Alkaline Battery Shelf Life
This is the period over which an unused alkaline cell largely retains its capacity, and it is on the order of years. This property gives rise to the greatest strength of a battery-powered remote control: spare cells are available everywhere in the field, and work resumes within minutes when a failure occurs.
The self-discharge of an alkaline cell is low; cells stored in a cool and dry place stay usable for a long time. This is the difference at the centre of the comparison with a rechargeable solution.
- Advantage of the battery solution (LF200 · 3×AAA): instant replaceability. You do not wait for a charging time, you do not need a spare unit, and no electricity is needed at a remote site.
- Advantage of the rechargeable solution (LT200 · Li-Po): shift continuity and no consumable cost; also, the trouble of continually sourcing cells disappears.
- Storage: store cells in a cool and dry place, in their original packaging and so that their terminals do not touch; check the expiry date.
- Mixing: do not use old and new cells, or cells of different brands, together; the weak cell gets reverse charged and becomes prone to leaking.
The remote control of the SF100 and SF200 sets is the LF200 and it runs on 3×AAA cells; on these sets field back-up is solved with a box of cells.
The context in which this term is used: Wireless Crane Remote Control Selection Guide