New to 3s batteries

[JpSonoma]

As the title says, I'm new to 3s lipo batteries. Not new to lipos, just new to running 3s.
I've been running 2s 5000 mah batteries in my on-road cars, as well as my crawlers, pretty straightforward. 5000 mah gives me a few hours of runtime in my crawlers, it's been great but I keep reading how everyone is running 3s lipos in their crawlers for some increased wheel speed etc.
Now for my question, and I've tried searching for my answer to no avail.
I always wondered how people were fitting these giant batteries in their rigs, but then I see the pictures they post and these batteries are tiny! I know a 3s is thicker than a 2s but I assumed the length and width would be the same. Obviously I was wrong. I notice people running a lot lower mah than I would have thought, like 1300 -1600. I realize your giving up runtime for a smaller battery.
Can I run ANY 3s battery as long as the C rating is sufficient? I search for 1500 -2000 mah 3s battery's and all I seem to find are for aircraft, are these ok to use? Am I missing something? I'm ready to pull the trigger and buy some but I always stop because I feel like I'm overseeing something that will make these not work in my application.

I was looking at these recently,
TowerHobbies.com | Venom LiPo 3S 11.1V 2100mAh 20C UNI Park Zone

[ssdub33]

#1 thing is are your electronics 3s capable

If they are u can run whatever u want it all comes down to how much money would u like to spend for a battery I buy turnigy 3s nano tech packs in 1300-2000mah ranges with a c rating of no lower than 30/60c and I've never had a problem and the turnigy batteries are only about $15 plus $6 shipping if u order from their US warehouse and they come quick I usually order a couple batteries at a time but back on topic u can buy any 3s Lipo as long as its not a transmitter battery and again all depends on what u want to spend u can spend $15 or $75 all about budget and what electronics you're running and just for fun or for comps

[Colgout]

Crawler never draw high amp like go fast car. A 2100mah 3s battery will last me an hour or so on my scaler for a trail run and that's plenty for me.

Being soft case they are fine because they travel at low speed and the battery will not get damaged by collision, so hard case are not really necessary.

I second to nano-tech battery too. They are great and good price.

[JpSonoma]

Ok, thanks guys. That's kind of what I figured but its always nice to hear people confirm what I'm thinking.

As far as electronics I'm running an FXR so it's 3s capable, I'm pretty sure my motor is a 55t at the moment too.
So is a 20c rating too low in a crawler?

[micro racer]

20c is about right for crawling. The minimum capacity I would go to is 2000mah or a little higher. 20c times 2000mah equals 40 amp burst current. I wouldn't go lower unless you seriously up the capacity. 10c times 5000mah equals 50 amp burst.

NOTE: I hooked my truck up to a multi meter and got a maximum 40 amps on start-up with full throttle.. POINT: Don't go with anything that gives you less than about 50 amps burst.

What type of rig are you running this in?

[JpSonoma]

This is going in an scx-10. I'm not doing anything super competitive, mostly just trail running and having fun. Would like to see how a 3s performs. Like I said I've always been a 2s guy so I thought I would get a little insight before I buy.

[greggreg2011]

i just made the 3s from 2s swap maybe 2 mos ago and dont see using 2s anymore in my future (at least for esc power that is) small compact and it is a noticeable wheel speed and punch difference. 2s 5000mah 20c may last almost 4 hrs at a time but it is worth the battery swap every hour to use the compact 3s 1500mah 30 or 40c packs imo.

[KJ10]

I use a 5000mah 35C 3S. Crawls for hours. Never killed it in my SCX. The Slash, on the other hand... maybe 20 minutes... but, 88mph!!!

[Charlie-III]

Comp rigs tend to use small packs (lower mah/capacity) as they are easier to fit in a tight rig.

But, as the mah goes down, the "C" MUST go up to give you the "punch" needed.

On a 5000mah pack, a 20C rating is fine (as mentioned). In a 325mah pack you need a higher "C" rating.

To get some idea of relative sizes, check out www.CheapBatteryPacks.com .

[TacoCrawler]

I have three of the 2100mah 20C Venom LiPo "flight pack" (s)

Four originally... but one burst and caught fire.
I may have charged it at too high of amperage...
or possibly it just failed internally. :dunno:

I always have two mounted on board.
saddle pak style, mounted to each of the slider mounts.
They power the rig... as well as act as weight ballast.
These are hooked up individually when used.
And I have no interest in combining them.

The Venom FP's came with an adapter for several plug designs.
I prefer and utilize the Dean's connector adapter.

I also have one Hobby People 2200mah 30C LiPo.
Was a last minute replacement for the failed Venom LiPo pak.

Was cheaper then the Venom and works equally well.
Came with a Dean's plug already installed.

I really can't tell the difference between the 20C or 30C rating.

Doubt I'll ever use my 2S 5000mah in the SCX-10 again...

sooo...
stuck that 5000mah 2S LiPo in my old skool ae B2 (w old skool TX/RX, esc.)
and dang...
nearly the same power as the old skool 7 cell nicads of yesteryear
But much longer run times

[Jus]

My favorite "small" packs for my scale trucks are Thunder Power 2250mah 3s 45c. They offer plenty of punch in a small lightweight size and depending on the rig and my mood (throttle application lol) I get 1-3 hours on a pack.

[jado6006]

I have a few 1100mah 25c 3s packs for my berg, work great. But i also have a tiny 400mah 35c pack for backup. With a dinky pack like that, the c rating must be higher. Still a trip to see a pack the size of a 9v power a comp crawler tho.

[Calderwood]

Don't waste your money on those venom packs. You could have 2 better nano-techs for the price of on of those venoms. I run 350mah in the comp rigs, 1000mah in the class 1 and 2200mah in the wraith.

[Meatwad]

Nano tech 35-70c 1300mah in the c2 and 2200mah in the wraith here. The smaller packs are nice being that crawlers in general have real estate at a premium. The extra rpm's and lower gear ratios are nice for efficiency.