Proper management of electrical systems in heavy equipment, such as cranes, is crucial for optimal performance and worker safety. The management involves ensuring that the battery in wireless crane radios has enough juice to allow crane operators to do their jobs. For example, the last thing you want is a remote control battery dying midway when lifting a 5-tonne load. You can prevent such dangerous scenarios by knowing how to increase the battery life of radio remote controls. Here are tips you can use.
Encourage Use of Emergency Switch
When using a radio remote control, operators often stop to examine the position of a load or the drop point. Unfortunately, most operators leave a remote system in active mode between these stoppages, quickly draining the battery pack. This is where the emergency switch on a remote control system is essential. Although the emergency button is commonly used in urgent situations, it doubles as a battery saver switch. When you press the button, the transmitter sends a "stop" signal to the receiver on a crane. The remote then goes into sleep mode if you do not initiate any other command. In sleep mode, a battery is disconnected from the system, which helps save power.
Maintain Same Antenna Orientation
A remote control's orientation in relation to a crane determines how much power the device drains from a battery. For instance, the receiver on the crane can still respond to signals sent from a remote control facing the opposite direction. However, the transmitter needs a lot of power to send signals since the receiver is not orientated in the same direction as the transmitter; hence, it drains the battery fast. Therefore, you can achieve maximum battery efficiency in a remote control system if the transmitter and receiver have the same orientation. Therefore, if a transmitter antenna is vertically oriented, the receiver's aerial must be configured the same way to optimise battery power.
Operate Within a Reasonable Distance
The receiver on a crane can only receive radio signals from a transmitter if the remote control is within range. Fortunately, radio remote controls have a great range to ensure that crane operators work at a safe distance. That said, a remote control transmitter and crane receiver tend to lose the reliable wireless link with increasing distance. Therefore, the receiver must increase its signal sensitivity to counter the reduced wireless link. Unfortunately, it drains battery power because the receiver also becomes sensitive to noise. Therefore, you can save battery power by operating a remote control system at a safe but reasonable distance.
Contact a supplier of products like Scanreco batteries to learn more.
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