RC Airplane Batteries

RC Airplane Batteries

Flying around your RC airplane is such a treat you will want to do it as long as you can. But, to get the most out of your RC plane you are going to need to equip it with a stellar battery. RC batteries are unlike the types you use in your TV remote control. RC airplane enthusiasts know that RC batteries are specialized pieces that can make all the difference to your RC experience.

When deciding which battery to purchase for your RC airplane, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first thing to note is the amount of voltage necessary to power your particular airplane. Voltage is listed as V and most RC airplanes require at least 5 volts of power. Most battery systems are set-up in cells. These cells are small, thin and lightweight that produce small voltage but can be wired together to create an overall powerful charge. Parallel cell set-ups are popular amongst enthusiasts because they increase battery capacity allowing you to fly longer. It should be noted that RC parallel cell set-ups don't increase voltage.

Once you've figured out your RC cell set-up, you will want to find the right chemical set-up.

There are a few different kinds of batteries available for RC units but the most widely available are NiCD, NiMH and LiPo. Commonly, Nickel Cadmium (NiCD) batteries are used in RC models. These are the worst batteries available on the market. Not only do they carry the lowest voltage and capacity of any RC airplane battery out there, but cadmium is harmful to the environment. NiCD batteries also need to be discharged after every use before they can be recharged.

Failure to discharge will result in a battery that can no longer be 100% recharged. RC nickel metal hydride is much better RC battery all around. Not only does it produce more power but it doesn't carry any cadmium. You also won't have to discharge NiMH batteries after every use. This makes battery upkeep easy. Lithium Polymer batteries (LiPo) are the latest and greatest in battery technology. These RC batteries have a high drain capacity and pack high voltage cells. They are also lightweight making them great for any model RC. One of the only downsides of LiPo batteries is that they are fragile. They have to be closely monitored when being charged because they have a chance of going haywire during any kind of power transfer. If you decide to go with LiPos be sure to pick up a top notch charger.

Fly high and often with a new battery for your RC airplane. By swapping out that NiCD battery for a high powered LiPo or NiMH battery can be one of the best decision you can make for your RC model. Get the battery power necessary for long RC airplane sessions.