There are two categories of RC cars; nitro-powered and battery-powered. Nitro-powered RC cars refer to those that require fuel to function, while battery-powered are those that require a battery to operate. Battery-powered RC cars are the most popular RC cars; it is important to know which RC car battery to get for your vehicle.
There are three main types of RC car batteries; Nicad batteries, NiMH batteries, and LiPo batteries. The best batteries for RC cars are Zeee 7.4V LiPo battery 2S 50C 5200mAh, Zeee 7.2V 3600mAh RC NiMH battery, GOLDBAT 3000mAh 7.2V NiMH battery, and Gens Ace LiPo 2S 50C 5000mAh battery.
There are several brands of RC car batteries, such as Zeee Power, Gens Ace, Zippy, ThunderPower, and Venom. These brands all manufacture different types of RC car batteries; however, some are of better quality than others and will make your RC car function better.
RC Car Batteries
Every battery-powered RC car requires a battery to operate; so, you must know the different types of RC car batteries and the best you can get as an RC car owner. There are several brands and manufacturers of RC car batteries. However, not all these manufacturers produce high-quality batteries. Let us look at some of the best brands of RC car batteries.
Gens Ace
The top leading manufacturer of RC car batteries is Gens Ace; their batteries are of high quality and high performance. They are extremely durable and long-lasting; however, they are also one of the most expensive batteries to get. Their batteries come in different variations and with a dean's connector.
Turnigy
Turnigy is the second-best manufacturer of RC car batteries after Gens Ace; their batteries are also durable and have a long life cycle. One of the main benefits of this brand is that they also specialize in producing high-quality battery chargers and other related accessories.
Zeee Power
Zeee Power manufactures high-quality rechargeable and other battery-related accessories. This brand also manufactures RC batteries for RC planes, boats, and helicopters at affordable prices. The batteries of this brand offer high performance at a high discharge rate, flat discharge curve, and low temperature.
What Kind Of Batteries Do RC Cars Use?
RC cars use three main types of batteries: Nicad, NiMH, and LiPo batteries. These three categories of batteries all have different capacities. Most RC cars come with batteries; however, high-end RC cars usually give owners the liberty to choose the battery they want to use with the vehicle. Let us look at the three kinds of batteries that RC cars use.
LiPo Batteries
LiPo batteries or Lithium polymer batteries are the most popular as well as the best RC car battery. A LiPo battery will always maintain a steady voltage throughout its usage, unlike other batteries whose voltage decreases in the long run. They have a large capacity and are lightweight. The lifespan of a LiPo battery is within 2- 3 years. A LiPo battery does not require frequent charging and has a longer run time than other RC car batteries.
NiMH Batteries
NiMH batteries are the second-best batteries that RC cars use; they are also known as Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries and are heavier than LiPo batteries. The voltage of a NiMH battery decreases steadily as the battery is being used. However, these batteries are cheaper and also easier to maintain when compared to LiPo batteries.
NiCad Batteries
NiCad batteries or Nickel Cadmium batteries are the lowest quality batteries that RC cars use. Several RC cars do not function when used with NiCad batteries, but a few still perform well with NiCad batteries. These batteries are no longer popular and widely used due to their effects on the environment once disposed of.
How Do I Choose A Battery For My RC Car?
When you purchase an RC car, you should not be so quick to get a battery without first considering some factors. Knowing these factors will help you choose the right battery for your vehicle. All RC cars have different levels; some might require a NiMH battery, while others require a LiPo battery. Let us explore some of the factors you should consider when choosing a battery for an RC car.
Capacity
The capacity of an RC battery is one of the main things to look out for when choosing a battery. The capacity of the battery is what determines how long your RC car will run per charge. It is usually measured in milliamp hours or mAh; the capacity of an RC battery is the big number written on it, such as 4500, 5000, and 6000. The greater the capacity of a battery, the longer the RC car's runtime.
Voltage
The voltage of an RC car battery determines how much speed and power will be delivered to your vehicle. The more volts an RC battery has, the faster your RC car will move. However, you must remember that an RC car can hold a certain amount of voltage; you must know this amount so that you do not use a battery that exceeds the voltage level. If you use a battery exceeding an RC car voltage level, the vehicle will shut down.
Connector Type
When getting a battery for your RC car, you must observe the battery's connector type and make sure it matches your RC car. Your Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) has a particular connector; you must know its type and get a battery with the same connector type. If you get an RC battery with a different connector type, the battery will be useless.
Can I Upgrade My RC Car Battery?
Yes, you can upgrade your RC car battery. As an RC enthusiast who has gotten used to RC cars, you might want your RC car to move faster and longer than it does. One of the ways to do this is to upgrade your RC car battery. You can decide to switch the old battery to a powerful one or get an adapter to increase the battery's power.
When upgrading your RC car battery, you must make sure you switch to the same brand of battery you were using before. However, you can switch your battery from a NiMH battery to a LiPo battery. The upgrade of an RC car battery depends on the type and brand of RC car you are using; every brand has a different method of an upgrade, which you must know.
Do Better Batteries Make RC Cars Faster?
Yes, the type of battery you are using is one of the major contributors to your RC car speed after the motor. When using a battery with low capacity and voltage, your RC car will move at a slow speed; however, using a better battery with a high capacity and voltage will make your RC car move faster and last longer.
If you want your RC car to move faster, you can get a LiPo battery with a high capacity, like 5000mAh or 6000mAh. Generally, LiPo batteries make an RC car move faster than NiMH batteries. However, when changing your RC car battery, you must get a suitable replacement for the old one and make sure you do not get a battery with a higher voltage than the limit of the vehicle.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to RC cars, the battery is one of the most important parts; an RC car without a battery is quite useless as it cannot function or operate. However, when choosing the battery for your RC car, you must be very careful and not purchase a battery that can damage your vehicle.
It is necessary to know how much speed your RC car can handle and not get a battery that will make your vehicle move faster than you can control, resulting in damages or even a crash.
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.