How Many Amps is a Car Battery

A typical car battery can store anywhere from 400 to 1000 amps, depending on the type and size of the vehicle. For example, smaller vehicles have an amp rating of 400 - 600 amps, whereas larger vehicles have batteries that can store around 1000 amps. You can typically find how many amps a car battery is on the vehicle or check the car's exact model on the manufacturer's website.

If you are looking for an alternative solution to charging vehicle batteries, you may consider using Jackery Portable Power Stations. The battery power stations can charge most vehicle batteries (except electric bikes) with the help of the Jackery 12V Automobile Battery Charging Cable. They can also charge other indoor or outdoor appliances for a comfortable car road trip.

Key Takeaways

• On average, a car battery can store anywhere around 400 - 1000 amps.
• Smaller vehicles don't need much power for daily power, so they have smaller batteries that can store 400 - 600 amps.
• Amps of a car battery depend on multiple factors such as engine type, capacity, and size.
• Some car batteries also show amp hour ratings with amp ratings and measure the car battery's capacity. It is the amount of amps any vehicle can be given on an hourly basis before the battery reaches its cutoff voltage.

How Many Amps is a Car Battery

Smaller vehicles, such as sedans and cars, typically have batteries that can store 400 - 600 amps, whereas larger vehicles, such as vans or trucks, may have batteries that store more than 1000 amps. The type and size of the engine affect the amp rating of the battery. On average, a car battery has a capacity of 48Ah. It will deliver 1 ampere for 48 hours or 2 amperes for 24 hours when fully charged.

Definition of Amps, Volts, Watts, & Running Watts

Amps, volts, and watts are three units of measurement that describe different aspects of battery performance. These units are interrelated with the help of Ohm's law. Let's explain each term briefly:

Amps: An amperage is a unit that measures the amount of electricity running through the electrical circuit or the number of electrons moving through the wire. Car batteries generally have an amp rating of 400—1000A.  

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts

Volts: Voltage is the pressure that pushes the electric current throughout the wire. A car's battery voltage can range anywhere from 12.6V to 14.4V.

Volts = Watts ÷ Amps

Watts: Wattage indicates power and is a widely used unit of electricity. It is the amount of power any electrical device consumes. For example, a 12V car battery with an amp rating of 400A will have a wattage of around 4800W.

Watts = Volts × Amps

Running Voltage: When the car's engine is running, the battery voltage will typically increase to between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. The alternator boosts the battery to these higher levels.

How Many Amps Do Different Types of Car Battery Use

Some car batteries have an amp-hour rating along with amps. While they are related, the two units are not the same. The amp-hour measures the car battery's capacity. It is the amount of amps that a car can be given in one hour before the battery reaches its cut-off voltage.

If the amp rating measures the maximum amount of amperes in the car battery, the amp hour rating indicates how long the battery can last. Small cars feature a 40Ah battery, whereas large vehicles have a 50Ah battery.

Some oversized vehicles use batteries with a capacity of around 75Ah. These ratings are usually when the voltage is 12V. If the voltage is decreased from 12V to 6V, it also affects the amp rating. A 6V battery can generally supply a maximum of 2 amp current.

How many cranking amps a car battery has affects the power it can output. The number of cold cranking amps (CCA) of a car battery depends on the engine size. On average, most cars have CCA between 250 and 600 CCA.

Here's a table revealing the volts, amp hours, and watts of different car batteries.

How Many Amps Does a Car Battery Draw on a Startup

The number of amps a car battery draws on a startup directly depends on the vehicle's engine type, capacity, and size. Generally, car batteries use somewhere between 100 - 400 amps while cranking. It needs an initial surge of 2-3 times the rated amps for a few seconds, which means car batteries might need 200 - 1200 amps on startup. Certain large car engines might need around 1000 amps during cranking. You can calculate the starting amps using the below formula:

Startup Amps = Running Amps × (2-3)

How to Calculate Your Car Battery Amps

The exact amount of amps a car requires might vary depending on the situation. For example, running more systems or power-hungry features like the HVAC will consume more amps and drain the battery faster. One common way to measure car battery amps is Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). The car's CCA could be anything between 400 and 1000 amps, and you will typically find this rating on the battery.

Method 1: Manufacturer Details

Most car batteries display their amp ratings on the visible spot, so you don't have to perform any calculations. If you can't find the rating on the vehicle, consider looking for the car's exact model on the manufacturer's website. You can also consult a professional mechanic about the amp rating of the battery and vehicle.

