Core concept
AC inverter paths usually need a lower efficiency setting than direct DC.
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Efficiency guide
Inverter Efficiency Losses
AC is convenient, but the inverter changes battery energy into wall-style power and some energy is lost as heat.
Planning impact
USB-C or DC can help only when the device supports the voltage and cable safely.
What to verify
High efficiency settings make runtime look better than it may be.
Delivered Wh for an AC load = nominal Wh x AC efficiency x the other reserve, health, and temperature factors.
Inverter Efficiency Losses
AC is convenient, but the inverter changes battery energy into wall-style power and some energy is lost as heat.
The Inverter Is A Conversion Step
An AC outlet is useful for household plugs, but it requires conversion from the station battery. The calculator makes that efficiency visible instead of hiding it.
Direct Paths Can Be Better
A supported DC or USB-C path may avoid the AC inverter. It is only appropriate when the device, voltage, connector, and cable match the manufacturer's guidance.
Do Not Overstate Efficiency
If you do not have a measured result, keep AC efficiency conservative. A few percentage points can change hours on overnight loads.
Evidence and review
These sources support the definitions and planning method. Calculator results are still estimates, not measurements or guarantees.
- SUN Inverter technical specificationsVictron Energy · Technical manual — Open source
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment InfrastructureU.S. Department of Energy · Government reference — Open source
Compare AC And DC
Switch output path and efficiency in the calculator to see how AC, DC, and USB-C assumptions change the runtime range.
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Power station model
Battery capacity (Wh): 1024 WhContinuous output rating (W): 1800 WSurge output rating (W): 2700 W
Estimated runtime13h 3m8h 10m – 16h 13mEstimated runtime: 13h 3m, 8h 10m – 16h 13m
Output path
Estimated runtime
13h 3mEstimated runtime: 13h 3mThis setup has comfortable headroom for overnight use, assuming the wattage estimate is realistic.
Conservative8h 10m
Estimated13h 3m
Optimistic16h 13m
Conservative assumes harder conditions; optimistic assumes favorable conditions.
- This is an estimate. Real runtime changes with load, temperature, battery age, AC/DC output, and device behavior.
- Usable energy
- 783 Wh
- Average load
- 60 W
- Fixed station overhead
- Unknown (not included)
- Running watts
- 60 W
- Max surge
- n/a
Show your work
Rated Wh is reduced by efficiency, reserve, battery health, and temperature before it is divided by average load.
- Rated battery
- 1024 Wh
- Battery capacity (Wh): 1024 Wh
- Usable energy
- 783 Wh
- 1024 Wh x 85% x 90% x 100% x 100%
- Average load
- 60 W
- 60 W running, 60 W average after duty cycle and quantity
- Fixed station overhead
- Unknown (not included)
- 60 W / 85% = 70.6 W battery draw; fixed overhead is unknown and excluded
- Estimated runtime
- 13h 3m
- 783 Wh / 60 W = 13h 3m
- 1024 Wh nominal battery capacity
- AC inverter output path
- 85% conversion efficiency
- 10% reserve kept unused
- 60 W average load from 1 load
- 100% battery health
- 0% temperature loss
- Fixed station overhead unknown; not included
This link contains the numeric values you entered, but not custom load names.
Source-Backed Next Steps
Smallest matching record (8h)Jackery Explorer 600 v2
WattRunTime.com
WattRunTime estimate
Estimated runtime
13h 3mThis setup has comfortable headroom for overnight use, assuming the wattage estimate is realistic.Usable energy783 Wh
Average load60 W
Fixed station overheadUnknown (not included)
Running watts60 W
Max surgen/a
Runtime range
Conservative8h 10m
Estimated13h 3m
Optimistic16h 13m
Show your work
Rated Wh is reduced by efficiency, reserve, battery health, and temperature before it is divided by average load.
Rated battery1024 WhBattery capacity (Wh): 1024 Wh
Usable energy783 Wh1024 Wh x 85% x 90% x 100% x 100%
Average load60 W60 W running, 60 W average after duty cycle and quantity
Fixed station overheadUnknown (not included)60 W / 85% = 70.6 W battery draw; fixed overhead is unknown and excluded
Estimated runtime13h 3m783 Wh / 60 W = 13h 3m
Assumptions
- 1024 Wh nominal battery capacity
- AC inverter output path
- 85% conversion efficiency
- 10% reserve kept unused
- 60 W average load from 1 load
- 100% battery health
- 0% temperature loss
- Fixed station overhead unknown; not included
Warnings
- This is an estimate. Real runtime changes with load, temperature, battery age, AC/DC output, and device behavior.
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Capacity guide
Usable Capacity vs Rated Capacity
A 1,000 Wh label is the starting point, not a promise that 1,000 Wh reaches your device.
Margin guide
Reserve and Battery Health
A runtime plan is safer when it leaves margin for age, cold, changing load, and measurement error.
FAQ
Understand why AC inverter output usually delivers less usable energy than DC or USB-C paths in portable power station runtime estimates.
What AC efficiency should I start with?
The runtime calculator defaults to a conservative AC planning value. Raise it only when you have measured data or a trustworthy source for the same setup.
Is DC always better than AC?
No. DC helps only when the device supports the path safely. A wrong voltage, weak cable, or unsupported adapter is not a good trade for a longer estimate.