Remote control batteries

General questions

  • What does mAh mean?

    The capacity and thus the lifetime of a battery depends on the amperage, expressed in thousandths of amperes, or milliamps (mA) multiplied by the number of hours (the h of "hours") that the battery can provide current. You can compare the effect to a barrel of water with a tap. The further you turn on the tap, the higher the amperage. The number of hours indicates how long it takes before the barrel (battery) is empty.

  • What is the internal resistance for a battery?

    Certain (chemical) systems can handle energy flows more easily than other systems. In addition to the voltage (volts), the internal resistance (Ohm) of the battery is also important. You can compare the internal resistance of the battery with a tap through which water flows: if the internal resistance is low, a lot of water (current) can pass through: if it is high, little water (current) can pass through. This can be compared to the difference between a large and a small tap. Battery types with low internal resistance are Nickel-Cadmium, Nickel-Hydride, Alkaline, Photo-lithium and Mercury Oxide, respectively. Lithium, zinc air, silver oxide and zinc carbon have a higher internal resistance.

  • What is the capacity of a battery?

    The amount of power in a battery depends on two factors: the voltage (volts) and the internal resistance (ohms). The power of a battery is therefore determined by, on the one hand, the ability to supply a certain energy flow, and on the other, the ability to handle certain current strengths. Power is in fact the ability to deliver high currents in a short period of time without the battery becoming too hot.

  • How to differentiate batteries?

    Battery formats have a name and can also have a code. The names are the same in all countries, although different terms are often used colloquially. The codes are different everywhere (e.g. the international IEC code and the American code). Each brand also often uses its own codes. It is therefore often difficult to recognize the codes on packaging. The IEC code is the most common. The battery types can be recognized in the IEC code by the letters. Alkaline, for example, is called LR, zinc-carbon batteries have an R as the initial letter.

  • What is the difference between non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries?

    Both non-rechargeable batteries and a rechargeable battery create a chemical reaction that can result in an electric current. The main difference is that a rechargeable battery (accumulator) can convert the electrical energy from the socket back into chemical energy when it is charged. This can be done about 1000 times. The rechargeable battery is therefore also referred to as a secondary battery (two energy directions) while the one-time battery is referred to in technical terms as a primary battery.

  • What is the difference between dry and wet batteries?

    A dry battery (or accumulator) is completely closed and maintenance-free. Whether you hold the battery upright or upside down, it always supplies energy. A wet battery (or accumulator), in contrast, contains a liquid (electrolyte) that runs out if you do not hold the battery in an upright position. Often these batteries are not completely closed and not completely maintenance free. Nowadays, only non-mobile batteries for industrial applications are still produced in wet form. The consumer batteries are all dry.

  • What is Alkaline, Lithium en NiMH?

    Alkaline batteries are suitable for single use. These are suitable for long-term use where little power is required. Devices such as clocks and remote controls are well known uses for alkaline batteries. Lithium batteries are suitable for single use but have a longer lifetime. They are frost resistant and can deliver a higher power than alkaline batteries. Lithium batteries are very suitable for digital cameras. NiMH stands for Nickel Metal Hydride. NiMH batteries are rechargeable and are mainly used in devices that consume a lot of power in a short time, such as digital cameras. Due to the high self-discharge, these are less suitable for devices that use little power over a longer period.

  • Are the names of the metals used in the name of the batteries?

    Usually they are not. From the start of battery production, there has never been any real standardization. Moreover, it is often the case that the two poles consist of several materials. With rechargeable Nickel Cadmium batteries, it happens to be clear: Nickel is the positive pole and Cadmium the negative pole. But mostly only the most characteristic chemical element (alkaline, lithium, etc.) is mentioned.

  • How does a short circuit occur?

    If the positive and negative poles come into direct contact with each other, a short circuit will occur. The battery will stop working after that. Short-circuiting should be avoided, as the high internal pressure can release (heat) gases. Then it might be possible that the battery will explode.

  • Does the amount of the capacity determine the lifetime?

