Selection and Maintenance of Batteries for Your Remote-Controlled Car
NiMH Batteries for Remote-Controlled Cars NiMH batteries are available in 7.2V and 8.4V, typically chosen for less expensive RTR cars with Brushed Motors, which don't consume as much power as Brushless motors. NiMH is relatively easy to handle; however, they should not be run completely dry of power. Avoid running the battery until the car can't move anymore. If you use your remote-controlled car often, perhaps once a week, you can leave the battery and only recharge it next time you go out to drive. But if you've drained the battery significantly or if there's a long time between your drives, it's advisable to charge the battery to about 50% capacity so it can handle the downtime. Failing to observe these guidelines can lead to the battery voltage dropping too low, making it impossible to recharge.
Charging NiMH Batteries NiMH batteries are charged at 1C - 2C, which means if your battery is 1800mAh, you should charge it between 1.8A - 3.6A. Lower charge strength provides more runtime, while higher charge strength gives more "punch."
LiPo Batteries for Remote-Controlled Cars LiPo batteries are typically chosen for faster and more power-demanding cars with Brushless motors. LiPo batteries also should not be run too low on power. Most cars have built-in LiPo "cut-off" functions to stop the car in time, but we recommend stopping when you notice the car slowing down. If a LiPo battery goes below 3V per cell, it typically gets damaged. If you don't plan to use your LiPo batteries for a while, it's recommended to put them in storage mode (if your charger supports it) or charge them to about 50% capacity, around 3.8V per cell. All LiPo batteries can be charged at 1C, but many can handle higher charge rates; this information is usually available for each specific battery.
C-Rating on LiPo Batteries All LiPo batteries are rated with a "C" value that indicates how quickly the battery can deliver its power. Many of the faster RTR cars have a minimum C-rating requirement for the battery; make sure to check this before purchasing batteries.
It's important to always "balance" charge your LiPo battery to keep the cell voltages even. Many chargers also have a "charge" mode where they don't balance the cells, and this can risk damaging the battery as cells can become unbalanced.
Regardless of battery type, remember to disconnect the power connectors in your car after running to prevent further discharge, which can lead to the battery dropping too low in voltage and becoming unchargeable.
Traxxas Batteries for Remote-Controlled Cars Traxxas batteries use Traxxas' unique iD connector. Traxxas LiPo batteries can only be charged with the original Traxxas charger since the balance wires are integrated into the iD connector. The advantage of this is that the Traxxas charger recognizes the battery and automatically selects the appropriate charging parameters.
Spektrum Batteries for Remote-Controlled Cars If you choose Spektrum LiPo batteries with "smart" technology, simply connect the battery. To use the "smart" technology, you'll need a Spektrum charger. The charger can identify the battery type and initiate charging with the optimal current, which is quite convenient.
6V Receiver Batteries for Remote-Controlled Nitro and Gasoline Cars. Receiver batteries for gasoline cars should have a large capacity, such as 4300mAh, and operate at 6V. Nitro cars can get by with a receiver battery of 1600mAh and 6V. These batteries come in two different sizes; the ones for nitro cars are smaller due to the limited space in these vehicles.
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