How to calculate watt hours for a battery?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the watt-hours for a specific battery model, particularly in the context of airline regulations regarding battery transport. Participants explore the specifications of the battery and its classification, debating whether it qualifies as a UPS or a simple power supply.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about calculating watt-hours from the specifications of a CyberPower model, noting the need to comply with airline regulations.
  • Another participant suggests that to calculate watt-hours, one should multiply the amp-hour rating by the output voltage, although the amp-hour rating is not provided in this case.
  • There is a discussion about the device being a portable power supply for computers, with uncertainty about its classification as a UPS or a simple power supply.
  • Participants express concern regarding the presence of lithium batteries and the associated transport regulations, with one suggesting contacting the airline for clarification.
  • A participant calculates the watt-hours based on the assumption of two 12V, 9AH batteries, arriving at a total of 216 watt-hours, but questions whether they add together or work sequentially.
  • Another participant asserts that the device contains sealed lead-acid batteries, which may have different transport regulations compared to lithium batteries.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on whether the device qualifies under the airline's battery transport regulations, as participants present conflicting views regarding its classification and the implications of its battery type.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of an amp-hour rating on the device, which complicates the calculation of watt-hours. There are also unresolved questions about the transport regulations for different battery types.

Padwise
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How do I calculate Watt Hours from the info on a battery:
CyberPower
Model No: CST150UC
Input 120V, 12A, 60 HZ
1500VA/900W, 60 Hz
USB-C Output 5Vdc, 2.5A Max
9Vdc, 2A Max
USB-A Output 5Vdc, 2.4A Max
Total Output; 30 W Max

To carry it onto a plane in Canada it can't be checked and needs to be under 160 Watt Hours, but from this info I can't find a formula to calculate that.
 
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Welcome to PF.

What is this thing? A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) with battery backup? Batteries don't have AC Mains 120Vac input...

To calculate Watt*Hours on a battery, take the AHr (Amp Hour) spec and multiply by the output Voltage.
 
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it is a portable power supply for computers but it doesn't have an AHr rating on it anywhere
 
Screenshot 2024-11-05 162417.png
 
Padwise said:
To carry it onto a plane in Canada it can't be checked and needs to be under 160 Watt Hours, but from this info I can't find a formula to calculate that.
Watt-Hour ratings apply to batteries, not to power supplies. Your device appears from the label to just be a simple power supply, so that limitation should not apply.

It would be best if you could call the airport's Customer Support phone line ahead of time to verify that the battery limitation does not apply to this simple power supply device.
 
Thanks, the concern I guess is because there are Lithium batteries inside it that store the power.
 
Padwise said:
Thanks, the concern I guess is because there are Lithium batteries inside it that store the power.
Inside what? That power supply that you posted the label for? Can you link to the datasheet?
 
That might take awhile to find, but I will try and find it then post it.
 
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@berkeman the label says it is a UPS. @Padwise google the specs and they will say what the battery is.

FYI, I found the answer in roughly 7 seconds but in my defense I did have to use a calculator.
 
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  • #10
2 Batteries inside that are each 12 V and 9 AH so that would be 108 Watt hours per battery correct, for a total of 216? or do they not add but work one after the other?
 
  • #11
russ_watters said:
@berkeman the label says it is a UPS.
Dagnabit!
1730855097673.png
 
  • #12
Padwise said:
2 Batteries inside that are each 12 V and 9 AH so that would be 108 Watt hours per battery correct, for a total of 216?
Yes.
 
  • #13
This Forum rocks! First time here and very helpful. Thanks.
 
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  • #14
You stated it contains Lithium batteries.
I recommend you ask the airline about this.

Lithium Ion batteries very likely have tighter restrictions on them than other battery types because. This is because their failure mode can be a hot flame that is very difficult to extinguish.

I sure would not want to be on an aircraft when/if these things light up!

Be careful and Live Long,
Tom

p.s. Lithium is reactive enough that water, instead of extinguishing it, intensifies the flame. Lithium uses the Oxygen in water (H2O for its oxidizer.
 
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  • #15
I think there is no need to ask the airline. It has 216 W-h, and they don't allow anything over 160 W-h. You can't bring it on the airplane.
 
  • #16
The Product Specs State Battery Type - Sealed Lead-Acid Battery

So no lithium.

What are the requirements for Lead-Acid Batteries?
TSA
Seems also no.

BoB
 

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