> RC Basics> Batteries & Chargers

Battery Pack
You need to know what a battery pack is. Learn how battery packs are used in electric RCs.

Twin Peak AC/DC Dual Output Peak Detection Charger
The Twin Peak Dual Peak Charger, with the ability to charge two batteries at once, cuts the waiting time until I can play with my RC cars to practically nothing after the packs are ready.

Modifying an Electric RC to Use a Quick-Charge Battery Pack
Replaceing disposable batteries for your RC vehicle can get expensive. Recharging rechargable batteries can take an eternity (or at least seem to). To save money and get more play time you can modify electric RCs that run on disposable or rechargeable alkaline batteries so that they can use quick-charging, reusable battery packs.

Charging Systems
Describes different kinds of chargers, cycling, and the use of 12 Volt DC and 110 Volt AC power to charge your batteries.

Do It Yourself Battery Packs
Learn how to build your own battery pack in this tutorial on the AMYA site.

Frequently Asked RC Car Battery Questions
RC Racing USA has a FAQ covering matched cells and common battery-related terms.

NiCd Battery FAQ
Find everything you need to know (and more) about Nickel Cadmium batteries - the kind of battery packs used in most RCs.

NiMH Battery Care and Maintenance
RC Car Action answers questions about batteries such as "Which type of charger should I use?" "Which charge mode should I use?" and "Can I run a pack of NiMH batteries more than once a day?"

R/C Battery Clinic
Has tutorials on all kinds of RC batteries and how to care for them. Also has reviews of battery chargers.

Radio-Control Hobby Batteries (& more)
Batteries America has a large assortment of batteries, battery packs, and battery chargers for RCs.

Electric RC - The Technology Behind the Revolution
This article focuses on electric RC airplanes and helicopters and the issue of the weight of electric components such as battery packs. Covers Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium ion Polymer cells as well as brushless electric motors and micro servers and receivers.