1. What is the Battery Life Equation?

The battery life equation estimates how long a 12V battery will last under a specific load. It's essential for designing power systems, estimating runtime, and selecting appropriate batteries for applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the battery life equation:

Where:

• Battery Capacity — The energy storage capacity in amp-hours (Ah)
• 12V — The nominal voltage of the battery
• Load Power — The power consumption of the device in watts (W)

Explanation: The equation converts battery capacity to watt-hours (by multiplying by voltage) then divides by load power to get runtime in hours.

3. Importance of Battery Life Calculation

Details: Accurate battery life estimation is crucial for system design, ensuring sufficient runtime, and preventing unexpected power failures in critical applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter battery capacity in Ah and load power in W. Both values must be positive numbers for valid calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this work for batteries with different voltages?
A: This calculator is specifically for 12V batteries. For other voltages, replace the 12 in the equation with your battery's voltage.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides theoretical maximum. Real-world factors like temperature, discharge rate, and battery age will affect actual runtime.

Q3: What's a typical battery capacity?
A: Common capacities range from 7Ah (small UPS) to 200Ah (large solar systems). Car batteries are typically 40-100Ah.

Q4: Should I derate the calculated time?
A: For critical applications, multiply the result by 0.7-0.8 to account for real-world inefficiencies.

Q5: How does battery type affect the calculation?
A: The equation works for all types (lead-acid, lithium, etc.), but different chemistries have different discharge characteristics.