The radio-controlled world has been evolving in the last few years. As technology advances, state-of-the-art cars, trucks, helicopters, planes, drone models can go at incredible speeds. As a result, there is an abundance of equipment, accessories and parts available on the market, as well as things you can do with your hobby. And sometimes, when things get so big, it becomes more difficult for us to decide which way we want to go. Nevertheless, when it comes to this fun and constantly growing hobby, everyone needs high-quality batteries and chargers, regardless of what their intentions are – whether they just want to drive their RC car or truck around their backyard or in the neighbourhood, or go on a variety of events and compete. All of the advances in RC vehicles require more powerful batteries and good chargers to prolong their life.

Whether you are about to buy your first ready-to-run RC vehicle, you just bought it, or you are already customising, upgrading or repairing your vehicles, or building a collection, there are many reasons why you should get the best for your RC electronics. Even though remote-controlled vehicles come with their own basic RC charger and batteries, upgrading to something better will help you take things to the next level.

Rechargeable batteries for RC vehicles, preferred by the majority of RC enthusiasts, have come a long way. Good batteries will give you more time to drive your RC car. Currently, the most popular batteries in the RC world are nickel-metal hydride batteries and lithium-based batteries. Both types contain cells which are basically individual batteries wired together and combined in a battery pack to increase the voltage. Typically, ready-to-run RC cars come with 6-cell nickel-metal hydride batteries.

How to Choose the Right LiPo Battery?

There are various types of lithium-based batteries on the market, but the most popular ones are lithium polymer batteries, often referred to as LiPo batteries. RC LiPo batteries are either a hard case or a soft case. If you are looking for the most powerful option, these batteries are the right choice. They are very popular in the RC world for several reasons. Namely, because they are lightweight, they have large capacities, high discharge rates, maintain a consistent voltage/power output as they discharge, and so on. One of the most alluring things about LiPo batteries is that they charge faster than the nickel-metal hydride batteries, hitting peak voltage within 10-20 minutes of charging, and they can hold power for long.

Each cell contained in a standard LiPo battery contains 3.7 volts. This not only makes them more powerful than their nickel-based counterparts, but also more portable. Always make sure that you know the voltage of your battery because different RC vehicles have different needs. If you buy a battery with a higher voltage than your RC car can handle, it will decrease its lifespan.

When you are choosing a battery for your RC car, you should check the capacity. This means that you should check the mAh, or milliamp-hour, which measures power over time. If the pack says 1,000 mAh, it means that it has 1 full amp. Higher capacity means it will run longer before it needs recharging. So, if there is 6,000 mAh, or full 6 amps, on the LiPo battery, it means that it will run longer than if there is 3,000 mAh. Batteries with higher capacity are heavier than those with lower capacity. While you should always make sure that your radio control electronics can handle the extra voltage, you can increase or decrease the capacity of the battery to suit your needs.

LiPo batteries also have a C rating on their label, which expresses the amount of continuous current it can output or input. A higher C rating means that the battery can deliver more energy, or in other words, it has higher performance. Of course, it also means that the battery will be more expensive.

How to Choose the Right LiPo Charger?

Another thing you need to make sure that your RC electronics run smoothly for as long as possible is a good charger for your RC LiPo charger. Getting a charger that is specifically designed to charge a LiPo battery is very important, not only for the lifespan of your battery pack but also for your safety. A good LiPo charger will charge your battery safely, and it will also keep your battery in good shape and prolong its lifespan. To make sure that you are getting the right charger, you should check the C rating on the battery and make sure it corresponds.

How to Take Care of LiPo Batteries?

To make sure that your LiPo batteries last a long time, you should make sure that you handle them properly. It is recommendable that you store them in a safety sack both when you are charging them and when you aren’t using them. Moreover, you should avoid overcharging LiPo batteries. This will not only shorten their lifespan, but it may even cause a fire. Always make sure that you are choosing suitable batteries for your device.