Battery Calculator 1.2

The battery calculator encompasses three fundamental tools: the battery life calculator, the battery capacity calculator, and the battery size calculator.

The battery life calculator estimates the run time of a battery by utilizing its capacity and the device's consumption rate. This tool is essential for users seeking to understand how long their devices will operate on a single charge.

The battery capacity calculator determines the energy stored in a battery, which is measured in amp hours (Ah) or milliamp hours (mAh), expressed in watt-hours (Wh) based on the battery's voltage. This information is critical for assessing whether a battery meets specific energy demands.

Additionally, the battery size calculator computes the required battery rating in ampere-hours based on load requirements, duration of use, and discharge levels, helping users to select appropriately sized batteries for their needs.

Formulas used in these calculations are as follows:

1. Battery Life Calculation:
   Battery Life = Capacity / Current Draw * (Efficiency / 100)
   
   • Capacity (C): The total capacity of the battery in ampere-hours (Ah or mAh).
   • Current Draw (D): The average current consumed by the device in amperes (A or mA).
   • Efficiency (E): The efficiency of energy retrieval, typically around 90% for lithium-ion batteries and 80% for nickel-based batteries.
2. Battery Capacity Calculation:
   E = V * Q
   
   • E: Energy stored in watt-hours (Wh or kWh).
   • V: Voltage of the battery.
   • Q: Battery capacity in ampere-hours (Ah or mAh).
3. Battery Size Calculation:
   Current computation can be determined as:
   I = P / V
   
   • I: Current in amperes.
   • P: Load power in watts.
   • V: Voltage in volts.
   The formulae for specific types of batteries are:
   Lithium-ion: (100 * I * t) / (100 - Q)
   Lead-acid: (100 * I * t) / ((100 - Q) * (0.02 * t + 0.6))
   

An illustration of these calculations: A battery rated at 100 Amp hours can supply 5 Amps for 20 hours. If this is a 12-volt battery, it provides 1200 Watt Hours, translating to 1.2 kWh for longer usage metrics. It is vital to consider that this rating is based on a 20-hour use case, highlighting specific usage scenarios such as sustaining 60 Watts over that same duration.

The ampere, an electric unit indicating current flow, allows users to calculate battery life based on input current ratings and circuit load currents. A lower load current will result in extended battery life. For example, connecting a circuit with a 1000 mAh rating to a 20 mAh load will yield an operational lifespan of 50 hours. With varying current ratings available, users can choose appropriate batteries to match their industrial and domestic requirements easily.