If you’re like most RC enthusiasts, you probably want to get the most runtime out of your car’s battery. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how long it takes to charge a RC car battery and some tips on how to speed up the process. We’ll also answer some common questions about RC batteries and charging them safely.
How Long Does a RC Car Battery Take To Charge?
The amount of time it takes to charge a RC car battery will depend on the type of battery, the voltage, and the capacity (mAh). The time required to charge a RC battery is also affected by the charger you’re using.
Time required to charge a typical 5000mAh RC Car battery with a 5A charger is 1 hour. Chargers with higher wattage will charge the battery faster. A good rule of thumb is that it takes about one hour to charge your RC battery at a 1C charge rate.
The image below shows how long it took my 5000mAh battery to charge at a 1C charge rate. This battery was almost dead and took 4331 mAh’s of charge. It took the battery one hour and nine minutes to complete the charging cycle.
I recommend purchasing a digital balance charger because you can balance each cell in your LiPo battery and track some interesting numbers like charge time and how many milliamp hours the battery took.
It’s important to note that you should never overcharge your RC battery. Doing so will decrease the life of the battery and could potentially be dangerous.
If you’re using a NiMH or NiCd battery, it’s best to stop charging the battery once the charger indicates charging is complete. For LiPo batteries, you’ll want to do the same and charge the battery completely.
If you’re new to RC cars and LiPo batteries, it’s best to err on the side of caution and charge your batteries slowly. Stick with a 1C charge rate. This will help prolong the life of your batteries and ensure they are ready to go whenever you want to go driving.
How Long Does It Take To Charge a RC Car LiPo Battery?
LiPo batteries are the most powerful type of battery for your RC vehicle. They are known for their high energy density and lighter overall weight. LiPo batteries can be charged in various ways, but the two most common methods are slow charging and fast charging.
Slow charging is the process of charging a LiPo battery at a lower rate over a longer period of time. This method is often used when the battery is not completely discharged, as it can help to prolong the life of the battery. Fast charging is the process of charging a LiPo battery at a higher rate and over a shorter period of time.
This method is often used when the battery is completely discharged, as it can help to get the car back on the road quicker.
For slower charging, charge your battery at less than a 1C charge rate. For faster charging, only charge your battery above a 1C charge rate if the manufacturer’s specifications note that the battery can charge at a rate higher than 1C.
The amount of time it takes to charge a LiPo battery will vary depending on the method used, the capacity of the battery, and the charger being used.
Remember to read our post If you are wondering how to charge a LiPo battery for the first time.
The time required to charge an RC Car LiPo battery depends on the capacity of the battery and the voltage of your charger. For example, if you have a 3000mAh 11.V LiPo battery and are using a standard balance charger, it will take about 90 minutes to charge fully. If you’re using a fast charger that can output 20amps, it will only take 45 minutes.
How long does it take to charge a 7.4 volt RC battery?
7.4 volt 2S batteries are a popular size for RC cars and trucks because they provide a lot of power and aren’t too expensive. 2S batteries in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most common is the stick pack. Most people use LiPo batteries, but you can also find 7.2 and 7.4 volt NiCd, or NiMH batteries for your RC cars.
I prefer LiPo because they provide more power and weighs less.
If you want to charge your 7.4 V, 1600mAh battery at a rate of 1C/1.6Amps, it will take about 1 hour. If your battery supports 2C charging, you can cut this time in half.
For this example, input 1600 mAh capacity in the first input, and a 1C charge rate of 1600 mA in the second box to get your estimated charge time.
So there you have it, charging a common RC car or truck battery takes about an hour using a standard wall charger. If you want to get back on the track sooner, consider investing in a faster charger and a battery that can safely charge at a rate higher than 1 C.
Again, 1C mean 1 Amp for every 1000mAh of battery capacity. So, a 5000 mAh battery will charger at 1C when charging at 5 Amps.
Can You Overcharge a RC Car Battery?
The technology in RC car batteries has come a long way; most will automatically shut off when fully charged. So, unless you have an older model RC car, it is very unlikely that your battery will get overcharged if you leave the charger running.
Some chargers will have a light that turns green when the battery is fully charged; this is a good indicator to know when to unplug the charger.
Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your RC car or battery and charger. It is always best to monitor your batteries while charging them, not leave them unattended, and disconnect the battery from the charger when charging is complete.
When the charge reaches a specific voltage, the chemistry of the battery changes, and it will no longer accept a charge.
The only time you might run into overcharging issues is if you use a cheap aftermarket charger that does not have proper voltage regulation. These chargers can be found on sites like eBay and Amazon for very cheap, but they can damage your batteries if not used correctly.
The bottom line is that you probably don’t have to worry about overcharging your RC car battery, but it is still a good idea to keep an eye on it while it’s charging, just in case.
If you do notice that your battery is getting hot while it’s charging, or if it starts to swell up, be sure to unplug it. If a Lipo battery starts to swell, its time to dispose of it properly and get a new battery pack.
Overcharging can lead to fires, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Do RC Car Batteries have an auto-shutoff Feature while charging?
This is dependent on the brand and model of RC car battery. Some brands and models have an auto-shutoff feature while charging, while others do not. It is advisable to check the product description or specifications of the RC car battery before purchasing, to see if it has this feature.
The Bottom Line
So, how long does it take to charge a RC car battery? The answer really depends on the battery itself and the charger you’re using. A standard RC car LiPo battery can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to charge, depending on the capacity of the battery. A faster charger will obviously charge the battery quicker, but it’s also important to make sure you don’t overcharge the battery.
If you want to charge your RC car battery as quickly as possible, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure you’re using a high-quality charger that is designed for LiPo batteries. Second, if your charger has multiple settings, choose the highest setting that your battery can handle. And finally, if you have the option, use a balance charger instead of a standard charger. This type of charger will not only charge your battery faster, but it will also help prolong its lifespan.
So there you have it! A quick guide to charging RC car batteries. Remember, the most important thing is to make sure you don’t overcharge your battery. Other than that, just choose a high-quality charger and follow the instructions that come with it.
