🔋 Battery Backup Runtime Calculator

🔹 Quick Answer

Battery Backup Time (Hours) = (Battery Capacity × Voltage × Number of Batteries × Efficiency) ÷ Load (Watts)
Example:
A 100Ah, 48V battery running a 200W load gives ≈ 19.2 hours of backup (assuming 80% usable capacity).

Use this free Battery Backup Runtime Calculator to instantly estimate how long your battery system will power your appliances, inverters, or solar setups — before needing a recharge.

 What Is a Battery Backup Runtime Calculator?

A Battery Backup Runtime Calculator is a tool that helps you estimate how long your battery will last under a specific electrical load.
It’s essential for solar setups, UPS systems, off-grid inverters, RVs, and backup power applications.

By entering:

  • Battery Capacity (Ah) – the ampere-hour rating of your battery

  • Battery Voltage (V) – usually 12V, 24V, or 48V

  • Number of Batteries – connected in your system

  • Total Load (Watts) – total power consumption of all devices

…the tool instantly calculates your estimated backup runtime in hours.

Why You Should Use This Tool

Plan your backup power — know how long your inverter or UPS can sustain a given load.
Solar System Sizing — determine how many batteries you need for night usage or cloudy days.
Cost Optimization — avoid over- or under-sizing batteries for your energy storage.
Appliance Protection — ensure your critical devices (routers, CCTV, servers, etc.) stay powered during outages.

Whether you call it a battery backup calculator, battery runtime estimator, or UPS runtime calculator, the goal is the same: know your power duration with confidence.

Formula for Battery Backup Time

The standard formula used by the calculator is:

 
Backup Time (hours) = (Battery Capacity × Voltage × Number of Batteries × Efficiency) ÷ Load (Watts)

Where:

  • Battery Capacity (Ah) = Amp-hours rating

  • Voltage (V) = Battery voltage

  • Efficiency = Typically 0.8 (80% usable capacity)

  • Load (W) = Power usage of connected devices

Example:

For a 100Ah, 48V system running a 200W load:

 
Backup Time = (100 × 48 × 0.8) ÷ 200 = 19.2 hours

So, you’ll get roughly 19 hours of backup before your battery needs recharging.

Real-World Examples

Battery SetupLoad (W)Backup Time (Hours)
12V 100Ah200W4.8 hrs
24V 100Ah200W9.6 hrs
48V 100Ah200W19.2 hrs
48V 200Ah500W15.4 hrs
12V 150Ah100W14.4 hrs

💡 These are approximate values assuming 80% efficiency. Actual results depend on inverter losses, battery age, and temperature.

How to Use the Online Battery Backup Calculator

  1. Enter Battery Capacity (Ah) – e.g., 100

  2. Enter Battery Voltage (V) – e.g., 48

  3. Enter Number of Batteries – e.g., 1

  4. Enter Total Load (Watts) – e.g., 200

  5. Click 🔌 Calculate Runtime

➡️ Instantly see:

  • Total Battery Capacity (Wh)

  • Usable Capacity (80%)

  • Current Draw (A)

  • Estimated Backup Time (Hours)

Example:
Input: 100Ah, 48V, 1 battery, 200W → Output: ≈19.2 hours of runtime

 Applications of This Calculator

  • Solar Power Systems: Estimate overnight backup during no-sun hours.

  • UPS & Inverters: Calculate how long servers, routers, or computers can run.

  • Off-Grid Systems: Plan battery banks for cabins, vans, or tiny homes.

  • Battery Design: Compare 12V, 24V, and 48V systems for efficiency.

FAQs

 How do I calculate battery backup manually?

Use the formula:
Backup (hrs) = (Ah × V × No. of Batteries × Efficiency) ÷ Load (W)

 What’s the efficiency of lead-acid vs. lithium batteries?

Lead-acid ≈ 80%, Lithium ≈ 95%. Use 0.8 or 0.95 in calculations accordingly.

How long will a 12V 200Ah battery run a 200W load?

≈ (12×200×0.8)/200 = 9.6 hours.

 Why is my actual backup time less than calculated?

Real-world losses (inverter inefficiency, temperature, battery age) reduce total usable power.

 How often should I re-calculate runtime?

Whenever you add or remove loads, or after 1 year as the battery ages.

 Can I use this for solar batteries?

Yes, it’s ideal for off-grid and hybrid solar systems to estimate nighttime power duration.

 Final Thoughts

A Battery Backup Runtime Calculator is more than a tool — it’s your energy planning companion.
It helps you make smart decisions about:

  • Battery sizing

  • Load management

  • Backup reliability

 Whether you’re designing a home inverter system, running a small solar setup, or managing a data center UPS, this calculator ensures you’re never left guessing.

Try our free Battery Backup Runtime Calculator now and discover exactly how long your power will last.