Battery Capacity Formula:
From: | To: |
Battery capacity is typically measured in amp-hours (Ah) or watt-hours (Wh). Watt-hours provide a more accurate measure of energy capacity as they account for both voltage and current.
The calculator uses the simple formula:
Where:
Explanation: Multiplying amp-hours by voltage converts current capacity to energy capacity, which is more useful for comparing different battery types.
Details: Knowing a battery's watt-hour capacity helps determine how long it can power devices, compare different battery types, and calculate energy storage needs.
Tips: Enter the battery's amp-hour (Ah) rating and nominal voltage (V). Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why use watt-hours instead of amp-hours?
A: Watt-hours account for both voltage and current, making it a true measure of energy capacity that can compare different battery chemistries.
Q2: What's a typical watt-hour capacity?
A: Small batteries might be 5-10Wh, laptop batteries 50-100Wh, electric vehicle batteries 50,000Wh+.
Q3: How does this relate to runtime?
A: Runtime = (Wh capacity) / (device power draw in watts). A 100Wh battery can run a 10W device for ~10 hours.
Q4: What about battery chemistry differences?
A: The formula works for all chemistries (Li-ion, lead-acid, etc.), but actual usable capacity may vary based on discharge rates.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's theoretically precise, but real-world factors like temperature, age, and discharge rate affect actual capacity.