Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about batteries, runtime, and backup power.
1. How do I calculate battery runtime?
Quick version: take your battery's watt-hours, subtract about 15% for real-world losses, and divide by your device's wattage. Example: a 500Wh battery running a 50W device gives you about 8-9 hours. Our calculator does this math automatically — just pick your device and battery.
2. What is DoD (Depth of Discharge)?
DoD is how much of your battery you can actually use without killing it. Lead-acid batteries? Only use about half before recharging. LiFePO4? You can safely use 80-90%. That's why LiFePO4 gives you nearly twice the real-world runtime from the same capacity — and lasts way longer too.
3. Why is LiFePO4 better than AGM?
LiFePO4 wins in almost every way: 3-5× longer lifespan (2000-5000 cycles vs 500), 50% lighter, 80-90% usable capacity vs just 50% for AGM. The only downside? 2-3× higher upfront cost. But over the long run, LiFePO4 is actually cheaper.
4. How to choose a power station for home backup?
Add up the watts for everything you need to run at once, multiply by hours needed, then add 25% for efficiency losses. Example: router (12W) + laptop (45W) + lights (20W) = 77W. Need 8 hours? That's 77 × 8 × 1.25 = about 770Wh. Get a power station with at least that capacity and make sure its outlet can handle your peak wattage.
5. What is an inverter and why do I need it?
An inverter converts DC (direct current) from batteries to AC (alternating current) that most household devices use. You need an inverter if you want to power devices with standard plugs (laptops, TVs, appliances) from a battery. Inverters have efficiency losses (typically 85-90%), so runtime is lower compared to DC devices. Power stations have built-in inverters, while with separate batteries you need to add one.
Have more questions? Contact us or try our battery runtime calculator.