Can this calculator estimate runtime for lead-acid batteries?

The tool includes comments with recommendations for lead-acid and sealed lead-acid batteries, but the developer notes that results are not so good for lead-acid chemistry due to significant capacity changes based on discharge rate.

What battery chemistries does this calculator support?

The calculator gives a good estimate for lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, NiCad, and NiMH batteries, but is not reliable for alkaline, carbon-zinc, lead-acid, lithium thionyl chloride, or coin cells.

Does the calculator account for the Peukert effect?

The calculator uses simple assumptions for runtime, but the site links to a tutorial that explains how to take the Peukert effect and battery lifetime into account for more accurate planning.

Is there a tutorial available on the site?

Yes, PowerStream provides a whole web page tutorial that teaches how to calculate battery capacity needs, covering battery lifetime, the Peukert effect, and end-of-life matters.

Miscellaneous CalculatorsTool Review

Battery Size Calculator

Provided byPowerStreampowerstream.com

PowerStream’s Battery Run-Time Calculator estimates runtime from amp-hour capacity and discharge current. The page al...

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About this tool

What Battery Size Calculator does

PowerStream’s Battery Run-Time Calculator estimates how long a battery will last based on its amp-hour capacity and the discharge current. The output provides a theoretical runtime in hours, along with a comments field that offers guidance on battery chemistry and discharge limitations. The site distinguishes itself by linking to a full tutorial that covers battery lifetime, the Peukert effect, and end-of-life considerations, rather than offering a bare calculation. It also includes specific notes for lead-acid and sealed lead-acid batteries, acknowledging that real-world capacity varies with discharge rate. While the calculator supports scientific notation for input, it explicitly states that results are not reliable for alkaline, carbon-zinc, lead-acid, or coin-cell chemistries.

Step by step

How to use the PowerStream Battery Size Calculator

1
Enter the battery capacity in Amp-hours
2
Enter the discharge rate in Amps
3
Press the Compute button to generate the estimated run time
4
Review the Comments field for chemistry-specific recommendations
5
Note that results are estimates and may not apply to all battery types

Is it right for you

Best for

DIY enthusiasts and engineers who need a quick estimate of battery runtime for lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, NiCad, or NiMH systems and want access to explanatory notes about battery behavior.

Limitations

Results are estimates and not accurate for alkaline, carbon-zinc, lead-acid, or coin-cell batteries
Does not support unit switching beyond amps and amp-hours
Theoretical runtime does not account for all real-world variables

Questions

Battery Size Calculator FAQ

Can this calculator estimate runtime for lead-acid batteries?: The tool includes comments with recommendations for lead-acid and sealed lead-acid batteries, but the developer notes that results are not so good for lead-acid chemistry due to significant capacity changes based on discharge rate.
What battery chemistries does this calculator support?: The calculator gives a good estimate for lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, NiCad, and NiMH batteries, but is not reliable for alkaline, carbon-zinc, lead-acid, lithium thionyl chloride, or coin cells.
Does the calculator account for the Peukert effect?: The calculator uses simple assumptions for runtime, but the site links to a tutorial that explains how to take the Peukert effect and battery lifetime into account for more accurate planning.
Is there a tutorial available on the site?: Yes, PowerStream provides a whole web page tutorial that teaches how to calculate battery capacity needs, covering battery lifetime, the Peukert effect, and end-of-life matters.

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