LiPo runtime calculator
Runtime in minutes = mAh / 1000 x 0.8 / average amps x 60. A 5000mAh pack at a 25 A average draw gives about 9.6 minutes of use to a safe 80 percent discharge, and roughly 16 minutes when cruising.
HOOVO 7.4V 80C 5200mAh 2S Lipo Battery with TR Plug Hard Case
- 2S
- 5200mAh
Bigger packs and the safety kit to go with them. Picked from current listings.
$18.99 listed price, changes often
Check price on Amazon- Usable capacity
- 4000 mAh
- Hard bashing (1.5x draw)
- 6.4 min
- Cruising (0.6x draw)
- 16.0 min
- Draw as C rate
- 5.0C
The formula
usable Ah = mAh / 1000 x usable fraction (0.8) runtime (min) = usable Ah / average amps x 60
Use 80 percent of capacity. Running a LiPo to empty shortens its life and can damage it. Average draw is far below peak: a truck that pulls 80 A on a launch might average 20 to 30 A over a run.
Bigger packs and the safety kit to go with them
Picked from current listings across the price range, so there is a budget, a middle and a premium option in each category.
How long does a 5000mAh battery last in an RC car?
About 10 to 20 minutes in a typical 1/10 brushless car, and well over an hour in a crawler. The spread comes from average current: a crawler at trail pace might average 5 A, while a 4x4 basher on 3S on grass can average 35 A.
| Car and driving | Avg draw | 5000mAh runtime |
|---|---|---|
| 1/10 crawler, trail pace | 5 A | 48 min |
| 1/10 2WD brushed | 12 A | 20 min |
| 1/10 2WD brushless, mixed | 20 A | 12 min |
| 1/10 4x4 brushless, 3S bashing | 35 A | 6.9 min |
| 1/8 6S bashing | 55 A | 4.4 min |
More pairings, by pack size and cell count, are on the battery runtime pages, for example 5000mAh 2S.
Why does my RC battery die so quickly?
Usually gearing, tires or terrain. Tall gearing, oversized tires and long grass all raise average current, which cuts runtime and raises temperature at the same time. A damaged or old pack with high internal resistance also sags early and trips the low-voltage cutoff while it still holds charge. If runtime drops suddenly on a pack that used to be fine, check it with a cell checker for one weak cell.
Does a higher C rating give more runtime?
No. Runtime comes from capacity (mAh). C rating describes how much current the pack can deliver, which affects punch and how much the voltage sags, not how long it lasts. A 5000mAh 50C pack and a 5000mAh 100C pack give the same runtime at the same draw, though the better pack may stay cooler and hold speed later in the run.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate RC battery runtime?
Divide capacity in amp hours by average current draw, then multiply by 60 for minutes. Use only about 80 percent of capacity to protect the pack. A 5000mAh pack is 5 Ah; 80 percent is 4 Ah; at 20 A average that is 0.2 hours, or 12 minutes. The hard part is estimating average draw, which is far lower than the peak current on launches.
Is it bad to run a LiPo until the car stops?
Yes, if the car has no low-voltage cutoff or it is set wrong. Running a LiPo below about 3.0 V per cell under load can permanently damage it. Most hobby ESCs have a LiPo cutoff around 3.2 to 3.4 V per cell; make sure it is enabled. Stopping when the car first slows, then charging or storage-charging, keeps packs healthy for hundreds of cycles.
Does a bigger mAh battery make the car slower?
Slightly, through weight, but usually not noticeably in a 1/10 car. A 7600mAh pack weighs more than a 5000mAh pack of the same cell count, so acceleration dips a little. Top speed is set by voltage, which is the same. Check the pack fits the battery tray, because high capacity hard cases are often taller or longer than stock.
How long does an RC crawler battery last?
Often one to three hours of real trail use, because crawlers draw very little current at walking pace. A 1/10 crawler averaging 5 A on a 5000mAh pack gets about 48 minutes of continuous driving, but real sessions include stops, so runtime per charge feels much longer. 1/24 mini crawlers on small packs typically give 30 to 60 minutes.
Should I buy two batteries or one bigger one?
Two, for most drivers. A second pack lets you keep driving while the first cools and charges, and a spare protects you from a single failed pack ending the day. A much larger pack may not fit the tray. The exception is crawlers, where one high capacity pack often lasts the whole session.
RCCarCalc is researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures come from published manufacturer specifications, listings and verified owner reports, not hands-on testing. Speeds are theoretical or as listed; real results depend on gearing, battery, tires and terrain. See how we research.