Oyster2 Battery Recommendations

Check out the Oyster2 on our Website!

The Oyster2 uses 3 x AA Cell Batteries. The circuitry is designed to handle battery cell voltages from 1.5V to 3.6V. This allows the Oyster2 to operate off either readily available Lithium-Iron-Disulphide (LiFeSO2) or top of the range Lithium-Thionyl-Chloride (LiSOCl2) batteries.

It is important that Alkaline Batteries are not used. They will power the device, and it will operate for a while, however due to the way Alkaline batteries discharge (voltage drops off as capacity is used), only around 40% of their capacity will actually be used by the device before the batteries can no longer power the Oyster. Only a few weeks of operation will be seen. 

Lithium-Iron-Disulphide (LiFeSO2)

• Low cost
• Readily available off the shelf, so they are easy to find to get going quickly with an Oyster2.

Draw-backs:

• They can in some instances be susceptible to early failure. Can be anywhere from 2-5% failure rate
• Not suitable for extreme temperatures. They will not perform well in low temperatures (and can brown-out), and they can fail in high temperatures. The typical maximum operating temperature is generally +60 degrees C, which can often be easily reached in hot climates, particularly if installed inside a vehicle, on a shipping container etc.

Lithium-Thionyl-Chloride (LTC)

Benefits:

• Higher quality - less chance of early failure.
• Extended temperature tolerance (-40 to +80 degrees C is typical)

Draw-backs:

• Hard to freight, they cannot travel by air, and must be shipped or travel by road.
• Can be more expensive.

Recommendations

Fresh

It has been shown that batteries deteriorate over time.

Make sure that the batteries that you are buying are as fresh as possible. You can usually check the batch manufacture date or the expiry date on the battery to get an idea. 

Test

Ideally each battery should be tested using a battery tester before being installed.

Size

You would think every battery is exactly the same size. But they can vary slightly and affect the fit of the battery in the device. It is important to check the fit of your batteries in the device's battery holder.

Suggested Lithium-Iron-Disulphide LiFeSO2 batteries:

• Energiser Ultimate Lithium

Suggested Lithium Thionyl Chloride (LTC) Batteries:

• Your Digital Matter branch may supply LTC batteries, contact your sales representative for information

Digital Matter Australia stock these types of AA LTC batteries, 

• Titus ER14505M
• Green Energy ER14505M

They may be able to be sourced from a supplier local to you to simplify freight.

GLYN Distributors (based in NSW, Australia) can supply the Green Energy ER14505M

Pulse Current

Not all LTC batteries are built the same - in general, go for Spiral, 'M' Type batteries. Bobbin Type batteries may not be able to supply enough peak current.

The batteries need to have a high enough rating for pulse current to meet the following peaks:

Test your batteries, and ensure to leave some room with the specified pulse current - they do not always perform as well as the data sheet may suggest!