Maxamps.Com 9000XL 3S LiPo

This article was originally published in RC Driver’s June 2016 issue.

By Paul Onorato

The massive Traxxas X-Maxx monster truck is an incredibly fun truck to bash with due to its giant, go anywhere size, unstoppable 4WD drivetrain and gobs of power and speed. Where can you improve on this package? Runtime. MaxAmps.com has released a pair of its 9000XL 3S 11.1V LiPo battery packs which will give you a claimed runtime of 36 minutes while still holding voltage under load to keep performance at its max.

The white and bright orange flame shrink-wrapped MaxAmps 9000XL 3S LiPo packs are big with each measuring approximately 6.5-inches long and 1.5-inches tall to accommodate all the capacity that it holds inside. This large size also means that they bring some heft, where they together weigh nearly three pounds. This is twenty ounces more than the two Traxxas Power Cell 3S 5000mAh LiPo battery packs that I typically run in my X-Maxx. Yes, this is a lot of added mass, but it is an acceptable trade off to gain some serious runtime. Besides, the gigantic X-Maxx will barely ‘feel’ the extra weight.

Like the majority of the battery packs sold by MaxAmps, you have the option to select the type of connector to suit your exact needs and you can choose to have it in a hard case for an additional $19.99. Each of the packs I tested were equipped with a JST-XH balancing tap and a Traxxas High Current connector which makes for a simple plug and play arrangement with the VXL-6s speed control in the X-Maxx.

The MaxAmps 9000XL LiPo packs sit securely in the chassis and in order to utilize the well designed battery retention system of the X-Maxx, the two battery spacers had to be removed from the upper hold downs. The spacers simply unsnap from the hold downs and once removed the 9000XL LiPos fit perfectly nice and snug. Along with the precise fit in the chassis, I also really like that MaxAmps manufactures these battery packs with custom wiring to fit the battery compartment of the X-Maxx. There is a left side pack and a right side pack.

According to MaxAmps, they claim an average runtime of 36 minutes using the 9000XL packs. For me, I was getting around 30 minutes of runtime which is still impressive. Plus, this runtime is more than double of what I get when running two Power Cell 5000 LiPo packs. (Keep in mind that your runtime will vary with the MaxAmps 9000XL packs depending on the type of surface you are running on, your driving style, the condition of your truck and even air temperature.) After a run, I found the battery packs and speed control were always cool to the touch, but the heatsink on the motor was blazing hot. This is something to be expected when you run a truck as big and powerful as the X-Maxx. The extended runtime allows the heat to build up, but it never got to the point where the thermal shutdown protection of the X-Maxx kicked in and powered it down to keep the components protected. I have very happy with these packs!

LINKS
MaxAmps.com, maxamps.com, (888) 654-4450
Traxxas, traxxas.com, (888) 872-9927