Device Battery Suggestions
Written by Matthew Clark-Massera
Updated at August 27th, 2024
Table of Contents
A note on batteries
Digital Matter’s battery powered devices offer world-leading performance resulting in excellent battery life subject to two things – using the products appropriately and ensuring the appropriate batteries are utilised.
It should be noted however that, as with any battery powered device, the ultimate performance and battery life largely boils down to the batteries themselves. Digital Matter’s devices are designed to be power saving and make the best use of the energy available from the batteries. It follows therefore that if the batteries are inferior and therefore underperform, this will negatively impact on the entire solution.
In South Africa there is an Afrikaans saying – “goedkoop is duurkoop” – which essentially means buying cheap actually costs more in the long term. This saying applies equally to batteries. Cheap batteries can be found, but these are normally of low quality and can and often do lead to early battery failure, and a short battery life.
In most cases, the direct and indirect cost of having to go out to an asset to replace dead or non-performing batteries will FAR exceed any marginal cost saving on the purchase of cheaper batteries. There is of course also the potential reputational damage you will suffer with customers.
This is why Digital Matter has left no stone unturned in designing our devices to be able to achieve 'Deploy Once' battery life.
Examples of different batteries and makes are given in this article. You should note that: Digital Matter has not tested all makes and variants of batteries and resellers/partners/end-users should therefore conduct their own testing to verify which batteries are best suited to their needs and requirements before deployment. It should be noted that many batteries may be considered to be 'suitable' according to their data sheets but will and/or do not perform appropriately after some time in the field.
If you are unsure on battery selection, contact our support team.
Recommendations:
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Only use fresh Batteries, of the same type
Mixing batteries brands and old + new can lead to battery leakage and other complications. It is important that you do not mix types and ages/charge level. Use fresh batteries (ideally from the same packet).
It has been shown that batteries deteriorate over time. Make sure that the batteries that you are buying are as fresh as possible. You can usually check the batch manufacture date or the expiry date on the battery to get an idea.
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Test
Ideally each battery should be tested using a battery tester before being installed.
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Size
You would think every battery is exactly the same size. But they can vary slightly and affect the fit of the battery in the device. It is important to check the fit of your batteries in the device's battery holder.
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Use quality, reputable brands
Different devices support different battery chemistries (alkaline, LiFeS2, LTC) - and each have their pros and cons.
However what typically has the most impact is the quality of the batteries. LTC is often touted as having the longest life - but there are cheap, low quality LTC batteries on the market, and batteries such as Energizer Ultimate Lithium will easily outlast these.
Battery Suggestions by Device
The suggestions listed below come from extensive field testing and partner feedback.
Over many years, Digital Matter has not yet found a battery that outperforms Energizer Ultimate Lithium in the AA and AAA sizes. Their performance has been demonstrated to outperform that of some lower-quality LTC batteries - which are touted as higher capacity (longer life).
When looking for AA or AAA batteries for the Yabby or Oyster range - go with Energizer Ultimate Lithium unless you have a strong reason not to.
If your application calls for LTC batteries - we suggest that you use SAFT. Mixed results have been seen from all other brands tested.
Barra Range - Barra Edge, Barra GPS, Barra Core
Suggested Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 - AA
Purchase from hardware stores, supermarkets or battery distributors.
The Barra series has the following requirements for batteries:
| Battery Size | 2 x AA |
| Input Voltage Range | 2.2V - 3.6V |
| Battery Chemistries Supported |
|
| Pulse Current Capability Required |
|
Oyster3-4G
Suggested Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 - AA
Purchase from hardware stores, supermarkets or battery distributors.
The Oyster3 has the following requirements for batteries:
| Battery Size | 3 x AA |
| Input Voltage Range | 3.8V → 16V |
| Battery Chemistries Supported |
|
| Pulse Current Capability Required |
|
Oyster3 BLE, Oyster Edge
Suggested Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 - AA
Purchase from hardware stores, supermarkets or battery distributors.
The Oyster3 BLE and Oyster Edge do not support LTC batteries like the Oyster3
Requirements:
| Battery Size | 3 x AA |
| Input Voltage Range | 3V → 5.5V |
| Battery Chemistries Supported |
|
| Pulse Current Capability Required |
|
Oyster3 2G
Suggested Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 - AA
Purchase from hardware stores, supermarkets or battery distributors.
The Oyster3 2G does not support LTC batteries like the Oyster3
Requirements:
| Battery Size | 3 x AA |
| Input Voltage Range | 3.8V → 5.5V |
| Battery Chemistries Supported |
|
| Pulse Current Capability Required |
|
Oyster3 Global
Suggested Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 - AA
Purchase from hardware stores, supermarkets or battery distributors.
The Oyster3 Global has the following requirements for batteries:
| Battery Size | 3 x AA |
| Input Voltage Range | 4.0V → 16V |
| Battery Chemistries Supported |
LTC batteries are not supported as standard but can be catered for, subject to MOQ - contact your DM representative to discuss if this is required. |
| Pulse Current Capability Required |
|
Oyster3 LoRaWAN
Suggested Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 - AA
Purchase from hardware stores, supermarkets or battery distributors.
