Upgrades – Electronics
The Electronics are probably one of the most important upgraded areas of the RC18 Series vehicles…it’s all dependent on what you plan on doing with your RC18! We’ll go over Servos, Receivers, Electronic Speed Controls, Batteries and Motors.
The 18T Servo is good for starters, but you may soon find out that it isn’t adequate for continuous bashing, or racing! Here is a list of servos that will fit the 18T with some or no modifications (thanks to needrcspeed for compiling this list!):
Direct fit – no modifications required
• Associated XP C1016 (stock 18T servo)
Dimensions (mm): 22.1L x 11.4W x 23.6H
Speed: 0.10 Seconds
Torque: 22.2oz-in
Weight: 0.32oz (9g)
Plastic Gears
• Airtronics 94091Z
Dimensions (mm): 23.1L x 11.1W x 22.1H
Speed: 0.10 Sec @ 6.0v
Torque: 23oz-in @ 6v
Weight: 0.32oz (9g)
Plastic Gears
• Futaba S3107
Dimensions (mm): 23L x 10W x 20H
Speed: 0.12 Sec @ 4.8v
Torque: 17oz-in @ 4.8v
Weight: 0.3oz (9g)
Plastic Gears
• Hitec HS-56HB
Dimensions (mm): 23L x 12W x 24H
Speed: 0.1 Sec @ 6v
Torque: 19.4oz-in @ 6v
Weight: 0.39oz (11.2g)
Ball Bearing Carbonite Gears
*Use AE Servo Saver Part #21049
• JR DS285 Digital
Dimensions: 0.45″ x 0.87″ x 0.85″
Speed: 0.14 Sec @ 6v
Torque: 19oz-in @ 6v
Weight: 0.32oz Nylon Gears
• Bluebird BMS275DMG
Dimensions (mm): 24.5L x 11.5W x 23H
Speed: 0.11 Sec @ 6v
Torque: 31.91oz-in @ 6v
Weight: 0.40oz (11.4g)
Requires minor modifications
• Hitec HS-65HB/MG
Dimensions (mm): 23.6L x 11.6W x 24H
Speed: 0.11 Sec @ 6v
Torque: 30.55oz-in @ 6v
Weight: 0.44oz (12.5g)
Ball Bearing
HS-65HB: Carbonite Gears
HS-65MG: Metal Gears
*Use AE Servo Saver Part #21049
• Hobby Electronics HDS-87 Digital Servo
Dimensions (mm): 22.8L x 11W x 19.8H
Speed: 0.11 Sec @ 4.8v
Torque: 17oz-in @ 4.8v
Weight: 0.35oz (10g)
Requires advanced modifications
• Hitec HS-81MG
Dimensions (mm): 29.8L x 12W x 29.6H
Speed: 0.09 Sec @ 6v
Torque: 41.66oz-in @ 6v
Weight: 0.67oz (19g)
Requires a modified/custom servo saver
• Hitec HS-55
Dimensions (mm): 22.8L x 11.6W x 24H
Speed: 0.17 Sec @ 4.8v
Torque: 15.27oz-in @ 4.8v
Weight: 0.27oz (7.8g) Nylon Gears
The RC18T comes with a 27mhz AM 2 Channel Radio System, the two channels being steering and throttle/brake. For normal, everyday use this system works great. You have a choice of 6 different channels to choose from: 01 – Brown, 02 – Red, 03 – Orange, 04 – Yellow, 05 - Green and 06 – Blue. It is often suggested that you have at least 2 channels available so you don’t interfere with someone else (or they interfere with you!). Upgrading the Receiver is really only necessary if you plan on upgrading your Transmitter, also, and usually the Transmitter comes with a new Receiver. The following is a short list of companies that offer good, high quality micro Receivers:
TR203A (stock 18T reciever)
Channels: 2
Band: 27 AM
• LRP
Phaser Sport
Channels: 4
Band: 27 FM
Phaser Competition
Channels: 3
Band: 27 FM
• Novak
XXtra Synthesized
Channels: 5
Band: 75 FM
• KO PROPO
KR-302F
Channels: 3
Band: 27 FM
KR-301F
Channels: 2
Band: 27 FM
KR-202A
Channels: 2
Band: 27 AM
92826Z, 92827Z
Channels: 2
Band: 75FM, 27 FM
92926Z, 92937Z
Channels: 3
Band: 75 FM Synth, 27 FM Synth
92416, 92417
Channels: 4
Band: 75 FM, 27 AM
92724
Channels: 4
Band: 2.4GHz
DCX
Channels: 3
Band: 27 FM, 75 FM
HP-2RNB
Channels: 2
Band: 27 AM, 75 AM
HFS-03MT
Channels: 3
Band: 27 FM, 75 FM
Synthesized DX
Channels: 3
Band: 75 FM
There are really only two options for ESCs: Brushed and Brushless. If you are a day-to-day basher, out to set some fast speed runs out front of your house, Brushless is the way to go. Racer? You might have to run a brushed motor in certain classes. The following is a short list of companies that offer good, high quality micro ESCs:
Brushed
• Associated
XPS Micro Speed Control
