Battery Charge Time Calculator
Table of contents
Calculating battery charge time: a quick guideHow long does it take to charge a car battery: exampleHow to use battery charge time calculatorFactors that affect battery charging timeFAQsOur intuitive battery charge time calculator will help you calculate battery charge time using the battery's capacity, and charging current. It provides accurate battery charging time calculation for various scenarios, including car battery charging time estimation. We'll also answer questions like how long does it take to charge a car battery and explain what is a battery charge in practical terms.
Calculating battery charge time: a quick guide
Understanding what a battery charge is and how to calculate charging time is key to keeping your devices, from smartphones to car batteries, running smoothly. The battery may be either fully or partially discharged, as determined by the state of charge (SoC) percentage. Let's calculate the available capacity, which is the capacity we need to fill to fully charge the battery:
Available capacity = Capacity × (1 - (SoC / 100))
Now, you'll need the charging current to find the battery charging time. Its value depends on the battery type and materials used in them. Each of them has a different efficiency, which determines the level of energy losses during the charging and discharging and impacts overall battery life:
Charging current = Input current × Efficiency
We'll combine these equations into one simple formula to estimate how long it will take to charge your battery:
Charge time = Available capacity / Charging current
And that’s all! With this method, you can easily calculate how long it’ll take to juice up your battery.
How long does it take to charge a car battery: example
Let's use the formula above to estimate the car battery charging time. For one variant of the Tesla Model S, the battery capacity is 200 Ah (you can convert amp-hours to watt-hours with our battery capacity calculator). We start charging at 40%, meaning that SoC is 40%.
Available Capacity = 200 Ah × (1 - (40% / 100)) = 120 Ah
This means we must fill 120 Ah to fully charge the car battery to 100%.
The Tesla onboard charger uses a current of 48 A for the fastest charging speed. Our electric vehicle uses a lithium-ion battery with an efficiency factor of 95% (0.95). Therefore, the effective charging current is:
Charging Current = 48 A × 0.95 = 45.6 A
Finally, we can calculate the time it takes to fully charge a Tesla:
Charge Time = 120 Ah / 45.6 A = 2.63 hours = 158 minutes
How to use battery charge time calculator
Calculating the battery charging time with this calculator is straightforward and efficient; just follow the steps:
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Input the battery capacity in Ah, or mAh. If capacity is in Wh or kWh, use watt hour calculator to convert watt-hours to amp-hours.
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Specify the charging current in your chosen unit (A or mA).
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Determine the state of charge. If the battery is partially charged, enter the current state of charge (SoC) as a percentage.
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Now the battery charge time calculator will immediately estimate and display the battery charging time in hours. Click on the unit field to switch between time formats and choose the one most convenient for you.
Factors that affect battery charging time
Several factors can affect the time of charging the battery in your electronic device or electric vehicle, in particular:
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Battery capacity — Larger batteries take longer to charge as they store more energy. Check our battery size calculator to determine the appropriate capacity for your device.
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Charging current — A higher charging current reduces charging time.
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State of Charge (SoC) — Batteries charge faster when partially discharged compared to when they are near full capacity.
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Battery chemistry — Different battery types (e.g., lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, etc.) have varying efficiency, which affects charging time.
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Temperature — Extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) can slow down charging or even damage the battery.
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Age and condition of the battery — Older batteries or those with degraded cells may charge more slowly or not fully.
What is a battery charge?
In electrochemistry, battery charge refers to the amount of electric energy that a battery can store or deliver during a discharge cycle. It is fundamentally linked to the movement of ions between the battery's anode and cathode through the electrolyte during the charging and discharging processes.
How can I calculate a battery charge time?
To find the battery charge time, use the following method:
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Take the battery's capacity in Ah or mAh.
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Combine it with the initial State of Charge (SoC) using the formula:
Available capacity = Capacity × (1 - (SoC / 100))
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Multiply the current by the battery efficiency resulting in a charging current.
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Divide available capacity by charging current.
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Multiply the result by 60 to express the time in minutes.
How long it takes to fully charge NiCd 2500 mAh battery?
1.8 hours or 107 minutes, using a 2 A charger. The initial SoC will be 0%, and the available capacity is equal to the total capacity of 2500 mAh (or 2.5 Ah). The nickel-cadmium battery has an efficiency of 70%, which means that the charging current = 2 A × 0.7 = 1.4 A.
To calculate NiCd battery charging time, divide the capacity by the current.
How can I charge a lithium ion battery?
To properly charge the lithium-ion batteries:
- Use the manufacturer’s charger or a compatible one.
- Avoid full discharges and keep the charge between 20%-80%.
- Charge in moderate temperatures (68-77 ºF / 20-25 ºC) and update firmware for optimized charging.
- Replace batteries when they show reduced capacity.
Is charging to 100% bad for the battery?
Yes, charging to 100% all the time does reduce your battery life and capacity. Like any electronic device, it's best to follow the 80% rule: avoid fully charging the battery or letting it drain completely to 0%.