Chapter 18
Ten Best Ways to Use Batteries
In This Chapter
Knowing why batteries lose life
Understanding the differences among batteries
Getting rid of used batteries
Choosing battery packaging
Knowing what causes premature battery death
Reading the low-battery indicator
Making sure that safety comes first
Safeguarding batteries against unauthorized use
Knowing the best way to store batteries
Charging batteries properly
Batteries are the lifeblood of an RTLS. Unless you’re using passive tags (that have no battery), without batteries, the whole system shuts down.
The key types of batteries that you typically find in RTLS tags (and optionally, location sensors) are: Leclanché, alkaline, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium, silver oxide, zinc air, and nickel cadmium (NiCd). Some RTLS use primary (non-rechargeable) batteries, and others use secondary (rechargeable) batteries. This chapter describes ten important points to consider when using batteries for RTLS.