Battery Care and
Management
MOD-13-1654
Issue: 1.5
COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
© SEPURA PLC 2018
Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................................. 3
Version history.................................................................................................................. 3
Glossary................................................................................................................................ 4
Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 5
Operational practices ............................................................................................................ 6
Handling and charging guidelines ......................................................................................... 8
Storage of batteries ............................................................................................................... 9
General storage................................................................................................................ 9
Storage times & temperatures .................................................................................................... 9
Storing large amounts of batteries .................................................................................. 11
Age of batteries ................................................................................................................... 12
Battery date codes.......................................................................................................... 12
SRH/SRC Series batteries label identification .......................................................................... 12
STP8000/STP9000 Series batteries label identification ........................................................... 13
STP8000/STP9000/SC20/SC21 Series batteries label identification ....................................... 14
STP8X Series batteries label identification ............................................................................... 15
Notice ................................................................................................................................. 16
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Preface
This document has been issued to provide advice to Sepura’s customers on measures
which can be taken to optimise the operational life of batteries.
Version history
Version Date released Comments
Issue 1 November 2013 First released for external circulation.
Issue 1.1 January 2015 Updated to new document format.
Issue 1.2 February 2015 Added Storage mode to document.
Issue 1.3 July 2016 Updated to include management of worn/damaged
batteries.
Issue 1.4 November 2017 Updated for SC21 and new standards for handling
batteries.
Issue 1.4.1 December 2017 Lower storage temperature for > 3 months on STP/SC
batteries (p9).
Issue 1.5 February 2018 Changes to battery storage temperatures (p9). Added
STP8X battery to the section Age of Batteries (p11).
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Glossary
The following terms and definitions are used in this document:
Term Description
DMO Direct Mode Operation
GPS Global Positioning System
TETRA Terrestrial Trunked Radio, ETSI standard for mission and business critical PMR
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Introduction
This Product Bulletin has been issued to provide advice on measures which can be taken to
help optimise the performance and longevity of radio batteries.
A high capacity battery is available that is suitable for situations where the radio is regularly
transmitting and/or there are a large number of User Interface features enabled on the radio.
Sepura radios already incorporate a number of features designed to achieve high battery
usage times, such as:
• the transmitted power is automatically reduced in high signal strength areas;
• the back-light timer allows the user to set a short back-light on time – this will
conserve battery power; and
• the GPS reporting interval can be varied to suit the requirements of the users.
In addition to this, there are several external factors that can influence battery usage time:
• operational practices
• handling and charging batteries
• storage of batteries
• age of batteries
These external factors are detailed in the following sections.
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Operational practices
The following operational practices can be performed on a daily basis to ensure user safety
and improve the usage time of the battery:
• Charge state – Ensure that the batteries are fully charged at start of shift.
• Usage patterns – Reduce the length of time spent transmitting.
• Receiver audio level – Avoid using the radio with the speaker audio level set at
maximum. Use an earpiece where possible.
• Backlight use – Decrease the time the backlight stays on between key presses.
• Temperature – Operation at low temperatures will reduce battery endurance.
• GPS reporting interval – Where possible, decrease the rate of the GPS
reporting.
• DMO or duplex (telephone type) calls – Minimise operation in these modes
because they result in a higher current consumption.
• Network density – The radio automatically adjusts its transmitted signal power
as a result of the received signal strength. If the radio regularly operates in weak
signal areas, such as rural areas, it will transmit at full power for most of the
time.
• Inspect battery – Visual inspection to check for any signs of physical damage.
If the battery shows signs of swelling, wear or damage, it must be replaced.
Typical causes of this could be due to:
o Overcharging or heavy use and a cycle life of greater than 500.
o High temperature exposure for extended periods (many hours).
o Storage at too high a charge level.
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Examples of swollen batteries are shown below:
Site of where swelling
of the battery could
occur
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Handling and charging guidelines
The following guidelines will help you remain safe when handling batteries and obtain the
best performance from your batteries:
• Always follow the warning information on the battery label and in the user
manual provided with the charging device.
• NEVER use or attempt to charge a battery that shows signs of damage or
swelling, or has been dropped or received a ‘heavy blow’. Damage to the battery
may not always be obvious.
• Take care when handling and charging batteries. Do not short-circuit batteries.
• Avoid deep discharge of the batteries.
• Do not open or disassemble batteries.
• Do not incinerate batteries or expose to temperatures above 85 °C (185 °F).
• Do not immerse batteries into water or expose the battery contacts to moisture.
• Do not swallow batteries.
• Only use an approved Sepura charging device to charge the battery, in
accordance with the specifications of the charging device.
• Sepura recommends that charging is only performed at an ambient temperature
between +5 °C and +35 °C (41 °F and 95 °F).
• Charging will be suspended when the internal battery cell temperature is below
+5 °C (41 °F) or above +45 °C (113 °F)
• Charge in a well ventilated area away from combustible materials.
• Always replace batteries with an approved Sepura battery of the correct type for
the hand-portable radio.
• Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may
eventually need to be replaced. Sepura recommends replacing batteries every
two years or after 500 charge cycles.
• Use original packaging for storage and transportation of batteries.
