Most people are using 100ah batteries to store solar power. But do you know the actual meaning of this battery? Well, Amp-hours or Ah measures battery capacity. 100ah means that the battery can provide 12 watts for 100 hours. That means a 100ah battery can provide 12V voltage with 1 amp of current for 100 hours.
But how do you calculate how long a battery will last? The formula from (battery capacity in ah) divided by (amps of current), you will get ‘the hours left in battery’. But the relationship between current and voltage is not constant for several appliances like fridges, air conditioning, TV etc. Now the question is how long will a 100ah battery last? Generally, it means people want to know how many hours or minutes the battery can provide power for a certain load. As watts divided by volts is equal to amps per hour. So, generally, a 100Ah battery will last for 1000 hours.
To get more information, keep reading this article. We will provide some essential information and tips to clarify your all doubt about the 100ah battery and to choose the best one.
Table of Contents
What Will A 100ah Battery Run?
Generally, a 100Ah battery will run a current of 1 amp, 2 amp and 3 amp for respectively 100 hours, 50 hours and 33 hours. But appliances with heavy power will run for less time.
A 100 ah will run refrigerator, tv, freezers, hairdryer, home usage appliances, RV appliances. Besides, a 100Ah can run 100W appliance for 20 hours and 400W DC load for 1.5 hours at a draw of 5 amps/hour.
A chart on how long an appliance can run with a 100Ah battery
| Appliance (W) | Amps | Estimated Runtime (Hours) |
| 60 | 5 | 10h |
| 110 | 9 | 5h |
| 140 | 12 | 4h |
| 200 | 17 | 2.5h |
| 300 | 25 | 1.5h |
| 600 | 50 | 30min |
| 1000 | 83 | 15min |
| 1800 | 150 | 7.5min |
Besides, a 100Ah battery will run 400W, 500W appliances for nearly 45 min and 700W, 800W, 900W appliances for about 20min.
Read More: Best Lithium ion Battery for Rv Solar
How Long Will A 100Ah Deep Cycle Battery Last?
This totally depends on using the current of the battery without damage. Generally, a 100Ah deep cycle battery will last 20 hours using the current of 5 amps per hour. But how long will a 12V 100Ah battery last? A 12V 100Ah battery has 1200 Watt-hours energy storage. So, a 12V 100 Ah battery will last for 1000 hours.
Difference Between Amps And Amp Hours
Amps are the unit of electrical current with the highest level of energy. On the other hand, amp-hours are the units of storage capacity of the current or how many amps per hour they can provide.
How Do You Calculate Work Hours On A Battery?
For calculating amp-hours you can calculate it by the number of amps a battery provides the discharge time in hours. For example, 10 amps of a battery can provide current for 100 hours. That means 10 amps × 10 hours = 100 Ah.
And to calculate work hours at first you have to convert to watt-hours by the formula of Amp Hours X Voltage = Watt Hours. For example, 100Ah × 12V = 1200 Watt Hours
Number Of Cycles Vs Time Of Discharge
The number of cycles means a 100 ah battery can last by how many charging or discharging cycles with its capacity not lowering below a specific level.
- Lithium 100 Ah batteries can withstand 2000-7000 charging/discharging cycles when discharged rates at 0.1-0.3C down to 100-50% DOD.
- Lead-acid 100 Ah batteries can withstand 200-900 charging/discharging cycles when discharged rates are down at 0.05-0.2C to 100-50% DoD.
So, a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with a lot of cycles is good for a 12V 100Ah battery.
Lithium batteries are lighter than lead-acid batteries. And lithium batteries can charge fast with attached chargers and also have Battery Management Systems (BMS). Without reliable BMS lithium batteries can catch fire, overheat or even explode. So you should not buy this battery without BMS.
On the other hand, if you want a 100Ah 12V battery without a lot cycle, choose Gel-Cell or Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery.
Read More: Best Solar Panels For RV Battery Charging
100Ah Batteries Time Of Discharge
The nominal capacity of the lead-acid battery is given when the battery is discharged for 20h. Then a 100ah lead-acid battery can provide 5 amps for 20 hours.
On the other hand, the nominal capacity of the lithium battery is usually given for the 1-5 hours discharge. (1h → 1C, 2h → 0.5C, 5h → 0.2C, etc.).
Note Lead-acid battery with stronger currents while discharged features capacity loss. Actual capacity depends on the adoptable end voltage and battery temperature.
