When designing a product, the focus is often spent on the functionality of the device. For most instrument-measuring devices, most of the focus is spent on the sensors themselves and the data capture that will occur during their use. Often factors such as power delivery are left in theory until it’s time to finish the design of the product.
Selecting a power delivery system such as a custom battery pack offers many great features. Some include making the device completely independent from an external source, offering more mobility for the device, as well as requiring fewer interconnection cables.
Once a battery pack is decided to be used in a device, the next question is: which one? Often it is wise to create a custom battery pack for each individual device. That way, every power need is fulfilled. Charge capacity, as well as the voltage required for your device, will be the two main factors that will come into play when creating a custom battery pack. However, which systems will benefit from being rechargeable, and which systems will benefit from being disposable?
Disposable Battery Systems
One type of system that will benefit greatly from being disposable is any device that is intended to have very few cycle amounts. An example of this is a device that is used for scientific measurements/data. Often these devices will have sensors that measure certain parameters that will be captured for scientific data.
Disposable battery pack without internal electronics.
Often these devices will face harsh environments and will not be able to be recovered. However, if your device is retrievable, the disposable batteries can easily be swapped out with new batteries.
Rechargeable Battery Systems
Any system that is intended to be used for multiple cycles should aim to use rechargeable batteries. Using a rechargeable battery pack is ideal since it offers far more flexibility compared to a disposable battery pack. Rechargeable battery packs, unlike disposable battery packs, will never require the need for the user to remove the batteries individually when the batteries inevitably die.
All that will be required is a cable or contact connection to a charger. For some devices that will have some type of solar controller, or other types of renewable energy, a rechargeable battery pack is the best option.
Rechargeable battery pack with internal electronics.
If a rechargeable battery pack is used in conjunction with a renewable energy source, the device can be used autonomously for extended periods. Similarly to disposable battery packs, rechargeable battery packs can be used in all types of scientific measuring devices. Some great examples include UVs (unmanned vehicles) that are often used for environmental monitoring.
Why Not Just Always Use Rechargeable Battery Systems?
The key reason to use a disposable battery system over a rechargeable battery system is price. The batteries themselves are considerably more expensive than the disposable battery counterparts.
Another addition to the price is requiring some type of charger that will go along with the device. Using a rechargeable battery will require some type of charging system. This charging system adds significantly to the whole battery management system's price. As well as being pricey, this charging system will require more components and require additional calibration for the battery pack.
Size, in some systems, is more important than price. If size is a concern, then using a rechargeable battery management system can prove to be challenging. For a rechargeable system, an internal or external charging system will be required. Due to the addition of an internal or external charging system, as well as requiring notably more components and systems for charging, a rechargeable battery system is not ideal when size is a concern.
Summary
When deciding to use a battery pack to power your device a critical decision must be made about which battery management system will be used. If size and money are a concern for your device, then a disposable battery system will work over a rechargeable battery system. If your device is designed for scientific measurements and there isn’t a renewable energy source available, then a disposable battery system would be wise since the batteries might not be retrievable anyway.
A device that has a decent amount of space allocated for a battery management system, should aim to use a rechargeable battery management system. Even though a rechargeable BMS is more expensive, it will improve the user experience with the device, and the device can be used for multiple cycles. A device that uses a rechargeable battery system often proves to be far more robust and reliable compared to a disposable battery system.
Key Takeaways
- Disposable battery packs are ideal for limited-use applications: Devices designed for short-term or one-time use, such as scientific measurement tools in harsh environments, benefit from disposable batteries as they eliminate the need for retrieval or recharging.
- Rechargeable battery packs enhance long-term usability: Devices intended for multiple cycles, such as unmanned vehicles or environmental monitoring systems, should use rechargeable batteries for greater efficiency and long-term cost savings.
- Cost is a major factor in battery selection: Rechargeable battery packs and their charging systems significantly increase costs compared to disposable batteries, making them less suitable for budget-conscious or single-use applications.
- Size constraints can limit rechargeable battery options: Rechargeable battery packs require additional components such as internal or external charging systems, which can be a challenge in space-limited designs where minimizing the footprint is a priority.
- The best battery solution depends on application needs: If budget and size are key concerns, disposable batteries may be the better choice, while rechargeable systems offer long-term durability and convenience, making them ideal for reusable and autonomous devices.
