1. What is Battery Capacity?

Battery capacity is the amount of electric charge a battery can deliver at the rated voltage. It's typically measured in ampere-hours (Ah) and indicates how long a battery can power a device.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the battery capacity formula:

Where:

• Generator Inverter W — Power consumption in watts
• Time — Duration of operation in hours
• V — Battery voltage in volts

Explanation: The formula calculates how much battery capacity is needed to power an inverter generator for a specific duration.

3. Importance of Battery Capacity Calculation

Details: Proper battery sizing ensures your generator will run for the required time without unexpected power loss. Undersized batteries may fail prematurely, while oversized ones are unnecessarily expensive.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the generator's inverter wattage, desired runtime in hours, and battery system voltage. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Should I add a safety margin to the calculated capacity?
A: Yes, it's recommended to add 20-30% to account for inefficiencies and battery aging.

Q3: How does battery type affect capacity?
A: Lithium batteries can typically use 80-90% of rated capacity, while lead-acid should only use 50% for long life.

Q4: Can I connect batteries in series or parallel?
A: Series increases voltage (capacity stays same), parallel increases capacity (voltage stays same).

Q5: How does temperature affect battery capacity?
A: Capacity decreases in cold temperatures - lead-acid batteries may lose 20% capacity at freezing temperatures.