Battery Terms: R

Rapid Charge - The charging of a battery, typically a NiCad, to its capacity in a short period of time.

Rapid-Charge Battery - A battery pack that is designed to accept a high amount of current in a short amount of time, such as a radio-control battery.

Rated Capacity (Dry Cell) - The average capacity delivered by a cell or battery on a specified load and temperature to a cutoff voltage, as designated by the manufacturer. Rated capacity is usually determined by an accelerated test approximating the cell or battery's capacity in typical use.

Rated Capacity (Flooded) - The CCA, RC or amp-hours that a battery can deliver at a given rate of discharge, end voltage and temperature. These ratings are often displayed on the outside of the battery.

Rate Sensitivity - Typically refers to battery performance under various discharge loads with operating voltage being the defining characteristic.

Recharging - See charging.

Rechargeable Battery - A cell or battery capable of being recharged. Refers to secondary batteries.

Recombinant - The process in which the oxygen formed at the positive (+) plate diffuses to the negative (-) plate, reacts with the lead and suppresses water loss. In a recombinant (immobilized electrolyte) chemistry battery, gassing is recombined within the sealed battery so that water addition is unnecessary.

Reconditioning - See Conditioning.

Rectifier - Device that changes alternating current to direct current.

Rectify - To convert alternating current into direct current.

Reserve Capacity (RC) - BCI defines it as "the number of minutes a new, fully-charged battery at 80慚 (27慢) can be discharged at 25 amps and maintain a voltage equal to or higher than 1.75 volts per cell" (i.e., 10.5 volts for a 12-volt battery). This rating represents the time the battery will continue to operate essential accessories in the event of a charging system failure.

Resistance (R) - The opposition to the free flow of current in a circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms. See also Internal Resistance.

Resistor - A device, with electrical resistance, that is used in an electrical circuit for current control and efficient operation.

Reversal - See Reversed Polarity.

Reversed Polarity - The changing or reversing of the normal polarity of a battery, which commonly occurs when battery cables or charging cables are connected backwards.