Prepaid water meters are becoming the first choice for water companies around the world. This is because of their convenience. They are also chosen for their efficiency. However, many users and operators have found that the battery life of prepaid water meters is short during use. Among them, the battery life of STS water meters has become a focus for users and water companies. This is especially true in remote areas where batteries cannot be replaced frequently. It is also important in places where power resources are insufficient.
In this post:
What are the battery types for prepaid water meters?
What are the factors that affect the battery life of a prepaid water meter?
Why is the battery life of STS water meters generally short?
Learn about S.H.Meters' STS water meters
What is the impact of water meter battery life on water companies?
1. What are the battery types for prepaid water meters?
- Lithium battery: Lithium batteries are commonly used in high-end prepaid water meters. They are especially useful in situations where low power consumption is needed. These meters are ideal for remote areas or extreme environments. Lithium batteries provide long-lasting operation in such conditions.
- Alkaline battery: Alkaline batteries are mainly used in cost-sensitive projects. These projects require regular maintenance. However, alkaline batteries have a short lifespan. Because of this, they are gradually being replaced by lithium batteries.
- NiMH battery: NiMH batteries are suitable for water meter projects that allow regular replacement or recharging. They are especially useful in scenarios with charging infrastructure in urban areas.
- Supercapacitor: Supercapacitors are better suited for smart water meters that need high-frequency data transmission. They are ideal for applications with high demands for instantaneous power. However, due to their cost, they are less commonly used.
2. What are the factors that affect the battery life of a prepaid water meter?
The battery life of a prepaid water meter is affected by a number of factors. First of all, communication frequency is one of the key factors. Frequent data transmission by water meters increases battery energy consumption. This is especially true when using wireless technologies like NB-IoT and LoRa. Environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures and humidity, can impact the battery. These factors affect the chemical stability of the battery. Too high or too low temperatures will cause battery performance to decrease. The capacity and type of the battery also directly determine its lifespan. Lithium batteries usually have a longer lifespan. Alkaline batteries have a shorter lifespan. In addition, the power consumption design of water meters is also crucial. Water meters with complex functions will consume more power. Frequent operations will also shorten battery life. User usage habits will increase battery consumption. For example, frequently querying or operating water meters contributes to this increased consumption. The manufacturing quality of the battery affects its lifespan. Routine maintenance also plays a role in determining the battery's longevity. Low-quality batteries or poor maintenance may cause the battery to fail prematurely.
3. Why is the battery life of STS water meters generally short?
3.1 High power consumption of communication modules
STS water meters usually use wireless communication technology for data transmission. Examples of these technologies include NB-IoT and LoRa. These communication modules consume a lot of power during data transmission. This is especially true when the signal is poor. In such cases, the module needs to increase power to maintain stable communication. In order to improve battery life, S.H.Meters is currently developing ultrasonic STS prepaid water meters. This new technology may use energy more efficiently and reduce power consumption.
3.2 Frequent valve operations
In many application scenarios, water meter valves need to be opened frequently. They also need to be closed frequently to respond to changes in users' water needs or payment status. These operations not only increase battery consumption but may also cause the battery to wear out faster. This ultimately shortens the battery's overall life.
3.3 Impact of environmental factors
The working environment of the water meter will significantly affect the performance of the battery. Extreme temperatures, humidity and other environmental factors can cause premature battery failure. For example, the chemical reaction rate of batteries accelerates in high-temperature environments. This can speed up the aging process of the batteries.
3.4 Installation location and usage of water meters
The installation location of the water meter will also affect the service life of the battery. If a water meter is installed in a vulnerable location (such as an exposed location), it may be subject to physical damage or environmental abuse. In addition, usage (such as changes in water flow) can also have an impact on battery life.
3.5 Battery quality and capacity limitations
The type and capacity of the battery used in the water meter play a decisive role in its lifespan. Lower-quality batteries can easily become exhausted with continued use. Batteries with insufficient capacity are also prone to quick depletion.
4. Learn about S.H.Meters' STS water meters
S.H.Meters has updated and upgraded the split STS prepaid water meters. First, the battery life is designed to be no less than 6 years. Through low-power communication technology and optimized circuits, long-term stable operation is ensured. The water meter has an IP68 protection level. This means it is completely dustproof and can operate normally when immersed in water. It is designed to adapt to various harsh environments. Our STS water meters have obtained the STS Association Compliance Certificate. This certification ensures that they comply with international standards.
5. What is the impact of water meter battery life on water companies?
In 2024, the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) in Malawi recalled more than 3,000 prepaid smart water meters due to major design defects. These water meters were introduced to improve billing accuracy and customer satisfaction. However, they later began to experience problems such as battery failure and reading errors. These issues caused financial losses to BWB. It can be seen that quality issues such as water meter battery life have a great impact on water companies.
- Increased maintenance costs: Short battery life means that water companies must replace water meter batteries more frequently. This results in higher maintenance costs. Frequent maintenance and replacement increase labor costs. They may also result in additional equipment procurement costs.
- Reduced customer satisfaction: Insufficient battery life may cause water meter failures. It can also lead to data transmission interruptions, affecting the user's water experience. Customers cannot obtain accurate water use information in a timely manner. This may lead to dissatisfaction with the service, thereby reducing overall customer satisfaction.
- Reduced operational efficiency: Shortage of battery life affects the operational efficiency of water companies. Water meter failures increase the difficulty of monitoring and data collection, leading to delayed decision-making, affecting resource management and the timeliness of water fee collection, thereby affecting overall operational efficiency.