If the Peukert exponent is not provided with your battery, you can
calculate it by using other specifications which should be provided with
your battery.
The Peukert equation is stated below:
n
where the Peukert exponent, n =
Cp
I
t
=
⋅
The battery specifications needed for calculation of the Peukert
exponent, are the rated battery capacity (usually the 20 h discharge
1
rate
) and for example a 5 h discharge rate
example of how to define the Peukert exponent using these two
specifications.
C
=
5 h rating
5
h
t
5
=
1
I
=
1
Peukert
exponent,
n
=
When no ratings are given at all, you can measure your battery using
a 'constant load bank'. In this way a second rating can be obtained,
together with the 20 h rating which represents the rated battery
capacity in most cases. This second rating can be determined by
discharging a fully charged battery with a constant current; until the
battery reaches 1.75 V per cell (which is 10.5 V for a 12 V battery or
21 V for a 24 V battery).
1
Please note that the rated battery capacity can also be defined as the 10h or even 5h discharge rate.
2
The 5h discharge rate in this example is just arbitrary. Make sure that besides the C20 rating (low discharge current) you choose a second rating
with a substantially higher discharge current.
75
Ah
20 h rating,
h
75
Ah
15
A
=
5
h
log
20
log
5
−
=
1 . 2 6
1 . 2 6
1 . 2 6
1 . 2 6
log
15
log
5
−
log
t
log
t
−
2
1
log
I
log
I
−
1
2
2
. See below for an
C
100
Ah
(rated
capacity)
=
20
h
t
20
h
=
2
100
Ah
I
5
A
=
=
2
20
h
7