Your electric RC helicopter power system is a combination of battery, speed controller, and the motor that drives your gearbox and rotor blades.

The battery supplies the power. RC helicopters have used Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) packs, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) packs, and the newer, lighter, and more powerful Lithium Polymer (LiPo or LiPoly) battery packs. All of these are rechargeable and can be used over and over.

The electronic speed controller (ESC) is the component that interprets the control signal coming out of you radio receiver (RX) and passes battery power to the motor to make it run at the speed you want. Speed controls are available for brushed motors with two motor wires, or for newer brushless motors with three motor wires.

The motor is the final component that converts the electric power to mechanical power. Brushed motors are less expensive, but less powerful. High performance helicopters tend to use newer brushless motors.

An example of a compatible RC helicopter electric power system is:

• LiPoly Battery: Thunder Power Pro Lite 3s1320
• Brushless ESC: Castle Creations Phoenix 45
  
• Brushless Motor: Hacker A20-6XL RC Helicopter Motor