The Traxxas Battery and Charger Guide

Le guide des batteries et chargeurs Traxxas

Most Traxxas vehicles already come equipped with Nimh or LiPo batteries, but some car kits, like the X-Maxx , XO-1 and others, must be supplemented with compatible Traxxas batteries . Here's a quick guide to learning how to choose your Traxxas battery and charger.

Capacity and voltage of Traxxas batteries

The main characteristics to take into account when choosing a battery are voltage (determined by the number of cells in the pack) and capacity (the amount of energy stored in the battery). Voltage determines the speed and power of the battery, while capacity determines run time . Capacity is listed in milliamp-hours, or "mAh." This number refers to the amount of current in milliamps that the battery can deliver for one hour. The higher the mAh capacity, the longer your battery will work.

Caution : Batteries are not universal: a battery may not be the right size for your model or have a higher voltage than the power system is designed to support. Follow the manufacturer's advice or choose the batteries we recommend .

A Traxxas Nimh or Lipo battery?

Traxxas offers a wide assortment of battery sizes, voltages, and capacities, but when it comes to battery chemistry , they all fall into two categories: LiPo (Lithium Polymer) and NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) .

NiMH batteries

NiMH batteries are made of 1.2 volt cylindrical cells, similar to the AA batteries we are all used to using. This type of battery can be completely discharged without damaging the battery, and it does not need to be recharged before being stored. Traxxas NiMH batteries are offered with 6 cells (7.2 volts), 7 cells (8.4 volts), or 8 cells (9.6 volts).

Lipo batteries

LiPo batteries are made of 3.7 volt flat cells. Traxxas LiPo batteries are offered with 2 cells (7.4 volts), 3 cells (11.1v), and 4 cells (14.8v). LiPo batteries have a greater energy density than NiMH batteries, meaning they have more voltage and capacity than a NiMH battery of the same volume. A model equipped with a LiPo battery will go faster and run longer with a LiPo battery than with a NiMH battery.

Caution : NEVER charge a LiPo battery with a NiMH charger (or NiMH charging mode on a NiMH/LiPo multifunction charger). LiPo batteries can be damaged by over-discharging, so the ESC on all Traxxas models has built-in low voltage detection. LiPo batteries should be stored partially charged (store mode).

Traxxas ID connectors

Traxxas offers patented ID connectors that incorporate wireless communication technology and built-in balance wires . This technology significantly simplifies charging Traxxas batteries because the Traxxas ID charger automatically identifies the battery type and offers a suitable charging mode . This means that all you have to do is plug your battery into the charger and it will work like magic, offering automatic, safe and smooth charging.

iD technology works in two ways. First, the charger looks for the connection with the battery on the positive and negative terminals as well as the balance terminals. If it detects the main terminals but not the balance terminals, it defaults the charger to NiMH mode (because NiMHs do not have balance wires). If it identifies a connection on the balance terminal, it will count the number of cells to identify which Lipo battery is a 2S, 3S or 4S.

Traxxas also inserted an RFID chip into each battery connector, which can contain information such as battery chemistry (NiMH or LiPo), cell count, capacity, appropriate charging rate, number of charges, battery part number, etc. This information is communicated to the charger, which can define the charging parameters with the data provided by the chip.

Please note : All Traxxas cars must be powered by Traxxas ID Lipos which are only compatible with Traxxas ID chargers. Traxxas has not licensed other brands to manufacture adapters. If you look for adapters online, you will certainly find counterfeits, but be careful, the quality of the connection is not guaranteed.

How to take care of your Lipo

Cell balance

A LiPo battery is said to be balanced when each cell is charged to the same voltage. Balancing your cells will extend the operating time of your battery with each use but also its overall lifespan. The low voltage detection on all Traxxas ESCs is designed to alert you when the battery voltage drops below 3.2 volts per cell; however, it only reads the total pack voltage and not the individual cell voltage.