    Yes. The higher the capacity, the longer the battery will last. The capacity is expressed in ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours. (mAh). On the battery itself and on the packaging, you can see what the capacity of the battery is. For the device the battery is used for, more capacity provides more operating time, so it is not harmful to use stronger batteries, but it is harmful to use other voltages as prescribed.

  • How long does a battery provide power?

    This strongly depends on the type of device being used. For example: we have a blister of 4 alkaline penlite batteries of 1.5 volts and 2500 mAh. We put the first battery in a wall clock that will probably work for 2 years. Those two years have a total of 17,520 hours, so calculated backwards the clock consumes less than 0.15mA per hour. That is not correct, because according to the factory specification, the timepiece consumes 1 mA. However, because the current draw is very stable here, and the ambient temperature also cooperates, the battery will deliver more than originally calculated. We put two other batteries in a small radio that consumes 300mAh. then the time becomes less. The last battery goes into a flashlight with a 1.5 volt, 1 watt bulb. If you leave the lamp on until the battery is empty, it will take about 3½ hours.

  • How does a battery work?

    A battery is a cell that can release electrical energy through internal chemical reactions. The cell has a plus and a minus pole separated by a layer of electrolyte. The negative pole is brought into contact with the positive pole through the device in which the battery is placed and, in this way, gives off electricity.

  • What does energy mean?

    Energy is voltage (volts) x capacity (mAh). The amount of energy that a battery provides is therefore not equal to the operating time (capacity), because the voltage also determines how much energy a battery can deliver. Energy is expressed in Watt hours (Wh) or milliwatt hours (mWh).

  • Why do batteries have different voltages?

    Voltage exists between the plus and minus pole of a battery. Since the electric current flows through the device between these poles, this device must be tuned to a specific voltage for the device to work. Especially with button cell batteries (e.g. lithium 3 volts), the difference in voltage affects the malfunctioning of the device. With rechargeable batteries, which have a lower voltage, that lower voltage is in principle not a problem. A comparable alkaline battery (not rechargeable) does start with 1.5 volts, but the voltage drops even below 1.2 volts after some time of use.

Maintenance of batteries

  • What does date of expiry mean on my battery?

    If batteries are not used, they also lose energy (self-discharge). An alkaline battery has an endurance of approximately 5 years, because during this period it loses too much energy when stored for a long time.

  • Can batteries be stored in the fridge?

    Yes, in principle this is even a very good method to prevent self-discharge. However, the batteries must be kept dry at all times. To prevent moisture (condensation), they must be stored in an absolutely airtight wrapping in the fridge. If they are subsequently removed from the fridge, they must first acclimatize before they can be removed from the airtight wrapping.

  • Does a battery have to be completely discharged before I recharge it?

    This is depending on the chemistry of the battery. Lithium-ion and NiMH batteries can be recharged in the meantime. Completely discharged and recharged once every 2 months is sufficient for this type of battery. NiCD batteries must be completely discharged before charging them. Interim charging can reduce performance.

  • How do I extend the lifetime of my batteries?

    Keep the batteries always in a cool, dry place (not in the fridge or the freezer!). Turn off the device when not in use or remove the batteries temporarily. Prevent the batteries from contact with water / moisture. Prevent the batteries from becoming too cold or too hot.

Compatible batteries

  • Does the warranty on my device expire if I buy a compatible battery?

    No, you are free to purchase a compatible battery for your device. The guarantee does not expire. Our compatible batteries are all approved and comply with all European directives.

  • Why choose a compatible battery from Raca Parts?

    The most important points for choosing a compatible battery are: - The same quality as the original battery, but very affordable in terms of pricing - Cells in the battery are identical to an OEM battery - Dimensions of the housing are identical to an OEM battery

  • What is the difference between an original and a compatible batteries?

    In addition to the OEM batteries, we are specialized in supplying compatible batteries. These are batteries that are compatible with the OEM batteries and contain the identical power cells. This means that we can ensure you of high quality at a competitive price. The compatible batteries have, just like the OEM batteries, a 12-month warranty.