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Battery Runtime Calculator with Peukert Effect & DoD

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Ah
%
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Description

Calculate accurate battery runtime using Peukert effect, depth of discharge (DoD), and series/parallel configurations. Supports lead-acid, AGM, gel, and lithium-ion for solar, EV, UPS, and off-grid systems.

This tool estimates the theoretical runtime of a battery under a given load by considering configuration, capacity, discharge rate, and battery chemistry.

Ideal for off-grid systems, backup power, electric vehicles, and portable electronics.

How Do You Calculate Battery Runtime?

The basic formula is:

Runtime (hours) = (Total Capacity × DoD) / Load Current

Where:
- Total Capacity = Number of Batteries × Capacity per Battery × Connection Factor
- DoD = Depth of Discharge (% or Ah)
- Load Current = Load Power / Voltage (if in watts)

Peukert Equation for Realistic Runtime

The accurate runtime is calculated using:

t = (C₀ × Tᵏ) / Iᵏ

Where:

  • t = Actual runtime (hours)
  • C₀ = Rated capacity of a single battery (Ah, e.g., 100 Ah @ 20h)
  • T = Rated discharge time (hours, typically 20 h for lead-acid)
  • I = Total load current (A) = Load Power (W) / System Voltage (V)
  • k = Peukert constant (see table below)

Note: For multi-battery systems, total capacity and voltage are first computed based on series/parallel configuration before applying this formula.

What Is the Peukert Effect and How Does It Affect Battery Life?

The Peukert effect describes how battery capacity decreases as discharge rate increases. Higher currents reduce usable capacity, especially in lead-acid batteries.

  • Peukert constant (k) > 1.0 indicates capacity loss at high rates
  • Lithium-ion batteries have k ≈ 1.0 → less affected
  • Older batteries have higher k values due to internal resistance increase

This calculator uses the Peukert equation to provide more accurate runtime estimates than simple division.

How Does Battery Connection (Series vs Parallel) Affect Runtime?

Battery connections change total voltage and capacity:

  • Series: Voltages add up, capacity stays the same → higher voltage, same runtime
  • Parallel: Voltage stays the same, capacities add up → same voltage, longer runtime
  • Series-Parallel: Combines both effects → higher voltage and longer runtime

Example: Two 12V 100Ah batteries in parallel = 12V 200Ah → doubles runtime.

What Is Depth of Discharge (DoD) and Why Is It Important?

Depth of Discharge (DoD) is the percentage of battery capacity used during a cycle:

DoD = (Used Capacity / Total Capacity) × 100%

  • Higher DoD = longer runtime but shorter battery lifespan
  • Lead-acid: typically limited to 50% DoD to extend cycle life
  • Lithium-ion: can safely reach 80–100% DoD
  • Exceeding recommended DoD reduces battery health and performance

Always consider manufacturer recommendations for optimal battery longevity.

How Does Battery Age Affect Runtime?

As batteries age, their internal resistance increases and capacity degrades:

  • Capacity drops by 10–20% per year in lead-acid batteries
  • Peukert constant increases with age → faster capacity loss at high loads
  • Efficiency decreases → more energy lost as heat

This calculator assumes new battery conditions. For aged batteries, reduce rated capacity by 10–20% for realistic estimates.

Can I Use This Calculator for Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Yes! The calculator supports all battery types, including lithium-ion:

  • Use Peukert constant ≈ 1.0–1.28 (closer to 1.0 than lead-acid)
  • Allow higher DoD (up to 100%) without significant damage
  • Less sensitive to discharge rate → Peukert effect is minimal

However, always check manufacturer specs for temperature limits and charge/discharge cycles.

Parameter Description

Parameter Description
Connection Select battery configuration:
Series: Voltages add, capacity unchanged
Parallel: Voltage unchanged, capacities add
Single: One battery
Number of Batteries Total number of batteries in the system.
Voltage (V) Nominal voltage of a single battery (e.g., 12V, 24V).
Capacity (Ah) Rated capacity of a single battery in ampere-hours (Ah).
Load (W or A) Power consumption of connected device:
• In watts (W): suitable for most appliances
• In amperes (A): when operating current is known
Peukert Constant (k) Coefficient for capacity correction at different discharge rates:
• Lead-Acid: 1.1–1.3
• Gel: 1.1–1.25
• Flooded: 1.2–1.5
• Lithium-Ion: 1.0–1.28
Depth of Discharge (DoD) Percentage of capacity discharged relative to full charge.
• Can be entered as % or Ah
• Typical values: 50% (lead-acid), 80–100% (lithium-ion)
Rated Discharge Time Time (in hours) over which the rated capacity is measured (usually 20h for lead-acid).

Battery Runtime Calculation Principle

The calculator uses the following steps:

  1. Compute total system voltage and capacity based on connection type
  2. Apply Peukert equation to correct capacity for actual discharge rate
  3. Calculate available energy: E = V × C × DoD
  4. Divide by load power to get runtime: t = E / P

For DC systems, efficiency is assumed 100%. Real-world losses (wires, inverters) may reduce actual runtime by 10–20%.

Usage Recommendations

  • Use for sizing UPS, solar systems, EVs, and portable power stations
  • Consider safety margins: multiply runtime by 0.8–0.9 for real-world conditions
  • Limit DoD to preserve battery life (especially for lead-acid)
  • Account for temperature effects: cold reduces capacity by 20–30%
  • Regularly recalibrate based on observed performance

This calculator adheres to IEEE standards and supports accurate battery runtime estimation in real-world applications.

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