Tadiran Batteries

About Tadiran Batteries

Tadiran Batteries specializes in industrial lithium power solutions, best known for lithium‑thionyl chloride (Li‑SOCl₂) primary cells and industrial rechargeable lithium‑ion packs. These products are built for long service life, low self‑discharge, and dependable operation across wide temperature ranges, making them a strong fit for smart metering, remote sensors, asset tracking, and other hard‑to‑reach applications.

When to Choose Tadiran

• Low average current (typically microamps to low milliamps) with long maintenance intervals.
• Devices deployed in harsh environments (commonly −55°C to +85°C for Li‑SOCl₂; verify datasheet ranges).
• Projects where battery replacement is costly or impractical (utility meters, remote IoT nodes, sealed devices).
• Applications that need short, high‑current pulses: pair a Li‑SOCl₂ cell with a hybrid layer capacitor (HLC) or select a pulse‑optimized series.
• Energy‑harvesting or frequent burst workloads: consider Tadiran’s industrial rechargeable lithium‑ion solutions.

Product Lines at a Glance

Type	Chemistry / Nominal Voltage	Best For	Key Notes
Primary long‑life (bobbin)	Li‑SOCl₂, ~3.6 V	Ultra‑low average current, multi‑year runtime	Very low self‑discharge (typically <1%/year at 20°C). Limited pulse capability; check load profile.
Primary with pulse support	Li‑SOCl₂ + HLC	Wireless transmissions, sensing with periodic RF bursts	HLC supplies high‑current pulses while the cell provides baseline energy; reduces voltage delay.
Industrial rechargeable	Li‑ion, ~3.6–3.7 V	Energy harvesting, frequent reporting, daily cycling	Thousands of cycles when properly managed; requires a compatible charge/protection circuit and temperature‑aware charging.

Sizing and Compatibility

• Common sizes: 1/2AA, 2/3A, AA, C, D, and specialized formats. Terminations include tabs, pins, axial leads, or button‑top.
• Voltage: Li‑SOCl₂ primaries are ~3.6 V and are not drop‑in replacements for 1.5 V alkaline cells. Verify your device’s voltage limits.
• Packs: For series/parallel configurations, use matched cells from the same lot and follow balancing and protection best practices.

Quick Runtime Estimation

Approximate runtime (ignoring temperature and self‑discharge) can be estimated as:

Runtime (years) ≈ (Capacity in Ah / Average current in A) / 8760

Example

• D‑size Li‑SOCl₂ cell (~19 Ah) powering a device that averages 40 µA: 19 / 0.00004 ≈ 475,000 hours ≈ 54 years. In practice, temperature and self‑discharge cap usable life, so design for multi‑year to decades, not theoretical maxima.
• 1/2AA (~1.2 Ah) at 30 µA: 1.2 / 0.00003 ≈ 40,000 hours ≈ 4.6 years. If the device transmits 50 mA for 100 ms weekly, the pulse adds little to the average current but will need an HLC or pulse‑capable cell to avoid voltage drop.

Always confirm with the specific datasheet and test under real load and temperature.

Design Notes and Safety

• Do not recharge Li‑SOCl₂ primary cells. Use only approved charging methods with Tadiran’s rechargeable products.
• Avoid short circuit, crush, or heating beyond specified limits. Typical storage: cool, dry, and within datasheet temperature ranges.
• Pulse loads: use an HLC, a dedicated pulse‑optimized series, or a rechargeable + capacitor architecture.
• Passivation/voltage delay: long storage at elevated temperature can increase internal resistance temporarily. Pre‑load testing or using rapid‑response variants can mitigate startup dips.
• Packs: include protection (fuse/thermal cutoff), and consider blocking diodes or PTCs as required by the design and standard.
• Shipping: lithium metal and lithium‑ion cells are regulated (e.g., UN 3090/3091, UN 3480/3481). Follow current transport rules and packaging requirements.

Alternatives to Consider

• Other Li‑SOCl₂ vendors (e.g., Saft, EVE, Xeno) for similar long‑life primaries.
• Li‑MnO₂ primaries when 3.0 V systems and higher pulse capability are preferred.
• Rechargeable Li‑ion/Li‑FePO₄ plus a supercapacitor for high‑duty‑cycle radios or frequent sensing.

Buying Tips

• Purchase from authorized distributors to avoid counterfeits and to ensure traceable date codes.
• Match the exact part number, size, termination, and pulse capability to your load profile.
• Request current datasheets and, for critical deployments, sample test reports at your operating temperatures.

FAQ

Are Tadiran Li‑SOCl₂ cells rechargeable?

No. Li‑SOCl₂ cells are primary (non‑rechargeable). Use Tadiran’s industrial rechargeable lithium‑ion products if you need cycling.

What is voltage delay or passivation?

After long storage, a protective layer can cause a brief voltage sag at startup under load. An HLC, a rapid‑response variant, or a short pre‑load can mitigate the effect. Validate in your device.

Can I replace an alkaline AA with a Tadiran AA?

Usually no. An alkaline AA is ~1.5 V; a Li‑SOCl₂ AA is ~3.6 V. Only use if your electronics are designed for the higher voltage.

How do I handle radio burst currents?

Use a Li‑SOCl₂ cell paired with an HLC or select a pulse‑capable series. Alternatively, use a rechargeable cell with a capacitor and suitable power management.

What self‑discharge should I expect?

Li‑SOCl₂ cells typically exhibit very low self‑discharge (often <1%/year at room temperature). Heat accelerates losses. Check the datasheet for the specific model.

Summary

If your design needs dependable, multi‑year power with minimal service, Tadiran’s Li‑SOCl₂ primaries and industrial rechargeable options are strong candidates. Match the cell type and size to your average current, pulse needs, and temperature profile, and verify performance with real‑world tests.