How to Convert CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) to Ah (Ampere-Hours)

Jackery Portable Power Stations are highly efficient and feature safe LiFePO4 or NMC batteries. They have high watt-hour and amp-hour values, making these power stations ideal for charging a wide range of electrical appliances. They have an ergonomic design and suitcase-style shape to move the power station indoors or outdoors to charge appliances.

Key Takeaways

• CCA helps to understand if the battery is suitable for cranking an engine, whereas Ah determines the battery lifespan.
• The CCA to Ahconversion helps determine whether a battery is the right fit for a particular car.
• A battery with a higher CCA rating offers greater starting power.
• The simple formula to convert CCA to amp-hoursor Ah to CCA is Ah × 7.25 = CCA.

What Are The Cold Cranking Amps?

Cranking Amps (CA) generally measure the power or current given by the battery at a normal temperature of 32°F or 0°C. In other words, CA is the amount of energy (or current) a vehicle's engine requires to start in a marine or normal environment. However, it does not predict whether the battery can perform well under extreme hot or cold conditions.

Cold Cranking Amps (CCAs) define the battery's capacity to deliver current in cold weather, which is crucial for starting a vehicle's engine. They typically indicate the maximum current a battery can offer for 30 seconds at 0°F or -18°C, ensuring the voltage remains above the threshold. A higher CCA rating is crucial for starting engines in cold temperatures.

What Are The Differences Between CCA Vs. CA

Cranking Amps (CA) determine starting power at 32°F, whereas Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) measure power at 0°F. In other words, CA tells the amount of energy the battery can provide at moderate temperatures of 32°F, and CCA analyzes its performance in cold weather. If you live in a place that gets super cold, you need a battery with a higher CCA rating to make sure the car starts smoothly in freezing or icy conditions.

What Are The Ampere Hours?

Ampere Hours (or Ah) measure a battery's energy storage capacity over time. In other words, it indicates the charge a battery can offer in one hour at a given rate. For instance, a 50Ah battery will provide a 50-ampere current for one hour.

CCA and Ah Relationship:

Generally speaking, the CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) is equal to the product of Ah (Ampere-Hours) and the standard terminal voltage of 7.2V.

Here's the mathematical formula: CCA = Ah × 7.2V.

How to Convert CCA to Ah?

The CCA to Ah conversion is useful for understanding the battery's starting power, which is typically in cold environments. The CCA rating indicates how many amps any battery can offer at 0°F for 30 seconds while maintaining around 7.2V for a 12V battery. The conversion factor might vary depending on the battery's chemistry and design.

If you live in a colder region, the CCA will help you determine what battery is better for low-temperature conditions. Generally, the higher the CCA rating, the higher the capacity and power will be. You will need to accurately convert CCA to Ah to find the battery capacity. While you can always choose a robust and better battery by understanding the starting power, the CCA to Ah is necessary to learn its capacity.

The simple CCA to Ah conversion formula is:

CCA = Ah × CF or Ah = CCA ÷ CF

Where CF is the conversion factor and is generally assumed to be 7.2V.

Let's take an example to understand:

If the CCA is 1400 and the terminal voltage is 7.2V, the CCA value will be 1400 CCA ÷ 7.2V = 194.4Ah.

However, the actual CCA might vary depending on the battery type and the conversion factor. Here are the general trends:

• Starting Lead-Acid Batteries: Ah × (12 - 16 times) = CCA
• Dual-Purpose Lead-Acid Batteries: Ah × (8 - 12 times) = CCA
• Deep-Cycle Lead-Acid Batteries: Ah × (4 - 8 times) = CCA

Here's a table revealing the CCA to Ah conversions at a standard voltage of 7.2V.

How to Convert Ah to CCA?

The conversion will depend on the chemistry, battery model, and intended use when trying to convert Ah to CCA. It is also important to note that there are three different types of batteries: starting, dual-purpose, and deep cycle. Let's explain them briefly:

Starting Batteries: These are the most popular car battery types. They are used to crank the engine and power various lighter loads when the engine is turned off.

Dual-Purpose Batteries: They are used as cranking batteries and can power various loads when the engine is turned off. While they do not provide strong cranking currents as starting batteries, they tolerate much better deep cycle use.

Deep-Cycle Batteries: These batteries are specially optimized for deep discharge and cycle applications because they are unable to offer strong currents.

