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🔋 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 Setup | Load (W) | Backup Time (Hours) |
|---|---|---|
| 12V 100Ah | 200W | 4.8 hrs |
| 24V 100Ah | 200W | 9.6 hrs |
| 48V 100Ah | 200W | 19.2 hrs |
| 48V 200Ah | 500W | 15.4 hrs |
| 12V 150Ah | 100W | 14.4 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
Enter Battery Capacity (Ah) – e.g., 100
Enter Battery Voltage (V) – e.g., 48
Enter Number of Batteries – e.g., 1
Enter Total Load (Watts) – e.g., 200
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.