What Battery Does the HobbyKing Hall Cherokee V2 Use?
The HobbyKing Hall Cherokee V2 is a 1700mm powered sailplane designed for a 3S battery system. HobbyKing’s reference setup calls for a 2200mAh 3S shorty LiPo battery, making 2200mAh the most natural starting point for pilots who want to stay close to the intended weight, balance and power configuration.
The aircraft uses a compact retractable pusher motor system rather than the EDF arrangement found on the earlier Cherokee V1. Its 3S power system provides enough thrust for powered climbs before the motor pod folds back down for gliding, so the battery does not need to be sized like a continuously powered sport airplane.
Why Shorty Battery Size Matters in the Hall Cherokee V2
Although the Cherokee V2 has a relatively large fuselage profile, the usable battery and electronics compartment is narrow. Flight reviews consistently show that the battery must share space with the receiver, ESC, servos and wiring, making actual pack dimensions especially important.
A compact battery also gives the pilot more freedom to move the pack forward when setting the center of gravity. HobbyKing specifies a CG range of approximately 60–65mm behind the wing-root leading edge, and several flight tests have shown that the Cherokee becomes more sensitive when the balance moves too far aft.
This is why choosing a Hall Cherokee V2 battery by capacity alone is not enough. A physically smaller pack that can be positioned correctly may be a better practical choice than a larger battery that technically has the right voltage but crowds the battery bay or limits CG adjustment.
CNHL Black Series 2200mAh 3S – Best All-Round Cherokee V2 Setup
The CNHL Black Series 2200mAh 11.1V 3S LiPo is the closest match to the Hall Cherokee V2’s factory-recommended capacity and is the strongest starting point for most pilots. The 2200mAh class offers a practical balance between installed weight, powered climb duration and usable soaring time without moving far away from HobbyKing’s intended configuration.
For pilots searching for a 2200mAh battery for the HobbyKing Hall Cherokee V2, this is the most straightforward capacity choice in the collection. Final installation should still be checked for battery position, wire routing and the 60–65mm CG range before the first flight.
CNHL Black Series V2.0 1500mAh 3S – A Lighter Battery Option
The CNHL Black Series V2.0 1500mAh 11.1V 3S provides a lower-capacity alternative for Cherokee V2 pilots who want to reduce installed battery weight. Smaller 3S packs have also been successfully flown in the Cherokee platform, showing that 2200mAh is the reference recommendation rather than the only possible capacity.
A lighter battery can be particularly interesting for pilots who spend more time gliding after each powered climb, but lower weight does not automatically mean better balance. Because battery mass and position work together, always move the pack as required and verify the final CG before launch.
CNHL Lightning LiHV 2400mAh 3S – More Capacity in a Compact Setup
The CNHL Lightning LiHV 2400mAh 11.4V 3S gives Cherokee V2 pilots another compact battery direction when slightly more capacity is preferred. Its 2400mAh capacity sits close to the factory 2200mAh reference while providing additional stored energy for pilots who want more flexibility between powered climbs.
Because this is a LiHV battery, charging voltage deserves separate attention. The Hall Cherokee V2 is specified around a conventional 3S LiPo power system. Unless the maximum input voltage of the installed ESC has been independently confirmed for a fully charged 3S LiHV pack, the conservative approach is to charge the battery only to standard 3S LiPo voltage rather than assuming full 4.35V-per-cell LiHV charging is supported.
1500mAh vs 2200mAh vs 2400mAh for the Cherokee V2
| Battery | Best For | Main Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 1500mAh 3S | Lower installed weight and glide-focused flying | May need to be positioned farther forward to reach the correct CG |
| 2200mAh 3S | Best all-round baseline | Closest to HobbyKing’s recommended capacity |
| 2400mAh 3S LiHV | Slightly more capacity while retaining a compact battery direction | Verify CG and use an appropriate charging voltage for the aircraft’s ESC |
How Long Can a 2200mAh 3S Battery Fly the Cherokee V2?
There is no single fixed flight-time number for the Hall Cherokee V2 because its power consumption changes dramatically depending on flying style. A pilot who keeps the motor running for sport flying will use the battery much faster than someone who climbs for a short period, retracts the motor pod and spends most of the flight soaring.
Flight demonstrations with 2200mAh 3S batteries have ranged from shorter mixed-power sessions to well over 20 minutes of climb-and-glide flying. This is one reason capacity should not be judged in the same way as a conventional powered RC airplane: altitude, lift conditions and throttle use can have a larger effect on total flight duration than a modest increase in battery capacity.
