Ever wondered what the C2 or the C4 rating of your batteries meant? Are you confused if the ratings are going to mess with your devices?
If the answer is positive, let’s look at the difference between C2 and C4 batteries.
The differences lie between the charging time and the drainage capacity of each battery. A C4 battery charges faster than a C2 battery. On top of that, A C2 battery provides charge at a slower rate than a C4 battery.
If you have some time at hand, we have just the article you need. We’d love it if you spared a few minutes to read it.
Where Are C Batteries Used?
C batteries are a very common form of batteries. You may have used them for toys, sometimes flashlights, and maybe even in musical instruments.
In the case of your RC touring car, a c battery will sit on your chassis and provide power for throttle. For Rc purposes, the battery tends to be bigger and in the shape of a block. It also has cables and links that help you attach it to the chassis.
What Does The C Stand For?
The C you see in the batteries is essentially a rating. This rating measures just how much current a battery can provide in a unit of time.
Also called the discharge rating, it also indicates the rates of charging and discharging. This rating is called a C-Rate and differentiates batteries.
Well, now why don’t you take a look at some of the best C batteries out there? Our selection should have something just for your needs.
| Product 1 | |
| Product 2 |
Now that we’ve sorted that out, let’s continue.
Where Does The Difference Lie Between C2 And C4?
There are a few simple differences between C2 and C4 batteries. Have a look at the table below to have a brief idea.
| C2 Batteries | C4 Batteries |
| Maximum output- 2A | Maximum output- 4A |
| 30 minutes to charge and discharge | 15 minutes to charge and discharge |
| Will run 30 minutes on maximum power output | Will run 15 minutes on maximum power output |
| Will heat up fast if charged on high power for each use | Will heat up fast if charged on high power for each use |
Output Power
Since we know the C is a rate, the numeric value assigned means the number multiplies to C. So, if you have a battery of a capacity of 1Ah, a C2 battery then it will give you an output of 2A. Meanwhile, a C4 battery will give you 4A of max output power.
Charging And Discharging Time
The other difference is the calculation of power during charging and discharging time. For a battery that has a capacity of 1 Ah, a C2 battery will take half of an hour to charge. That means it will take 30 mins to charge and then 30 minutes to discharge.
Similarly, a C4 battery will take 15 mins to charge. This also means that for a 1 Ah battery rated at C4, it will provide 15 minutes of run-time.
The more the rating, the less time it takes to charge. More the power output, the duration of the power lasting will be shorter.
Now, that’s sorted, let’s see what else is there about these batteries.
Runtime And Replacement
When it comes to your RC, there is one small piece of information to keep in mind. No matter what the power rating, you are better off charging them at low amp rates.
This means, if you have, let’s say a 4 Ah battery that has a C2 rating. This means you can charge this at twice its capacity. Now, this is not a good idea if you do it frequently.
Batteries tend to have a longer lifespan when they are charged slowly.
The lower the amp rate, the more runs you will get from one battery. This way, your battery will run a long time before needing a replacement.
Heat Generation
If your C battery is getting hot, it might occur due to how you charge it. It doesn’t matter if you’re using eC3 or ec5.
If you keep charging your batteries at max capacity, you will see them heat up quickly.
This can also happen if you discharge your battery at high power like in C4.
Which Battery To Pick Between C2 And C4?
If your main agenda is to achieve top speed, then go for the C4. For short distances and drag races, a C4 should give you great power and incredible speed. Just make sure you charge it slowly for greater longevity.
If you’re more concerned about the heat, then opt for a C2. This is because the greater the power generated, the more heat will be dissipated. Thus a C2 is a better choice here.
Compared to a C4, it’ll charge and discharge slowly, giving less scope for heating issues.
Think wisely before buying either. After all, you want the best battery for your RC vehicle. And after buying the one, properly charge the dry cell battery to have the best experience!
FAQs
Question: Are C batteries rechargeable?
Answer: Yes! The package and instructions must say that they can be charged. Nickel-Metal hydride (NiMH), and Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) are the common rechargeable C batteries available.
Question: How many hours will a standard C battery run?
Answer: This can vary depending upon where you are using the battery. But, on average, a standard C battery rated at 1.5volts will run anywhere between 18 to 20 hours. If you are using a rechargeable one, they can give a high power output for 5 to 6 hours before needing a recharge.
Question: Which battery is better lithium or alkaline?
Answer: Lithium is a very light metal, which gives it the ability to store more charge than its alkaline counterpart. Besides that, lithium batteries have the added edge of performing well in extreme conditions. However, alkaline batteries are suited for a wider range of applications and are also easily available.
Conclusion
And here we are. Now you know the difference between C2 and C4 batteries. We hope this helps clear out some of your confusions about these batteries.
Let us know if this article was helpful and leave us a comment!
