The battery life of a wireless call button is one of the most practical things to know about before purchasing a system for daily use. A dead call button at the worst possible time is one of the biggest let downs with a wireless call button system.
Typical Lifespan by Battery Type
The lifespan of the battery in a call button will typically last six to twelve months for a coin cell battery, commonly found in slim push buttons, through moderate use. The lifespan for AA or AAA battery powered call buttons would typically last twelve to twenty-four months. It is worth paying a little extra for a higher capacity battery, as although more expensive in the first instance, they will require less replacements in the long run, and less hassle when they do need to be replaced.
What Drains Batteries Faster
The highest call volume is the greatest drain on the battery. A push button used frequently throughout the day (dozens of times) will run out of power much faster than a unit that is occasionally used to call for assistance. Also the battery life is reduced in cold temperatures (outdoor call buttons and remote storerooms that are kept cool) and also by increasing the transmission distance between the push button and the receiver.
Spotting a Failing Battery Early
In general most systems allow for some form of indication prior to a battery completely failing, i.e. weak signal, delayed receipt of alerts on receiver, fluctuating indicator light. Check signal strength from time to time and change before it fails completely.
Simple Habits That Help
Switch off any wireless units that are not going to be used regularly. Try to avoid testing any wireless buttons during periods of inactivity as this will use up the battery power for each transmission. For systems that are divided into different zones for wireless call buttons, it is worth keeping a battery log to note the date and time of replacement for each wireless button. This will ensure that all wireless buttons are replaced before they run out of power and stop working.
Replacing Batteries Correctly
Make sure to replace the battery with an exact match for voltage and chemistry to the original battery. Using a different type of battery can shorten the life of the call button or even cause damage. Also, make sure to follow the UK battery labelling and the proper disposal of used batteries. For Wireless Call Buttons, visit https://www.dinggly.com/products/wireless-call-buttons/.
By learning to manage the batteries on your wireless call button system, you can ensure that the system is working all the time without adding any extra work to the daily routine of staff.