How to Charge an RC Car Battery Without a Charger

Charging an RC Car Battery Without a Charger

Do you have an RC car but no charger for its battery? Don’t worry: there are a few alternatives to the charger that came with the car. Keep one rule in mind, though: a battery should only ever be charged by something that controls the current and the voltage, and a rechargeable battery should never be wired straight to a power source.

Below are some practical tips to help you charge your RC car’s battery when you don’t have its original charger.

Lithium batteries

Lithium batteries (LiPo and Li-ion) are one of the best options for RC cars. They have a higher capacity, which means they last longer between charges. They’re also the type that tolerates improvised charging the least: always charge them with a charger that supports lithium batteries, ideally a balance charger.

NiMH batteries

NiMH batteries are a good option for RC cars. They have a lower capacity, so they need to be charged more often.

They’re more forgiving than lithium batteries, but they still need a charger that knows when the battery is full, so they’re a good choice if you want a battery that’s easy to look after.

Use a power supply

Power supplies are a good option if you don’t have your car’s original charger. A regulated power supply on its own doesn’t control the charge, though: what it does is power a hobby charger that runs on DC input, so you can use that charger anywhere you have a wall outlet.

Use a laptop

Laptops can also help you charge an RC car battery without its usual charger. Many small RC cars come with a USB charging cable that has the charging circuit built in, and you can plug it into a laptop’s USB port.

What you can’t do is connect a USB port directly to the battery: the charging always has to go through a cable or charger designed for that battery.

Use a power bank

Power banks are another option if you don’t have a charger handy. They can power those same USB charging cables, so you can charge the battery without a wall outlet.

Keep in mind, though, that a power bank may not charge the battery as quickly as a dedicated charger.

Use a solar panel

Solar panels can also help you charge an RC car battery away from home. The panel always connects to a charger or charge controller, never directly to the battery, and lets you charge it with sunlight. That means you can top up your battery even when there’s no outlet nearby.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are several ways to charge an RC car battery when you don’t have its original charger. They include:

• Choosing lithium batteries, always with a lithium-compatible charger.
• Choosing NiMH batteries.
• Using a power supply with a DC-input charger.
• Using a laptop and a USB charging cable.
• Using a power bank.
• Using a solar panel with a charge controller.

If you have an RC car but no charger, try one of these options to charge your battery. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

What type of battery is best for an RC car without its charger?

The best option is a lithium-ion battery. These batteries provide more energy and last longer per charge than other batteries.

They’re also lighter and longer-lasting than other batteries, which makes them an excellent choice for RC cars, as long as you charge them with the right charger.

How do you check an RC car battery’s charge without a charger?

The best way to check an RC car battery’s charge without a charger is to buy a multimeter. Connect the multimeter to the battery to measure its voltage, and compare the reading with the figures for your battery type.

For a LiPo, each cell is 3.7 V nominal and 4.2 V fully charged, so a 2S pack reads 8.4 V when full. During use it shouldn’t drop below about 3.0–3.2 V per cell, and you should never charge it above 4.2 V per cell. You can check the numbers for any pack with our LiPo voltage calculator.

What’s the best method for charging an RC car battery without its charger?

If your car charges over USB, the most practical way to charge it away from home is with a power bank: plug the car’s USB charging cable into the power bank and let the cable’s built-in circuit control the charge.

That lets you charge your RC car battery without a specialized charger or a wall outlet.

How do you connect an RC car battery without a charger?

You don’t need a charger to connect the battery to the car: just plug its connector into the matching connector on the car’s ESC or charging board, making sure the polarity is correct. If the connectors don’t match, use the right adapter.

Never connect the battery’s terminals to a power source with alligator clips to charge it: without a device controlling the charge, you can damage the battery or start a fire.

Once the battery is connected, turn on the transmitter and then the car, and you’re ready to go.

What do I need to charge an RC car battery without its original charger?

To charge an RC car battery without its original charger, you’ll need a low-voltage power source, such as a 12-volt battery, a regulated power supply or a wall adapter.

You’ll also need a charge controller, such as a smart balance charger, to keep the battery from being overcharged or overheating. Also make sure you charge the battery at a moderate temperature, never right after a run while it’s still hot or in a freezing garage.