Battery Weight and CG Matter More Than Extreme C-Rating
The Cherokee V2 uses a relatively modest 3S power system and a 20A-class ESC, so an extremely high discharge rating is not the primary requirement when choosing a battery for this aircraft. Physical fit, battery weight and correct balance are generally more important.
The aircraft has shown good powered climb performance on 3S, and there is no need to move to 4S. More voltage would change the intended power-system operating conditions and should not be treated as an upgrade path unless specifically supported by the manufacturer.
For this model, a well-fitting battery that allows a clean installation and correct center of gravity is more useful than simply choosing the largest capacity or highest C-rating available.
Check the Hall Cherokee V2 CG After Every Battery Change
The recommended center of gravity is approximately 60–65mm behind the leading edge at the wing root. This matters because flight testing has shown that the Cherokee V2 can become noticeably more reactive when the CG moves aft.
The model is also capable of a pronounced wing drop when pushed fully into a stall. That does not mean normal flight is unstable, but it does make correct CG, reasonable control throws and adequate airspeed important, especially during tighter turns and low-speed approaches.
Whenever you change from a 2200mAh battery to a lighter 1500mAh pack or a different 2400mAh pack, treat the installation as a new setup and check the CG again rather than assuming the previous battery position will still be correct.
Hall Cherokee V2 Battery Installation Checklist
- Use a 3S battery appropriate for the Cherokee V2 power system.
- Check actual battery dimensions rather than capacity alone.
- Confirm that the battery can be positioned far enough forward for the required CG.
- Keep wiring clear of servos, linkages and the retractable motor mechanism.
- Confirm XT60 connector polarity and adequate wire clearance before connecting power.
- Recheck the 60–65mm CG range whenever battery size or weight changes.
- Use throttle cut whenever handling or connecting the aircraft around the propeller.
Is the Hall Cherokee V2 a Thermal Glider or a Sport Glider?
The Cherokee V2 can be used for powered climbs, power-off soaring, casual thermal hunting, slope flying and light sport aerobatics. However, it should not be confused with an ultra-light trainer-style thermal floater.
Its scale-inspired tapered wing and relatively lively stall behavior reward pilots who maintain airspeed and coordinate turns properly. Several reviews also show that it can carry energy well, perform loops and basic aerobatics, and remain airborne for extended periods when lift is available.
This versatility is one of the main reasons battery weight matters. Pilots focused on lighter-wind soaring may prefer a lighter installation, while those wanting longer powered sessions may favor the 2200mAh or 2400mAh options.
FAQ – HobbyKing Hall Cherokee V2 Batteries
What is the recommended battery for the Hall Cherokee V2?
HobbyKing specifies a 2200mAh 3S shorty LiPo as the reference battery setup. A compact 2200mAh pack therefore remains the best baseline choice for most pilots.
Can I use a 1500mAh 3S battery?
Yes, a compatible 1500mAh 3S battery can be considered when its dimensions, connector and discharge capability are suitable. The lower battery weight may appeal to glide-focused pilots, but the pack may need to be positioned farther forward to maintain the correct CG.
Can I use a 2400mAh 3S battery?
Yes, a compatible 2400mAh pack can be considered if it fits the narrow equipment bay and allows the aircraft to balance within the recommended CG range. Capacity alone does not determine compatibility.
Does every 2200mAh 3S battery fit?
No. Different 2200mAh batteries can vary substantially in length, width, height, weight and lead orientation. The Cherokee V2 has limited internal space, so actual pack dimensions should always be checked.
Does the Hall Cherokee V2 need a high-C battery?
Not primarily. The aircraft uses a relatively modest 20A-class ESC, so fit, weight, CG and practical capacity are generally more important selection factors than chasing an extremely high discharge rating.
Can the Hall Cherokee V2 run on 4S?
The aircraft is designed around 3S operation, and flight testing shows that 3S already provides strong climb performance. 4S should not be treated as a normal upgrade unless the complete power system is specifically confirmed for that voltage.
More Batteries for RC Gliders and Airplanes
If you fly other powered sailplanes, slope gliders or motor gliders, browse our LiPo Batteries for Gliders & Sailplanes collection for more battery options across different voltages, capacities and airframe sizes.
For sport planes, scale aircraft, EDF jets and other fixed-wing RC models, explore the wider CNHL Airplane Batteries collection.
