. Ultra Micro T-28 Trojan RTF

6. Mini Super Cub RTF

7. Easy Star Electric, RTF

8. RC Airplane Air Earl Passenger Jet

9. Ember 2 BNF

10. Super Cub LP RTF

READ MORE - Best Selling RC Airplane

Best Selling RC Boat

Here is my next post on best selling, and this time is in RC Boat category. RC Boat is not as popular as RC Helicopter but they have their own fans. Picture on the left is the image of the first spot in Amazon's best selling RC Boat. To make it short, here is the list.

1. 23" Balaenoptera Musculus Radio Remote Control Racing Boat

2. 21" R/C Super Police Boat Radio Controlled Electric Powered RC Ocean Guard

3. 28" Blazingly Fast Victory EP Racing Remote Controlled Boat

4. Radio Controled 18" 6-Volt Sea Ray Boat

5. 30" RC SYMA Century Boat Radio Remote Control R/C Racing Yacht with Display Stand

6. RC SYMA 28" Racing Boat R/C Electric Powered Wind Speed Motor Ship Radio Remote Control Yacht Cruiser

7. "Radio Ranger" 34" Remote Control Fishing Boat

8. RC SYMA Racing Boat 22" R/C Electric High Powered Blazingly Super Fast Balaenoptera Musculus Cruiser

9. PX-16 Offshore Racing RC Boat

10. Smasher Destroyer 1/115 RC 31" Warship R/C Battleship Boat

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Best Selling and Most Popular RC Helicopter

When you want to buy something, it would be best for you to find out what is the best selling type before choose anything, so you know what most people buys and preferred in the past. I will update the best selling RC Helicopter in Amazon quarterly, and this is my first post.

Picture on the left shows the first position in the list, that is Syma S107/S107G.

1. Syma S107/S107G
2. 3 Channel RC Military Gyro Mini Indoor Helicopter Viefly V268
3. Syma New S022 Big CH-47 Chinook 3 Channels RC Helicopter
4. Syma 3 Channel S013 Mini UH-60 Black Hawk RC Helicopter
5. Double Horse 9100 "Hover" 3-Channel Sports R/C Helicopter w/ Built in Gyroscope
6. Double Horse 9053 26 Inches 3.5 Channel Outdoor Metal Gyro RC Helicopter
7. Newest Model DH 9074 Model 3.5 Channel Metal Gyro RC Helicopter
8. Army AH-64 Apache Mini RC Helicopter
9. SYMA S108G 3 CH Infrared Mini Radio Controlled Marine Cobra Helicopter Gyro
10. The Gyro Star S107 3 Channel Mini Indoor Co-Axial Metal RC Helicopter w/ Built in Gyroscope (Blue)

READ MORE - Best Selling and Most Popular RC Helicopter

What is RC Toys

RC Toys means a remote controlled toy which is controlled by a radio controller. You will find many terms used for this device. By having the word toys, some of you maybe thinking RC Toys used only by kids, then you are very wrong. Many hobbyist like to design, built and play this, even willing to spend hundreds of dollars buying advance spare-part and accessories to make theirs being the best from other. The RC Toys or RC Model are used in many kind of vehicle model - of course with RC System device installed, such as helicopter, tank, boat, airplane and so on.

The Remote Control Toys term given especially by kids, but hobbyist would prefer the term Radio Controlled Model or RC Model.

HISTORY

It was said that the first radio controlled device was invented by Nikola Tesla - a Serbian inventor, the Alternating Current (AC) systems founder and electromagnetism father - in 1893. By then it was widely used in many area, such as in war and surveillance. Only on 1940s it is used for entertaining purposes and it evolved since then.

RC TOYS FOR HOBBYIST

Hobbyist will choose the model type according to their interest. If you are a new hobbyist, first you need to choose the vehicle model that you are willing to play. Second is to choose the Ready To Run (RTR) model or Built Your Own model; this is for RC car, truck or another ground-vehicle model. The term use for airborne RC are Ready To Fly (RTF) or Bind-N-Fly (BNF), and Almost Ready To Fly (ARF).

Ready to Run or RTR type like the name means ready to use with minimize preparation, Very suitable for beginner or people who doesn't want to be overwhelmed with technical detail and preparations.

Build Your Own model type is the right choice for people who preferred to build their model different from the other and willing to spend his time on preparing the best RC model. Even if you are a beginner, you can choose this type, if you are a fond of technical person.

The next thing to note in choosing is Electric or Nitro model. Electric type is considered slower than nitro but cheaper and easy to maintain. Besides electric RC toys is using battery and you can't use the highest speed immediately to extend the motor life. You had to use the normal speed first for sometime before increasing the speed.

Nitro RC Toys is preferable for some hobbyist, because it is fast and looks cool, but more complicated and need more attention compare to electric type, and of course more expensive.

RC TOYS ESSENTIAL ELEMENT

There are 3 essential element in RC model that you should know as a hobbyist. Those are transmitter, receiver and servos. Additional element could be found in Nitro type such as electric starter, fuel, and so on.

Anyway kids and hobbyist love to play RC toys with their own reasons. Just choose to the one that suits your need and don't forget to choose effectively by comparing cost and what you expect from buying it.

READ MORE - What is RC Toys