Blade Inductrix FPV

The Blade Inductrix was a big (little) hit and many people have modded them with home made conversions to enable some true around the house FPV action. Horizon Hobby have jumped on the back of that and produced an RTF version which even includes a 4.3″ 40 channel FPV screen meaning no need to spend hundreds on goggles or screens if you’re just starting out.

As per usual Horizon have produced a BNF version which is just the Inductrix craft and USB charger/battery, this will suit the growing number of people with Spektrum transmitters and have already got goggles or a monitor. The system will be Fatshark based so will work with most of the current video systems out there.

Looking like something out of a cartoon this little chap will be popular and maybe bring some indoor flying clubs some winter FPV action and excitment.

Click here to pre-order and check out the finer details.

BNF Version

RTF Version

The Big Move is Complete

Sorry for not posting recently, but we have been in the middle of a big move.

RC Pitstop has left Burscough and relocated to Ormskirk town centre. The move happened at the beginning of June but we are now settled in our new premises.

We are located within a friendly courtyard and we now have a larger shop area with lots of products on display.

We look forward to seeing customers old and new.

Hubsan H502s X4 FPV Mini GPS Quad

Hubsan nailed it with the H501s and it lived true to it’s spec so why not make a smaller one as well!

They did and it will be with us mid June hopefully, it still has return home, Follow me, headless mode etc but the only thing it lacks other than size with regards to its bigger brother is it has a 720p HD camera and it has coreless motors.

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Spec Check :

• Channel: 4ch, 2.4GHz
• 5.8GHz FPV camera
• Remote Control Distance: 200+ Meters
• Battery For Transmitter: 4 x AA Battery (Not Included)
• Gyro: 6 Axis
• Battery for H502S: 7.4V 15C 610mAh LiPo
• Flight Time: 8-10 mins
• Width: 165mm
• Height: 60 mm
• Length:165 mm

What’s Included In The Box :

• 1 x Hubsan H502S Quadcopter
• 1 x Transmitter Handset
• 1 x USB LiPo Balance Charger
• 8 x Propeller
• 1 x Propeller Removal Tool
• 1 x LiPo Battery
• 1 x Instructions

Available for pre order and more information via this link.

Kyosho Drive 2 in 1 Brushless Systems

Now available from Team Orion is the very simple 2 in 1 Brushless conversion kit, Orion have managed to fit the ESC in to the end off The motor!

With a 2700kv rating this is a perfect upgrade for 1/10th scale on road and off road vehicles.

Rated for 2s Lipo or 6-8 cell NiMH use only and splashproof design will make this a popular step up for most brushed RTR cars.

HPI VENTURE TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

In the not to distant future HPI will be making an assault on the scale crawler market currently dominated by Axial and a few smaller companies like Gmade and RC4X4.

Scale trucks are more popular that most RC enthusiast think and it’s a steady market with lots of interest worldwide and by the looks of it HPI have come up trumps with the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

 

An all-new platform for scale crawling fanatics, the Venture combines a realistic front-motor position, metal chassis rails and realistic drivetrain with the Toyota FJ Cruiser for a fantastic off-road experience only HPI can deliver!

With a licensed replica body that includes front and rear bumpers, mirrors, roof rack and rear tire mount, the Venture brings total scale realism to crawler fans. Underneath the body, the metal chassis rails support a front-mounted motor, central transfer case, telescoping driveshafts and solid axles with metal suspension pieces.

Authentically scaled oil-filled shock absorbers and full-time locked differentials work with the tyres for confident driving in any off-road environment.

It’s got a more scale setup than most RTR trucks come with so it should prove to be a winner on the shelf or on the trails.

Glow plug choice and how they work

Spark plugs in petrol engines cause ignition with a spark. In nitro engines, glow plugs cause ignition with heat.

Heat is created initially by connecting a glow starter or 1.5V battery to the plug. Once the plug comes up to heat, the battery is disconnected and the heat retained by the combustion chamber will keep the engine running. Engine timing is automatic and controlled by engine rpm. Running at higher rpm makes the plug hotter and “fire” the fuel-air mix sooner. At lower rpm, the filament cools and the plug fires less frequently.

The “right” glow plug for your engine is the one that gives you the best performance. And you can choose the right plug for any situation, just by following the guidelines below.

1. Engine Type

Guideline 1: Know what type of engine you have. Is it a standard – or a turbo?

