What4Gas

What Do I Need for Gas Cars?

Although gas/glow powered vehicles are more expensive and require more maintenance than their electric counterparts, the noise and extra speed add to the excitement and make these real crowd pleasers. Another advantage with gas powered is that the average tank run is approx 8 minutes and full speed ( on our 1/10th gas cars this is over 80Km/Hr) is available over the entire engine run. Compared to electric power which has around a 5 minute run time with much slower top speed and reducing speed available as the battery runs down. Recent advances in technology have greatly simplified the operation of glow engine vehicles so the gap between these and electrics is narrowing and popularity of glow power has really taken off. Generally you will need the vehicle, a radio system, the engine, and field support equipment to start and run your engine.

The Vehicle
Just as with the electric cars, you can get your model already pre-assembled or in kit form. These models are built very similarly to the electric ones except the transmission and gear train are sturdier to withstand the added stress of the more powerful glow or gas engines. The engine may or may not come with the model.

The Radio
Most radio systems for R/C cars and trucks are simple, 2- channel units that are much less expensive than those used for aircraft. They will usually not come with rechargeable batteries so it will be necessary to purchase 8 alkaline cells to power the transmitter. Most systems today are equipped with a Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC) in the receiver so that the radio in the vehicle can be powered by the motor's battery pack however on gas powered cars a separate 4 cell receiver battery will be needed. Rechargeable NiCads may also be used for the transmitter and receiver and are available separately.

The Engine
Most combustion powered vehicles are currently using glow engines unless the vehicle is 1/6 scale or greater in size. In these models gasoline motors are common. Glow engines are very similar in operation to model aircraft engines

Track Equipment
Glow powered cars are very similar to model aircraft in their needs for support equipment, etc. First you will need fuel (usually sold by the litre) and a way of getting it from the container into the fuel tank. This could be as simple as a bulb fuel pump, a hand-pump, or as elaborate as a battery powered electric fuel pump.

The second basic necessity is power for your glow plug. As described in our technical reference for engines, a glow engine needs to have current run through its glow plug before it can start running. This must be supplied by a 1.2 to 1.5 volt battery or by an adjustable circuit called a glow driver, frequently found on power panels.

A third item that is sometimes require is an electric starter. Some glow powered vehicles come with recoil pull starters and some do not. If the engine you choose does not, you will need a starter, a 12V battery to power it, and a battery charger to charge the battery.

Once into the hobby, most modellers will go with field support consisting of the following: A field box to hold everything; a power panel; a 12 volt battery to power the power panel; a charger to charge the 12 volt battery; a glow plug clip to apply power to the glow plug from the power panel; an electric fuel pump which can be operated from the power panel; fuel line, filters, and cap fittings for the fuel container to connect to the pump and the fuel tank; a 12 volt electric starter which can be powered from the power panel; a 4-way glow plug wrench; miscellaneous tools; and spare glow plugs. The level of field support you choose initially will usually depend on how much you want to spend right away.