Method 2: Determine the Amps from the Ohms

If you don't know the total capacity and current capacity of the car battery, you just can't charge it for hours. For this reason, it is essential to calculate the car battery amps. In order to measure the amps of the car battery, you will need to know the ohm rating first. Here's the formula to calculate the amps from ohm rating:

Amps = Volts ÷ Ohms

Method 3: Use a Multimeter

A multimeter is a versatile instrument that can help you measure the voltage, amps, and resistance. You can integrate the multimeter into the circuit and turn on the battery power to measure the current flowing from the car battery to the load.

Tips to Save Your Electricity Bill

According to the EIA, the electricity rate is increasing in many states of the US. That's why many homeowners are looking for ways to save on their electricity bills. If you are wondering how to charge car batteries without increasing the electricity bills, here are a few ways to check out:

Maintain Your Car Battery: You should regularly check the car battery to ensure appropriate charging. A well-maintained car battery requires less frequent charging.

Charge During Off-Peak Hours: If your electricity provider offers off-peak hour rates, make sure to charge the car batteries during those times. This will help you reduce the cost per unit of electricity, which ultimately saves you on electrical bills.

Avoid Trickling: If you don't need to keep the car battery charged all the time, avoid leaving it on a trickle charger. These low-amp chargers are designed to charge a battery slowly over a more extended period. Even though trickle chargers use less power, they still add to your electricity bill over time.

Invest in Solar Energy: You can also consider purchasing a solar battery backup to charge car batteries without drawing electricity from the grid. Jackery Solar Generators are designed to supply safe power to the car batteries when you're away from the power outlets. They can also charge other household appliances to reduce monthly electricity bills further.

Solar Generators for Car Battery 

If your car battery dies in a remote location, you need a reliable power source such as Jackery Solar Generators. These solar-powered generators can charge car batteries with the help of the Jackery 12V Automobile Battery Charging Cable. While Jackery Portable Power Stations cannot jumpstart your car, they are power car batteries (except for electric bikes).

The foldable solar panels from Jackery can be placed under direct sunlight to absorb and generate DC electricity. Then, it is passed to the pure sine wave inverter of the portable power stations to convert DC to AC electricity to charge appliances and car batteries. If you are looking for the right solar generator that can meet the wattage needs of car batteries, here are the three options to check out:

Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus 

The Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus is a portable and compact charging solution for charging different car battery types. It seems ideal for those planning a short camping trip to a remote location and needing the power to charge car batteries and other outdoor appliances. The small generator has a compact design and can easily fit in the vehicle's rear compartment.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

If you're planning a weekend trip and want a reliable charging solution for powering car batteries, then you may consider the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus. It can charge 99% of household or outdoor appliances for hours to ensure you always have enough power for the trip. It can also act as an emergency solar battery backup during power outages or blackouts.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a large-size battery backup solution that can charge most household or outdoor appliances, including car batteries. This whole-home battery backup features a pull rod, double wheels, and an ergonomic design for quick movement from one place to another. It's also expandable, and the additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus lets you extend the battery capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh.

FAQs About Car Battery Amps

How many amps are in a 12-volt car battery?

A 12-volt car battery typically supplies 30–50 amps but can produce as much as 600 amps. The average car battery has a capacity of nearly 48 amp hours (Ah), which means that when fully charged, it can provide 1 amp for 48 hours. A higher Ah rating indicates a larger capacity and longer endurance.

Is a car battery 12 amp or 2 amp?

Most car batteries are 12-amp batteries that can produce as much as 600 amps. The exact amperage can be found on the battery or on the manufacturer's website.

How many amps for a dead car battery?

Most cars require 400 - 600 CCA to start the engine. However, the number of amps needed to jumpstart a car battery depends on several factors, including the engine's size, the battery's age and condition, and the climate.

How do I check the amps on my car battery?

A digital multimeter can measure a car battery's amps, volts, and ohms. You can set the multimeter to calculate DC electricity and connect it in series between the negative terminal and the vehicle's negative cable.

Conclusion

Understanding how many amps a car battery is will help you ensure the battery is not overcharged or damaged. Calculating the amps and amp hours will help you charge the battery effectively and increase its lifespan. Jackery Solar Generators are ideal solar-powered generators that can charge car batteries (excluding electric vehicles) with Jackery 12V Automobile Battery Charging Cable. It works by using the sun's energy, so you never have to worry about finding power outlets in remote locations.