Thinking about boosting the performance of your Matco Tools Rock Rover RC car by upgrading its battery? You’re not alone. Many RC car enthusiasts consider battery upgrades to get more power and longer run times from their vehicles. Let’s dive into whether swapping out the stock battery in your Rock Rover is a good idea, exploring the potential benefits and drawbacks.
Understanding Your Rock Rover’s Power System
The Matco Tools Rock Rover, like many toy-grade RC cars, is designed for fun straight out of the box. These types of RC vehicles often come with simpler power systems compared to hobby-grade models. They typically use AA batteries or sometimes a basic Li-Ion battery pack. The key difference lies in the tunability and robustness of the components.
One user shared their experience with a similar amphibious RC car, highlighting its resemblance to the Rock Rover. They noted, “The only difference I see is that I have 4 wheel steering and it was a bit more expensive. (But then the video on the site suggests 4 wheel steering as well) But everything else looks the same. Even the transmitter.” This suggests a common design approach for this category of RC cars.
Alt: Toy-grade amphibious RC car similar to Matco Tools Rock Rover, showcasing sealed waterproof design.
The original poster inquired about battery types, “Do you have the version with the LiIon battery or the AAs?” This is a crucial question when considering upgrades. AA battery versions are usually limited in power and runtime, while Li-Ion versions offer better performance but might still be basic compared to hobby-grade setups.
The Temptation of More Power: Battery Upgrades
The idea of simply dropping in a higher voltage battery to get more speed and power is tempting. However, with toy-grade RC cars like the Rock Rover, it’s not always that straightforward.
As the experienced user cautioned, “A higher voltage might indeed destroy the electronics.” This is a critical point. Toy-grade RC cars are often built with electronics that are just sufficient for the stock power. Increasing the voltage can overload and damage components like motors, speed controllers, and even the receiver.
Alt: Close-up of an RC car battery compartment, illustrating space constraints for battery upgrades.
Furthermore, physical limitations come into play. “Apart from the fact that you would need more space in the battery compartment. Which you might not have, unless you give up the waterproofness.” The Rock Rover, being amphibious, is likely tightly sealed. Larger, higher-capacity batteries might not fit without modifying the battery compartment, potentially compromising its waterproof seal.
Motor and Gear Considerations
Thinking beyond just the battery, upgrading the motor or gears for more speed might also cross your mind. The user in the original post considered this, “Change of motor or pinion/gear: You would need to take front and rear motor apart and change it there. Provided that you will find ones that fit.”
This highlights the challenge of finding compatible aftermarket parts for toy-grade RC cars. Unlike hobby-grade models with standardized components and readily available upgrades, toy-grade cars often use proprietary parts. Finding motors or gears that fit and are compatible with the existing electronics can be difficult, if not impossible.
Alt: Internal view of an RC car motor and gearbox assembly, showing complexity of component replacement.
Even if you manage to find parts, the effort might outweigh the benefits. “At the end you might spent more than it is worth and if something doesn’t work afterwards, you get some unwanted tears from your son.” The risk of damaging the RC car during modification and the potential for disappointment if it doesn’t work as expected are real concerns, especially if the car is for a child.
The Hobby Grade Alternative
The experienced user in the original post ultimately steered away from modifying their son’s amphibious RC car and towards a hobby-grade option. “I left my sons amphibious car as it is and went on to get him a hobby grade RC car –> FTX Mauler.”
Alt: Hobby-grade FTX Mauler RC car, demonstrating robust construction and upgrade potential.
Hobby-grade RC cars like the FTX Mauler are designed for performance and customization from the ground up. They feature more powerful motors, sophisticated electronics, and durable components. Crucially, they are also designed to be easily upgraded and repaired, with a wide range of aftermarket parts available.
The user’s advice is clear: “In my opinion, toy grades cars work the way they are and should stay that way. That’s why I rather consider them a waste of money today.” While toy-grade RC cars offer initial fun, their limitations become apparent when you seek more performance or durability.
A Better Long-Term Approach
Instead of investing time and potentially money into risky modifications of your Matco Tools Rock Rover Rc Car Battery and overall system, consider the benefits of transitioning to a hobby-grade RC car. While the initial cost might be higher, the long-term value, performance, and upgradeability are significantly greater.
“My son was 7 when he got the FTX Mauler. I believe your son could easily handle a hobby grade car already. Kids have an amazing learning ability. ( I don’t trust anymore statements like 8+, 10+, etc) And both of you can have fun fixing/tuning it.” Hobby-grade RC cars offer a fantastic opportunity for learning, tinkering, and enjoying a more engaging and rewarding RC experience, for both kids and adults. Plus, you’ll find a wealth of support and advice within the RC hobby community to help you along the way.
