How Fast Does a 7.4v RC Car Go?
RC cars come in a wide variety of sizes and designs, particularly when it comes to their essential parts, like the battery. Therefore, you will see that RC cars have varying maximum speeds and battery voltages.
You may be curious about how fast some RC cars, especially 7.4v RC cars, can travel. This article will cover everything you need to know.
How Batteries Impact RC Car Speed
You may believe that an RC car's top speed is only controlled by the motor and that batteries have little bearing on it. You would be astonished. The strength of a battery can affect how quickly and efficiently an RC car accelerates, but it is not the primary determinant.
When combined with a brushless motor, the additional juice or voltage from a battery can help the car move more quickly.
This does not imply, however, that a higher voltage will automatically translate into a faster speed. For instance, if a 7.4v RC vehicle has a better motor and better tires, it can still outperform a 9.4v battery RC car.
This indicates that other factors besides voltage affect an RC car's speed. However, the voltage can still reveal some information about an RC car on its own.
When the voltage is higher, the car has more power to operate with, and the top speed may usually be improved. The motor can receive more energy when the voltage is higher.
The circuit and electrical compatibility of the RC car with the battery is still required, and the tires and other physical parts of the vehicle must first be able to handle higher speeds. Remember that some off-the-shelf RC car kits were not intended to be updated with parts that are too strong for them.
The speed of a 7.4v RC Car
A battery, like motor horsepower, has a range of speeds that it is likely to reach. Since it's more akin to a spectrum, there is no fixed pace at which any particular voltage will attain.
You can anticipate that 7.4v RC cars will reach speeds of up to 20 mph. Once more, some people will be quicker than others. Other variables, including the type of motor being utilized, will also affect the actual maximum speed.
Another crucial factor is the kind of battery being utilized. If you want a 7.4v RC car to be fast, make sure the battery it uses is made of lithium-ion batteries, which are the industry standard.
The HP161S
Let's examine the HP161S as a specific illustration of the connection between a battery's voltage and the top speed of an RC car. It has a maximum speed of 38 mph and a battery voltage of 11.1 volts.
It's crucial to reiterate that the HP161S's high speed isn't primarily due to the battery's voltage. All-terrain wheels, excellent suspension, and a strong brushless motor for more horsepower are features of this remote-controlled vehicle.
Nevertheless, the 11.1v battery undoubtedly influences the top speed of 38 mph. Given that we are discussing little 1/16 model RC cars, this is quite potent. For computers this size, the difference between 7.4v and 11.1v is actually rather significant.
This indicates that the HP161S would operate more slowly if its battery voltage were 7.4 volts rather than 11.1 volts. How much slower? Although it's tough to forecast, it would most likely be a few miles per hour. With a 7.4v battery, the HP161S would most likely only reach speeds of 34 or 32 mph.
Why Battery Voltage Matters More than Battery Capacity
Battery voltage is the key factor that affects the top speed. Range and total run time are determined by the battery capacity, which is expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh) rather than volts. This is a crucial consideration if you intend to upgrade or modify your remote-controlled vehicle by adding a new battery to increase its speed.
Two of the most prevalent voltages found in RC batteries are 7.4v and 11.1v. In terms of capacity, the most popular options are 2200 mAh and 5000 mAh.
Remember that higher voltage can result in faster speeds, but it can also result in shorter times. A higher voltage indicates that more energy is being used simultaneously. The power source must use more energy to power your car at higher speeds. Many RC car drivers aim to strike a balance between power and energy usage. However, some people are just concerned with speed.
Although there are many different types of RC vehicle batteries, these four are the most popular ones that balance energy and speed:
- 1 V Lipo Battery 3S 50C 5000 mAh
- 1 V Lipo Battery 3S 100C 5000 mAh
- 1 V Lipo Battery 3S 30C 2200 mAh
- 4 V Lipo Battery 2S 30C 5000 mAh
If you don't want to spend a lot of time figuring out the best battery setup, use one of them as a starting point when shopping for a new RC car. All of these popular 11.1v and 7.4v RC battery varieties offer an excellent mix of speed and range.
Conclusion
Numerous components affect an RC car's speed, such as the motor, battery, tires, and more. But if you want speed and power, a 7.4v RC car will give you plenty of both. This kind of RC car is actually suitable for RC racing. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether a 7.4v RC car is a good investment is unquestionably yes!