Understanding the CCA rating will help you learn how much current any battery can provide when rapidly cranking or starting the engine in cold temperatures while still maintaining the threshold voltage. If you have the battery's Ah value, using the CCA to Ah value will help you calculate the CCA rating.

The simple Ah to CCA conversion formula is:

CCA = Ah × CF

Where CF is the conversion factor and is generally assumed to be 7.2V.

Let's take an example to understand:

If the Ah battery rating is 45 and the terminal voltage is 7.2V, the CCA value will be 45Ah × 7.2V = 324 CCA.

The following cross-reference table reveals the average CCA and Ah values for different battery types.

Note: The values in the table are generally true for lead-acid batteries and may differ depending on the battery chemistry or construction.

How Many CCA Do You Need?

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) determine the battery's ability to start in cold temperatures. Colder temperatures slow the battery reaction and make starting the engine harder. Choosing a battery with sufficient CCA will smooth the operation and start in cold weather. For example, the higher the CCA, the better the battery will perform in freezing temperatures.

The CCA requirements for different vehicles depend on the size and type of the car or engine. For instance, boat engines typically require between 300 - 500 CCAs. However, average vehicles and larger RVs might consume even more CCAs. There are many factors that affect the CCA requirements to ensure the car keeps running smoothly. Let's explain them briefly:

Temperature Impact: Generally, when the temperature is freezing outside, the batteries might have a tough time starting the car. This is because the chemical reactions in the battery slow down. In other words, the battery might struggle to offer enough power to start the vehicle in chilly temperatures.

Battery Age: As batteries age, they lose their ability to hold a charge, which affects their ability to start the car. If your battery is getting older, it might be time to consider a replacement.

Maintenance: It's vital to take care of the batteries to ensure they work appropriately. You must regularly clean the terminals, check electrolyte levels, and ensure it's probably charged to maintain optimal performance.

CCA in Lithium Batteries

There are different battery types for which CCA is applicable. Let's explain the popular ones below:

Starting Battery: This is one of the most common batteries found in cars and RVs. It cranks the vehicle's engine and provides power to lights and audio systems when the engine isn't running. The battery has thin plates with a larger surface area, meaning it isn't designed for deep-cycle applications.

Dual-Purpose Battery: These batteries can be used to crank batteries and power various loads in a solar system. They are typically found in residential and industrial areas. As technology continues to evolve, the demand for such batteries is increasing daily.

Deep-Cycle Battery: Optimized deep discharge and cycled batteries offer excellent cycles. However, these batteries may not be capable of providing strong cranking currents.

Lithium Batteries CCA to Ah Conversion

Most lithium batteries are deep-cycle LiFePO4 batteries that are equipped with BMS technology. They have limited currents that offer continuous discharge rates and short-term surge currents. Some lithium batteries may have CCA values equivalent to MCA or PHCA. However, directly converting CCA and Ah is impractical because there are significant variations. Here's a formula:

CCA (Amps) = Capacity (Ah) × 100 (commonly used but not accurate)

One important point to note is that the formula may not accurately determine the true CCA capability of lithium batteries because their performance might differ from that of traditional lead-acid batteries.

Jackery Portable Power Stations feature safe and reliable LiFePO4 batteries with high capacities and amp-hour values. These batteries are resistant to higher temperatures, making them ideal for cold weather conditions. The BMS technology also ensures that portable power stations can safely charge appliances without worrying about overvoltage, overcurrent, or temperature fluctuations.

Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained

Jackery is a renowned manufacturer of high-quality, efficient solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. The Jackery Portable Power Station is built using state-of-the-art temperature sensors and the latest BMS technology to improve safety. The power station features LiFePO4 or NMC batteries that work efficiently even at 14°F (-10°C), making it ideal for emergency home backup, RV living, outdoor work, and dry camping.

You can recharge these portable power stations with the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, which absorb the free sun's energy and convert it into DC electricity. This DC current is passed to the power stations, where the efficient pure sine wave inverter converts DC to usable AC and stores the electricity in the Jackery Portable Power Station. Here are some of the popular Jackery Portable Power Stations for different scenarios.

Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station

If you're looking for a reliable home backup solution that works in all temperature conditions, you may consider investing in the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station. It is cold-friendly and functional in temperatures up to -20°C / -4°F. The fully upgraded BMS technology features 12 forms of protection, an embedded security chip, and improved heat dissipation efficiency for a versatile charging experience. You can charge 99% of household or outdoor appliances anywhere and anytime.

Appliances Working Hours:

• Refrigerator (600W) = 4.2H
• Electric Grill (900W) = 2.8H
• Heater (1800W) = 1.4H
• TV (100W) = 25.7H
• Microwave (1000W) = 2.5H

Customer Review

"I live in the foothills of California, and I am almost 80 years old. We lose electricity a lot. I have only used it once, which was great." — Patricia Clausen.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station is a charging solution for heavy-duty household or outdoor appliances. The outstanding LiFePO4 battery offers long-lasting reliability and a 10-year lifespan. The Jackery Manual Transfer Switch helps you connect the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station to the home's electrical circuit system. The 20ms EPS ensures essential appliances like refrigerators or CPAP machines stay charged in the blink of an eye during power outages.

Appliances Working Hours:

• Refrigerator (600W) = 2.8H
• Electric Grill (900W) = 1.9H
• Heater (1800W) = 57 mins
• TV (100W) = 17.3H
• Microwave (1000W) = 1.7H

Customer Review

"I have a 50-amp travel trailer RV. I use a 50-amp to 30-amp reducer to plug in the 2000 Plus. It will power my main A/C unit (15000 btu), microwave, electric hot water heater, and electric fireplace (one at a time) and only for a short time."—Customer.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station is a reliable charging solution for outdoor adventures, like off-road travels, camping, or RVing. The LiFePO4 battery cells last up to 10 years and provide 4000 charge cycles. It's built with innovative ChargeShield technology to offer stable power output and protection against potential equipment damage. It supports 3 additional Jackery Battery Pack 1000 Plus to extend the capacity from 1.25kWh to 5kWh and ensure uninterrupted home backup power for days.

Appliances Working Hours:

• Refrigerator (600W) = 1.7H
• Electric Grill (900W) = 1.1H
• Portable Heater (800W) = 1.3H
• TV (100W) = 10.7H
• Microwave (1000W) = 1.0H

Customer Review

"Went on a 4-day camping trip, and the 1000 Plus was more than enough to last the entire time. It was mostly used for rechargeable lanterns, LED dog collars, and small gadgets. It's built sturdy, but I got a protective bag to keep it secure and have storage for various cables. It's also great to have for emergencies." — Mitch Rulloda.

CCA to Ah FAQs

How big of a portable power station do I need?

The size of the portable power station you need will depend on the wattage of all the appliances you are planning to charge simultaneously and for how long. For example, if you are charging a refrigerator (600W), a TV (100W), and a portable fan (50W) simultaneously with the help of the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro, the operating hours will be:

Running Time = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 3024Wh × 0.85 ÷ 750W = 3.4H.

Note: The factor 0.85 accounts for power loss when charging the appliances with the portable power station.

What is 100Ah in CCA?

If a battery is giving 100Ah, you can convert Ah to CCA to find the battery capacity. Here's the formula you will need to use: CCA = 7.25 × 100Ah = 725 CCA.

How many amp hours does a CCA battery have?

If you want to determine amp-hour (Ah) from cold cranking amps (CCA), you can use the formula Ah = CCA ÷ 7.25. The CCA rating measures the battery's power output in freezing temperatures, while the Ah rating determines the capacity. When you divide the CCA value by 7.2, you will be given a measurement of the battery's Ah capacity.

What does 300 CCA mean on a battery?

The 300 CCA means the number of amps a battery can offer for 30 seconds at 0°F temperature until the voltage drops to unusable levels.

Is Ah the same as CCA?

No. CCA is the ability to deliver some power for a short period. On the other hand, Ah means the battery's ability to provide power for a length of time (or several hours).

Final Thoughts

To devise a battery for the solar system, it is essential to know how to convert CCA to Ah or vice versa. Before you convert CCA to Ah, make sure to note the battery chemistry and type. As batteries age, their capacity will decrease, and their ability to crank the internal combustion engine will also decrease. Generally, lithium-ion or LiFePO4 batteries are a safe and clean start. Jackery Portable Power Station has high-quality and efficient LiFePO4 or NMC batteries to charge appliances safely in cold temperatures.