Overview
Experience the next generation of intelligent LiPo battery technology with the Spektrum SPM 5000mAh 3S 11.1V SMART G2 30C IC5 battery. Designed for drivers and pilots who demand reliability, ease of use, and superior performance, this hardcase LiPo represents a significant advancement in battery management for RC cars UK and aircraft enthusiasts alike. The Spektrum SMART G2 series brings revolutionary features that make charging, monitoring, and maintaining your RC batteries simpler and safer than ever before, eliminating the complexity that has traditionally surrounded LiPo battery management.
Whether you're a seasoned RC competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, this 5000mAh capacity battery delivers the power and runtime you need for extended play sessions. With its innovative Generation 2 technology, integrated microchip memory, and automatic smart charging capabilities, the SPM 5000mAh battery practically takes care of itself. The hardcase construction ensures durability and protection during transport and storage, making it an essential addition to any RC enthusiast's battery collection. This battery is compatible with all Spektrum SMART chargers and eliminates the need for separate balance leads, making it one of the most user-friendly LiPo batteries available on the UK RC market today.
The 11.1V nominal voltage (3S LiPo configuration) and impressive 30C continuous discharge rating provide the perfect balance of power delivery and longevity for a wide range of RC applications. The IC5 connector delivers solid connections with higher heat resistance and effortless installation, whilst remaining backwards compatible with older EC5 systems. This battery represents the pinnacle of intelligent battery technology, combining safety, convenience, and performance in one compact, reliable package.
Key Features
- Single IC5 Connection Balance Charging — The revolutionary SMART G2 technology allows you to balance charge your battery through the IC5 connector's integrated data wire, completely eliminating the need for a separate balance lead. This simplifies your charging setup, reduces clutter, and makes the charging process faster and more intuitive than traditional balance-charging methods.
- Automatic Smart Storage Discharge — The battery comes factory-programmed to automatically discharge itself to a safe storage voltage of 3.90V per cell after just 72 hours of inactivity. This intelligent feature ensures your battery maintains optimal health during storage, extends overall battery lifespan, delivers better performance over time, and gives you complete peace of mind knowing your investment is protected without any manual intervention required.
- Three Times Faster Auto Discharge — Compared to the previous G1 Smart batteries, the G2 generation offers significantly faster automatic storage discharge at rates up to 1.5A, meaning your battery reaches safe storage voltage much more quickly and efficiently, reducing the risk of cell damage from extended high voltage storage.
- Enhanced Cell Protection with Metal Side Plates — The hardcase construction incorporates thicker internal metal side plates that significantly improve heat dissipation during charging and discharging cycles. These reinforced plates also provide superior protection against punctures and impact damage during rough landings or collision-prone RC driving scenarios, extending the working life of your cells.
- Integrated Memory Microchip — Every SMART G2 battery contains a sophisticated microchip that stores comprehensive data about your battery, including brand, chemistry, cell count, capacity, C-rating, voltage readings, temperature data, internal resistance, charge cycles, and discharge cycles. The chip also maintains a detailed error log tracking over-charge, over-discharge, and over-temperature incidents, helping you make informed decisions about battery maintenance and replacement.
- Automatic Parameter Upload to Smart Chargers — When you connect your SMART G2 battery to any Spektrum SMART charger, the battery's unique charging parameters, health data, and balancing information automatically upload from the integrated microchip. The charger then applies these preset parameters automatically, meaning you simply connect the battery and charging begins — no manual configuration needed.
- Customisable Auto Storage Settings — Whilst the factory default of 3.90V per cell at 72 hours is perfect for most users, you have complete flexibility to adjust auto storage settings based on your personal preferences and specific RC application requirements through your compatible SMART charger.
- Backwards Compatible Connectors — The IC5 connector is fully backwards compatible with older EC5 style connectors, allowing you to use this advanced SMART G2 battery with legacy RC systems, providing flexibility and protecting your investment in older equipment.
- User-Customisable Charge Rates — Whilst the battery automatically communicates its recommended 5C charge rate to your SMART charger, you can manually adjust charge rates to suit your specific needs. The battery's microchip remembers your custom settings, automatically applying them the next time you connect for charging.
- Hardcase Construction for Durability — Unlike soft-case LiPo batteries, the hardcase construction of this SPM battery provides superior protection against crushing, punctures, and physical damage during transport, storage, and use in RC vehicles.
- Complete Data Logging for Performance Monitoring — Track every aspect of your battery's history including total charge cycles, discharge cycles, temperature readings, and all unhealthy events. This comprehensive data logging helps you optimise battery use and identify when replacement may be necessary.
Technical Performance
The Spektrum SPM 5000mAh 3S SMART G2 battery delivers impressive technical specifications engineered for serious RC enthusiasts. The 11.1V nominal voltage (3.7V per cell × 3 cells) provides excellent power delivery across a wide range of RC applications, whilst the 5000mAh capacity offers substantial runtime for extended play sessions. The 30C continuous discharge rating indicates this battery can safely deliver 150 amps of continuous current, making it suitable for high-demand applications including speed runs, racing, and aggressive driving. The maximum burst discharge capability also reaches 30C for peak performance during acceleration and high-throttle manoeuvres. The battery supports a 5C maximum charge rate (25 amps), meaning a full recharge from empty takes approximately 60 minutes with standard charging, though this can be customised through compatible SMART chargers. The integrated 12 AWG wire gauge provides adequate current handling with minimal voltage drop during high-drain scenarios. Measuring 138mm in length, 46mm in width, and 35mm in height, the battery offers a compact form factor suitable for most modern RC vehicles whilst maintaining a robust 430-gram weight that provides excellent power-to-weight ratio. The 55.5 watt-hour energy capacity delivers balanced performance for both electric cars and aircraft. Thicker internal metal side plates provide superior thermal management, dissipating heat generated during rapid charging or high-current discharge cycles, which extends cell life and maintains performance consistency. The hardcase design ensures structural integrity during transport and storage, protecting the internal cells from physical damage. This is a LiPo (Lithium Polymer) chemistry battery, the industry standard for RC applications due to superior energy density and discharge characteristics. Spektrum SMART chargers are required to fully utilise all intelligent features of this battery, though it can be charged with other LiPo-compatible chargers if SMART features are not needed.
