This article describes how long a GX1 battery lasts, how to check its level, and how to plan scans around battery life.
Runtime
A fully charged GX1 battery provides approximately 60 minutes of operating time. Actual runtime varies with operating conditions, so plan against the 60-minute figure rather than treating it as guaranteed.
Long scans
For scans longer than 60 minutes, end the scan cleanly when the battery is depleted (or earlier if convenient), swap the depleted battery for a charged one, and start a new scan. Merge the scans in Aura during processing. See Install and remove GX1 batteries.
All-day work
For deployments that need continuous scanning across a full day, buy additional batteries and an extra dual-bay Charger. The kit's three batteries are enough for short missions with downtime between. High-volume operators should plan their own multi-battery arrangement.
Charging
Connect the supplied DC power supply to the Charger and plug the power supply into mains power. Insert the battery into either Charging Bay. A single battery charges in approximately 2 hours. With both Charging Bays in use, batteries charge in parallel and take up to 3 hours. Charging Bay 1 takes priority and finishes first.
For the full procedure, see Charge GX1 batteries.
Charger status LEDs
The Charger shows the status of each battery through the status LED for its Charging Bay. These LEDs are on the Charger and are separate from the battery's own charge-level indicator described below.
Status LED | Meaning |
|---|---|
Green flashing | Battery charging |
Green solid | Battery fully charged |
Blue flashing | Battery in calibration mode |
Blue solid | Battery charge meter calibrated |
Red flashing | Battery charge meter needs recalibration |
Red solid | Error |
For recalibration, see Calibrate GX1 batteries.
Checking battery level
Press the button on the battery to see its charge level. Four green LEDs indicate capacity:
LEDs lit | Approximate battery level |
|---|---|
4 | 100% (full) |
3 | 75% |
2 | 50% |
1 | 25% or less (low) |
0 | Depleted |
The GX1 will not start a scan when the installed battery is at or below 10% charge. Pre-mission checks fail until a battery with more charge is installed.
Commander also shows installed-battery capacity and low-battery alerts during the pre-mission workflow and during a mission. See Start a GX1 scan in Commander.
The battery's charge meter can drift over many charge cycles, which makes the reported level less accurate. If the reported level looks wrong, or the Charger indicates the charge meter needs calibration, recalibrate the battery. See Calibrate GX1 batteries.
Battery safety
GX1 batteries are lithium-ion. Handle them carefully to avoid damage and overheating:
Do not puncture, crush, disassemble, or expose a battery to fire.
Do not use or charge a battery that is damaged, swollen, or leaking. Set it aside and contact Emesent support.
Keep batteries dry and within their rated temperature range. Avoid leaving them in direct sunlight or a hot vehicle.
Charge batteries only with the supplied Charger.
Air travel
GX1 batteries are lithium-ion and are subject to airline and aviation regulations for carrying batteries on aircraft. Each battery is approximately 54Wh.
Carry batteries in cabin baggage. Do not pack lithium-ion batteries in checked baggage.
Follow the rules of the airline and the applicable aviation authority (for example, IATA) for battery watt-hour limits, the number of spare batteries allowed, and terminal protection.
Confirm requirements with the airline before travelling, as rules vary by carrier and region.
Long-term storage
If a battery will not be used for more than a month, store it at approximately 50% charge to preserve battery health.