Wanna add more power to my RC car... add another battery in serial or parallel?

[PremiumG]

I seem to remember by adding in a battery serially, I basically add up the voltages for both batteries and that is what my RC car gets.

But if I add in the battery parallely, then its some other weird formula for how much voltage the RC car gets, right?




side question: if my RC car is running on a 9.6V rechargeable battery, how much voltage can I add before the car breaks? So far I've tried adding in a 9V battery (in parallel), and it seems to take that.

 

[CTho9305]

Putting two in series will increase the voltage. Going to a higher voltage increases the risk of burning out the motor. It may not burn out today, but it will burn out faster. You will, of course, go faster until it does burn out.

Putting two in parallel will do nothing (as long as your battery is ideal). In the real world, it could help. What I would do is measure the voltage when you're accelerating hard. If it's close to 9.6V, a battery in parallel won't help much, but if it's dropping a lot, a battery in parallel will supply additional power and keep the voltage higher.

 

[PottedMeat]

In series would probably be a bad idea for another reason besides the motor burning out. The control electronics may not be happy with 18V applied ( I dont know the operating voltage ranges for RC cars though ).

Parallel may help during heavy current draw - as was said above with heavy acceleration, but it should increase playing time.

 

[kagy600]

Honestly, you shouldn't mess with adding batteries to your RC car.

Look-up a local RC Shop near-by and stop in and get a real RC car. Traxxas makes quiet a few entry level RC cars which will help you learn more. Guys in the shops are usually really nice and helpful.

I say this b/c I am making the generalization that you have a standard RC car from a retail store. The 9.6V battery tells me this. Components are not interchangeable, etc.


Answer to your question:

Series will add the voltages of the two battery packs together. Parallel will add run time (~50%) and allow for higher amp draw. This is assuming SAME battery packs, however you are able to add individual cells to a pack (something you may learn in the future... pursuing the RC hobby).

But please- the RC battery packs you buy in the store (9.6V, 8-cell ~AA sized) are made for RC cars so just stick with those. They allow for higher amp draw than standard alkaline batteries. DON'T try to rig up other batteries... like a 9-volt haha. Don't want any batteries exploding on you.

NOTE: Running two 9.6V packs in series on your RC (assuming beginning of my post) you will fry your RC car (specifically the electronic speed control... which cannot change in retail RC cars). You will, however be able to run two packs in parallel for increased run time (not really worth the extra weight=sluggish). Although if you go to your Hobby Shop with your car they will be able to set you up with a battery pack that would probably give you 3x the run time.


If my assumptions were incorrect Im sorry. I can/will help you as much as I can. RC for too many years and know RC electronics like the back of my hand. RC is just like computers (the market), you have the mainstream retail computers/RC as well as the enthusiast side.

 

[AllGamer]

the correct way to get more power is to buy / upgrade to a Better motor with more horse power.

adding more battery will only kill the rest of your RC system (servos, radio, motor, lights, etc)

 

[gerwen]

kagy600's reply is totally correct, i just wanted to add a few things.

If you're using a standard wal-mart type rc toy, you're stuck. You can try to find a more powerful motor that will fit, but it may burn out your speed control as well.

There are options for serious hobby type RC cars. There are speed controllers that can handle 50 volts (30+cells) or more. They are, however, serious money, and can cost as much or more than a decent car kit themselves.

For serious speed that will put any wal-mart toy to shame, pick up any entry level ready to run kit, of just about any type. Find your local hobby shop, or browse Tower Hobbies for options. Check out rcuniverse.com for tons of opinions on where to start.