For example, if you plug a 3-cell LiPo into your ESC, it will warn you if the battery voltage drops below 9.6 volts (3.2 x 3 = 9.6). But if your battery isn't balanced, those 9.6 volts could actually represent voltages of 3.3v, 3.3v, and 3.0v for the individual cells. The 3.0v cell has been over-discharged, reducing the life of the battery pack. Balancing the charge of your Lipos ensures that all cells are charged to the same level, so that the overall voltage is evenly distributed between each cell.

Maintaining your batteries

Inspect your Lipos after each use to ensure they have not been damaged. Store your batteries in a cool, dry place. If you used LiPo batteries in your vehicle until low voltage detection activated, your batteries cannot be left in this discharged state. If you plan to reuse the LiPo batteries that day, charge them as normal, otherwise, use the "Store" mode on your Traxxas charger to prepare them for storage . To ensure that your batteries remain efficient and last a long time, we advise you to place your batteries in "Store" mode once a month.

Lipo safety

Millions of devices containing lithium batteries are used daily in devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones and flashlights. LiPo batteries are safe and stable as long as caution and common sense are used. However, LiPo batteries can be dangerous if misused or mishandled. Specifically, shorting or puncturing a LiPo can result in a fire. Overcharging, overdischarging, or improperly charging a LiPo battery can damage or destroy it. Always use a specific charger for LiPo batteries .

Caution : In rare cases, a hidden defect or damage in a LiPo battery or a malfunction with a charger can cause the battery to short circuit or overcharge and create a fire. For this reason, we recommend always charging LiPo batteries in a fireproof container, away from flammable materials and surfaces.

Traxxas Multi-Function Chargers Buying Guide

The Ez-Peak Plus charger

Batteries charged at the same time: 1
Number of Nimh elements: 4 to 8
Number of Lipo cells: 2S to 3S
Charging current: 1Ah to 4Ah
Charger control via Ez-Peak Live app: No
Bluetooth connection: No

You can purchase the Traxxas Ez-Peak Plus charger here:

Ez-Peak Live
Ez-Peak Plus + 1x Lipo 11.1V 4000mah (compatible 4-Tec VXL, Bandit VXL, Maxx, Rustler 4x4, Ruslter VXL, Slash VXL, Stampede 4x4, Stampede VXL, TRX-4, TRX-6)
Ez-Peak Plus + 1x Lipo 7.4V 5800mah (compatible 4-Tec, 4-Tec VXL, Bandit VXL, Bandit, Bigfoot, Ford F-150, Ford Fiesta, Ford GT, Ford Mustang GT, Rustler 4x4, Rustler VXL 4x4 , Ruslter VXL Rustler, Slash 2WD, Slash 4x4, Slash 4x4 VXL, Slash VXL, Slash, Stampede 4x4, Stampede 4x4 VXL, Stampede VXL, Stampede, TRX-4, TRX-6)

The Ez-Peak Dual Charger

Batteries charged at the same time: 2
Number of Nimh elements: 5 to 8
Number of Lipo cells: 2S to 3S
Charging current: 1Ah to 4Ah (double charge) and 5 to 8Ah (single charge)
Charger control via Ez-Peak Live app: No
Bluetooth connection: No

You can purchase the Traxxas Ez-Peak Plus Dual charger here:

Ez-Peak Plus Dual
Ez-Peak Plus Dual + 2x Lipo 11.1V 5000mah (compatible 4-Tec VXL, DCB M41, E-Revo VXL, Maxx, Slash 4x4, Slash 4x4 VXL, Spartan, TRX-4, TRX-6, Unlimited Desert Racer, -Maxx, XO-1)
Ez-Peak Plus Dual + 2x Lipo 7.4V 7600mah (compatible with Traxxas E-Revo/Brushless, Traxxas Slash, Traxxas Slash 2WD, Traxxas Slash 4x4, Traxxas E-Maxx/Brushless, Traxxas XO-1, Traxxas Spartan, Traxxas XMaxx)