Motor Limit: 16-36 turn Micro Motors
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: Yes
Weight: 31.0g
• LRP
Quantum Competition 2
Motor Limit: no limit-280 & 370 size
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: No
Weight: 16.0g
Micro Reverse Ai
Motor Limit: no limit-280 & 370 size
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: Yes
Weight: 16.0g
• Novak
Spy Micro-Reverse
Motor Limit: any 380-sized brushed
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: Yes
Weight: 14.4g
Micro GT
Motor Limit: any 380-sized brushed
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: No
Weight: 14.4g
• Tekin
B1
Motor Limit: any 380-sized brushed
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: No
Weight: 8g
B1-R
Motor Limit: any 380-sized brushed
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: Yes
Weight: 8g
Brushless
• Castle
Mamba-25
Motor Limit: 180 size, 20mm Diameter
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: Yes
Weight: 24.5g
• Novak
Mongoose
Motor Limit: 380 Brushed, 380 Series Brushless
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: Yes
Weight: 21.7g
• Quark
33A ProCar
Motor Limit: 180 size, 20mm Diameter
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: Yes
Weight: 24g
• Tekin
Mini Rage
Motor Limit: 180 size, 20mm Diameter
Forward/Brake: Yes
Reverse: Yes
Weight: 25.5g
Again, only two options for motors: Brushed and Brushless. Brushless has the advantage of ZERO maintenance and some very high speeds, brushed can sometimes be easier to drive. If you’re a racer, keep in mind that not all race classes allow brushless. The following is a short list of companies that offer good, high quality micro motors:
Brushed
• Reedy
Mini-MOD
Motor Turn: 17T
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 280
Mini-MOD
Motor Turn: 19T
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 280
Stump Puller SP19
Motor Turn: 19T
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 280
• LRP
Fusion High-Torque Modified
Motor Turn: n/a
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 370
• Team Scream
Team Scream 17T Micro
Motor Turn: 17T
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 280
Team Scream 19T Micro
Motor Turn: 19T
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 280
• Team Trinity
Mini Monster Pro
Motor Turn: 17T
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 280
Cobalt 18 Hand Wound 14T
Motor Turn: 14T
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 280
Cobalt 18 Hand Wound 16T
Motor Turn: 16T
Rebuildable: Yes
Size: 280
Brushless
• Castle
Mamba
KV: 4200, 5400, 6800, 8000
Rebuildable: No
Size: 280
• Hacker
E30 Series
KV: 4200
Rebuildable: No
Size: 280
• Team Trinity
Cobalt
KV: 5800
Rebuildable: No
Size: 280
• Tekin
Redline
KV: 5500, 6900, 8100
Rebuildable: No
Size: 280
Batteries. The life-blood of any fast RC car. NiMh- durable, hard casing, can be somewhat abused, available for almost any application, heavy! LiPo/LiMag- little less durable, soft coating, HANDLE WITH CARE, not quite available for every application, LIGHTWEIGHT, same/more power in a smaller package than the NiMh, requires a special charger. Lots of ‘against’ points for the LiPo/LiMag, but the difference in power (and power to weight ratio) is worth it! The LiPo/LiMags are becoming more and more mainstream. Look into them when you feel comfortable! The following is a short list of companies that offer good, high quality micro batteries:
NiMh Cells
• Reedy
VMX Concept
mAh Rating: 1400
• LRP
Hi-Volt
mAh Rating: 1200
• Max Amps
IB 1400
mAh Rating: 1400
• Team Orion
Supercharge Micro Pack
mAh Rating: 1600
• Team Scream
Micro Cells
mAh Rating: 1400-1500
LiPo/LiMag
• Apogee
Magnum Packs
mAh Rating: Varies
• Max Amps
LiPo
mAh Rating: Varies
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