1. What is Lithium Battery Capacity?

Battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh) represents the total amount of energy a battery can store. For lithium batteries, this is calculated by multiplying the battery's nominal voltage by its amp-hour rating.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( Voltage \) — Nominal voltage of the battery (V)
• \( Amp\text{-}hours \) — Battery's capacity in amp-hours (Ah)

Explanation: Watt-hours is a more practical measurement of battery capacity than amp-hours alone because it accounts for both voltage and current.

3. Importance of Capacity Calculation

Details: Knowing a battery's capacity in watt-hours helps compare different batteries, estimate runtime for devices, and ensure proper sizing for applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the battery's nominal voltage (typically 3.7V for Li-ion, 3.2V for LiFePO4) and its amp-hour rating. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between Wh and Ah?
A: Amp-hours (Ah) measures charge capacity, while watt-hours (Wh) measures energy capacity. Wh accounts for voltage differences between battery types.

Q2: Why is voltage important in capacity calculation?
A: Higher voltage batteries can deliver more power at the same current, so two batteries with the same Ah rating but different voltages will store different amounts of energy.

Q3: How do I find my battery's nominal voltage?
A: Check the battery specifications - common values are 3.7V (Li-ion), 3.2V (LiFePO4), or multiples for series configurations (e.g., 14.8V for 4S Li-ion).

Q4: Can I use this for non-lithium batteries?
A: Yes, the formula works for any battery type, but the calculator is optimized for lithium chemistries which have different voltage characteristics.

Q5: How does this relate to device runtime?
A: Divide the Wh capacity by your device's power consumption in watts to estimate runtime hours (approximately).