Tools

GPS Tracker Battery Life Calculator

How long will the battery last? Choose the tracker, how often it reports, the temperature it works in and the conditions around it. The calculator starts from Teltonika’s own measurements and shows clearly which parts are our estimates.

Model

Battery-powered trackers

Backup battery of wired trackers (when power is cut)

Battery packTeltonika data

Sending frequencyTeltonika data

5 s24 h

Movement between reportsEstimate by Entopizo

Operating temperatureTeltonika data

Satellite receptionEstimate by Entopizo

Satellite systemsEstimate by Entopizo

Mobile signalEstimate by Entopizo

GPS tracker purchase yearEstimate by Entopizo

If the battery has been replaced since, choose the year it was replaced.

Estimated battery life

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Battery over time

Remaining battery from today, with the likely range of the estimate.

ExpectedLikely rangeReplace the battery

The same settings, other choices

Tap a bar to choose it.

Effect of temperature

Battery life across the operating range, with everything else as you chose it.

CalculatedTeltonika measurementYour choice

What the result is made of

minuteshoursdaysmonthsyearsaboutat leastLikely between {a} and {b}.Calculated from Teltonika’s data for these settings.daysbattery°Cevery {n} severy {n} minevery {n} honce a day{y} or earlierThis model has no backup battery: it stops working when the power is cut.Teltonika states «up to 10 years» of battery life for the ATC774, without conditions. The battery also ages on the shelf, so plan for no more than that.Figure of a related modelTime awake per reportCurrent between reportsTeltonika has not published this figure for this model. We use the figure of the {src}, a related model.Teltonika measured {a} mA on the battery itself, so no conversion is needed.The Ni-MH backup battery is 8.4–10.0 V; we take the middle, 9.2 V.Teltonika: {a} mA while working and {b} mA between reports, on a {c} mAh battery.For the ATC774 Teltonika gives only the sleep current (10 µA). While working we take the ATC700 figure (74.26 mA), a tracker of the same family.Teltonika does not state how long the tracker stays awake for each report. We use the time you chose.Li-SOCl2 loses about 2% of its capacity a year by itself. We count that too.Li-ion and Li-Po lose about 2% of their capacity a month by themselves. We count that too.For Li-SOCl2 in the cold we use the ratio Teltonika measured for the same chemistry on the TAT100 (−20, +3 and +22 °C).Teltonika measured one report at a time, with up to 3 minutes of satellite search each. With reports every few seconds or minutes the tracker stays on almost all the time, so this result is an estimate.Other sending frequenciesOther modes when stoppedOther modes on the backup batteryOutside the operating temperature of this model ({lo} to {hi} °C). The tracker should not be used there.Teltonika gives no figure for this mode on this model.Teltonika gives an upper limit for this mode, so the life is at least this long.Teltonika measurementBattery capacityTemperatureSatellite receptionMovement between reportsSatellite systemsMobile signalBattery ageSleep and self-discharge between reportsFrom 12 V to the 3.7 V backup battery{n} reports until the battery runs out, at +22 °C, with no GNSS fix and a good GSM signal.Measured by Teltonika at +22, +3 and −20 °C; between them we draw a straight line, above +22 °C we keep the +22 °C figure.Teltonika measured with no fix, the hardest case (GNSS searches up to 3 minutes). A quick fix uses less: we assume up to 60% more reports under open sky.With static navigation the tracker sends the last position without searching for satellites when it has not moved. We assume 70% more reports.More systems usually give a faster fix. We assume 5% less with GPS only; the other choices count the same.With a weak signal the modem transmits longer and with more power. We assume 15% less (medium) and 35% less (poor).Li-SOCl2 batteries lose very little when stored. We assume 2% of their capacity per year.Li-ion batteries lose capacity with age and charging cycles. We assume 10% in the first year and about 8% each year after.Between reports the tracker sleeps. We assume 10 µA in sleep and 2% self-discharge per year.Li-ion gives less capacity in the cold. We assume 60% at −20 °C, 82% at 0 °C and 100% from +22 °C.Average current from Teltonika’s figures for your modes: {a} mA, on a 1050 mAh battery.Teltonika measured {a} mA at 12 V. On the battery we take the same power, so about {b} mA from the {c} mAh battery.Teltonika measures the wired trackers at 12 V. We assume the same power is drawn from the battery when the power is cut.

How it works

Measurements first, estimates marked

Every figure marked «Teltonika data» comes from the manufacturer’s published measurements. What Teltonika does not measure, such as the age of the battery, the strength of the mobile signal or how quickly the tracker finds satellites, is marked «Estimate by Entopizo», with the assumption written next to it. Real battery life depends on how and where the tracker is used, so treat the result as a guide and test in the real conditions of your installation.

1. Choose the tracker

A battery tracker, or the backup battery of a wired one.

2. Set how it works

How often it reports, how long it moves, the temperature and the coverage.

3. Read the result

Battery life, the likely range and what changes it most.

Battery trackers and backup batteries

The TAT100 and TAT140 run for years on replaceable Li-SOCl2 batteries, sending a few reports a day
The ATC700 runs on a rechargeable 1000 mAh battery and the ATC774 on an 8800 mAh Li-SOCl2 or a 3200 mAh Li-ion battery
The GH5200 is a personal tracker with an alarm button and a rechargeable 1050 mAh battery, charged every few days
Wired trackers such as the FMB920 have a small backup battery that keeps them reporting for a while after the power is cut
The deeper the sleep mode, the longer the battery lasts, but the less often you see the position

Questions

When should I replace the battery of a TAT100 or TAT140?

Teltonika advises replacing the battery before it runs out completely. For the 2-cell pack it recommends replacing it when the reported voltage falls below 6.6 V at +22 °C, 6.5 V at +3 °C or 6.3 V at −22 °C (9.9, 9.8 and 9.7 V for the 3-cell pack). You can set a low-voltage alarm so that you are warned in time.

Why does a battery last less in the cold?

At low temperature the chemistry of the battery delivers less energy. Teltonika’s measurements show the TAT100 with 2 cells sending about 1,405 reports at +22 °C but about 1,120 at −20 °C.

How long does the backup battery of a wired tracker last?

It depends on the model and the mode it is in when the power is cut. The backup battery is there to report that the power was cut and to keep tracking for a short time, not to replace the vehicle’s power. Choose the model above to see the estimate.

Is the result guaranteed?

No. The calculator is a guide based on the manufacturer’s measurements and our assumptions. Real life depends on the installation, the coverage, the movement and the settings of the device.

Sources

TAT100 Battery Discharge Characteristics and TAT140 Battery Discharge Characteristics, Teltonika Telematics Wiki
GH5200 General description, Teltonika Telematics Wiki
General description of the FMB920, FMB120, FMB140, FMC150, FMC920, FMM920, FMC130, FMC003 and FMB003, Teltonika Telematics Wiki
General description pages of every other wired tracker on the Teltonika Telematics Wiki, and the Teltonika datasheets of the ATC700, ATC774, FTC164, FTC305, FTC880, FTC881, FTC921, FTC927, FTC965, TST100, FMB900

Need a tracker that runs on battery?

See the battery trackers or ask us which settings suit your use.

TAT100

TAT140

ATC700 Contact us

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