For example, AIMS LFP12V100AB and Odyssey 31-PC2150 are being discharged for 2 hours, the AIMS LFP12V100AB battery can provide 50 amps of 100 ah. But Odyssey 31-PC2150 will provide 39 amps of 78 amps.
Reserve Capacity (RC) Of The 12V 100Ah Batteries
Reserve capacity (RC) is the standard in minutes that the battery can continuously deliver 25 amps without the voltage lowering below a specific safe voltage.
The Reserve Capacity of the 12V 100Ah lead-acid battery is around 170-190 minutes. On the contrary, the Reserve Capacity of the 12V 100Ah lithium battery is around 240 minutes. These batteries can provide 25 amps for 4 hours.
5 Best 100ah Deep Cycle Battery
Let’s discuss the best 100ah battery with its features and details so that you can choose the best one.
#1. Battle Born BB10012 100Ah 12V Battery
Built-in Bluetooth Communication – Monitor your batteries on Apple or Android smartphones, tablets, MacBooks, and other devices
Battle Born BB10012 batteries are great well-made 100ah batteries. High-quality technology with 3000-5000 life cycles makes the battery more reliable. Battle Born BB10012 batteries have a 100Ah rated capacity with 12V nominal voltage. Battle Born BB10012 batteries are excellent for RVs, car applications, smartphones, other devices and also for off-grid applications etc.
Features And Benefits:
- Designed with a Battery Management System (BMS) that protects the battery. Current, voltage, amp-hours consumed, 100 amp continuous output, surge output of 200 amp are the basic display options.
- Weighing at 31 lbs makes the battery lightweight.
- Provide a compatible quantity of power with a long life duration.
- The battery management system provides low/high voltage protection, temperature protection, short circuit security, and cold charging safety.
- This battery has no overheating issues. That means it will not gain heat.
- Suitable for the environment for using safe lithium and being nontoxic.
- Will last around 10-15 years with 75-80% actual powering capacity of the battery.
Keep In Mind:
- No internal resistance
- No temperature compensation in charging parameters
#2.LiFePO4 12V 100Ah Battery
- Providing 2000~5000 Cycles, 10 times longer than lead acid battery with only 200~500 cycles
- Weighing in at only 1/3 the weight of the same capacity lead acid battery
- Highest-Level Safety based on UL Testing Certificate
LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery is an excellent 100ah 12V battery that is qualified to deliver power. Containing 12.8V nominal voltage and 2000-5000 life cycles. This battery can run several systems including RV, marine, campers, solar home, van etc. And also perfect for off-grid application and backup power.
Features And Benefits:
- Designed with the greatest quality materials and built-in BMS technology.
- Manufactured by Automotive Grade LiFePO4 Cells that provide more credible performance, higher power and energy density.
- UL Testing certificate ensures the highest-level security for the cell.
- Only 25.35 lbs weight makes this battery 50% lighter.
- LiFePO4 battery is waterproof. So you can easily install outdoor camping or indoors. Running up to 95% of its power capacity and delivering astronomical boosts.
- The battery management system protects the battery from overcurrent, over charge-discharge, short circuits.
- About 10 years lifetime guarantee.
Keep In Mind
- No acid in this battery. Yet able to safely charge.
- The inadequate memory effect doesn’t matter the battery state.
#3. Renogy 100Ah 12 Volt Battery
- Terminal: M8 x 1.25 x 20 mm
- Container Material: ABS
- Internal Resistance: Approx. 5.0mΩ
- Self Discharge Rate: ≤3% per month at 25℃ / 77℉
- Package includes: Renogy 12 Volt 100Ah Deep Cycle AGM Battery x 1
Renogy deep cycle AGM batteries are perfect for solar energy applications meeting with high-quality performance. The weight of this battery is 63.9 lbs. Renogy batteries are used as backup power and for solar marine, off-grid applications, DIY camper and RV.
Features And Benefits:
- Featured with advanced valve operated technology and heavy Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) separator. This technology provides rapid maintenance and protection from acid leakage.
- Treated plate grids provide high discharge current. And the proprietary quinary alloy plates deliver low internal resistance.
- Enhanced electrolyte formulas confirm reliable battery capacity and excellent discharge capacity.
- High purity substances of the battery reduce the self-discharge rate that provides long shelf life. That means these batteries last up to 10 years.
Keep In Mind:
- Install the battery upright. Don’t put it upside down.
