I tested a Turnigy Rapid 5000mAh 100C softcase battery pack for the first time after requests from viewers. This pack promises high performance at 100C, but real-world results often differ from advertised specifications. To standardize the test, I soldered my usual connectors, AS150’s, to ensure consistency across all battery tests.
What makes it unique
The Turnigy Rapid 5000mAh 100C LiPo stands out from other batteries in several ways:
- Part of Turnigy’s new Rapid line – This is a recently introduced series designed for high-discharge, high-performance applications, distinct from their Graphene or G-series packs.
- Softcase design – Unlike traditional hardcase packs, this battery is lightweight, easier to handle, and better suited for compact builds.
- Advertised 100C rating – On paper, this pack can deliver extremely high current, making it appealing for aggressive setups and high-demand applications.
Internal Resistance
I measured internal resistance at the one-minute mark of charging (1.5C charge rate = 7.5 amps) to get readings before the pack heats up. Values ranged from 5.8 to 7.2 milliohms, averaging 6.58 milliohms across all eight cells.
Using the RC LiPo calculator, this translates to a real-world C rating of 13.8C—far below the advertised 100C. The maximum continuous current calculated for this pack is 69 amps, showing that the pack delivers only about 14% of its claimed C rating. This is one of the lowest-performing packs I’ve tested in terms of internal resistance.
Load Test
Under a 105-amp load test, the Turnigy Rapid 5000mAh pack reached voltage cut-off quickly, limiting total usable capacity under an aggressive load:
- Milliamp-hour depleted: 2186mAh
- Milliamp-hour to 3.5V: 66mAh (in ~2.6 seconds)
- Voltage at 10 seconds: 3.39V (much lower than comparable packs like Graphene or CNHL)
- Energy per cell: 443.1 Watt-minutes
- Average cell wattage: 315 W
Compared to other 5000mAh packs (Graphene 70C and CNHL G+ 70C), this Rapid pack underperformed significantly. The voltage dropped quickly under load, and the total energy extracted per cell was far below competing packs.
Performance Summary
The Turnigy Rapid 5000mAh 100C pack did not meet its advertised performance. Internal resistance was high, real C rating was extremely low, and load performance was weak. While advertised as a high-discharge battery, it is one of the poorest-performing 5000mAh packs I have tested in terms of both internal resistance and usable capacity under load.
Practical Implications
This battery is not suitable for high-demand RC applications, especially where sustained high current is required. It may still work in lower-demand setups, but the difference between its advertised 100C and real-world 13.8C makes it unsuitable for aggressive applications.
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