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The
speed control performs braking by making the motor
run as a generator. Some high-frequency speed controls
actually charge your batteries during braking. You
adjust the brakes when you are adjusting the transmitter
and speed control.
On pistol-grip transmitters, you push forward with
the trigger finger to apply brakes. This forward
push is much less sensitive than the pulling motion
used for throttle control. In effect, you have an
on-off control for brakes unless you are very talented
with the trigger finger.
The other adjustment at your disposal is how much
braking, if any, is applied when the trigger is
at its neutral point (i.e. finger off the trigger.)
The amount of braking you have at neutral affects
the way your car enters turns and goes through them.
More braking transfers more weight to the front
tires and allows you to turn more, which sounds
good at first. But too much braking causes the car
to spin out unpredictably as it enters turns. Too
much braking also slows the car down before it finishes
the turn, so you have to get back on the throttle.
When you get back on the throttle the weight transfers
off the front and the car steers a wider arc. You
will be faster with a smoother turn that carries
more speed all the way through. So you see that
a balance is needed in the neutral brake adjustment,
and this balance may depend upon the course you
are driving. Most top drivers today dial in no neutral
braking at all on a typical off-road course.
Push brakes are useful in order to slow down before
turning into a tight corner. You want to brake while
going in a straight line, then let off the brakes
and turn in. If you turn while braking the rear
end will skid, which may get you turned around quickly
but is difficult to control lap after lap. Adjust
the push brakes to slow the car as fast as possible
without locking up the rear wheels.
Brake adjustment depends on the motor you are using,
because motors have different amounts of inherent
braking. A stock motor may have a lot of inherent
braking (due to its large timing advance, heavy
springs, and bronze bushings) so you get significant
braking without dialing in any brakes. With a modified
motor you might have to dial in some brakes to get
the same effect. If you run the same car in stock
and modified and forget to make this adjustment,
you are likely to be disappointed at the results.
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