1. What is the Battery Life Equation?

The battery life equation estimates how long a coin cell battery will last based on its capacity and the current consumption of the device it powers. This is essential for designing low-power electronics and estimating product runtime.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the battery life equation:

Where:

• \( \text{Battery Capacity} \) — The total charge stored in the battery (milliamp-hours)
• \( \text{Device Consumption} \) — The average current drawn by the device (milliamps)

Explanation: The equation divides the total available charge by the rate at which it's being consumed to determine how many hours the battery will last.

3. Importance of Battery Life Calculation

Details: Accurate battery life estimation is crucial for product design, especially for IoT devices, wearables, and other battery-powered electronics where long runtime is important.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter battery capacity in mAh (typically found in battery datasheet) and device consumption in mA (measured or estimated from device specifications). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a theoretical maximum. Real-world factors like temperature, battery age, and current pulses can affect actual runtime.

Q2: What's a typical coin cell capacity?
A: Common CR2032 cells have 220-240mAh capacity, but this varies by chemistry and manufacturer.

Q3: How do I measure device consumption?
A: Use a multimeter in series with the battery or a specialized current measurement tool. For pulsed loads, measure average current.

Q4: Does this work for rechargeable batteries?
A: Yes, but rechargeables typically have lower nominal voltages and different discharge characteristics.

Q5: How can I extend battery life?
A: Reduce device consumption through power-saving modes, efficient components, and optimized software.