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Batteries come in an amazing variety of shapes, sizes, capacities, and prices. Most electric rc cars use a 7.2volt, sub-C size, NiCd (nickel cadmium) or NiMH (nickel metal hydride) battery pack made up of six individual cells. Most Sub-C batteries are in the range of 1200 to 5000 mAh (milliampere hours). Batteries with high amp-hour rating, run longer a time and are higher in price. Technology is now developing for the LiPo (lithimum ploymer) packs. LiPo batteries provide lots of power, run much longer and are considerably lighter. However they are not as durable as the NiCd (nickel cadmium) or NiMH (nickel metal hydride) and have been known to explode during impact, and while being charged. In fact some RC tracks have banned them because of safety concerns.
If you use your remote control car mostly for fun or sport, an economical battery or "sport pack" will work fine and be very reliable. For racing, however, a good pack of batteries can give you that extra power to get you to the finish line first. Matched batteries have been charged independently, rated, and then the cells that have the closest ratings are grouped together. Matched racing batteries will usually come as individual cells, requiring you to assemble (solder) the pack and are the most expensive.
Battery Chargers  If you're on a budget, a timer-charger or AC/DC quick charger with meter will do fine. Most sport packs work great on a timer-type charger.
For about the cost of an extra battery or two, you can upgrade to a peak voltage detection charger. Peak chargers use an internal voltage-sensing computer chip to cut off the charge at your battery's optimum peak voltage. This eliminates overcharging which weakens and prematurely ages cells. A peak charger is cheap insurance that you'll get the most power and longest life from your batteries. Don't invest in matched batteries unless you have a peak charger.
Racers always discharge their battery packs then fully charge them to keep them in top shape. Never ever let your batteries run completely dead this will “kill” your battery. When you store your batteries, it wise to discharge them, then charge them for 1-2 minutes this keeps the battery alive while not in use. It is also recomended that you charge them for 1-2 minutes every 2-3 months while in storage, this keeps some power in the cells so they do not go completely dead.
Next tip Product availability can change without notice. |
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