Warning!
Digital Matter battery powered devices offer world-leading performance and battery life.
However, it should be noted, with any battery powered device, the ultimate performance and battery life is largely down to the batteries themselves. Our devices make the best use of the energy available from the batteries. But if the batteries underperform, so will the entire solution.
Cheap batteries can be found, but great care needs to be taken. Using low quality batteries can lead to early battery failure, and short battery life.
Often, the cost of going out to an asset to replace batteries will FAR exceed any marginal cost saving on batteries, and any reputational damage with your customers.
Some examples of batteries and suppliers are given in this article. DM has not tested all models and partners should conduct their own testing to verify the batteries are suitable. Many batteries will be 'suitable' according to their datasheet but not perform later on after some time in the field.
If you are unsure on battery selection, contact our support team.
Rechargeable batteries are not recommended. They seem like a good idea as they are more friendly for the environment at first glance. However we’ve tested commonly available rechargeable batteries - we have identified that their self discharge rate is high and these batteries are not temperature tolerant. The time, effort and fuel used to go out and replace these batteries make them not every economical and eco friendly - especially for large scale deployments. Best to keep away from these batteries.
Across our battery powered device range, we have devices that utilize a variety of battery sizes and chemistries, as displayed in the table below. As of 2022 the current device line-up is
Table 1:
Device | Input Voltage Range | Battery Size | Alkaline | LiFeS2 | LTC | Recommended Batteries |
Oyster2 Oyster3 (Cellular) | 5-16V | 3 x AA | Yes | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 or certain LTCs | |
Oyster Edge | 4-6V | 3 x AA | Yes | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 | |
Oyster Sigfox | 4-6V | 3 x AA | Yes | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 | |
Oyster LoRaWAN | 4-6V | 3 x AA | Yes | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 | |
Yabby GPS (Cellular) | 4-6V | 3 x AAA | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L92 | ||
Yabby Wi-Fi (Cellular) | 4-6V | 3 x AAA | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L92 | ||
Yabby Edge Cellular | 4-6V | 3 x AAA | Yes | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L92 | |
Yabby Edge LoRaWAN | 4-6V | 2 X AA | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L92 | ||
Yabby LoRaWAN | 4-6V | 3 x AAA | Yes | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L92 | |
Remora2 (Cellular) | 5-16V | 2 x D | Yes | Certain LTCs | ||
Falcon (Cellular) | 5-16V | 3 x AA Or line power | Yes | Yes | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 or certain LTCs | |
Eagle (Cellular) | 5-16V | 4 x C Or line power | Yes | Yes | Panasonic Industrial Alkaline or LTCs | |
Guppy LoRaWAN | 2-3.6 | 2 x AAA | Yes | Yes (recommended) | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L92 | |
Guppy Bluetooth | 2-3.6V | 2 x AAA | Yes | Yes (recommended) | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L92 | |
SensorNode Bluetooth | 4-6V | 3 x AA | Yes | Yes (recommended) | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 | |
SensorNode LoRaWAN | 4-6V | 3 x AA Or line power | Yes | Yes (recommended) | Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 | |
SensorData LoRaWAN | 4-6V | 4 x C Or line power | Yes |
Recommendations:
1. Fresh Batteries
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.
2. Test
Ideally each battery should be tested using a battery tester before being installed.
3. 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.
Common Battery Concepts
For more information about batteries, head to Battery University - this is an excellent resource providing to the point information about various battery types.
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.
Battery Chemistries
Our devices support a variety of battery chemistries - which may be used in our devices. Each has it's pros and cons, summarized below.
Table 2:
Chemistry | Alkaline | Lithium Iron Disulfide (LiFeS2) | Lithium Thionyl Chloride (LTC) |
Voltage | 1.5V per cell | 1.5V per cell | 3.7V per cell |
Capacity | Low | Good | High |
Self Discharge | 6% per year at 25°C | 3% per year at 25°C | 1% per year at 25°C |
Cost | Low | Economical | High |
Shipping | Easiest | Restrictions apply - Dangerous Goods | Restrictions apply - Dangerous Goods |
Typical Operating Temp | 0 to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C (Energizer) | -55°C to +85°C |
Availability | Readily available consumer product | Readily available consumer product | Industrial |
Available Sizes | AAA, AA, C, D | AAA, AA | AA, C, D |
Alkaline
Alkaline batteries are low cost, readily available and will work in the products indicated in Table 1. They will not perform well in the other devices, and should not be used. For devices that will also accept LiFeS2 batteries, we recommend that this type is used instead for longer battery life.
Lithium Iron Disulfide (LiFeS2)
We have seen excellent results with Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. Such batteries are readily available at any supermarket or hardware store, so they are easy to source and replace as necessary. Operating temperature range is good for most applications. These are an excellent choice, particularly when testing devices - as ordering and freighting LTC batteries can be more complicated than simply purchasing LiFeS2 batteries from a local store.
Lithium Thionyl Chloride (LTC)
These are an industrial batteries which have very high capacity and temperate tolerance. They are the only option for the Remora2, and can be used on the Oyster2, Falcon and Eagle.
