What is the differences between Amp hours and Watt hours

If you’re ever on the hunt for a new battery for energy storage, then chances are you’ll hear the terms amp hours and watt hours tossed around. For this reason we’ll explain both in more detail and the purpose of each measurement. That way you have the full scope and can more easily connect how these measurements work and why they’re important.

Amp Hours: Endurance

Batteries have a capacity rating that’s typically measured in amp hours. This rating tells the user how much charge the battery can store and deliver over a period of time. Sort of how much stamina your battery has or doesn’t have. To simplify things, imagine amp hours as a measurement of your battery’s stamina. Amp hours (commonly referred to as Ah) measure the amount of electrical charge your battery is able to dish out in a given hour. Like a marathon runner who has the ability to keep going and going, the higher the amp hours, the longer your battery can sustain its electrical flow.

So in general, the higher a battery’s amp hour rating is, the longer the battery’s run-time will be. If you’re running a large device, like an RV, you’ll probably want a battery with a much higher Ah rating, than say a small kayak trolling motor battery. Because an RV will likely power multiple devices and for many hours at a time. And because your battery can power your device for a longer duration, you won’t have to recharge or replace it as often.

Watts: Total Energy

Watt Hours are the champ of battery metrics because they give you a broader picture of a battery’s capacity. This is done by taking into account both the current and voltage. Why is this important? Because it can come in handy when comparing batteries with different voltage ratings. Watt Hours give you the lowdown on the total energy stored in a battery. It’s like knowing how much work that battery can do overall.

Calculating watt hours is pretty simple. You’ll want to factor in both the current (amperage) and the voltage of the battery. Here’s the equation: Watt Hours = Amp Hours × Voltage.

Picture this: You have a battery with 10 amp hours and a voltage of 12 volts. Multiply them together, and voila! You have yourself 120 Watt Hours. That means your battery can deliver a total of 120 units of energy. See?

Knowing your battery’s watt hour measurement is helpful in several ways. It’s a great tool for comparing batteries against one another, helping you size up battery backup systems, letting you know how energy efficient your battery is, and more. So while amp hours and watt hours are separate measurements, they’re both important in making informed decisions.

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