Batteries are the heartbeat of every rugged tablet. They power mission-critical applications, keep teams connected in the field, and ensure that your technology performs when it matters most. Here at DT Research, we manufacture precision engineered tablets that are durable and dependable, but like all consumable components, batteries require care to deliver their full potential.
In this blog, we break down the essentials of battery maintenance: what to do, what to avoid, and how to extend the life of your rugged tablet batteries.
Understanding Battery Life
Every battery has a natural lifespan. For rugged tablets, this typically ranges from 1 to 3 years, depending on usage patterns and operating conditions. Even with proper care, batteries will gradually degrade over time. The goal is to minimize the major stressors that accelerate this process.
Major Stressors to Avoid
1. Excessive Heat
Heat is one of the most damaging conditions for batteries. Exposure to high temperatures, whether during use, charging, or storage can significantly reduce capacity and overall life. Always store and operate rugged tablets within recommended temperature ranges.
2. Over-Discharge
Every hot swappable battery has a safe operating voltage range
- A healthy threshold is 3 volts or above
- Between 2.5–3 volts, recovery is sometimes possible but not ideal
- Below 2.5 volts, the battery is no longer recoverable and should not be used
When a battery sits too long in storage, such as in a warehouse for over a year, it can slowly discharge past safe limits. At that point, it will continue to degrade and lose charge permanently.
Best Practice: Avoid storing batteries at 0% charge. Regularly recharge devices in storage to keep them within a safe range.
3. Constantly Sitting at Full Charge
While undercharging is a risk, so is keeping a battery at 100% indefinitely. Just like running on empty, sitting at “always full” places stress on the battery chemistry and accelerates wear. Aim to maintain balanced charging habits whenever possible.
When to Stop Using a Battery
Batteries are consumables, once they become unhealthy, they should not be forced back into service. Discontinue use if you notice:
- Physical damage (such as dents, cracks, or swelling)
- Visible signs after a drop or impact
- Inability to hold charge within normal parameters
How Rugged Design Protects Your Battery
Rugged tablets are built with drop protection, shielding batteries from most everyday impacts. For example, if a device is dropped from 4 feet or below, the tablet’s rugged casing absorbs much of the shock, reducing risk to the battery. However, direct impact or visible damage always warrants caution and replacement.
Additionally, our rugged computing solutions often feature hot-swappable batteries, allowing users to replace batteries in the field without shutting down critical applications. This design not only minimizes downtime but also helps preserve battery health by ensuring devices don’t run all the way down to 0%.
Key Takeaways for Battery Care
- Keep batteries cool, but not cold – avoid high heat and freezing temperatures.
- Do not let batteries sit at 0% for extended periods. Recharge regularly during storage.
- Avoid leaving batteries at 100% constantly. Use balanced charging habits.
- Replace batteries that show damage or performance issues, do not attempt to revive below the safe threshold.
- Leverage features like hot-swappable batteries to extend operational uptime and reduce stress on single cells.
- Remember: batteries will naturally degrade whether used or unused. Proactive care helps maximize their lifespan.
Powering Rugged Performance
Our precision engineered tablets are designed to withstand the world’s toughest environments, while giving you the tools to keep your operations running smoothly. By following these best practices, you’ll ensure that your devices stay reliable, your batteries stay healthy, and your team stays connected at the point of need.