Which Battery Powers Telematics Systems Applications?

Your battery choice for telematics systems applications is critical. The right telematics battery powers your telematics system effectively. Most telematics solutions rely on one of two battery types based on power needs.

Key Battery Solutions for Telematics 💡

• Wiederaufladbar: You will find Lithium-Ionen-Batterien in devices connected to a vehicle’s power source. This battery recharges for continuous operation.
• Non-Rechargeable: A Primary Lithium battery is the standard telematics battery for standalone asset trackers that need a long-lasting power source without maintenance.

Comparing Each Battery Type for Telematics

Choosing the right telematics battery requires you to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each chemistry. Your choice will impact performance, lifespan, and cost. Let’s compare the top contenders for telematics systems applications.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion): The Rechargeable Standard

You will find lithium-ion batteries in most rechargeable telematics devices. These are common in vehicle trackers and fleet management systems that connect to a car’s electrical system. The device draws power from the vehicle, and the Li-ion battery serves as a backup if the main power is cut.

• Zentrale Stärken:

  • Hohe Energiedichte: This battery packs a lot of power into a small, lightweight package. This is crucial for modern, compact telematics hardware.
  • Rechargeable: You can charge and discharge it hundreds or thousands of times. This gives it a long lifespan in applications with a constant power source.
  • Good Performance: It delivers consistent power for GPS, sensors, and data transmission.

• Primary Limitations:

  • Temperature Sensitivity: Extreme heat or cold can reduce the battery’s performance and lifespan. High temperatures also increase its self-discharge rate.
  • Self-Discharge: A Li-ion battery loses about 1-2% of its charge per month even when not in use. This makes it less ideal for long-term storage or devices without a charging source.
  • Safety Concerns: While generally safe, a damaged or improperly charged battery can pose a risk of thermal runaway.

Primary Lithium (Li-SOCl2): The Long-Life Powerhouse

When you need a reliable power source for a device that will be left unattended for years, you should choose a Primary Lithium (Lithium Thionyl Chloride, or Li-SOCl2) battery. This non-rechargeable battery type is the go-to solution for standalone asset trackers, remote sensors, and toll tags. You can find this telematics battery in devices like the Teltonika TAT100 asset tracker.

• Zentrale Stärken:

  • Exceptional Long Life Span: High-quality bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 cells have an extremely low self-discharge rate of less than 1% per year. This allows them to operate for 10, 20, or even up to 40 years in low-power telematics applications. A thin film called a passivation layer forms on the lithium anode, limiting the chemical reactions that cause self-discharge.
  • Hohe Energiedichte: This battery offers one of the highest energy density levels among primary batteries, maximizing power in a small form factor.
  • Wide Temperature Range: It performs reliably in extreme temperatures, from freezing cold to desert heat.

• Primary Limitations:

  • Non-Rechargeable: Once the battery is depleted, you must replace it. This makes it unsuitable for devices that need frequent power cycling.
  • Lower Power Output: Bobbin-type cells, which provide the longest life span, are designed for low, continuous current. They are not ideal for applications needing high power bursts, though spiral-type cells can handle higher discharge rates at the cost of a shorter life.

Did You Know? 🧐 The self-discharge rate of a Li-SOCl2 battery is dramatically lower than that of lithium-ion batteries. While a Li-ion battery can lose over 10% of its charge in a year, a Li-SOCl2 battery loses less than 1%. This makes it the only viable choice for multi-decade telematics deployments.

Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH): The Safe and Reliable Option

You might consider a Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery for telematics applications where safety is the absolute top priority. These are often used in T-Box telematics systems inside a vehicle’s cabin. Their stable chemistry makes them a trusted choice when regulations demand minimal risk.

• Zentrale Stärken:

  • Inherent Safety: NiMH chemistry is less prone to thermal runaway than Li-ion, making it a safer option. This battery type often complies with key safety certifications like IEC 62133 and UN 38.3, which are critical for devices subject to vibration and temperature swings.
  • Cost-Effective: The initial manufacturing cost for a NiMH battery is often lower than for lithium-ion batteries.
  • Good Durability: This battery is robust and can handle overcharging and over-discharging better than some other chemistries.

• Primary Limitations:

  • Lower Energy Density: A NiMH battery is heavier and bulkier than a Li-ion battery of the same capacity.
  • Higher Self-Discharge: It can lose up to 5% of its charge in the first day and then settle to around 10-15% per month, which is significantly higher than lithium-based options.
  • Cost per Delivered Energy: While the upfront cost is low, the total cost over the battery’s life can be higher.

Lead-Acid (AGM & VRLA): The Heavy-Duty Backup

You will see lead-acid batteries, specifically Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) and Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) types, used in telematics systems applications that require a large, stationary backup power source. Think of data centers for telematics platforms or large equipment with an onboard telematics system.

• Zentrale Stärken:

  • Deep-Cycle Capability: Deep-cycle AGM batteries are built for sustained power delivery. Some can achieve up to 700 cycles at a 50% depth of discharge (DOD), providing a dependable telematics battery backup.
  • Low Maintenance: AGM batteries are sealed, so you never need to add water. This “wartungsfrei” design makes them a practical telematics battery for remote or hard-to-access installations.
  • Cost-Effective for Large Capacity: They offer the lowest cost per watt-hour for large-scale applications, making them an economical choice for substantial power needs.

