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EL-USB Battery Issues

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We’ve noticed an uptick in the number of customers reporting that the batteries included with their EL-USB series data loggers are ‘dead on arrival’.

The battery included with most EL-USB series loggers is a 3.6V (½AA cell) lithium metal battery.

EL-USB Battery Issues

The problem can occur when a battery is unused for extended periods of time, like during extended transit times from the manufacturer to the end user for a new battery, or left unused at a customer site. In this situation, Lithium batteries can form a non-conductive internal layer; also known as a “passivation” layer.  This is technically a feature of the battery that prevents self-discharge, allowing for longer shelf life. An unfortunate side effect, is a drop in voltage when the battery is initially placed in your EL-USB series logger. The voltage drop can easily be mistaken for a dead battery.

You can remove the passivation layer in one of two ways. The first is to place the battery in your EL-USB series data logger and leave the logger connected to a PC for approximately 30 seconds. After 30 seconds has passed, remove and re-install the battery, resetting the data logger. The overall battery life is not affected.

A second, more immediate method is to momentarily short the battery, positive to negative. This can be done using a wire, or even a paper clip. It only takes a second to clear the passivation layer.

EL-USB Battery Issues

 

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4 Comments

  1. Posted May 11, 2016 at 2:15 pm Permalink

    What’s the shelf-life of the batteries?  Can they be replaced with other lithium metal batteries?

    • Posted August 4, 2016 at 11:58 am Permalink

      I don’t know for sure, but very, very long. The skinning over feature described in this post is an inconvenience, but it’s also the battery feature that gives it such a long life.

  2. Avatar
    Hillary
    Posted August 12, 2016 at 1:52 pm Permalink

    I tired both these methods and the batteries still do not appear to work. What are my other options?
    Thanks

  3. Avatar
    Siavash
    Posted June 13, 2023 at 6:40 pm Permalink

    We actually bought a set of 6 new batteries and none works.

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