The Traxxas E-Revo is a pretty flexible truck when it comes to power sources. Out of the box, it can use 7.2v or 8.4v NiMh packs, but I’m fast becoming a LiPo convert, so I wanted to use LiPo with my E-Revo. Here’s how I did it.

First things first – out of the box, the normal E-Revo isn’t really suitable for LiPo batteries. The thing with LiPo batteries is that you musn’t let them discharge too much, unlike NiMh batteries which you can just keep using until they run down. If a LiPo battery drops below a certain voltage, it’s had it. Anyway, usually if you’re using LiPo you need an ESC which has “low voltage protection” built into it – this means the ESC will monitor the batteries, and when they start to get low it will shut down before they can be damaged. The E-Revo’s standard ESC, the Traxxas EVX-2, doesn’t have this feature, but fortunately, you can add it on yourself.

All you need is a “Novak Smart Stop LiPo Cut-off Module”, some Traxxas battery connectors and a bit of soldering, and you’re done. What you need to do is create a cable to connect the Smart Stop between one of the batteries and the ESC. I simply copied the photo that can be found in this thread over on the Traxxas forums. Then plug the ESC’s receiver cable into the Smart Stop, and the Smart Stop’s cable into the receiver instead, and you’re done.

You can now connect LiPo batteries quite happily, and when they start getting low, the car will “judder” as the Smart Stop interrupts the power. There’s also a bright blue LED that will start flashing.

Now all you need to do is pick up some cheap LiPos off the net and you’re away!