Best Battery Upgrade for Redcat Ascent 18 Scout II Brushless – CNHL MiniStar 900mAh 2S

The Redcat Ascent 18 Scout II Brushless Among mini crawlers, it’s the kind that surprises you—small enough to run on a coffee table, yet still confident crawling over roots and rocks like its bigger cousins. It comes ready-to-run with a 750mAh 2S LiPo, JST connector, and a reliable brushless power system. The stock pack will get you moving, sure—but after a few runs, you start wishing it could hang in there just a little longer, many owners quickly find themselves craving more runtime and a battery that can keep up with longer sessions on the rocks.

Why Consider a Battery Upgrade?

The Ascent 18’s stock 750mAh battery offers decent performance, but if you enjoy extended crawling sessions or plan to run multiple obstacle lines, you’ll notice the runtime limit. A slightly larger capacity can give you that extra edge without affecting fitment or weight balance.

Meet the CNHL MiniStar 900mAh 2S LiPo

The CNHL MiniStar 900mAh 7.4V 2S 30C LiPo feels like it was made with the Ascent 18 Scout II Brushless in mind—right down to the connector options and tray fit. With its compact dimensions (approx. 30 × 12 × 55mm) and dual PH2.0 & JST connectors, it slots right in without modification. The 900mAh capacity gives you those extra minutes on the trail without dulling the throttle snap or making the steering feel lazy.

• Capacity: 900mAh (vs 750mAh stock)
• Voltage: 7.4V / 2S
• Discharge Rate: 30C continuous / 60C burst
• Connectors: PH2.0 & JST
• Weight: ~39g

Performance Gains You Can Feel

In testing, the CNHL MiniStar 900mAh provided around 20–25% longer runtime compared to the stock pack. You’ll spend more time picking your lines and conquering climbs, and a lot less time fumbling for a fresh pack. The 30C discharge rating also keeps the power flowing smoothly when you’re halfway up a climb or easing over a ledge, whether you’re tackling steep inclines or navigating tight turns.

Stock vs. Upgrade – Quick Comparison

Installation & Compatibility

Swapping to the CNHL MiniStar is straightforward. Simply remove the stock pack, connect the JST plug, and secure the battery in the stock tray. It drops right in—no trimming, no tweaking—just plug it in and get back on the trail. The dual-connector design also gives you flexibility if you plan to use the battery in other small-scale RCs.

Pro Tips for Longer Battery Life

• Avoid running the battery to full depletion—stop when you notice a drop in performance.
• Balance charge whenever possible for maximum cell health.
• Store the battery at 3.8V per cell if you won’t be using it for over a week.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to get more from your Redcat Ascent 18 Scout II Brushless without adding unnecessary weight, the CNHL MiniStar 900mAh 2S is the perfect upgrade. It offers longer runtime, the kind of performance that lets you finish a trail loop without swapping packs, and it drops into place without a fight. After a few runs with this pack, you’ll start to wonder how you ever put up with the stock one.

The same upgrade also fits right into the Redcat Ascent 18 APEX, Redcat’s latest 1/18-scale evolution of the Ascent platform. Whether you’re running the Scout II body or the new APEX chassis, this 900mAh 2S LiPo keeps the brushless setup balanced, responsive, and ready for longer trail sessions.

FAQ

Will the CNHL MiniStar 900mAh 2S fit without modifications?
Yes—at roughly 30 × 12 × 55mm, it’s almost a twin to the stock pack, so it slides into the Ascent-18 tray without you having to shave a millimeter.

Is 30C enough for a brushless Ascent 18 crawler?
Yes. Crawling draws are moderate compared to high-speed bashing. The 30C continuous (60C burst) rating provides stable power for steep climbs and technical lines.

What connectors come with this battery?
The pack includes dual outputs: PH2.0 and JST. For the Ascent 18 Scout II Brushless, use the JST lead for a direct plug-in.

How much extra runtime can I expect?
Compared to the stock 750mAh pack, most users see around 20–25% longer runtime, depending on terrain, driving style, and ambient temperature.

Any charging and storage tips?
Balance-charge whenever possible, avoid running the pack to full depletion, and store at ~3.8V per cell if idle for a week or more.