Lipo batteries are the most popular batteries to power your RC car’s motor. But there are some factors you need to consider before going in and buying one.
It’s not rocket science but it’s quite unknown to many. If you use a lipo battery to power your RC car you should also double-check. Who knows you might have been wrong the whole time.
So, how to match lipo battery to motor?
To match the lipo battery to your motor first calculate the voltage. Next calculate the amp your setup draws. Then, match these values with the motor. Finally, the motor requirements will dictate the choice of lipo batteries for you! Additionally, you need to match the battery with the ESC as well.
You might be thinking if it’s that easy, right? Well no, there are a lot of things you need to know before actually buying the batteries.
So, get to reading right away!
How to Match Lipo Battery to Motor?
This task can be a bit tricky for you. However, if you do the calculations right, you won’t face much hassle.
If you have an RC car, you know the importance of choosing batteries. Along with it, you have to choose the right battery for your motor.
Let’s see how to choose a battery for a motor.
Step 1: Find Out the Voltage of Your Setup
First, find out the voltage of the setup you own. This voltage will assist all future calculations.
A lipo battery is made out of a series of cells. Each cell contains 3.7 volts. So a 3s lipo battery would mean it has 3 cells in the series. It will have a voltage of 3*3.7 = 11.1 volts.
You can also use a multimeter to figure out the battery voltage.
Source: RC Tech
Similarly, there are 4s lipo batteries out there. It has 4 cells in the series and contains 4X3.7 = 14.8 volts.
Here’s a 1450KV motor setup with a 3s lipo battery.
Step 2: Find Out the Amp Your Setup Draws
Then, figure out the burst amp draws and continuous amp draws of your desired setup. The amp draw is proportionate to the voltage.
You’ll also need the discharge rate which is given by “C” in the battery. If a battery is 3C, it can draw 3 times the capacity of its amperage.
Calculate the output draw at different loads and speeds. Let’s consider a battery of 1000 mAh. Also, let’s say that it has a discharge rate of 15C.
So the amp draw of this battery would be (15X1000)/1000 amps = 15 amps. It can draw a maximum of 15 amps.
You can use a multimeter to measure the output.
For your convenience, I’ve gathered a list of top-tier multimeters available on the market-
| Image | Product Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | AstroAI Multimeter 2000 Counts | Check Latest Price |
  | Etekcity Digital Multimeter | Check Latest Price |
  | KAIWEETS Digital Multimeter | Check Latest Price |
These multimeters won’t give any wrong calculations and will go a long way!
Step 3: Compare the Calculated Values with the Motor’s Value
Now you have the amp draw values. Match these values with a motor now. Let’s say you have a motor that operates at 3s and 14 amps. Can a 15C 1000mAh battery run the motor?
The 15C 1000mAh battery can draw 15 amps, which is more than the motor needs. However, it’s better to keep more amps in your storage to increase safety.
Always try to keep a threshold of 20% amps. Let’s calculate the amp requirement for a 14 amps motor.
Your battery should have 14+(20% of 14) = 16.8 amp drawing capacity. So choose a lipo battery that can provide 16.8 amps minimum.
Note that, the motor is suitable to run 3s batteries. Using a 4s battery may burn the motor! This is one of the common lipo battery mistakes the users do.
Step 4: Match the ESC with Motor
Matching esc to motor is another very important step. Pick an ESC that is more than the current draw capacity of the motor. The voltage should also be calculated this way.
Let’s say you have a 3s, 14 amps motor. Choose an ESC that can draw more than 14 amps and can handle 4s capacities.
Source: Hobbymedia
This is how to calculate esc for brushless motor. The rule remains the same for brushed motors as well. Try to choose a heavier ESC for better heat resistance.
So, this is how to pick the right lipo battery for your motor.
Additional Factors to Consider While Matching a Lipo Battery
There are a few physical factors of the battery you should consider as well. Take a look down below.
Capacity
The capacity of a battery is always important, not just for lipo batteries. Get lipo batteries that have the highest capacities for better performance. The batteries will last longer.
6200 mAh capacity should be the goal for everyone. However, 5200 mAh batteries serve greatly as well. So here I’ve mentioned some of the higher capacity lipo batteries.
| Image | Product Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | Click to Edit | Check Current Price |
  | Click to Edit | Check Current Price |
  | Click to Edit | Check Current Price |
  | Click to Edit | Check Current Price |
Yet, it’ll take more time to charge high-capacity batteries. But don’t worry. By following a manual, you’ll know how to recharge lipo batteries.
Size and Weight
Along with the capacity, size and weight also matter. You may end up with a bigger battery than you needed. Lipo battery sizes come from 7mm to 60mm. Choose the properly sized lipo battery for your needs.
Lipo batteries can weigh from a few grams to a few kgs. Matching a lipo battery that is too heavy might cause problems in your electronics!
For instance, choosing a too heavy battery for an RC car. It cannot drive properly while being too heavy.
There are many types of batteries out there. Many substitutes for lipo batteries are out on the market right now.
So, why use lipo batteries? The answer is, that lipo batteries have many benefits.
Let’s discuss some of the lipo battery advantages.
3 Advantages of Choosing Lipo Batteries
Here are the top 3 advantages of lipo (lithium polymer) batteries:-
Low Thickness
Lipo batteries are usually very thin. Thin batteries can help you in many ways. Not every setup which needs power has gigantic spaces reserved for batteries, right?
Many narrow structures of electronics require thin batteries, which lipo batteries can provide.
Low Resistance
Low resistance in any battery is good. This can decrease the cost of charging it. Additionally, the standby time will be longer since there is less resistance.
Low resistance also causes less power consumption. The less you consume power, the longer the battery will last.
However, it’s a bit less than the shelf life of nicad batteries, an alternative of lipo.
Environment Friendly
This is one of the most important advantages of lipo batteries. Lipo batteries are actually good for the environment. Lipo batteries are free of harmful metals like mercury, lead, etc.
Now you may think, “can I use lipo batteries instead of nimh”? Well, of course, you can. NiMH batteries are a banger as well.
However, it won’t be as eco-friendly as the lipo batteries. You can choose to not contribute to the pollution by switching to lipo batteries.
These are some of the advantages of lipo batteries for you!
FAQs
How can I make my brushed motor faster?
You can try water dipping to increase the speed of the brushed motors you have. This method is used to break in motors. Submerge a part of the motor in water, then run it. The force needed to rotate is greater underwater, which makes the motors run properly. On top of that, it cleans it too!
What determined the RPM of a motor?
The RPM of a motor is determined by the ratio of input voltage and load. For instance, if you apply 10V and attach apply 1lb load, it’ll have 10 RPM. But if you increase the load to 2lbs, the RPM will decrease to 5. That’s how the RPM of a motor is determined! Increasing the voltage will increase the RPM.
Is a higher C rating better?
Yes, a higher C rating is better in situations concerning peak current. A higher C rating usually has lower heat resistance. Also, it has a lower resistance to the internal cell. These factors can change. Some higher C ratings can handle the heat and have greater resistance; which is proportional.
The Final Words
This is the end of the article. By now, you should know how to match lipo battery to motor effortlessly!
The calculation for matching the lipo battery to the motors should be done precisely. You can minimize risks for hazards this way!
Wishing you all the very best.
