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 specific load.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Inverter Load} \) — Power consumption of connected devices in watts
• \( \text{Time} \) — Desired backup time in hours
• \( \text{Voltage} \) — Battery system voltage (typically 12V, 24V, or 48V)

Explanation: The formula converts watt-hours to ampere-hours by dividing by the system voltage.

3. Importance of Battery Capacity Calculation

Details: Proper battery sizing ensures your inverter system can provide adequate backup time for your needs. Undersized batteries may not last as long as required, while oversized batteries increase cost unnecessarily.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total wattage of all devices you want to power, the desired backup time in hours, and your battery bank voltage (typically 12V for small systems). 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 account for inverter efficiency?
A: Yes, typical inverter efficiency is 85-95%. For more accurate results, divide your result by 0.9 to account for 90% efficiency.

Q3: What's the typical voltage for home inverter systems?
A: Common voltages are 12V (small systems), 24V (medium), and 48V (larger systems).

Q4: How does battery type affect capacity?
A: Lead-acid batteries should only be discharged to 50% for long life, so double the calculated capacity. Lithium batteries can often be discharged to 80-90%.

Q5: Can I connect multiple batteries?
A: Yes, batteries in parallel increase Ah capacity at the same voltage. Batteries in series increase voltage while maintaining the same Ah rating.