1. What is Battery Amp Hour?

Amp-hour (Ah) is a unit of electric charge that represents a battery's capacity. It indicates how much current a battery can provide over a specific time period (typically 20 hours for lead-acid batteries).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the battery capacity formula:

Where:

• \( Current \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( Time \) — Discharge time in hours (h)

Explanation: The formula calculates the total charge a battery can deliver at a specific current over a given time period.

3. Importance of Battery Capacity Calculation

Details: Knowing a battery's amp-hour rating helps determine how long it will last under a given load, which is crucial for system design and backup power planning.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes and time in hours. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between Ah and Wh?
A: Amp-hours (Ah) measure charge capacity, while watt-hours (Wh) measure energy capacity (Ah × Voltage = Wh).

Q2: How does discharge rate affect capacity?
A: Higher discharge rates typically reduce effective capacity (Peukert effect), especially in lead-acid batteries.

Q3: What is C-rate?
A: C-rate is the discharge current relative to battery capacity (1C = full capacity discharge in 1 hour).

Q4: Can I use this for all battery types?
A: The formula works for all chemistries, but actual capacity may vary based on chemistry and discharge rate.

Q5: How does temperature affect capacity?
A: Cold temperatures reduce available capacity, while warm temperatures may increase it slightly (but reduce lifespan).