If you're hunting for a brand-new 1 16 revo battery , you've likely noticed that the stock setup only scuff marks the top of exactly what this little vehicle can actually do. The Traxxas 1/16 E-Revo—or the "merv" since most of us contact it—is a bit of a legend in the REMOTE CONTROL world because it's basically a scaled-down monster that can pull backflips and hit highway rates of speed in case you feed this enough voltage. Yet, which is a big but, the battery compartments on this thing are tiny. You can't simply toss in an old pack and expect it to work.
I remember when I actually first got quarry, I was a bit frustrated by just how quickly the stock NiMH battery went out of fruit juice. It felt like I was spending additional time at the charger than actually tearing in the backyard. Improving the battery is the single greatest thing you may do for this truck, but there's a bit of a learning curve to figuring out exactly what fits and what's going to dissolve your ESC.
Why the stock battery usually strikes a wall
Many of these trucks come out of the box with a 6-cell NiMH pack. It's "fine" for getting started, but it's heavy and the energy delivery is kind of lazy. Because the battery drains, the particular truck gets really slower until it's simply crawling. When you in order to a devoted 1 16 revo battery within a LiPo (Lithium Polymer) format, the is night and day time.
LiPos hold their voltage much more consistently. This means you obtain full "punch" from the start of the run almost until the very end. Plus, they're significantly lighter. In a truck this small, shaving away a few oz makes a substantial difference in just how it handles in the air and how it takes corners. If you're still running the stock round-cell packs, you're missing out on about 40% of the fun this platform offers.
Picking between 2S and 3S LiPo
This is usually where things get interesting. Most people looking for a 1 16 revo battery finish up choosing between a 2S (7. 4v) and the 3S (11. 1v) setup.
A 2S LiPo is the "sweet spot" for many people. It provides the particular truck plenty of go, makes it easy to wheelie, plus doesn't put a good insane amount associated with strain for the drivetrain. If you're just bashing at the park or running via short grass, a 2S setup will be perfect. It's workable, and you won't be breaking parts every five a few minutes.
Then there's 3S. Putting a 3S 1 16 revo battery into this vehicle turns it directly into a literal property rocket. It's borderline uncontrollable on asphalt if you just mash the throttle. We're talking 50+ mph in the truck that fits in a backpack. It's a great time, don't get me wrong, but this has a cost. You'll probably need in order to look into shimmed differentials and maybe some steel driveshafts since the raw energy of the 3S LiPo likes to shred plastic material parts. If you're a speed nut, 3S is the way to move, but be prepared to do several wrenching.
The particular secret sauce: Parallel vs. Series
One of the particular coolest features of the 1/16 E-Revo is that it has two battery compartments—one on each side. This gives you some really cool options intended for the way you run your own 1 16 revo battery set up. You'll need a Y-harness to make this particular work, in addition to two choices: parallel or even series.
If you run two batteries in parallel , you're keeping the voltage the exact same but doubling your runtime. So, in the event that you have two 2000mAh 2S batteries, the truck nevertheless "sees" 7. four volts, but this thinks it offers 4000mAh of capability. This is my personal favorite way to run the merv. You get 30 in order to 45 minutes of run time, as well as the weight is balanced perfectly on each sides of the chassis.
When you run all of them in series , you're doubling the voltage. Two 2S batteries (7. 4v each) become a 3 equivalent (14. 8v). Prevent immediately, though. The stock VXL-3m speed controller cannot handle fourteen. 8 volts. It'll allow magic smoke cigarettes out immediately. Collection runs are usually done with 2 6-cell NiMH batteries to get that will "speed" boost Traxxas discusses on the particular box, but truthfully, a single 3S LiPo is much better in most way compared to a heavy dual-NiMH series setup.
Finding a battery that actually fits
The greatest headache with all the 1 16 revo battery may be the size of the doorways. The compartments are roughly 100mm lengthy by 35mm wide and 20mm higher. If you buy a battery that's even a handful of millimeters too thick, that plastic door isn't going to click shut.
I've spent way too much time scrolling through hobby websites with a digital caliper in the hand. You really have to check out the dimensions just before you hit "buy. " Some brand names make batteries particularly labeled for your 1/16 Traxxas line, which is usually the particular safest bet. These often come along with the Traxxas High-Current Connector (or the newer iD connector) already soldered upon.
When you go with a good aftermarket brand, a person might need an adapter or you'll need to solder on new connectors. Just a heads up: if you're making use of the newer Traxxas iD chargers, sticking with Traxxas-branded batteries is definitely way easier, even if they cost a few bucks more. They just connect in as well as the charger knows exactly what to do.
Managing and weight stability
It's simple to forget that where you put your 1 16 revo battery changes the way the truck flies. If you run an individual battery on 1 side, the vehicle is going in order to be lopsided. This might lean to 1 side during gets or pull somewhat when you're pinning it down the straightaway.
That's why a lot of guys choose running two smaller sized batteries in parallel. It keeps the weight centered. However, if you're wanting to save weight intended for maximum acceleration, just one LiPo is the particular approach to take. You may always adjust your own shock preload to pay for the weight being on 1 side, but it's never quite because "locked in" because a dual-battery set up.
Taking treatment of your LiPos
Since we're talking about top of the line 1 16 revo battery choices, we have in order to talk about basic safety and maintenance. LiPos aren't like the old batteries we all had in playthings as kids. A person can't just run them until they're dead and toss them in a drawer.
Very first off, you have to make sure your ESC (Electronic Speed Control) has the Low Volts Detection (LVD) converted on. If you deplete a LiPo too low, it may get damaged or, worse, become a fire hazard. Upon the Traxxas VXL-3m, you want that will little light in order to be green.
Also, storage charge is vital. In the event that you aren't likely to use your truck for over a few of days, don't leave the batteries fully charged or even fully empty. Use your charger's "storage" setting to bring them to about 3. 8v per cellular. This keeps the chemistry stable and ensures your electric batteries don't puff upward just like a bag associated with popcorn.
Final thoughts on choosing your setup
At the end of the day time, picking the correct 1 16 revo battery comes down to exactly what kind of driver you are. Are usually you looking to do speed runs on the street and see how fast you can proceed before the truck literally takes flight? Go with a 3S LiPo and keep on tight.
Are a person looking for a dependable, long-lasting bash session at the regional park or in the dirt? A pair of 2S LiPos running in parallel is hands-down the best expertise. You get excellent speed, incredible runtime, plus a truck that's balanced and easy to control.
Whatever you choose, just keep in mind to keep an eye on your electric motor temps. These little trucks have a lot of power packed into a tiny space, plus they don't have much airflow below the body. If you're running very difficult, especially on 3S, give the motor a break every now and then so it doesn't get hot. Once you have the battery situation categorized, the 1/16 Revo truly becomes one of the most fun RC vehicles you can possess. It's a tiny beast, and with the right power source, it'll keep you smiling every time you pull the result in.