1. What is the LiFePO4 Battery Life Calculator?

The LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Battery Life Calculator estimates how long a LiFePO4 battery will last based on its capacity (Ah), voltage (V), and the power consumption (W) of the connected load.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the battery life equation:

Where:

• \( \text{LiFePO4 Ah} \) — Battery capacity in amp-hours
• \( V \) — Battery voltage
• \( \text{Load W} \) — Power consumption of the load in watts

Explanation: The equation calculates the total energy capacity of the battery (Ah × V = Wh) and divides it by the load power consumption (W) to determine runtime in hours.

3. Importance of Battery Life Calculation

Details: Accurate battery life estimation is crucial for system design, ensuring adequate power supply duration for applications like solar systems, RVs, marine applications, and backup power systems.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between LiFePO4 and other lithium batteries?
A: LiFePO4 batteries have longer lifespan, better thermal stability, and are safer than other lithium chemistries, though with slightly lower energy density.

Q2: Does this account for battery efficiency?
A: The calculation provides theoretical maximum. Real-world results may be 85-95% of calculated value due to conversion losses and other factors.

Q3: What's a typical voltage for LiFePO4 batteries?
A: Nominal voltage is 3.2V per cell. 12V systems use 4 cells (12.8V), 24V use 8 cells (25.6V), etc.

Q4: Can I use this for lead-acid batteries?
A: The calculation works similarly, but lead-acid batteries should not be discharged below 50% capacity for best lifespan.

Q5: How does temperature affect battery life?
A: LiFePO4 performs well in wide temperatures, but extreme cold temporarily reduces capacity while extreme heat can shorten overall lifespan.