What's in the Box
- Spektrum SPM 5000mAh 3S 11.1V SMART G2 30C Hardcase LiPo Battery with IC5 Connector
- Integrated microchip with factory-programmed parameters
What You Need to Complete
- Spektrum SMART Charger (required for full SMART G2 functionality and automatic parameter upload)
- LiPo battery charging bag or storage case (recommended for safety and organisation)
- RC vehicle or aircraft compatible with 3S 11.1V LiPo batteries
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a special charger for the Spektrum SMART G2 battery? — Yes, a Spektrum SMART charger is required to take full advantage of all SMART G2 features including automatic parameter upload, balance charging through the IC5 connector, and customisable charging rates. Whilst the battery can technically be charged with other LiPo chargers, you would lose all intelligent features and would need to manually configure charging parameters. For the best experience and to protect your investment, a compatible SMART charger is essential.
- What makes the SMART G2 battery better than standard LiPo batteries? — The SMART G2 technology revolutionises LiPo battery management through automatic intelligence. Standard batteries require manual balance lead connections, manual charging parameter entry, and careful monitoring. The SMART G2 eliminates all this complexity with single-connection charging, automatic parameter upload, integrated health monitoring, and automatic storage discharge that protects your battery when not in use. The microchip stores comprehensive data about your battery's health and history, helping you optimise performance and predict maintenance needs.
- How long does the automatic storage discharge take? — The SMART G2 battery automatically discharges to safe storage voltage (3.90V per cell) at rates up to 1.5A. For a 5000mAh battery, this typically takes several hours depending on current charge level. The factory default is 72 hours of inactivity before discharge begins, giving you plenty of time between uses before automatic discharge activates. This timing can be customised through your SMART charger if desired.
- Is this battery suitable for beginners? — Absolutely. The SMART G2 battery is ideal for beginners because it eliminates the complexity that intimidates new RC enthusiasts. There's no need to understand balance charging, calculate charge rates, or worry about storage voltage — the battery handles all of this automatically. Simply connect to your SMART charger and charging begins. The integrated safety features, including over-charge and over-discharge protection, make this one of the safest batteries for newcomers to the hobby.
- What is the difference between the IC5 connector and IC3? — The IC5 and IC3 refer to the physical connector size and current rating. The IC5 connector in this battery is larger and rated for higher current applications, making it suitable for high-power RC vehicles and aircraft. IC3 connectors are smaller and suited for lower-power applications. Both use the same SMART G2 technology and data transmission through the connector's data wire, but the IC5 variant like this one handles higher discharge rates and larger capacity batteries.
- Can I use this battery with my older RC equipment? — The IC5 connector is backwards compatible with older EC5 style connectors, so you can physically connect this battery to legacy equipment. However, to use the SMART features including automatic balance charging and parameter upload, you'll need a Spektrum SMART charger. If you're using only the battery's power output without SMART features, it functions as a standard 3S LiPo with any EC5-compatible RC vehicle, though you'll lose all the intelligent advantages.
- How many charge cycles can this battery handle? — The integrated microchip tracks charge cycles throughout the battery's life. With proper care and regular use of automatic storage discharge (which significantly extends lifespan), a quality LiPo battery typically handles 200-500+ charge cycles before capacity noticeably degrades. The SMART G2 features, particularly the automatic discharge to safe storage voltage and comprehensive health monitoring, help maximise the number of usable cycles by preventing the damage that occurs from long-term high-voltage storage.
- What does the error log on the microchip tell me? — The microchip maintains records of over-charge, over-discharge, and over-temperature events. These errors typically occur from charging mistakes, extreme environmental conditions, or physical damage. By monitoring this error log through your SMART charger, you can identify if a battery is experiencing repeated problems, indicating potential damage or degradation. A battery with numerous errors may need replacement or restricted use, whilst a clean error log indicates a healthy battery in good condition.
- Is 5000mAh enough runtime for my RC car? — Runtime depends on several factors including your vehicle's current draw, throttle usage, and driving style. A 5000mAh battery typically provides 15-30 minutes of runtime for high-speed RC cars, and considerably longer for slower-paced applications. The 30C rating means this battery can supply up to 150 amps continuously, making it suitable for demanding high-performance vehicles. If you need longer sessions, purchasing a second 5000mAh battery and rotating between them (with smart auto-discharge between uses) is a popular solution among RC enthusiasts.
- What is the warranty on this SMART G2 battery? — Whilst specific warranty information isn't detailed in the product specifications provided, Spektrum products typically carry manufacturer warranty protection. For exact warranty terms and conditions, contact RC Model Shop or consult the official Spektrum documentation included with your purchase.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the SPM 5000mAh 3S 11.1V SMART G2 30C IC5 battery today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
