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6-Cell Battery:
The most common configuration of surface RC battery, a 6-cell battery pack is constructed out of 6 individual cells that are soldered or spot welded together. The output voltage of a 6-cell battery is rated at 7.2-volts. A 6-cell battery pack is commonly referred to as a "Stick Pack".
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Backplate:
A plate that seals off the rear of the crankcase of an engine. Backplates can be designed to accommodate pull start mechanisms as well.
Battery Charger:
An electronic device that recharges a battery pack, making it possible to reuse the same battery over and over again
Battery Cycling:
To fully discharge and charge a battery to erase battery memory.
Battery Meter:
A device used to monitor the strength of the transmitter batteries.
Battery Pack:
An arrangement of batteries (cells) used to power an RC vehicle. Battery Packs are rechargeable, which saves you money in the long run.
Brushes:
Made from a combination of carbon, graphite, and silver, brushes are used to transfer the current to the commutator to create locomotion. There are a number of sizes, shapes, and configurations that brushes can be found in, but the most common is still rectangular.
Brushless Motor:
A brushless motor uses its magnetic field to transfer current and create motion, where brushed motors require physical contact between the brush and commutator. Brushless motors are much more efficient thanks to their nearly friction-free operation.
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CA (Cyanoacrylate)
An instant type glue that is available in various consistencies (Thin, Medium, Thick, and Gel) used for minor repairs or to glue a tire to a wheel.
Capacity:
The maximum amount of energy a battery cell can store.
Carburetor:
A mechanical device used to adjust the mixture of air and fuel fed to the combustion chamber of an engine. By adjusting the needle valve in the carburetor, you control the engines lean/rich fuel mixture and determine the engines throttle response, temperature, and overall speed.
Cell:
A single energy or charge-storing unit within a pack of cells that form the battery. Each cell has a voltage rating that is combined with the other cells' voltages to form the overall battery voltage rating.
Charge Jack:
The plug receptacle of the switch harness into which the charger is plugged to charge the battery (if so equipped).
Charger:
An electronic device that adds voltage and capacity to a rechargeable battery pack.
Chassis:
The main frame of an RC car, truck, or motorcycle.
Connector:
A mechanical device that allows easy attachment of the battery to an electric contact.
Controller:
What you hold to control your RC model. There are two different styles of controller. One is referred to as a stick radio, has two sticks, used to control throttle and direction. The other is called a wheel radio and utilizes a small steering wheel to control direction, while a trigger is used for throttle, brakes, and reverse. This is also referred to as a transmitter.
Crankcase:
Main body of the engine that houses all of the components.
Crystal:
In tradition radios, the crystal is what determines what frequency a radio broadcasts on.
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Discharger:
A device or feature built into a battery charger designed to completely drain a battery pack of all its stored energy.
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Electrolyte:
A caustic material found in batteries.
ESC:
Electronic Speed Controller; an electronic device that regulates the current being transferred from the battery pack to your radio system and motor.
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Failsafe:
A safety feature that plugs into your receivers that drives the servo positions to a preset location in the event that signal is lost.
Fuel Tubing:
A silicone tubing used to carry fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor. Fuel tubing is also used to connect the pressure fitting on your pipe or muffler to the pressure fitting on your fuel tank.
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Head:
The component which forms the top of the compression chamber of an engine.
Heatsink:
Generally made from aluminum, a heatsink can be mounted to a motor, ESC, engine, or any device that generates heat to help draw that heat away from crucial components.
Hump Pack:
Refers to a battery pack configuration. Generally speaking a hump pack will have one or more cells mounted above the rest of the pack.
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mAh (Milliamp Hour):
A measure of a cells capacity. The larger the number of milliamps the longer the battery cell will last.
Memory:
A phenomenon that degrades battery performance. It occurs in Ni-Cd batteries when they are repeatedly charged and not fully discharged. This can also occur with NiMH batteries to a lesser extent.
MSC:
Mechanical Speed Control; based on slot car controllers, a mechanical speed control uses a wiper system to regulate the current transferred from your battery pack to your motor.
Muffler:
This device muffles engine noise and increases the back pressure from the engines exhaust. Not as effective as a tuned exhaust system.
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NiCad:
This abbreviation stands for Nickel Cadmium, the chemical compound used in rechargeable batteries.
Ni-MH:
This abbreviation stands for Nickel Metal Hydride, the chemical compound used in this type of rechargeable batteries. These batteries often offer greater capacity, and are friendlier to the environment.
Nitromethane:
Also known simply as nitro, this fuel source is used for the majority of 2-cycle RC engines.
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Peak Detection:
Usually refers to a type of battery charger that automatically shuts off when a battery is fully charged.
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Receiver:
A device mounted into a car or aircraft that receives and decodes a signal sent by a transmitter. Servos, ESC, and other devices are plugged into the receiver.
RX:
Abbreviation for receiver.
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Saddle:
Battery pack shape in which the cells are split into two groups and connected with wire to fit certain vehicles.
Servo:
A device that translates your transmitter inputs into movement of either the steering or throttle and brake systems in your vehicle.
Servo Arm:
This arm connects the output shaft of your servo to a bellcrank, steering arm, or carburetor.
Sport battery:
A general purpose battery for everyday use.
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Transmitter:
What you hold to control your RC model. There are two different styles of controller. One is referred to as a stick radio, has two sticks, used to control throttle and direction. The other is called a wheel radio and utilizes a small steering wheel to control direction, while a trigger is used for throttle, brakes, and reverse. This is also referred to as a controller.
TX:
Abbreviation for transmitter.
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