Mini RC Car Modifications

Mini RC Car Mods (or modifications) add value to the car or improve its performance. One can modify the motor, controller, LEDs, the switch, and batteries. Cheap as the Mini RC Cars are, their modifications are even cheaper and easy to do.

Many Mini RC Cars like Radio Shack's Zip Zaps - a recently introduced a series of 1/64 miniature radio-controlled cars - comes with the car, its controller and accessories, like carrying case, for as low as $19.95, while the extra body shells, track layout, turbo motor kits, tools, rally course kits and collector's case cost less than $15.

Joystick adaptation

Mini RC Car controllers mainly have one hard turn left or turn right buttons, which is no more sophisticated than using the top, down, right and left arrow keys on computer car games. A little tweaking of controllers of Mini RC Cars like Zip-Zap can give the joystick-like performance. You can easily tire of the two buttons given for forward or reverse motion and left or right turning.

It is easy to add a simple joystick to the controller. You simply glue a bolt or a little grip on each button. The hooded buttons used to secure computer mother boards to a PC cabinet are an excellent choice for this. Even rubber boots of old electrical appliances like food processors can be used for the grip using a little long screw. Tiny rubber/ plastic balls can also do the trick if you drive the screws through them. Carefully drill a small hole into each button and fix the bolt into the hole, by turning the screw as little as possible. Bingo! You got hand friendly joysticks for your Mini RC Car!

Battery Tweaking/ Upgrade

One can, reportedly, get a bit longer runtime by double-charging the Mini RC Car, so you can give it a try. It involves charging the car or its battery, removing it for a few seconds and charging again. Another option is to replace the 100 Mah battery with another of higher capacity, say a 120 Mah battery, if it fits in the chassis, coupled with double-charging technique. But take care, and expert advice, as recharging a battery without discharging it fully might affect its life in the long run.

Simple Lap Counter

Some manufacturers offer lap counters, for a little price ($ 14) but there is advice on the Internet from experts. Alternatively, just seek the help of your local group to make a lap counter using a step-counting 'pedometer'. It is a cost effective way to count laps.

LED modifications

If you can put up with ugly protrusions on your fancy Mini RC Car, try using a two-pin moatherboard jumper as a switch.