Battery Pack Capacity Formula:
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Battery pack capacity refers to the total energy storage capability of a battery system composed of multiple cells. It's calculated by multiplying the capacity of a single cell by the number of parallel-connected cells.
The calculator uses the simple formula:
Where:
Explanation: Connecting cells in parallel increases capacity while maintaining voltage, while series connections increase voltage while maintaining capacity.
Details: Knowing your battery pack's total capacity is essential for determining runtime, sizing battery systems, and ensuring proper system performance.
Tips: Enter the capacity of a single cell in Ah and the number of parallel cells in the pack. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Does this work for all battery chemistries?
A: Yes, the formula applies to Li-ion, NiMH, lead-acid, and other chemistries as it deals with capacity, not voltage.
Q2: What's the difference between series and parallel connections?
A: Parallel increases capacity (Ah), series increases voltage (V). Many packs use both (series-parallel configurations).
Q3: How does this relate to energy (Wh)?
A: Energy = Capacity (Ah) × Voltage (V). This calculator gives capacity - multiply by pack voltage for total energy.
Q4: What about cell balancing?
A: While this calculates capacity, proper battery management systems are still needed for safe operation of multi-cell packs.
Q5: Can I mix different capacity cells?
A: Not recommended - parallel cells should be matched in capacity, chemistry, and state of charge for optimal performance.