What Makes Rc Cars Dangerous And How to Run Safe [solved]
Most people consider RC cars as toys. But the truth is that RC cars are more than toys. In fact, they can be pretty dangerous and also safe depending on how you drive them.
Most RC cars come with speeds up to 60mph, which, when driven by a beginner, can be pretty dangerous since they are not familiar with the control mechanisms of the car. On the other hand, advanced users may find such speed limits thrilling and control them expertly.
If you’re wondering whether your RC car will cause you harm or not, in this guide, we talk about everything you need to know about how dangerous and safe RC cars are.
RC cars are dangerous?
As much as RC cars, including drones, planes, and trucks, can reach speed levels more than 60mph, which can be dangerous for new RC enthusiasts and uniformed drivers, RC cars can be far from hazardous as long as the drivers observe safety measures when driving their vehicles.
To avoid dangerous situations and keep the RC hobby safe, it’s essential to check that every electronic part is in mint shape, from the electric motors and batteries to the nitro fuels, exhaust, and other components that make up your RC car.
Which is More Dangerous – Nitro or Electric
With these two RC car types, one feature that sets them apart is their power systems.
Electric RC cars use batteries to function while the Nitro RC’s requires fuel to run. For an inexperienced hobbyist, nitro fuel can be dangerous as they have no mechanical expertise on how the fuel tank works.
But, using an electric RC vehicle will be less technical since they will only have to charge the batteries. For this reason, Electric RC cars are safer than Nitro’s since they wouldn’t cause alarming situations in the long run, especially when used by new hobbyists.
Are RC car batteries dangerous or safe
Generally, RC car batteries are safe to use.
However, they only pose a dangerous risk with gross mishandling, making them overheat, expand and explode.
How common is it for LiPo batteries to explode
LiPo batteries have superior longevity that ends runtime and makes driving your electric cars fun.
However, when misused, they can malfunction and pose safety risks like a possible explosion.
The good news is that this situation often rarely happens if you properly care for your RC batteries.
LiPo batteries explode only when there is battery shortage, puncture, overcharged, or fast discharge rates. You will usually get warning signs from the battery, like swelling or overheating before it explodes.
How common is it for LiPos to leak
It’s rare for a LiPo battery to leak.
Why? A leaking LiPo will mean cracks on the seal due to its prolonged use and aging of the sealant and over-the-top output current, which may be too large for the battery. And these situations rarely occur.
For your LiPo battery to leak, it must have reached its expiry date, crashed on a hard surface, or will be overcharged.
The good news is that hard case LiPo Batteries are tough and use hard plastic that offers more protection for the battery.
Is nitro RC fuel dangerous or toxic for you?
Technically, nitro fuels do not pose a safety risk if it spills on the floor and vaporize.
The only factor that makes them dangerous is their methanol and Nitromethane content. Nitromethane is an organic compound that is easily flammable, explosive, and quite toxic.
When inhaled in large quantities, it may harm the liver, kidney, and other central nervous systems if exposed to the fuel for several hours. The vapors are even said to cause cancer when constantly exposed to them.
how dangerous is nitro smoke
Nitro smoke can be harmful.
The fumes irritate the skin and eyes, and when you inhale it, it can also irritate the nose, throat, and lungs.
When inhaled excessively, nitro fumes even go as far as causing headaches and nausea.
Read about nitro smoke and the environment
Can a nitro car burst in flames
Nitro RC cars tend to burst in flames.
The nitro fuel contains a chemical called Nitromethane which is highly flammable even without oxygen.
The good news is that Nitromethane has a high burning point of over 4,000°F. What this simply means is that it burns out fast. So, the higher the nitromethane compound in the nitro fuel, the quicker the fuel will burn.
Are the radio signals emitted from the RC transmitter dangerous
When it comes to the radio signals RC transmitters emit, there are two things you need to know; high frequencies between 790 THz (790 000 GHz) to 30 PHz (30 000 000 GHz), are dangerous; much lower frequencies between 0.3 GHz and 300ghz are also dangerous.
Many remote controlled cars use a wireless 2.4 GHZ transmitter which is known to transfer energy through radio waves between 0.3 GHz and 300ghz from one point to another. Understand that devices like lightbulbs with frequency range approximately 430 – 800 THz (or 400 000 – 800 000 GHz) are considered safe. Why? They produce visible electromagnetic radiation and even when they emit thousands of watts, are harmless.
On the other hand, electromagnetic radiation from the 2.4ghz transmitter producing less than 50 milliwatts can cause the death of your nerve cells, especially when exposed to it for longer periods.
If you’re wondering whether the radio signals from RC transmitters are dangerous, the simple answer is yes, since long-term exposure to 2.4ghz RF can cause the death of your nerve cells and you won’t be able to move, speak, or breath well.
That being said, the damage that RC transmitters may cause depends on the exposure time to their radiation. as long as you are not exposing yourself to this radiation for 24 hours a day in a period of one year or more, you’ll probably be fine.
Is the speed of RC cars dangerous?
Fast RC vehicles are fun; there are no two ways around it.
Today most high-performance RC cars can even reach speed up to 70mph with the introduction of brushless motors and LiPo batteries, and some few drag-style RC models are capable of speed limits that exceed 100mph.
For toy-grade RC vehicles, speeds more than 30mph can pose a safety risk, mainly as the RC cars are meant for kids.
But, for adults who own hobby-grade RC models, skills and experience are essential as speeds up to 70mph can be dangerous for uniformed and beginner RC drivers without the right expertise.
