Battery Runtime Calculator

Determine how long your battery bank will last during a power outage. Works for lead-acid, AGM, and lithium (LiFePO4) batteries.

System Details

Depth of Discharge (DoD): 100%

Ah
W
%

Estimated Runtime

-- hrs
Total Energy: -- Wh
Usable Energy (DoD): -- Wh
Current Draw: -- A

Why Battery Type Matters

Batteries aren't just about total capacity; they are about usable capacity. Draining a battery too low can permanently damage it, depending on the chemistry.

  • Lithium (LiFePO4): The gold standard for solar generators. Can be safely discharged to 100% (or very close), giving you full use of the rated capacity. They are lighter and last longer.
  • AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat): A better version of lead-acid. Generally recommended to discharge only to 50-80%. Going lower shortens life span.
  • Lead Acid (Flooded): Traditional car/marine batteries. Should rarely be discharged below 50%. This means a 100Ah battery only provides 50Ah of usable power!

Formula Used:

Runtime = [(Ah × V × DoD) × Eff] / Watts