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Storage of batteries
General storage
Failure to store batteries correctly could lead to reduced capacity, reduced battery life and, in
extreme circumstances, damage to or complete failure of the battery.
The overall charge capacity of a new battery will depend on its age and how it has been
stored prior to operational use.
The following guidelines must be followed when storing batteries:
• To achieve best battery performance, store batteries in a cool dry place below
+20 °C/68 °F.
• Do not store near heating devices. Avoid direct sunlight. Storing at higher
temperatures may reduce the electrical performance of the battery.
• Storage of unpacked batteries can cause short circuit and heat generation.
• The temperature limits for storing batteries over periods of time are detailed in
the tables below. Refer to the notes on the next page relating to the periodic
charging of batteries during storage.
Storage times & temperatures
SRH/SRC Storage Time Storage Temperature Limits
Li-ion (note 1)
Up to 1 month -20 °C to +60 °C
-4 °F to +140 °F
Up to 3 months -20 °C to +45 °C
-4 °F to +113 °F
Up to 12 months -20 °C to +25 °C
-4 °F to +77 °F
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STP8000/STP9000 Storage Time Storage Temperature Limits
SC20/SC21
Li-Polymer (note 2)
Up to 1 month -20 C to +45 °C
-4 °F to +113°F
Up to 3 months -20 °C to +35 °C
-4 °F to +95 °F
More than 3 -20°C to +25°C
months -4 °F to +77 °F
STP8X Storage Time Storage Temperature Limits
Li-Polymer (note 3)
Up to 3 months -20 °C to +45 °C
-4 °F to +113 °F
Up to 12 months -20 °C to +25 °C
-4 °F to +77 °F
Related notes:
1. SRH/SRC (Li-Ion) batteries. Do not store fully charged. For storage
periods greater than 6 (six) months apply a conditioning charge of 60
minutes for standard packs and 70 minutes for high capacity packs, every 24
months.
2. STP8000/STP9000/SC20/SC21 (Li-Poly) batteries. Do not store fully
charged. After 6 (six) months storage, charge batteries for 36 minutes.
Thereafter, recharge for 36 minutes every 6 months.
3. STP8X (Li-Poly) batteries. When storing batteries, fully charge packs when
received, then recharge at 6 months.
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Storing large amounts of batteries
When storing large amounts of batteries (used storage volume > 7 m3 and/or more than 6
pallets) it is recommended to store the batteries in fire-resistant or separated rooms or areas
(e.g. warehouse or container for hazardous materials).
Mixed storage with other products is not permitted.
The storage area should be monitored by an automatic fire detection system, connected to a
permanently monitored control station.
A suitable fire-extinguishing system must be installed with extinguishing media such as
metal fire extinction powder, rock salt or dry sand. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is not suitable as
an extinguishing media. Water in small quantities may have adverse effects.
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Age of batteries
Like all products, batteries age with time and will need replacing when they no longer
provide optimum performance.
Both mechanical wear and tear as well as the gradual decrease in battery capacity over time
can have an impact on performance.
Typically, batteries that have been charged more than 500 times would only charge up to
80% of their original capacity. Sepura recommends replacing batteries after 500 charge
cycles so that the effectiveness of your battery fleet is maintained. Sepura also recommends
that the age of batteries is monitored and batteries older than 24 months should be replaced.
The age of the battery can be identified using the manufacture date code on the battery
label.
Battery date codes
SRH/SRC Series batteries label identification
The manufacture date code is printed on the battery label:
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STP8000/STP9000 Series batteries label identification
The manufacture date code is encoded on the 2D barcode:
Read out the number string using a barcode reader (most smartphones can use a third party
barcode ‘app’)
The example shown below is week 15 year 2012
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STP8000/STP9000/SC20/SC21 Series batteries label identification
The Manufacture Date Code is encoded on the 2D barcode in WWYY format. Read out the
number string using a barcode reader (most smartphones can use a third party barcode
‘app’).
The Manufacture Date Code is also visible on the label (next to the 2D barcode) in YYWW
format.
The example shown below is week 13, year 2017.
Manufacture Date Code
YYWW
(1713 is year 2017, week 13)
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STP8X Series batteries label identification
The Manufacture Date Code is encoded on the 2D barcode in WWYY format. Read out the
number string using a barcode reader (most smartphones can use a third party barcode
‘app’).
The Manufacture Date Code is also visible on the label (next to the 2D barcode) in YYWW
format.
The example shown below is week 31, year 2017.
Manufacture Date Code
YYWW
(1731 is year 2017, week 31)
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Notice
All rights reserved. This document may not be reproduced in any form either in part or in
whole without the prior written consent of Sepura, nor may it be edited, duplicated or
distributed using electronic systems.
Company and product names mentioned in this document may be protected under copyright
or patent laws.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and describes only the
product defined in this document. This document is intended for the use of Sepura plc
customers and/or other parties only for the purposes of the agreement or arrangement under
which this document is submitted, and no part of it may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or means without the prior written permission of Sepura.
Sepura plc
9000 Cambridge Research Park
Beach Drive, Waterbeach
Cambridge, CB25 9TL, UK
[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1223 876000
Fax: +44 (0)1223 879000
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