A wireless battery takes the cord off the machine, which takes the cord sleeve, the clip and one trip hazard off the bench. It also puts a lithium cell in the artist's hand, and lithium cells have rules. This note is what a studio should know before it buys one, and before it ships one.
What the numbers mean
| Number | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage range | The output the battery can be set to, usually adjustable in small steps | Has to cover the range your machines run at; check the machine's specification |
| Capacity, in mAh | How much charge the cell holds | Runtime at a given voltage; more capacity, more weight |
| Connector | RCA or DC, matching the machine | The wrong connector is a paperweight |
| Charge time | Empty to full on the supplied cable | Decides whether one battery covers a day, or two are needed |
Runtime
Runtime is capacity divided by draw, and draw goes up with voltage and with how hard the machine works. Manufacturer runtime figures are measured at one voltage, usually a low one; a session at a higher setting runs shorter. The practical rule most studios land on is two batteries per artist: one on the machine, one on the charger, swapped at the break.
Habits that make one last
- Charge with the supplied cable and a known charger; cheap chargers are the usual cause of a dead cell.
- Do not leave it at zero overnight; do not leave it on the charger for days.
- Keep it out of the autoclave, the sun and the car.
- Bag it like the machine. It is in the field.
- Retire a cell that gets hot, swells or drops voltage under load. That is not a repair job.
What we check, and what we do not claim
Our Machine sheet for the wireless battery says what we check on arrival and what we do not claim. What we do not claim is most of the manufacturer's marketing. If a number is not on the sheet, we have not verified it.
Why it ships within the United States only
A lithium cell crosses a border as dangerous goods, with transport paperwork and packaging rules we do not hold yet. Until we do, the wireless battery ships within the United States only; everything else in the systems ships to Canada and Europe as well. The rule is written in Lead time and shipping.