• Primary Limitations:

  • Heavy and Bulky: This is the heaviest and largest battery type. A lead-acid battery can be more than double the weight and size of a lithium-ion battery with the same capacity. This makes it impractical for mobile or compact telematics devices.
  • Lower Energy Density: It has a low energy density of around 45-50 Wh/kg, compared to over 150 Wh/kg for Li-ion. You need a much bigger battery to get the same amount of power.
  • Sensitive to Deep Discharge: While capable of deep cycles, regularly discharging a lead-acid battery below 50% will shorten its long life span.

Ultimately, the best telematics battery depends entirely on the job you need it to do. Your telematics system will only perform as well as the power source behind it.

How to Choose the Best Battery Technology

You need to ask the right questions to find the best battery technology for your project. Your decision will depend on your device’s power needs, operating conditions, and budget. Let’s walk through the key factors to help you choose the right telematics battery.

Power Profile: Rechargeable vs. Non-Rechargeable

Your first question should be: will the device have access to a constant power source? The answer immediately narrows your choices.

• Rechargeable for Connected Devices: If your telematics device is wired into a vehicle, you need a rechargeable battery. A typical GPS vehicle tracker draws a small amount of current from the car’s battery (around 37-55mA when the engine is on). The internal lithium-ion battery acts as a backup, ensuring the device keeps tracking if main power is lost. Its ability to recharge makes it perfect for these telematics systems applications.

• Non-Rechargeable for Standalone Devices: If your device is a standalone asset tracker on a shipping container or a sensor in a remote field, you need a non-rechargeable (primary) battery. These devices must operate for years without maintenance. A Primary Lithium (Li-SOCl2) battery is the ideal reliable power source here because it provides a very long life span.

Operating Environment and Temperature

You must consider where your telematics device will operate. Extreme temperatures can drastically affect battery performance and safety.

Temperature Alert 🌡️ Cold weather is a major enemy of many battery types. For a Li-ion battery, charging below freezing (0°C or 32°F) is particularly dangerous. It can cause “lithium plating,” which permanently reduces the battery’s capacity and can lead to short circuits.

Extreme cold slows the chemical reactions inside a Li-ion battery, increasing its internal resistance and reducing its available capacity. In contrast, a Li-SOCl2 battery is built for harsh conditions. Many models operate reliably in a very wide temperature range.

Choosing a battery with a wider temperature tolerance can also save you money. It may eliminate the need for a costly and heavy Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS), which includes heaters, coolers, and sensors to protect the battery.

Lifespan and Maintenance Cycles

You should think about how long you need the device to last and how much maintenance you are willing to perform.

• For long-term, low-power telematics: A non-rechargeable Li-SOCl2 battery is the champion of longevity. For example, a battery in a remote agricultural sensor monitoring a fence can last up to five years. The extremely low self-discharge rate means you can deploy a device and not worry about replacing the battery for a very long time. This long lifespan is crucial when the cost of sending a technician to replace a battery is higher than the cost of the device itself.

• For frequently used, high-power telematics: A rechargeable Li-ion battery offers a long service life measured in charge cycles. In a fleet telematics system, the battery may be cycled daily but can last for several years because it is constantly managed by the vehicle’s power.

Cost, Size, and Weight Constraints

Finally, you must balance performance with the physical and financial limits of your project.

The total cost of ownership is more than just the initial price of the battery.

• Li-Ionen-Batterien are often cheaper upfront for your telematics system. Widespread use in consumer electronics has driven their cost down. They are cost-effective for rechargeable applications.
• Li-SOCl2 batteries have a higher initial cost. However, their value comes from their high energy density and decade-plus shelf life, which justifies the price for critical, long-term deployments where battery replacement is not an option.

Size and weight are critical for small or wearable telematics devices. The battery is often the largest and heaviest component.

• A device’s small form factor limits battery size, which in turn limits capacity. This is why many smartwatches require daily charging.
• You must ensure the battery has enough capacity to perform its job without failing or frustrating the user. A battery with high energy density packs more power into a smaller and lighter package, making it the best choice for compact hardware.

You must choose the right battery for your telematics. A Li-ion battery is best for rechargeable telematics, while a Primary Lithium battery powers long-life devices. Your telematics system succeeds when you match the telematics battery to its job. Innovations in battery technology are vital for future telematics systems applications.

Future of Telematics Battery Power 🔋 Keep an eye on emerging battery options:

• Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery: This safer, long-lasting battery is a great choice for telematics.

A successful telematics deployment depends on selecting the correct battery for your power needs and environment.

FAQ

What is the main difference between Li-ion and Li-SOCl2?

You use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for devices connected to a power source, like a car. You choose a non-rechargeable Primary Lithium (Li-SOCl2) battery for standalone trackers that need to last for many years without maintenance.

Why is temperature important for my telematics battery?

Extreme temperatures affect your battery’s performance and lifespan. Cold weather can reduce a battery’s available power. High heat can cause permanent damage. You must choose a battery rated for your device’s operating environment to ensure it works reliably.

How long does a telematics battery last?

Your battery’s lifespan depends on its type and use. A rechargeable Li-ion battery in a vehicle tracker can last for several years. A non-rechargeable Li-SOCl2 battery in a low-power asset tracker can operate for more than a decade.

What is a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery?

An LFP battery is a type of rechargeable lithium battery. You will find it is safer than standard Li-ion batteries and offers a very long cycle life. These features make it an excellent emerging choice for many telematics applications.