# Remote Control Car Batteries - Highest Capacity?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 29, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123 "2004-03-29T17:52:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123/1 "2004-03-29T17:52:37Z")
Does anyone know the best/highest capacity RC battery I can get for a Traxxas Rustler? It takes 7.2v NiMH rechargables. I have the 3000mHa batteries now and they’re ok, just curious if I can do better.
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### Author:  [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123/2 "2004-03-29T18:20:38Z")
Depends on how you want to go. Nickel metal hydride is probably the best inexpensive cell so you’ll only increase capacity by using bigger cells or putting two packs in parallel. Lithinum ion has similar voltage, 7.4v nominal, and much better capacity for the same mass and size but I don’t know if the discharge curve is suitable for RC cars. I’m sure it would work well but unless you’re willing to pay a lot more for both battery and the way tcharger to gain some weight savings I think the 3000mah NiMh packs are your best bet.
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### Author:  [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123/3 "2004-03-29T18:26:36Z")
If you’re willing to build your own pack you can use six 7500mah NiMh D cells and more than double the capacity of your present pack. Note that it’s almost $84 for just the cells so it may still be cheaper to buy additional 3000mah packs.
[http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=5](http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=5)
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123/4 "2004-03-29T19:18:06Z")
Go Nitro. You’ll never go back. 30-40 minute run times or longer. No power drop off and cool blue smoke and engine noise.
I tired of worrying about batteries, 10-12 minute run times and all that.
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### Author:  [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123/5 "2004-03-29T20:31:03Z")
Nitro is next, I just want to race the heck out of my Rustler before moving on to bigger and better. Plus the nitro cars tend to cost more to buy and maintain, and they’re also much more prone to “injury.”
So, in theory, I can hook up two batteries in parallel and get twice the run-time? Any associated dangers?
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123/6 "2004-03-29T20:41:13Z")
> [@Bongmaster](#):
>
> So, in theory, I can hook up two batteries in parallel and get twice the run-time? Any associated dangers?
In theory, yes. In practice, it’s generally a bad idea. NiMH and NiCd cells have a very low internal resistance, and if one pack discharges faster than the other, you can wind up pushing a substantial current through it, causing damage and even fire.
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### Author:  [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-control-car-batteries-highest-capacity/237123/7 "2004-03-29T21:26:30Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#):
>
> In theory, yes. In practice, it’s generally a bad idea. NiMH and NiCd cells have a very low internal resistance, and if one pack discharges faster than the other, you can wind up pushing a substantial current through it, causing damage and even fire.
…which is exactly what would happen to me if I tried. I’d love to experiment but at $160 or so for each kit it would be a very expensive hobby. Thanks guys, help much appreciated!