uBat

Underwater battery packs are designed to power various submersible equipment (lighting systems, hydroacoustic devices, etc.).

They are built on high-quality cells providing over 3,000 charge-discharge cycles for LiFePO4 and over 1,000 cycles for Li-Ion. The cells and electronics are encapsulated in a durable, wear-resistant polyurethane compound, providing a high degree of protection against both harsh environments and vibration.

Battery packs switch on automatically when they contact water and switch off automatically in air. They require no maintenance beyond charging. The packs are fitted with a connector rated for depths of up to 400 meters

Models

The range has three models. SB-24-48-LF is LiFePO4, 48 Wh, Ø47×255 mm, 0.69 kg dry (0.25 kg in water), 10–14.4 V. SB-23-64-LI is Li-Ion, 64 Wh, Ø47×200 mm, 0.58 kg (0.28 kg in water), 10–12.6 V. SB-34-140-LF is LiFePO4, 140 Wh, 10–14.4 V; the dimensions and weight of this model are being finalized. The maximum current is 3 A for all models. The LiFePO4 packs operate from −10 to +35 °C and the Li-Ion pack from +10 to +35 °C; charging is possible between +10 and +35 °C. Self-discharge is about 3% per year for LiFePO4 and about 20% per year for Li-Ion.

Design and connection

The polyurethane protective layer is at least 5 mm thick. A 0.25 m cable, 5 mm thick, ends in a connector used both for charging and for supplying power; the maximum working depth of 400 m is limited by the connector itself. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are available for the SB-24-48-LF and SB-23-64-LI.

Compatibility

The SB-24-48-LF pack is the standard battery block of the RWLT Pinger beacon. The SB-23-64-LI and SB-24-48-LF packs are also used in the stand-alone version of the WAYU Pinger beacon of the WAYU system: its specification gives a battery life of up to 32 and up to 24 hours respectively. If you need a pack of non-standard shape for an instrument case, conformal battery packs are made to order.

Documentation

Model specifications, cable wire assignment and a 3D model of the pack with its connector (STEP) are given in the uBat documentation on docs.unavlab.com.