Battery life in freezer

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1

What CR2 battery have you found to give reasonable performance in a freezer?

2

I have an Iris v2 contact sensor in both fridge and freezer to monitor temp and contact. Batteries have lasted 9 months or so. Had bought Panasonic CR2 before but recently picked up AmazonBasics brand. Will see if there is a difference as I track this stuff via NodeRed.

3

I've had a similarexperience with the iris sensors in the freezer.

4

I have 4 Iris DW sensors in freezers and only have one that burns batteries up. I pulled out one of my sensors in a freezer running 4 degrees F. and a battery life reported of 62%. It was a Tenergy. I have the same Tenergy battery in the freezer that eats batteries. But, the one eating batteries is a V1 Iris DW and the other is a V3 Iris. That may be my problem all along.

5

With freezers, there are two problems you may be dealing with. One is the actual battery voltage dropping at freezing temperatures. The other can be the way the device predicts battery life.

I have a Smartthings Multisensor in one freezer that uses a CR2450 battery. The battery life on that sensor is showing 1% life remaining; but the sensor is reporting faithfully. I just have to check the logs periodically to make sure it is reporting.

Another freezer uses a Hue Motion sensor. The motion sensor part failed, but the temperature part works fine. This one uses two AAA batteries. The Hue is reporting 100% battery life, even at freezing temperatures.

Thus, if the device shows the battery is low, allow the battery to warm up and check it with a voltmeter to see if it is low or the device is reporting it low. Of course, if the sensor has stopped reporting, you will need a new battery. If the battery still has life remaining, it might work in another sensor operating at normal temperatures.

6

I use the Titanium from Battery Junction. These have worked well for me for years and they just introduced higher capacity with operating temps from -40 F to 158 F. In single lots they're $1.10 each.

https://www.batteryjunction.com/2020-titanium-innovations-update.html?utm_source=2020-11-23_Titanium_Update_Feature&utm_medium=rotator_homepage&utm_campaign=responsiveTemplate"#/products

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7

I use Titanium batteries also. I have Iris V1 sensors set up in all of my refrigerators and freezers to monitor temperature and to notify me when a door is left open. They work great and the batteries last as long in the freezer as they do otherwise.

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8

With the Smarthings multisensor, I ditched the CR2450 battery and solder in a AA battery holder. Last a super long time. .