1. What is the Battery Life Equation?

The battery life equation calculates how long a battery will last based on its capacity (in amp-hours), voltage, and the power consumption of the device it's powering. This is essential for designing and selecting power systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the battery life equation:

Where:

• \( A_h \) — Battery capacity in amp-hours
• \( V \) — Battery voltage in volts
• \( W \) — Power consumption in watts

Explanation: The equation converts the battery's energy capacity (Ah × V gives Wh) and divides by the power draw to determine runtime.

3. Importance of Battery Life Calculation

Details: Accurate battery life estimation is crucial for system design, backup power planning, and ensuring devices operate for required durations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter battery capacity in Ah, voltage in V, and power consumption in W. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What affects battery life most?
A: The biggest factors are battery capacity and power consumption. Higher capacity batteries last longer, while higher power devices drain batteries faster.

Q2: Is this calculation accurate for all battery types?
A: This provides a theoretical maximum. Real-world performance varies with battery chemistry, temperature, discharge rates, and age.

Q3: How do I account for battery efficiency?
A: Multiply the result by 0.7-0.9 to account for typical inefficiencies in power conversion and battery discharge characteristics.

Q4: Can I use this for battery banks?
A: Yes, sum the Ah capacities if batteries are in parallel, or use the voltage sum if in series, then apply the same formula.

Q5: What's a good rule of thumb for battery sizing?
A: For critical systems, calculate required runtime and add 20-30% capacity as a safety margin.