Tips to avoid sensor battery drain
When working with sensors, maintaining battery life is essential for effective monitoring and reliable data. Here are some practical tips to help avoid premature battery depletion in sensors, especially in challenging environments.
1. Ensure Reliable Gateway Connectivity
One of the primary causes of battery drain in sensors is weak or inconsistent connectivity with a gateway. When a sensor struggles to maintain a connection, it uses significantly more power, potentially draining up to 30 times faster than under strong signal conditions.
One of the primary causes of battery drain in sensors is weak or inconsistent connectivity with a gateway. When a sensor struggles to maintain a connection, it uses significantly more power, potentially draining up to 30 times faster than under strong signal conditions.
Best Practices:
- Place additional gateways in areas with known signal issues. For instance, if signals are weak at prefabrication sites, or within specific buildings (as shown on the blueprint), adding gateways in these locations can greatly enhance connectivity.
- Avoid prolonged disconnection from the gateway. Leaving sensors unconnected for long periods will cause them to repeatedly attempt reconnection, using extra battery power. If they're left like this for months the battery have a high chance of being discharged.
2. Optimize Sensor Placement to Avoid Environmental Stress
Battery performance can deteriorate under harsh environmental conditions. Proper sensor placement can help minimize exposure to damaging elements and extend battery life.
Battery performance can deteriorate under harsh environmental conditions. Proper sensor placement can help minimize exposure to damaging elements and extend battery life.
Key Tips:
- Protect from Rain: Avoid placing sensors where they’ll be exposed directly to rain. Water exposure can not only damage sensors but also drain batteries.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Placing sensors in direct sunlight, especially in containers made from dark plastic or metal, can cause overheating. Heat over 40°C can degrade the battery quickly.
- Protect from Freezing Temperatures: In winter, position sensors under some form of shelter to avoid sub-zero exposure, as freezing temperatures also shorten battery lifespan.
3. Monitor and Adjust for Prolonged Inactivity
If sensors are inactive for extended periods (e.g. 14 days), check the installation area for factors that could be contributing to this downtime, such as signal interference or poor placement.
If sensors are inactive for extended periods (e.g. 14 days), check the installation area for factors that could be contributing to this downtime, such as signal interference or poor placement.
Strategies:
- Check Signal Strength: If many sensors are inactive, especially in low-signal areas, adding or repositioning gateways could re-establish connectivity and preserve battery.
- Inspect Environment: For sensors placed in prefabrication sites / storage / after installation, consider if weak connectivity during these periods is causing extra battery drain. Adjust gateway placement or reduce storage time in signal-limited areas.
While some environmental factors are difficult to control entirely, taking small steps—such as reinforcing signal strength with additional gateways, strategically positioning gateways, and tracking environmental conditions—can make a significant difference in battery life. Monitoring these areas and making slight adjustments can help improve sensor performance and reduce the frequency of battery replacements.
If in doubt you're always welcome to reach out to Tector, we'll be happy to look through sensors and give recommendations on actions.