How do I get the Tag T-10’s battery to last longer? What do I need to do to stop changing batteries so frequently?

Our customers ask us questions like these concerning the battery life of the T-10 constantly.

That’s why, in this post we’ve decided to analyze these systems and their battery usage, as well as discuss the measures that can be taken to maximise battery life and minimise the number of battery changes required.

It is important to note that the battery consumption depends on many factors and as such, it’s very difficult to be precise about the exact life expectancy of the battery.

How does the TAG T-10 system work?

To better understand the factors that affect the life of the battery, let’s start by analysing how the entire system works.

Most of the time the Tag is in “sleep” mode – in this case, power consumption is minimal (microamperes).

When the Tag is located within the forklift or the verification antenna’s detection area, it switches to “active” mode and it communicates its position to the forklift’s AC-50 device. In this state the Tag consumes a lot more current (milliamps) but only during short periods of time.

Thus, the longer the Tag is in “sleep” mode, the longer it will last.

What sort of duration can we expect?

The answer to this question depends on your usage.

The following are three examples we’ve observed commonly:

Factors that influence the battery’s life expectancy

One of the most important factors is the original quality of the battery.

There are many different brands and – being a standard CR2450 button battery -, it is very easy to find it in any hardware store. However, not all batteries are manufactured following the same quality standards so it is highly recommended to use a renowned brand such as Maxell or Varta.

Environmental factors are also very important.

Batteries are chemical elements and the reaction of these elements is sensitive to temperature and humidity. The environmental conditions in the location where the battery is stored or where the Tag is used will have either a positive or a negative impact on the life of the battery.

Other factors relate to the battery’s usage. For example, we found cases where the Tag is stored near a verification antenna or in a busy forklift zone so that the Tag is active a lot more than it is really necessary.

If the forklift driver does not have the habit of turning off the machine before getting off, the detector will activate the Tag for a few seconds, something which – if repeated several times a day – can also have an adverse effect on the battery’s life.

Tips to help you extend the life of the battery

The following are some easy tips that will help you extend the life of your Tag T-10’s battery:

• Your best option is to rely on The Inhibitor, a device that optimizes the Tag’s use to its maximum (when the Tag is inside the Inhibitor). It is especially suited to make the most of situations where the Tag should not be in active mode and to ensure that consumption is at the lowest possible level.
• Reduce the number of times your staff verifies their Tag. It is recommended to find a balance between ensuring that the Tag is running and spending the least amount of battery possible.
• Ensure that driver turn off their forklifts when not in use.

In short, there’s really not a magic solution to help you postpone the changing of the Tag’s batteries.  However, there is a very effective solution – to save a little bit of energy every day. Small changes will indeed result in a significant extension in battery life in the long run.

Simple changes like using the inhibitor or training staff to properly use it, you will make significant improvements in the life expectancy of your Tag T-10’s battery.

Next November 14^th, 2015, Claitec is participating in the HI-TECH Fair in Shenzhen.

The China Hi-Tech Fair is the most important technology fair in China, and one of the most important in Asia.

Organized by the government of Catalonia, the Department of Acció, it will done an innovation itinerary in order to be known in an international environment.

A number of our clients have expressed their curiosity about the workings of the PAS system.

Many have asked us about the difference between this system and an ultrasonic sensor in an ordinary obstacle detection system.

Others interested in installing the PAS system in their companies, wondered whether they should use this or choose ultrasonic sensors systems instead. This question generally arises as they notice that other companies with similar solutions to Claitec’s offer this technology. For example, there are companies offering ultrasonic sensor as the appropriate solution for drivers who tend to encounter dangerous obstacles in their line of work.

What are and how do ultrasonic sensors work?

Ultrasonic sensors are proximity sensors that reveal objects at certain distances.

The sensors beep and then proceed to measure the time taken by the signal to return.

They function only in the air, without any form of contact, and they can detect objects with different shapes, colors and surfaces.

Ultrasonic sensors can identify solid, liquid or dust-like materials although it is a condition that these must be able to deflect sound. The sensors evaluate the time between the transmission pulse and the echo’s.

Given the fact that these type of sensors do not require any physical contact with an object, they also have the potential for detecting any type of object. Similarly, they can also find objects of any characteristics without the need for adjustment.

The main problem with these devices is the presence of blind zones, i.e., the area between the sensor and the minimum distance which an object can be detected at.

Another limitation is the recurrence of false alarms.

What are the advantages of the PAS system over these obstacle detection systems?

One of the most remarkable advantages of the PAS system – and what makes it truly unique – is its ability to discriminate between people and objects. The PAS system takes safety to a completely new level by warning the forklift’s driver that a pedestrian is approaching.

The ultrasonic sensor is also very limited when it comes to detecting other forklifts.

What happens in most cases is that the front part of the forklift is loaded with goods and this hinders the proper detection of the obstacle. Ultrasonic sensors can only detect obstacles properly from the rear of the forklift.

The PAS system, on the other hand, detects an object or a person at 360° fully effectively.

Last but not least, the PAS system is able to detect persons even if they are located behind a wall or a shelf as its detection system is capable of penetrating materials without any side effect. The ultrasonic sensors, on the contrary, are only able to detect objects that are directly in front of them – a serious limitation to its function.