DCI is receiving a high volume of calls related to lithium batteries used in transmitters. SuperCell™ lithium batteries are recommended because they meet or exceed the requirements of horizontal directional drilling. SuperCells and Electrochem’s equivalent have a 20 year history of performance. The usable capacity of batteries is temperature dependent and can be adversely affected by shock and vibration. SuperCell batteries have a working temperature range of -40°F to 302°F (-40°C to 150°C) and are built to withstand extreme shock and vibration.
Many lithium cells being sold are designed for lower current draw applications. As battery voltage lessens due to use, higher current is drawn increasing the likelihood of degraded performance. The inconsistent build quality of some lithium batteries has also been cited with warranty replacement rates as high as 25%. Using high-quality lithium batteries designed for horizontal directional drilling is your best choice for maintaining uptime in the field.