Commonly Used Terms - HITEC RDX1 MiNi Instruction Manual

Commonly Used Terms

A, mA: Unit of measurement relating to a charge or discharge current. 1000 mA = 1A (A = Ampere, mA =
Milliampere).
Ah, mAh: Unit of measurement for the capacity of a battery (Amperes x Time Unit; h = hour). If a pack is
charged for one hour at a current of 2A, it has been fed 2Ah of energy. It receives the same quantity of charge
(2Ah) if it is charged for 4 hours at 0.5A, or 15 minutes (=1/4 hour) at 8A.
'C' - Rating: Capacity is also referred to as the 'C' rating. Some battery suppliers recommend charge and
discharge currents based on the battery 'C' rating. A battery's '1C' current is the same number as the battery's
rated capacity number, but noted in mA or amps. A 600mAh battery has a 1C current value of 600mA, and a 3C
current value of (3 x 600mA) 1800mA or 1.8A. The 1C current value for a 3200mAh battery would be 3200mA
(3.2A).
Final Charge Voltage: The voltage at which the battery's charge limit (capacity limit) is reached after which
the charge process switches from a high current to a low maintenance rate (trickle charge). From this point on,
any further high current charging would cause overheating and eventual terminal damage to the pack.
Final Discharge Voltage: The voltage at which the battery's discharge limit is reached. The chemical
composition of the batteries determines the level of this voltage. Below this voltage, the battery enters
deep discharge zone. Individual cells within the pack may become reverse polarized under these conditions,
resulting in permanent damage.
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