The drawbacks to LTC batteries are that they can be more expensive and are hard to freight as they cannot travel by air and must be shipped or travelled by road, despite these drawbacks, given the dependence of the device on the performance of the batteries, LTCs are the best option to provide long battery life and dependable device functionality. They are the choice for devices in harsh environments where the best performance is required. Temperatures can easily exceed 60°C if devices are installed inside a vehicle, in a shipping container etc. The additional cost per battery can easily offset the cost of replacing batteries more frequently in many situations, making LTCs the best choice.
Device Specific Battery Recommendations
Not all batteries are create equal - particularly for LTC batteries. LTC batteries often come in two variants:
- Bobbin Type - These are built for the maximum lifetime, but can only supply low pulse-current. Most Bobbins are not suitable for use in our devices.
- Spiral Type 'M-Type' - Do not last quite as long, but are capable of supplying higher current in short bursts (higher pulse current). In general this type should be used.
Our device modems and GPS modules will draw relatively high current for short periods of time, so any LTC batteries selected must be able to supply the stated peak currents. Check the product datasheet against the peak current values given below. Additionally it is worth testing any new battery models - they don't always perform as well as the data sheet would suggest!
Broadly speaking, we require M-Type, high power version nearly every time in the AA size. The 'High Capacity' versions typically don't come close to meeting the required pulse current spec.
In the D Size, Spiral is best. Check against the values in the tables per device. If in doubt - check with your DM Support Team
Oyster2, Oyster3 and Falcon
The Oyster2 ,Oyand Falcon will accept either LiFeS2 or LTC batteries. LiFeS2 batteries are easier to source if extended temperature tolerance is not required - and in the AA form both chemistries offer comparable battery life. So LiFeS2 is a good option for many cases. In this scenario use Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91.
If extended temperature tolerance is required, LTC batteries are the best option. Your DM branch may supply LTC batteries - or they can be sourced from a local supplier (best to help with freight as they cannot travel by air)
Oyster2 and Oyster 3:
Table 3. Oyster2 Peak Current Draw. Ensure the max pulse current stated on the datasheet is at least the values below.
Device | Battery Type | Peak Current (approx., @3V per cell for LTCs and @1.5V for LiFeSO2) |
Oyster2 4G Cat-M1/Nb-IoT | LiFeSO2 | 500mA |
Oyster2 4G Cat-M1/Nb-IoT | LTC | 250mA |
Oyster2 2G | LiFeSO2 | 1800mA |
Oyster2 2G | LTC | 900mA |
Falcon:
Table 4. Falcon Peak Current Draw. Ensure the max pulse current stated on the datasheet is at least the values below.
Device | Battery Type | Peak Current (approx, @3V per cell for LTCs and @1.5V for LiFeSO2) |
Falcon 4G Cat-M1/Nb-IoT | LiFeSO2 | 800mA |
Falcon 4G Cat-M1/Nb-IoT | LTC | 400mA |
Falcon 2G | LiFeSO2 | 2A |
Falcon 2G | LTC | 1A |
Where Do I Buy Them?
- Australia
- Digital Matter Australia stock Green Energy AA ER14505M. Contact us for more information
- FANSO AA ER14505M - High Power Version (avoid the High Capacity Version)
- Master Instruments (NSW, VIC, WA, QLD)
- Batteries Direct(NSW)
- Digital Matter Australia stock Green Energy AA ER14505M. Contact us for more information
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- UK
Remora2
The Remora2 requires at least 5V to operate. So 2 x 1.5V Alkaline D cells will not power the device. LiFeS2 batteries are not available in D size - so this leaves LTCs.
It is best to use Spiral Type batteries in the Remora2
Table 5. Remora2 Peak Current Draw
Device | Battery Type | Peak Current (approx. - worst case @3V per cell) |
Remora2 4G Cat-M1/Nb-IoT | LTC | 400mA |
Remora2 2G/3G | LTC | 1300mA |
Where do I buy them?
- Australia
- Digital Matter Australia stock batteries - contact us for more information.
- Glyn Limited (VIC/NSW/NZ)
- Master Instruments(NSW, VIC, WA, QLD)
- Batteries Direct(NSW)
- New Zealand
- SIMPOWERsupply
- South Africa
- Just Batteries supply
- SAFT LSH20 D Cell
- Battery Experts
- Just Batteries supply
- UK
- US
- SAFT LSH20 D Cell:
Eagle
The Eagle uses 4 x C Cell batteries, and its input voltage range supports both 4 x 1.5V Alkaline Cells and 4 x 3.7V LTC cells. LiFeS2 batteries are not available in this size. Table 6. Eagle Peak Current Draw
Device | Battery Type | Peak Current (approx, @3V per cell for LTCs and @1.5V for LiFeSO2) |
Eagle 4G Cat-M1/Nb-IoT | LTC | 300mA |
Eagle 4G Cat-M1/Nb-IoT | Alkaline | 650mA |
Eagle 2G | LTC | 800mA |
Eagle 2G | Alkaline | 1600mA |
Suggested Batteries:
Alkaline: Panasonic LR14XW Industrial type
Lithium Thionyl Chloride: SAFT LSH14 - for extreme temperatures and high capacity, can be expensive
SensorData LoRaWAN
The SensorData LoRaWAN can only be fitted with Alkaline batteries. We recommend Panasonic LR14XW. 'Industrial' alkaline batteries are best.