LiPo RC Batteries
What do the numbers mean on a LiPo battery?
This is a common question for us so we thought we'd put a brief description to what each number means on a LiPo battery.
11.1v (Voltage) - Higher this number the faster your RC model will go, however, go too high and you'll risk burning out an electronic component like you motor or ESC.
5400mAh (Milliampere Hour) - This is the capacity of the battery. Think of this as a fuel tank in your real car, if you have a 50-litre tank it will last half as long as a 100-litre tank but of course, it won't make a difference to the performance.
35C (C Rating) - You multiply this number by the Ah (mAh/1000) to get the maximum amp draw you can put on the battery before you damage the battery. Please note, in most models, this rating isn't typically that important. However, in some high-powered models, you may need a higher C rating.
FAQs for LiPo Batteries
Yes, when handled properly. Always use a LiPo balance charger, never over-discharge (set a low-voltage cutoff on your ESC), and store at storage voltage when not in use. A fireproof LiPo bag is cheap insurance.
Check your ESC's maximum voltage first. 2S (7.4V) suits most stock setups. 3S (11.1V) gives a big speed boost but more heat. 4S+ is for high-performance builds with ESCs rated for it. Too many cells can burn your electronics.
Charge to storage voltage (3.8V per cell) if you won't use them within a day or two. Most smart chargers have a storage mode. Keep them in a LiPo bag at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat.
With proper care, 200-300+ charge cycles — typically 2-3 years of regular use. They degrade faster if you over-discharge them, leave them fully charged for long periods, or puff them from heat.
You must use a LiPo balance charger — never a basic wall charger or NiMH-only charger. Using the wrong charger can cause a fire. Match the charger's cell count range to your battery (e.g. a 2-3S charger for a 2S or 3S pack). If your car came with a charger, check whether it supports LiPo before using it with an aftermarket battery.