1. What is the LiFePO4 Battery Calculator?

The LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Battery Calculator helps determine the required battery capacity in amp-hours (Ah) based on your power load, desired runtime, and battery voltage.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• Load — Power consumption of your device/appliance in watts
• Time — Desired runtime in hours
• Voltage — Nominal voltage of your LiFePO4 battery (typically 12.8V for 12V systems)

Explanation: The formula converts watt-hours to amp-hours by accounting for the battery's voltage.

3. Importance of Battery Capacity Calculation

Details: Proper battery sizing ensures your system can power your loads for the required duration without over-discharging the batteries.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power load in watts, desired runtime in hours, and battery voltage (default is 12.8V for LiFePO4). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical voltage for LiFePO4 batteries?
A: Common nominal voltages are 3.2V (cell), 12.8V (4-cell), 25.6V (8-cell), etc. The calculator works with any voltage.

Q2: Should I account for efficiency losses?
A: Yes, consider adding 10-20% extra capacity to account for inverter losses and battery aging.

Q3: What's the safe depth of discharge for LiFePO4?
A: LiFePO4 batteries can typically be discharged to 80-90% depth of discharge (DOD), unlike lead-acid which should stay above 50% DOD.

Q4: How does temperature affect capacity?
A: LiFePO4 performs better than lead-acid in cold, but capacity still decreases below freezing. Size batteries accordingly if used in cold environments.

Q5: Can I use this for lead-acid batteries?
A: The calculation works the same, but remember lead-acid has different voltage characteristics and lower usable capacity.