Standard engines (engines with a 1-piece head) are most common. Standard plugs are easily available, inexpensive and fit almost all standard engines. Standard plugs are installed with a washer, which creates a compression seal with the head.

A Standard glow plug

Many new O.S. engines are turbo engines, which feature a special 2-piece turbo head. The biggest benefit of turbo plugs is superior performance. Unlike standard plugs, turbo plugs (identified by a “P” in the description) feature a tapered “seat” that matches perfectly with the head. That creates a superior compression seal and with it, maximum efficiency and power. Turbo plugs are the choice for racers who want – and need – top performance.

A Turbo glow plug

A word of caution: you should never install a turbo plug in a standard engine or vice versa. Doing so risks doing serious (and expensive!) damage.

2. Displacement

Size matters to glow plugs. What size is your engine? A .12? .15? .21? Big engines have more mass and retain heat better. Smaller, lighter engines don’t, and need the help a hotter plug can offer.

Guideline 2: The smaller the engine, the hotter the plug.

3. Fuel Nitromethane Content

What’s the nitro percentage in your fuel? High-nitro fuels produce more power than low-nitro fuels, but also produce more heat.

Guideline 3: The higher the nitro content, the colder the plug.

4. Temperature

Smart modelers tend to keep a variety of glow plugs on hand. The reason? Because the “right” plug for your engine can change with the temperature. To achieve top performance, your choice of plug needs to change, too.

Guideline 4: The hotter the day, the colder the plug.

5, 6 & 7. Other Considerations

Here are a few other things you should know.

Hot plugs promote better idling and acceleration. If your engine runs rough or accelerates sluggishly, a hotter plug will help.

Cold plugs produce more power and may improve performance if your engine runs hot. The downside is rougher idling and more difficulty in tuning.

Where you run also plays a part. If the track/course has a lot of twists and turns, a hot plug is fine. If the track/course has long straights where you’ll reach maximum rpm, a colder plug is best.

Fuel-air mix not only affects how your engine performs; it can also have an impact on how long your plug lasts. If you run rich, it means that you’re using more fuel than necessary for top performance. Modelers are often advised to run rich during engine break-in, because it helps cool the engine. However, running too rich can also cause an engine to “bog down” or quit entirely. In addition, it also means that the glow element is being exposed to more contaminants than necessary, which shortens plug life.

Running lean means that you’re using less fuel. “Leaning down” an engine has a positive effect on performance. However, care is needed here, because over-leaning an engine can harm it, by raising operating temperatures, “burn up” a plug before its time.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right glow plug not only improves performance, but can also extend the life of your engine and the glow plug itself. With the guidelines above and the tips below, you’re well on your way to achieving both.

1. Buy quality plugs. You’re protecting your investment.
2. Store plugs where it’s dry. Moisture can ruin them.
3. Use the right glow plug. Follow the guidelines above.
4. Follow proper break-in procedures.
5. Tune your engine carefully. Running too lean will make your engine “blow” plugs more often. Proper tuning helps extend plug life.
6. Never touch the filament of a glow plug. Doing so can break the filament and ruin a plug.
7. Don’t over-tighten your plug. Tighten it until it’s just snug.
8. Be sure to shim your engine correctly. A plug that’s too close to the piston can cause detonation, which will quickly damage a glow plug.
9. Use only a glow starter or 1.5V battery to heat your plug. Otherwise, your plug may burn out ahead of its time.
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Experienced modelers have already “been there, done that.” Their experience can save you time and money – and most are glad to help.

New Tamiya Mercedes-Benz Actros 6×4 Coming soon

Unveiled recently was the new 6×4 version of the popular Merc Actros, no need to convert the standard kits anymore.

With all the usual Tamiya truck features this will be a hit with the RC truckers out there.

Click here for more information or to order.

Eagles Bringing Down “Drones”

The real eye in the sky isn’t a drone!

Police are looking in to using eagles to bring down “drones”.

Click here to see the article on the Daily Mails website

RC Pitstops New Blog

Hi, well this is a new venture for rc pitstop. We’ve always been interested in blogs but have never had one ourselves…. so here goes…

We’ll be updating with new products, what we’ve been getting up to and other ideas and information which we think would be of interest to you.

We would also be interested in hearing from you to see if there is anything we can do to make your life easier. New products we don’t already stock, special ordering items etc.

Well wish us luck and we’ll be writing again soon.

Thanks for reading.