How to calculate how fast it would take to charge/discharge a battery

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the charging and discharging capabilities of car batteries when using a 30 amp charger and a 700-watt power inverter. A 30 amp charger can charge a typical car battery in approximately 2 hours, while a car battery can deliver 700 watts for about 4 hours, depending on its capacity. The user seeks to connect multiple batteries in parallel to achieve the desired power output and recharge time. Caution is advised regarding the charging speed to prevent overheating and potential battery damage.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of battery capacity measured in amp-hours (Ah)
  • Knowledge of electrical power calculations (Watts = Volts x Amps)
  • Familiarity with parallel battery configurations
  • Basic principles of battery charging and safety precautions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research battery capacity calculations for car batteries
  • Learn about safe charging practices for lead-acid batteries
  • Explore inverter specifications and compatibility with car batteries
  • Investigate battery management systems (BMS) for optimal performance
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for DIY enthusiasts, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in creating a cost-effective power backup solution using car batteries and inverters.

w2010w
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I was wondering if it was possible to use, simultaneously, a 30 amp (or higher) charger on a car battery and a DC to AC (say, 700 watts) power inverter.

Where I live we have 8 to 10 hours of power outages in 2 hour intervals during the day. Instead of wasting money on expensive office UPSes, I was wondering if I could make something a bit more sturdy using cheaper car batteries.

What I wanted to know is, how fast would a 30 amp charger take to charge a car battery? And how long could a car battery deliver 700 watts? I'm a complete n00b here so if someone could point out the specific formula/equation to use to calculate this, I would greatly appreciate it!

Ideally I would like enough batteries (I could just hook up a bunch of them up in parallel?) to deliver 700 watts for 4 hours, that would then recharge within 2 hours (when the power's back on).

Lastly, does anyone have tips for actually setting up this kind of apparatus? Specific parts/companies?
 
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It looks like what you really want to build is an inverter.
 
I can't answer your question but I do caution you to exercise care in designing battery recharging devices because if you recharge too quickly (on some batteries at least) you may get a charge a few times but will quickly destroy the battery due to overheating then you will have lots of acid-filled door-stops on your hands (and that's assuming they don't explode --- I'm not positive they do that but it wouldn't surprise me)
 

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