If you are enthusiastic about RC cars, you must have thought of operating more than one RC car at once. It is good to think without limits; innovative ideas do not come from ordinary things. But, it is important to know the number of RC cars you can run at the same time.
The amount of RC cars that can run at the same time depends on the radio frequencies of each vehicle. If the radio frequency of the RC cars is 2.4GHz, then up to six RC cars can run at the same time. But, if the radio frequency is 27MHz or 49MHz, only two vehicles can run simultaneously.
The radiofrequency of an RC car plays a huge role in racing with other RC cars. Other factors also determine how many RC cars can run at the same time. You need to understand these factors if you want to run more than one RC car at the same time.
How Many RC Cars Can Run At The Same Time?
RC racing is one popular and exciting activity to engage in. However, you should know the number of RC cars that can run at the same time and the factors that allow them to. One major factor that allows more than two RC cars to run together is their radiofrequency.
When the radio frequency of the RC cars is 2.4GHz, about six RC vehicles can run at the same time. However, when an RC car has a radio frequency of 27MHz or 49MHz, only two RC cars can run at the same time.
Most RC brands usually follow the same rule with riding more than one RC car at the same time. However, the Traxxas brand follows a different rule due to the differences in their modification.
Traxxas
You can run more than two Traxxas RC cars at the same time if all the RC car models are equipped with TQi or TQ 2.4GHz radio system. However, if the Traxxas RC cars use the AM TQ radio system, you must ensure that each RC model is not on the same frequency.
Traxxas offers six different frequencies for its radio system in all its RC cars. There is a crystal set in each transmitter of their radio system. The crystals control the frequency, so when you are using different frequencies, there will be no signal interference.
Can You Run Two RC Cars At The Same Time?
Yes, you can ride two RC cars at the same time. However, to ride two RC cars at the same time, you have to make sure that there is no signal interference. To avoid any signal interference, you have to make sure the two RC cars use different frequencies.
You cannot run two RC cars with a radio frequency of 27MHz or 49MHz. There will be signal interference if this happens as the radio signal will be jammed, and one remote controller will try to control both RC cars. So, there is a huge possibility that you will get erratic behaviors from one or both RC cars.
Hence, you can only run one RC car with a radio frequency of 27MHz and another with 49MHz at the same time. Since the radio frequency of both RC cars is different, the ride will go smoothly and without frequency disruption.
If you are using an RC car with band selection frequencies, you can ride two RC cars with the same frequency. However, you will have to use a different band selection for both RC cars. The RC cars usually have a channel switch on the vehicle and its controller.
The channel is where you will get the band selection frequencies that range from two to six channels. After changing the bands of each RC car, you can ride them at the same time. So, if you have two RC cars with a radio frequency of 27MHz, you can ride them together as long as they are on a different band.
The band selection frequencies usually have standard colors to differentiate them. Channel one is brown, two is red, three is orange, four is yellow, five is green, and six is blue. With these colors, you can tell each channel apart.
Can You Change Frequency On RC Cars?
Yes, you can change the frequency on your RC car. The frequency of an RC car can be changed using an RC crystal set; you can get a crystal set from any electronic store or an RC supply shop. However, some RC cars have built-in options to change their frequency.
The first thing you need to understand before changing the frequency of your RC car is how radio control works. RC vehicles operate based on four major components: radio receiver, radio transmitter, power source, and remote-controlled motor.
The radio transmitter is the part of the remote control that sends out radiofrequency. The radio receiver receives the radio signals and delivers them to the motor of the vehicle. A remote-controlled motor is the RC car's motor that operates the vehicle's parts and converts fuel or electricity into mechanical energy.
The power source of an RC vehicle is where the vehicle's source of energy comes from. Most RC cars are battery-powered; however, their motors can be either electric or fuel-based motors. The four major components of an RC car have to be operating properly for the vehicle to function.
Changing the frequency of your RC car is not difficult. Once you have gotten a crystal set, you have to exchange the crystals in the remote control and receiver board. Doing this will help set the RC car to a different frequency.
However, some RC cars come with selectable bands; hence you can change the frequency without using a crystal set. Each band operates on different frequencies, so you can easily switch from the default band to another to change the frequency.
Can Wi-Fi Interfere With RC Cars?
Yes, Wi-Fi can interfere with RC cars; although, not all RC cars can be affected by Wi-Fi. A remote controller controls an RC car; hence, a connection between the remote and the car must be made for the car to move. The RC vehicle and the transmitter communicate using radiofrequency or signal.
An interference usually occurs when the radio signal is not connected to the RC car's remote. When this happens, the operator will lose control of the RC car, which can cause some issues. The radiofrequency of the RC car you are using determines if Wi-Fi will interfere with it or not. Wi-Fi will interfere with an RC car that uses 27MHz or 49MHz.
However, hobby-grade RC cars use 2.4 GHz while high-end RC cars use 72 and 75MHz. Wi-Fi does not interfere with these types of RC cars. 2.4GHz RC cars have a specific system known as DSSS, which picks up different frequencies of 2.4GHz.
Hence, when driving an RC car with a 2.4GHz radio frequency, there will be reduced chances of Wi-Fi interference as the frequencies picked up are fixed, so it will only pick up a 2.4GHz frequency.
Final Thoughts
Riding an RC car alone is not as exciting as riding with other people. But, one major problem with riding more than one RC car at the same time is signal interference. Most people wonder why it is difficult controlling their RC car when running in a group. As long as you are not riding on the same frequency as the other RC cars around you, you can have fun while riding with other cars and not encounter any problems.
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.