The Oyster3 LoRaWAN has the following requirements for batteries:
| Battery Size | 3 x AA |
| Input Voltage Range | 4.0V → 15V |
| Battery Chemistries Supported |
|
| Pulse Current Capability Required |
|
Remora3-4G and Remora3 Global
Suggested Battery: SAFT LSH20 D Cell
The Remora3 requires at least 5V to operate
2 x 1.5V Alkaline D cells will not power the device and LiFeS2 batteries are not available in D size - so this leaves LTCs
It is best to use Spiral Type batteries in the Remora3, with a pulse current capability of at least 400mA to handle the peak draw of the Remora3.
Where can I purchase batteries?
- Australia
- Contact your DM branch, they may have stock
- Master Instruments (NSW, VIC, WA, QLD)
- New Zealand
- SIMPOWER supply
- South Africa
-
Just Batteries supply
- SAFT LSH20 D Cell
- Battery Experts
-
Just Batteries supply
- UK
- US
- SAFT LSH20 D Cell:
Hawk-4G (LTC D Cell Housing Option)
Suggested Battery: SAFT LSH20 D Cell
Generally look for spiral type (higher current) and avoid bobbin type.
Where can I purchase batteries?
- Australia
- Contact your DM branch, they may have stock
- Master Instruments (NSW, VIC, WA, QLD)
- New Zealand
- SIMPOWER supply
- South Africa
-
Just Batteries supply
- SAFT LSH20 D Cell
- Battery Experts
-
Just Batteries supply
- UK
- US
- SAFT LSH20 D Cell:
Hawk Lite (Alkaline D Cells)
For the Hawk Lite, you need to use Alkaline D cells as opposed to the LTC D cells used in the batteries.
These Procell Alkaline Intense D batteries are a good option.
Yabby3, Yabby Edge
Suggested Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium L92 - AAA
Purchase from hardware stores, supermarkets or battery distributors.
The Yabby3 has the following requirements for batteries:
| Battery Size | 3 x AAA |
| Input Voltage Range | 3V → 5.5V |
| Battery Chemistries Supported |
|
| Pulse Current Capability Required |
|
EOL Products
Oyster2
Suggested Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 - AA
Purchase from hardware stores, supermarkets or battery distributors.
The Oyster2 has the following requirements for batteries.
| Battery Size | 3 x AA |
| Input Voltage Range | 4V → 16V |
| Battery Chemistries Supported |
|
| Pulse Current Capability Required |
|
Remora2-4G
As per Remora3-4G
Battery Deep Dive
For detailed information about batteries, head to Battery University - this is an excellent resource providing to the point information about various battery types.
Pulse Current Capability
Some batteries are available to provide small amounts of current, over a long life - whereas others can supply relatively higher peaks but do not last quite as long. Our devices are very low power, but do require some higher spikes of current when running the modem and GPS. As such it requires the pulse current capabilities listed above.
These values can be found on battery datasheets. It is advised to leave a margin of safety here. Some datasheets overstate or provide 'best case' figures, and the pulse current capability can degrade over the battery's lifetime, meaning it can't properly power the device for an upload even when some capacity is left.
Temperature Tolerance
Most batteries will perform the best at room temperature. It is why most of the time their capacity (and other characteristics) will be specified at room temperature (25 or 27°C ). All batteries will specify an operating temperature range (which they can be safely used within) - i.e. -20°C to + 60°C. However in general exposing batteries to excessively high or low temperatures at the edge of this range for extended periods will lead to reduced life.
Self Discharge
All batteries, when sitting around unused will slowly degrade and lose capacity. This is referred to as 'self-discharge' and is expressed in % per year. Batteries have a limited shelf life and as such the freshest possible batteries should be used where possible.
Primary Cell Battery Chemistries
Digital Matter's devices support different battery chemistries. Each have their pros and cons, summarized below.
| Alkaline | LiFeS2 | LTC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 1.5V per cell | 1.5V per cell | 3.6V per cell |
| Capacity | Low → Medium | Good → High (dependent on brand/quality) |
Good → High (dependent on brand/quality) |
| Self Discharge | 2-3% per year | 1-3% per year | 1% per year at 25°C |
| Cost | Low | Economical | High |
| Shipping | Easiest - though some restrictions apply | Restrictions apply - Dangerous Goods | Restrictions apply - Dangerous Goods |
| Typical Operating Temp | 0°C to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C (Energizer) | -55°C to +85°C |
| Availability | Readily available consumer product | Readily available consumer product | Industrial |
For the purposes of Digital Matter devices, the following notes also apply:
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Alkaline
- Generally, we recommend that these are avoided - as the quality of Alkaline batteries varies wildly - and some users simply buy the cheapest available - which flatten quickly.
- Some models, such as Energizer Max Plus offer better performance.
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LiFeS2
- The default choice should be Energizer Ultimate Lithium. This outperforms many LTC batteries on the market.
- Best performing battery from years of field deployments.
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LTC
- Check the pulse current capability carefully. Generally, go for Spiral (higher current) type batteries and avoid Bobbin type.
If you are interested, read more at Battery University: Choices of Primary Battery