{"id":366,"date":"2010-04-22T16:08:59","date_gmt":"2010-04-22T16:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ravtrack.com\/GPStracking\/?p=366"},"modified":"2010-06-17T03:54:30","modified_gmt":"2010-06-17T03:54:30","slug":"battery-comparison-for-gps-tracking-device","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/battery-comparison-for-gps-tracking-device-366\/","title":{"rendered":"Battery Comparison for GPS Tracking Device"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/h1>\n

Many different types of batteries may be used with Raveon\u2019s M7 series of GPS transponders<\/a>.\u00a0 This Technical Brief describes how well some common battery types will work with the M7 radios.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Actual battery life will vary based upon how often the M7 GPS transponder transmits, but the data in this Technical Brief may be used to predict the battery life of most configurations.<\/p>\n

Test Setup<\/h1>\n

For the tests in this brief, a UHF GPS transponder, model RV-M7-UC-GX <\/a>was configured in GPS mode 2 to transmit its position every 10 seconds.\u00a0 In GPS mode 2, the radio\u2019s receiver is on 100% of the time, and the current draw of the M7 was an average of 90mA.\u00a0 The peak current draw was 2.1 amps for 68mS each time the M7 transmitted its GPS position.<\/p>\n

Summary Data<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Brand<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nType<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nRecharge-able<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nmAh <\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nLife
\n(RX on)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n		Life
\n(RX off)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duracell<\/td>\nAlkaline<\/td>\nNO<\/td>\n1600<\/td>\n18 hours<\/td>\n36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Energizer<\/td>\nLithium<\/td>\nNO<\/td>\n2500<\/td>\n28 hours<\/td>\n56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lenmar<\/td>\nNiMH<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n1500<\/td>\n17 hours<\/td>\n34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Duracell Alkaline<\/h1>\n

These batteries are the common Duracel batteries found at most department stores.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Test Result Summary<\/h2>\n

Initial Voltage:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12.57 volts<\/em><\/p>\n

Voltage at \u00bd discharge:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10.2 volts<\/em><\/p>\n

Usable life (hours)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18 hours<\/em><\/p>\n

Voltage drop when transmitting\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.4V\u00a0 (1.1 ohm resistance)<\/em><\/p>\n

Approximate mAh capacity\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1600mAh<\/em><\/p>\n

Discharge Curve<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Transmit Transient<\/h2>\n

The plot below shows the dip in voltage as the transmitter turns on and off.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

The Duracell is an OK battery to power the M7 transponder.\u00a0 But its high internal resistance will reduce the RF power output after the first few hours of operation.\u00a0 The DC to the radio should stay above 9V while transmitting for full power, above 8V for 3-4 watts.<\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Energizer Lithium<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

These batteries are the common Energizer Lithium batteries for cameras and digital electronics found at many department stores.<\/p>\n

Test Result Summary<\/h2>\n

Initial Voltage:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12.1 volts\u00a0 (14V for a few moments)<\/em><\/p>\n

Voltage at \u00bd discharge:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12.0 volts<\/em><\/p>\n

Usable life (hours)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 28 hours<\/em><\/p>\n

Voltage drop when transmitting\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3.5V\u00a0 (1.6 ohm resistance)<\/em><\/p>\n

Approximate mAh capacity\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2520mAh<\/em><\/p>\n

Discharge Curve<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Transmit Transient<\/h2>\n

The plot below shows the dip in voltage as the transmitter turns on and off.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

Even though the internal resistance of the cell is higher than the alkaline, the Energizer Lithium is a good battery to power the M7 transponder.\u00a0 Its high internal resistance will not reduce the RF power output because its voltage is fundamentally fairly high.\u00a0 The DC to the radio should stay above 9V while transmitting for full power, above 8V for 3-4 watts, so the 3.5V dip means the radio will have full power at 12.5V, and 3-4 watts out at 11V DC at the battery pack.<\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lenmar R2G NiMH pack, 2150mAh cells<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

These batteries are Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries.\u00a0 They were fully charged before the test.<\/p>\n

Test Result Summary<\/h2>\n

Initial Voltage:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11.0 volts <\/em><\/p>\n

Voltage at \u00bd discharge:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10.3volts<\/em><\/p>\n

Usable life (hours)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 17 hours<\/em><\/p>\n

Voltage drop when transmitting\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.0V\u00a0 (.95 ohm resistance)<\/em><\/p>\n

Approximate mAh capacity\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1500mAh<\/em><\/p>\n

Discharge Curve<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

These batteries should be a good power source for the M7 GX transponder.<\/p>\n

The internal cell resistance is low, but the voltage is also low. The RF power output stayed at full power for most of the life of the battery, dropping to about 4 watts at the end of the battery life.\u00a0 The double dip at end of live was due to the fact the radio keep working down to 6 volts (albeit with almost no RF output because the RF PA is off), and the batteries keep putting our very low voltage for another couple hours.<\/p>\n

This article describes batteries that may be used for an AVL system, but Raveon’s UHF Radio Modems <\/a>may also be battery powered, so this article can be applied to these radios also.<\/p>\n

Raveon Technologies Corporation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

990 Park Center Drive, C<\/p>\n

Vista, CA 92081<\/p>\n

sales@raveontech.com<\/a><\/p>\n

760-727-8004<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Overview Many different types of batteries may be used with Raveon\u2019s M7 series of GPS transponders.\u00a0 This Technical Brief describes how well some common battery types will work with the M7 radios.\u00a0 Actual battery life will vary based upon how often the M7 GPS transponder transmits, but the data in this Technical Brief may be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8,46],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=366"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":435,"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366\/revisions\/435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.raveon.com\/data_radio_info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}