Should I prefer a rechargeable remote control or a battery-powered one?
In the ST series the LT200 remote control is Li-Po rechargeable and IP67 protected; in the SF series the LF200 remote control runs on 3xAAA batteries and is IP64 protected. The rechargeable model is advantageous in terms of consumable cost and shift continuity, while the battery-powered model is advantageous in that a flat battery can be replaced within seconds. The decision depends on whether you can establish charging discipline on site.
The difference between the two power approaches is how the failure is remedied.
- Li-Po rechargeable (LT200 / ST series): charged at the end of the shift with the AXI-Link 3-pin industrial connector. There is no ongoing cost of buying batteries. Typical Li-Po cells give 300-500 charge cycles; the charging temperature is generally in the 0-45 C range. If charging is forgotten, the remote control will not work at the start of the shift, so a fixed charging point and a habit are needed.
- 3xAAA battery-powered (LF200 / SF series): when the battery runs out it is replaced instantly with an alkaline battery available anywhere, keeping spares is very easy, and the shelf life is long. On the other hand the capacity of an alkaline battery falls noticeably at low temperature and it creates an ongoing consumable cost.
Application recommendation: if you have a single shift, uninterrupted use and can set up a central charging station, the rechargeable model; in environments such as a mobile crew, a dispersed site or a cold store, the battery-powered model is more practical. A battery life value in hours is not stated in the product data; base your planning on measuring your own usage intensity.
The full topic: Wireless Crane Remote Control Selection Guide