Which batteries are you using?

[volker81k]

Hi all,

I have my home system with 9 TRVs running for a few years and the obvious thing we all have to do is change the batteries at some stage.

Is there a brand you prefer to use? Just wanted to get an idea what the community thinks.

So far I have mainly used Duracell Plus, Ultra and Optimum. The Plus type holds the record with 530 days of operation, with an average of 350 days for a TRV. Ultra  lastet in average 450 days, but don't seemed to be sold in Ireland any longer.

I started to test Energizer Ultimate Lithium. I'll update here when they have the first cycle done.

What are your experiences?

[BrianT58]

I've been running the Energizer Ultimate Lithium not had any issues so far. These have been in since begining of June and are still going strong. Theyr'e probably the dearest but you do get what you pay for.

[muscles1960]

I read somewhere that lithium batteries should be avoided in the trvs as they need to operate in cool conditions. Radiator valves tend to be on the warm side. I personally would stick to Energiser Max Plus alkaline batteries for the trvs..

[BrianT58]

operating temp is -40°C to +60°C so probably not going to be an issue here in UK. I've had these installed in TRV's and outside Blink cameras and to be honest I've probably changed the camera one's more frequently and they only operate on movement.

[David_SE]

Hi,

We don't recommend any battery brands. To secure a long battery lifetime, we can provide the following tips:

1) Provide a good Zigbee coverage by installing few main powered devices like smartplugs

2) Limit the number of setpoint changes per day

[BrianT58]

It would be helpful if Schneider sold some inexpensive zigbee repeaters instead of having to purchase their own expensive smart plugs. Zigbee repeaters can be bought for as little as £15 as opposed to £40+ but as the Wiser network is locked down we can't use them.

[David_SE · Accepted solution]

Hi @BrianT58 ,

For now, there are no plans to provide Zigbee repeaters. Stay tuned, discounts are sometimes available on our smart plugs.

BR

David

[BrianT58]

Thanks for replying David but the point is I don't need even more smart plugs I already have 3 of the Wiser ones.

I understand the wish for a closed eco system like Apple but that's also part of the reason why Android has 70% share of the phone market.
Make it more accessible more people will buy into it.

[DaveP]

Hi Brian,
I currently use GP Ultra Alkaline batteries and get on average 12 months out of them, just replaced the bathroom ones after 14 months, so pretty good I think.
BUT I don't like waste, so would rather use Lithium rechargeable 1.5V batteries, expensive but getting cheaper. I read they are not suitable as Lithium maintains the voltage then suddenly drops so the battery level won't be reported ant the start voltage may not be high enough. I see you are using Lithium successfully so what do you think the likelihood of them working is please?

[DaveP]

I've put some EBL 3000 mWh rechargeable lithium in, we'll see how we go 🙂

[BrianT58]

I've had no issues at all with the energizer Ultimate Lithiums I'm using (currently trying out some Powerowl equivalents). Yes it's true battery status will always show as full until they hit the drop off point then they stop working and you will get notification of that in the app. I think they last longer than alkaline batteries and I'm trying to keep tabs on when I change them to get a better idea. As regards rechargable Lithium ones I had no idea there were 1.5v versions. I see no reason why the start voltage wouldn't be high enough though 3v is 3v at the end of the day although the Energizer ones are closer to 1.6v new. Amazon are selling a 8 pack of UseNiy AA lithium and a charger for £16.99 which is about the same price as a 10 pack of the Energizers so it may be worth taking a punt.

[DaveP]

I got 4 3000mWh EBLs with charge for £13.99 as it's a brand I use and rate.
Just ordered the ones you found 8 3600mWh with charger at £13.99! Not as many reviews, but as you say, worth a punt. I only have 7 TRVs and 1 room thermostat (which doesn't need 1.5V) so should be covered, but I have a Blink doorbell and 2 CCTV cameras so will try in those too.
Thanks for your help.
I am a fan of the Drayton system compared to what else is on the market, got it at a great price on a black Friday deal, and it saved me over 20% on my gas usage by having fine control on every radiator throughout the day. I only use the room thermostat if friends stay over so they can control the rad in their bedroom.
I'd like a proper API so I can get data from the system; at the moment I do an export daily using the unsupported Python scripts and programmatically hack it to get what I want.
I got a Baxi 830 boiler, which is OK, but wish I'd gone for one that I could get data from and better OpenTherm that I put the wire in for but decided to not connect.

[BrianT58]

Glad I could help. I ordered the same 8x3600 arrived last night and I've got them on charge this morning they don't come with a wall plug to power the charger so you'll need a decent 5v 3A charger (modern smart phone one should do) and it's a USB C port on the charger. again doens't come with a lead either fortunatly I have millions of both! 
A also like the drayton system although it has got some bugs and some missing facilities in the app which frankly beggar belief but I guess you can't have it all I suppose. 
My system has been running for about 2 yerars now and apart from a connection issue about 4 months after it was installed it's been trouble free. Latest app update is a step backwards IMHO but apparently they're looking into it.
Good luck with you charger and system I guess in the coming months we'll know if the £13.99 was worth it 😁

[DaveP · Accepted solution]

I have a number of high powered chargers and cables, so no problem.

I agree about the app update, I'd rather have the view of the devices on the home screen.

That said, I have the schedule for each device set how I want them more do rarely go into the app.

I've also had my system about 2 years. 

Take care.

[BrianT58]

As an update I can't recommend the "UseNiy" rechargable batteries discussed earlier. At best they only last 2 weeks in a blink camera and whilst I've not tried them in a TRV i would be suprised if they lasted that long!
You can of course swap them over more regularly but who needs that!
so for now I@m sticking with either the Energizer Ultimate Lithium or the POwerOwl lithium which seem to be as good.