4.ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Battery
- Life Cycles: 2500 with 100% DOD; 3600 with 80% DOD; 7000 with 50% DOD
- Built-in Battery Management System (BMS)
ExpertPower 100ah battery is one of the best durable batteries in the market. This battery has 12.8 nominal voltage and 2500-7000 life cycles. ExpertPower battery is easily used for home, marine, job site, solar, RV and outdoor needs.
Features And Benefits:
- Modelled with Battery Management System and featured with efficient power, low-temperature.
- Weighing at only 22.6 lbs makes this battery lightweight than other lead-acid batteries.
- The technology and other management systems provide complete protection and high-quality performance.
- Provide longer service life that lasts 10 years of lifetime. Built-in 2500 life cycles with 100% DOD and 7000 life cycles with 50% DOD.
- BMS protects this battery from deep discharge, overcharge, short circuit and overheating and ensures maintenance-free storage.
Keep In Mind:
- Need to reset the BMS protection after 5 seconds in fault situations.
#5. Mighty Max 100 Ah 12V SLA Battery
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Battery Cell Composition: Lead Acid
- Item Weight: 60.79 Pounds
Mighty Max 100Ah battery is a top-quality Sealed Lead Acid battery with maintenance-free performance. Weighing at 68 lbs. These batteries are used for various purposes including medical mobility, power sports, motorcycles, golf carts, and more. Mighty Max batteries can also run electric vehicles, consumer electronics, access control devices, portable tools, emergency lighting, etc.
Features And Benefits:
- Featured with AGM technology, voltmeter, and charge status indicator. And designed with a regulated valve, calcium-alloy, heavy-duty grid.
- Provides exceptional support and superior performance for using the finest materials. An electrolytic suspension provides exceptional security that protects your devices and you from harm.
- No need to add water during the battery life and mount in any position.
- Delivers compatible power at an impressive price, avoid high vibration and operates reliably with ambient temperature
- Mighty Max battery brand gives you a 1-year warranty.
Keep In Mind:
- Slightly heavy.
- Don’t short the battery terminal
- The storage temperature should not be over 60℃.
Read More: Best Solar Charger For 12V Deep Cycle Battery
12V 100Ah Batteries As The Power Inverter Batteries
Sometimes 12V 100Ah batteries can be used as the power inverter batteries which are 1000W power inverters.
For example,
- UPG UB121000 battery can power such an inverter for nearly 30 minutes.
- Odyssey 31-PC2150 battery can power the inverter for 36-38 minutes.
- AIMS LFP12V100AB battery can power such an inverter for nearly 1 hour.
A 1000W power inverter can provide power for off-grid applications and several home appliances during emergencies. Besides, some 1000W power inverter is featured with 1500-2000W surge power with 85% efficiency. When buying a lithium battery you should check the surge current rate of the battery.
If the batteries need to provide less power nearly 350 watts for a 300W power inverter then for example,
- UPG UB121000 will easily power such an inverter for nearly 2 hours.
- Odyssey 31-PC2150 battery can power such inverter for almost 2h 20 min
- AIMS LFP12V100AB battery will power such an inverter for nearly 3 hours 40 minutes.
There are several batteries besides these three batteries on the market. So choose the best one according to your preferences.
Note: One important thing is that lithium batteries maintain their output voltage constant nearing the nominal voltage of 12.8V.
FAQ
A 100Ah battery will power a 35 watt 32″ LED TV for 34 hours by the power inverter. But a 20 watt smaller TV for 60 hours until the discharge of the battery.
A 100Ah battery will power a 35 watt 32″ LED TV for 34 hours by the power inverter. But a 20 watt smaller TV for 60 hours until the discharge of the battery.
A 100 Ah battery can run a PC for nearly 3 hours that draw at 33.3 amps per hour. But a 200W computer can run for 6 hours.
An RV battery can last for 5 to 7 years. But some RV holders want to replace the battery every year by taking an extra RV trip.
You can’t ever get all the power capacity from a battery for several reasons.
– Sometimes batteries don’t discharge evenly depending upon the load putting on the battery.
– Actually, batteries are rated for 5 amps constant load over 20 hours of time
– Different batteries are charged with different chargers. Sometimes the battery may not fully charge.
– Cycle life of a battery count. That means if the battery is cycled more times, the battery can’t hold its maximum capacity.
Conclusion
I think you can already understand that this question has no one-size-fits-all answer. But if you check the battery model graphs, constant current discharge, and constant power, you can compare them with your needed power and intended use. Then you can easily determine how long a 100Ah battery lasts. Besides, there are other things related to this question that we discussed above. Hopefully, this article will be helpful to enhance your knowledge.
