Do you have an RC car? If so, you know that it’s a lot of fun to drive. But did you know that the battery is what makes your car move? If you want your RC car to last longer, you need to take care of your battery.
Read ahead to know more about different types of RC car batteries, RC car battery chargers, and tips to take care of them so they last longer. The blog will also provide some tips on how to get the most out of your battery.
Just like regular cars, RC cars come with different types of batteries.
1. NiMH Battery
The most common type of battery is the NiMH battery, a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery. These batteries are popular because they’re affordable and last a long time. These batteries come in different packs. Two very popular choices include a 4-pack battery and a 6-pack battery.
The separate batteries are joined together by a wire completing a circuit in these packs. In this, each battery pack contains 1.0 to 1.2 volts. A 6-pack is more beneficial for powerful racing RC cars; on the other hand, a 4-pack battery is favorable mainly for small RC cars. The downside to these batteries is they tend to lose power over time.
These batteries should be charged to the maximum limit to get the best battery life.
Benefits Of NiMH Battery
- These are affordable options.
- Once the charge is complete, the battery gets shut off on its own, preventing overcharging.
- They are best for beginners as charging is less complicated.
2. LiPo Battery
LiPo batteries are a type of Lithium Polymer battery. They’re more expensive than NiMH batteries, but they provide more power and hold that power longer. If you’re looking for a battery that will last your RC car for a long time, a LiPo battery is the best option.
They have cells in them, and each can contain more charge than the battery pack of NiMH batteries. Fewer cells give more charge, making these batteries more portable and small in size. The basic charge that one cell of the battery contains is around 3.7 volts. But be careful, these batteries require careful charging with the right RC car battery charger and should not be stored with a full charge.
Benefits Of LiPo Battery
- Provides more power than other types of batteries.
- It lasts longer than different types of batteries.
- They get charged quickly and reach full charge within minutes.
How To Boost the Performance of RC Car Batteries?
Now that you know how to take care of your RC car battery, here are some ways you can get the most out of it.
– Use A Voltage Regulator
A voltage regulator is a safety device that limits the voltage an electric circuit produces. It does this by stepping down the voltage to a level suitable for the application. It reduces the amount of power from one circuit and redirects it to another.
This helps in elongating the battery life of your RC car battery and makes charging safer.
– Discharge Your Battery Regularly
If you don’t discharge your battery, it will become sulfated. It happens when the battery doesn’t have time to completely discharge, eventually turning into plates that can no longer process energy.
Discharging also helps regulate voltage and helps cool down your RC car by expanding the gas in the cells, which puts more pressure on retaining heat to avoid heat build-up.
You should also keep the battery in a safety sack to avoid any damage.
-Avoid Overcharging and Overheating
Overcharging by RC car battery chargers and overheating a battery can ruin it. When a battery is overcharged, the chemical reaction that makes it work will stop.
The battery will then become swollen and might even burst which is highly dangerous. If it gets too hot, the electrolytes inside the battery will start to break down, and this can also cause damage. Therefore, it is important to ensure you do not overcharge your battery to improve their life and performance.
By following these tips, you can ensure your RC car battery lasts as long as possible. With properly charged batteries in optimum condition, you can have fun driving your car around without worrying about the battery dying on you.
