Understanding Battery Load Ratings
Battery specifications are full of numbers that matter enormously for system design — but aren't always clearly explained. This guide covers the key ratings you'll see on Revolution Power batteries and what they mean in practice.
Capacity: Ah (Amp-Hours)
Amp-hours measure how much energy a battery stores. A 100Ah battery can deliver:
- 10A for 10 hours, or
- 5A for 20 hours, or
- 100A for approximately 1 hour (slightly less due to Peukert effects)
Usable capacity is the key number. For LiFePO4, plan on 95% usable. For AGM, plan on 50% usable for longevity.
C-Rate: What It Means
C-rate expresses charge or discharge current as a multiple of capacity.
- 1C = current equal to 100% of battery capacity. For a 100Ah battery, 1C = 100A
- C/5 = 20% of capacity. For 100Ah, C/5 = 20A
- 2C = 200% of capacity. For 100Ah, 2C = 200A
Revolution Power LiFePO4 batteries are rated for:
- Continuous discharge: 0.5C (Low Draw) to 2C (High Draw)
- Charge rate: Up to 1C (100A for 100Ah battery)
Continuous vs Peak Discharge Current
This is the most practically important rating when choosing between Low Draw and High Draw variants.
Continuous discharge current — the current the battery can sustain indefinitely without the BMS tripping or the battery overheating.
Peak current — the maximum current for short bursts (typically 3–10 seconds). All BMS systems allow brief peaks above the continuous rating.
| Model | Continuous | Peak | |---|---|---| | 12V 100Ah Low Draw | 50A | 200A | | 12V 100Ah High Draw | 200A | 500A | | 12V 200Ah Low Draw | 100A | 400A | | 12V 300Ah | 150A | 600A |
Choosing the Right Variant
Low Draw batteries are suitable for:
- Caravan and camper trailer house batteries
- Boat house banks (fridges, lighting, navigation electronics)
- Solar storage systems
- Any application where loads draw under 50A continuous
High Draw batteries are required for:
- Trolling motors (can draw 50–80A continuously)
- Electric winches (can spike to 300–400A)
- High-power inverters (2000W+ = 165A+ at 12V)
- Bow thrusters
- Any application with sustained high-current loads
BMS Protection Ratings
Every Revolution Power battery's BMS provides automatic protection at rated thresholds:
| Protection | Trigger Condition | |---|---| | Over-voltage cutoff | >14.6V (charging) | | Under-voltage cutoff | <10.5V (discharging) | | Over-current (discharge) | Continuous + 20% | | Short circuit | <1ms trip time | | Over-temperature | >60°C cell temp | | Under-temperature charging | <0°C |
Temperature and charging: Do not charge LiFePO4 batteries below 0°C. The BMS will prevent charging below this threshold automatically. Discharging down to -20°C is fine.
What About CCA (Cold Cranking Amps)?
CCA is a starting battery rating, not a deep cycle rating. Revolution Power batteries are deep cycle house batteries — they are not designed or rated for engine starting. Always maintain a dedicated lead-acid starting battery for engine cranking.
Practical Sizing: A Quick Guide
| Application | Recommended Variant | |---|---| | Caravan fridge + lights | Low Draw | | 4WD dual battery | Low Draw | | Boat house bank | Low Draw | | 24V/36V trolling motor | High Draw | | Winch battery | High Draw | | 2000W+ inverter | High Draw | | 1000W inverter | Low Draw (at 100Ah+ capacity) |
Not sure which applies to your setup? Contact our team with your load list and we'll specify the correct battery.