Amp Hours Equation:
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Amp hours (Ah) is a unit of electric charge that represents the capacity of a battery. It indicates how much current a battery can provide over a specific period of time (typically one hour).
The calculator uses the Amp Hours equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation converts energy capacity to charge capacity by accounting for voltage and discharge time.
Details: Knowing a battery's amp hour rating helps determine how long it will last under specific loads, compare battery capacities, and design power systems.
Tips: Enter energy in watt-hours, voltage in volts, and time in hours. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between Ah and Wh?
A: Amp hours (Ah) measures charge capacity, while watt hours (Wh) measures energy capacity. Wh accounts for voltage (Wh = Ah × V).
Q2: How does discharge rate affect Ah?
A: Higher discharge rates typically reduce effective capacity due to the Peukert effect (batteries provide less capacity at higher currents).
Q3: What is a typical Ah rating for car batteries?
A: Car batteries typically range from 40Ah to 100Ah, with most around 50-70Ah for standard vehicles.
Q4: Can I convert Ah to runtime?
A: Yes, runtime (hours) = Ah / load current (A). A 100Ah battery would last ~10 hours with a 10A load.
Q5: Why is voltage important in Ah calculations?
A: Voltage determines how much energy each amp-hour represents. Higher voltage systems store more energy per Ah.