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Free Energy tool · Reviewed 2026-09-17

Battery Backup Time Calculator

Estimate UPS or solar battery runtime from appliance load, battery capacity, voltage and practical losses.

Reviewed by Mohammad QasimMethod and limitations disclosed
Interactive calculatorYour values stay on this device
Ready to calculate

Your result

Click Calculate

Enter your values, then click Calculate result.
Result uses last calculated inputs

How this calculator helps

Estimate how long a battery bank can support a known load during an outage. The result applies a conservative usable-capacity and conversion-loss allowance so it is more useful than simply dividing watt-hours by watts.

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Detailed supporting guide

UPS and Battery Sizing Guide for Pakistan

Size inverter VA, battery Ah and expected backup time without confusing watts, volt-amperes and watt-hours.

Read the complete guide →

How to use it

  1. 1

    Add the running watts of every appliance that will operate during backup.

  2. 2

    Enter the battery bank's rated amp-hours and total voltage.

  3. 3

    Use the estimated time conservatively and avoid discharging batteries beyond manufacturer guidance.

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Formula and methodology

Nominal energy = amp-hours × voltage. Estimated runtime = nominal energy × usable-capacity factor × inverter efficiency ÷ connected load.

Uses the values you enter with transparent energy, power and efficiency relationships. Provider tariffs and equipment specifications should be replaced with current figures.

Worked calculation example

A 150 Ah, 12 V battery stores 1,800 nominal watt-hours. At 80% combined usable energy and conversion efficiency with a 300 W load, estimated runtime is about 4.8 hours.

How to interpret your result

Read the result as equivalent backup time at a steady load; real runtime falls when load, battery age or inverter losses increase.

Input guide

1

Add the actual watts of appliances that run together.

2

Use battery capacity at the stated voltage and condition.

3

Select a conservative usable-capacity allowance for the battery chemistry.

Scenario comparison

ScenarioWhat it demonstrates
150 W load on a small batterysuitable for lights and networking equipment.
500 W loaddemonstrates why heating and motor loads shorten runtime quickly.
Same load on an aged batterycompare at reduced usable capacity.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Adding appliance labels that never run simultaneously without explanation.
  • Using Ah alone without battery voltage.
  • Discharging lead-acid batteries as deeply as lithium batteries.
How to verify this result

Verify the battery datasheet, inverter efficiency and safe depth of discharge with the supplier.

What can affect the result?

Battery chemistry

Lead-acid and lithium batteries have different safe depth-of-discharge limits.

Battery health

Age, heat and repeated deep discharge reduce available capacity.

Conversion losses

Inverters and wiring consume energy before it reaches appliances.

Limits of this estimate

Runtime is an energy estimate, not a battery guarantee; it omits chemistry-specific discharge curves, surge loads and inverter cut-off behaviour.

Important: SolvePilot provides planning estimates, not official invoices, tax assessments, financial advice or professional quotations. Always confirm important decisions with the relevant provider or authority.

Sources and review information

Frequently asked questions

Is the battery backup calculator free?+

Yes. SolvePilot tools are free, work in your browser, and require no account.

Does SolvePilot store my values?+

No. Calculations run locally in your browser and the values you enter are not sent to a server.

Should I treat the result as an exact bill or quotation?+

No. Results are informed estimates. Final charges can vary because of taxes, tariffs, lender terms, usage patterns, or provider rules.

How can I improve the accuracy?+

Use recent values from your own bill, statement or institution, review every assumption, and confirm important results with the relevant official source.

Why is actual backup sometimes shorter?+

Battery age, temperature, discharge rate, wiring losses and inverter cut-off voltage can all reduce usable runtime.