1. What is the Battery Life Equation?

The battery life equation calculates how long a battery will last under a specific load current. It's based on the battery's capacity (in ampere-hours) and the current draw of the device (in milliamperes).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the battery life equation:

Where:

• \( ah \) — Battery capacity in ampere-hours (Ah)
• \( load\_ma \) — Load current in milliamperes (mA)
• \( life\_min \) — Battery life in minutes

Explanation: The equation converts the battery capacity to milliampere-hours (by multiplying by 1000) and then divides by the load current to get hours, which is then converted to minutes by multiplying by 60.

3. Importance of Battery Life Calculation

Details: Calculating battery life is essential for designing and using electronic devices to ensure they will operate for the required duration on a single charge.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter battery capacity in Ah and load current in mA. All values must be valid (greater than 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert Ah to mAh in the calculation?
A: Since load current is typically measured in mA, converting the battery capacity to mAh (implicit in the calculation) makes the units compatible.

Q2: Is this calculation accurate for all battery types?
A: This provides a theoretical maximum. Real-world performance may vary due to temperature, battery age, discharge rate effects, etc.

Q3: How does battery voltage factor into this?
A: This calculation assumes you're using the battery at its nominal voltage. For power calculations, voltage must also be considered.

Q4: Can I calculate battery life in hours instead?
A: Yes, simply remove the 60 multiplier (for hours) or use 3600 for seconds.

Q5: What about battery efficiency?
A: This calculation doesn't account for efficiency losses. Multiply the result by the battery's efficiency factor (typically 0.7-0.9) for more realistic estimates.