What is meant by a 1C discharge or charge rate?
The C rate for charge or discharge is simply the amp-hour rating of the battery normalized to a value quoted at 1C. For example, a 200 amp-hour rated 12V battery, being charge at a 1C rate, would require a charger capable of delivering 200 amps at 12 volts and would charge the battery in one hour. A 2C charge rate would be 400 amps and would charge the battery in 0.5 hour. One of the significant advantages of the lithium batteries over lead acid is their inherently high C rate for charging.