The good news is that most remote-controlled cars are built with an adjustable speed dial and Electronic Speed Control units on the controller that makes it easy to adjust speed levels to one suitable for handling for each hobbyist.
Are Nitro’s too loud for your hearing
Like all RC cars, nitro cars are designed for high-end performance. But, unlike electric RC cars, they can be more realistic in the loud noise they make.
If you’ve ever driven a nitro RC car, you know that they sound like a home lawnmower which can be loud for hearing.
When a nitro car reaches its top speed, the loud sound worsens. In fact, when you drive nitro cars within your home, their loud noise doubles because the house is pretty secluded and with no noisy features, making every deafening sound echo.
This loud sound adds the extra thrill they need when racing for some hobbyists. But, quite often, it’s the people around or neighbors that bear the burden of the sound.
The good news is that no matter how loud your nitro car is, you can always upgrade the engine and pipe to reduce the noise levels.
Are Rc Cars Dangerous For Adults
RC vehicles for adults are fun, albeit complicated. Why? Hobby-grade RC cars take performance to the next level, with even the miniature models engineered with thrilling performance as key.
But, as we mentioned earlier, how dangerous and safe driving an RC car is depends on you. Hobby-grade RC cars are designed with experienced hobbyists in mind. Hence, driving a hobby-grade RC car meant for an adult will require some level of skills to operate them safely.
To make driving the high-performance RC cars safe for adults, manufacturers ensure that the RC vehicles allow some level of tuning, customization, and upgrade for easy maneuver and understanding of the RC car. Likewise, regular maintenance ensures safety when driving your RC car.
Are Rc Cars Safe For Children
RC hobby was once, particularly one only adults could indulge in. Why? The vehicles came pretty expensive and also complex to drive. If you look at this closely, these combinations will not fit kids. In essence, buying hobby-grade RC cars can be dangerous for kids.
Fortunately, things have changed, and various RC manufacturers now make toy-grade RC cars that work exceptionally for kids of all ages. Hence, as long as you buy toy-grade RC vehicles appropriate for your children, RC cars are safe.
*We wrote all about the benefits of RC cars for kids.
*(Healthline) Outdoor safety tips for kids.
Are RC cars dangerous for others around you
RC cars are safe for others.
How safe RC cars are will only be a concern when beginner users with no prior experience driving an RC car use Monster Trucks and other RC notable for having high-speed levels.
Apart from this, hobbyists who own nitro RC cars can cause a nuisance to the environment when they fail to maintain their nitro cars. The nitro car emits even smokes more than necessary.
What are the most dangerous parts of an RC car
The most dangerous car parts in the RC car vary for the electric RC’s and nitro-powered ones.
For the electric RC car, the most dangerous part could very well be the battery, as it can explode. On the other hand, the nitro tank and engine may be the most dangerous parts in the nitro RC car. They aren’t just capable of an explosion; they can also cause noise and air pollutants that neighbors may not like.
One dangerous part these cars do share is the transmitter. The radio signals have also been said to cause cancer when placed close to the body.
Which is a safer hobby or toy grade
Hobby-grade RC cars are faster than their toy-grade counterparts since they can reach speeds over 60+mph, while toy-grade RC cars have a max speed limit of 30mph. The toy-grade RC vehicles will be the safest option for kids, while experienced RC hobbyists will find hobby-grade RC cars much safer.
Regardless of this, toy-grade RC’s are safer than the Hobby-grade class.
Where is it dangerous to run RC cars
Likewise, the risk of driving nitro RC car in secluded neighborhoods is high as the nitro engine can emit dangerous, toxic fumes. The machine also makes noisy sounds that disrupt the peace of the community.
You can drive your RC in various places, from beaches, trails, parks, and woods. In fact, there’s no limitation to where you can drive your RC car.
But, from these environments, the safest place to drive your RC car is at the park, parking lot, public trails, and even the beaches.
What precautions should be taken when running an RC car
To ensure proper safety measures when running your RC car, make sure that you:
- Choose a good location to run your RC car, whether you’re a new RC hobbyist or a pro.
- When using a nitro car, be careful of the fuel percentage and how you expose yourself to its vapor.
The nitro fuel is composed of Nitromethane, a poisonous compound that can affect your health. Likewise, the fuel is flammable and can explode at any given time. So, take caution when using your nitro fuel.
- Ensure to clean the RC car, especially the electronic parts, to ensure they last long.
What precautions should be taken when Maintaining an RC car
Before cleaning your RC car, it would help if you purchase proper cleaning tools like goggles and gloves.
Also, make sure to clean your RC car in the open to allow for adequate airing, especially when using volatile substances such as alcohol, acetone, Etc.
Signs that tell you that your RC car is dangerous
Most beginner hobbyists won’t know when their RC car spells danger. It can be challenging to tell when your RC car poses health risks, even with tell signs like stalling, idling, overheating, smoking, and wearing car parts.
To know when your electric RC car isn’t safe for use, check for signs of puffed batteries that might explode in no time. If you use a nitro vehicle, make sure that you don’t have a cracked nitro engine, nor does the machine make a loud noise, and you see no smoke. Why? These signs can mean hazardous situations for you and the neighborhood.
Conclusion
Whether electric or nitro-powered, RC cars are fun and safe to use. However, they pose a safety risk when mishandled and misused. Make sure to look for tell signs on the battery, into the engine, and other electronic parts to know when your RC car is dangerous for use. You also want to make sure to stay away from the nitro fuel as it contains poisonous nitromethane substances that can cause damage to your health. The transmitter will also prove dangerous when staying close to them for long hours.
