Posted: 5/5/14
RC is a lot of fun, but as with anything there are some safety precautions you should observe. Being safe doesn’t mean having less fun. Follow these 10 guidelines and you'll be sure to have a great time with your Axial Racing RC vehicle. Make sure you also review the cautions outlines in the beginning of your Axial Racing vehicle Instruction Manual.
1. Do not operate an RC vehicle in a street or area where cars or people are located. Simply put, a street with traffic is off limits. Not only could your valuable RC vehicle be destroyed, but you could cause an accident resulting and property and personal damage.
2. Driving around pets and small children is also unsafe. The bottom line is today’s hobby grade RC vehicles deliver a level of performance that requires sufficient open space. Obviously an Axial SCX10 does not need as large of a running area as an Axial EXO Terra Buggy.
3. Do not drive into crowds. That’s pretty simple. It won’t be a thrill and you won’t wow anyone. Someone will simply get hurt and you’ll be liable.
4. If you’re using a LiPo battery, you absolutely should run with the speed control LiPo low voltage cut-off mode. Not all speed controls are equipped with this feature. Axial’s AE-2 brushed and Vanguard brushless speed controls, however, have low voltage cut-off and come from the factory with that option enabled.
5. In the same way it’s up to you watch the operating temperatures when driving a full-size car, you have to be mindful of the temperatures of your RC vehicle’s electrical components. Under normal driving conditions, Axial vehicles can be driven for extremely long periods without risk of overheating. Terrain such as grass and mud can put large strains on components and lead to excessive heat. LiPo batteries should never be allowed to exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit. While motors and speed controls can handle a little more heat, it is best to keep all components below 130 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure safe use and a long life for the components.
6. If you are using a LiPo charger, it is mandatory that you use only a LiPo capatible charger and, of course, only charge LiPo packs in the charger’s LiPo mode. Read the instructions carefully and follow them exactly as prescribed.
7. Chargers must be monitored while charging. Do not leave a charger unattended while charging. While malfunctioning chargers are extremely rare and odds are that you'll never experience a problem if you're following the operating instructions correctly. If there is a problem, you want to be there to attend to the situation. Leaving a charging pack unattended is extremely dangerous.
8. Do not charge a battery pack while it is installed in a vehicle. A battery should be charged in a fire resistant pouch made specifically for battery chargering or at least on a fireproof surface. RC batteries are extremely powerful, so common sense is in order.
9. Do not exceed the manufacturer recommendations of your electronics. If your speed control is rated for 2S (two cell series) LiPo, using a 3S pack will most likely destroy the speed control and even the motor. Fire can also result from intential misuse.
10. Do not operate your vehicle without proper lighting. Running an RC vehicle at night can be tempting, but accidents can happen if there isn't enough light for sufficient visibility.
