Working in the field requires us to rely on batteries to power the GPS & Robotic equipment used on a daily basis. We currently run 2 (VRS) units & 1 (GPS-Base station) unit that require the TechPower Premium Battery to operate both the data collector and radio rover.

Our work is critically tied to the life and reliability of batteries, in fact if the battery fails on the GPS collector all the job files and data would be lost. If our batteries fail we not only lose that day’s data, but other information on different jobs would be lost. Needless to say the reliability of batteries is paramount.


Description

Amstron GPS-TR1 Replacement Battery for Trimble 52030, 46607, 38403, 29518 GPS. The GPS-TR1 is designed to the exact specifications of EI-D-LI1 and meets or exceeds


Specifications

• Capacity: Li-Ion, 7.4 Volts 1850 mAh
• 1 Year Warranty
• Chemistry: Li-ion
• Fits Models: Trimble 52030, Trimble 46607, Trimble 38403, Trimble 29518, TRIMBLE 5700, MOLI 1821


Product Claims

TechPower rechargeable battery packs feature the latest battery technology, the highest quality components, and meet or exceed OEM specifications. TechPower battery packs are designed to last longer and have reduced memory effect. All TechPower products have a one-year warranty and a thirty-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your purchase.


Details on Lithium

Lithium ion batteries (Li-Ion) are a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in digital cameras, laptops, GPS devices, and other consumer electronics. Currently Li-Ion batteries are one of the most popular in use today, with an excellent energy to weight ratio, a slow loss of charge when not in use, and no memory effect. However they can be dangerous if not cared for properly, and unless care is taken they may have a shorter lifespan compared to other battery types.

When storing a Li-ion battery, one must take care in correctly monitoring the temperature & charge, which can make the difference in maintaining storage capacity. A slightly different drawback with Li-ion is that the life space is dependent upon aging from the time it is manufactured, regardless of whether or not it was charged upon creation. Along with the time when it was manufactured, the number of charge/discharge cycles also decreases the batteries capability to maintain a healthy charge. Lithium Batteries are very popular in respect to their unique ability to be formed into a wide variety of sizes & shape, as to fill available space in the devices they power efficiently.

Storing a Li-ion battery at the correct temperature and charge makes all the difference in maintaining its storage capacity. A unique drawback of the Li-ion battery is that its life span is dependent upon aging from time of manufacturing (shelf life) regardless of whether it was charged, and not just on the number of charge/discharge cycles

Lithium ion batteries can be formed into a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so as to efficiently fill available space in the devices they power.


Reliability

Previously mentioned, we use the batteries to power our VRS (Virtual Reality Station) & GPS (Global Positioning System) every day in the field. We notice a huge performance drop in the batteries ability to maintain a charge and work effectively during colder temperatures. This also holds true during very hot spells, which decreases the batteries ability to hold the proper charge during the summer months. The batteries are ineffective in daily activities and somewhat unreliable while using them in the field.

My experience has been very finicky, quirky, and unreliable with charging and daily usage of the batteries. Recently we purchased 8 new batteries, which were charged all night, and the next day to our dismay we found that 3 of them died within 30 minutes of use. Furthermore they registered in at 30% charged when placed into the rover for the first time. So thinking this was a charging error or defective battery we tested several others that were shipped to us. I can understand if a battery is 2-3 years old, then used everyday and no longer works well, but all the batteries we purchased are dated so we can tell when a battery is getting old. It seems that “some” work great while others not matter how new, never seem to charge or work well at all.

The mixed experience with these batteries leaves a bad taste in my mouth, because of the numerous times that I change out my 3 or 4 spare batteries to find that each one lasts a highly different amount of time or worse yet a unique percent that the battery is charged. I find myself spinning my wheels trying to use a car charger, calling other crews for batteries, or simply wasting a day because of batteries!

For those that think it is a simple act of “checking our chargers” or “replacing the batteries” I assure you it is not. We replace batteries often, chargers are changed out, and each battery spends all night on a charger that times out when it is complete.


Overall

Almost no other batteries will work for our equipment so we are basically stuck using this type of battery. The good news is a different company makes the same Lithium Ion battery as a generic, and it typically works better than the Trimble brand name battery. As the Trimble batteries fail, we replace them with a more reliable battery from a different manufacture. I would not recommend this battery as the reliability for both usage & charging is not only poor but expensive.


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