Custom Vehicle GPS Tracker Batteries

Backup runtime depends on battery energy, reporting frequency and power consumption. Sleeping between location reports can extend runtime, while frequent positioning and transmission use more energy.

Temperature, battery aging and network conditions also affect the result. Use our Runtime Calculator with your device’s average battery-side power to estimate operation after vehicle power is lost.

Yes, if it has a charged backup battery and can automatically switch to battery power. It can then send power-loss alerts and continue location reporting according to the tracker’s backup settings.

For hardwired trackers connected to a permanent vehicle supply, turning off the ignition does not necessarily activate the backup battery. Switching depends on the wiring, input voltage and device settings.

A connected hardwired or OBD-II tracker uses vehicle power, including while parked. Charging its internal backup battery adds to that demand. Whether this affects starting depends on current draw, parking duration and the vehicle battery’s condition.

For example, a constant 20 mA draw at the vehicle input consumes 0.48 Ah per day, or 6.72 Ah over two weeks.

To reduce drain:

• Enable low-power sleep when frequent tracking is unnecessary.
• Set suitable low-voltage cutoff and recovery thresholds.
• Limit backup-battery charging during parking while maintaining enough energy for power-loss alerts.

An internal backup battery supports tracking after power loss; it does not eliminate vehicle-battery drain while connected.

Start with your required backup time and the tracker’s average power draw:

Required usable energy (Wh) = Average battery-side power (W) × Backup time (hours)

Choose a battery that provides this usable energy after allowing for temperature, aging and the device’s cutoff voltage. Also check that it can handle transmission peaks without causing a reset.

Share your power consumption and reporting interval with our engineering team for battery sizing.

Both provide backup power when the vehicle supply is disconnected, but their design priorities can differ.

Compact car trackers often use slim LiPo cells for power-loss alerts and periodic updates. Fleet devices may require longer backup reporting and power for connected sensors, increasing their energy needs. Depending on available space and charging compatibility, they may use LiPo, cylindrical Li-ion or LiFePO4 batteries.

For fleet projects, specify the installation temperature, required backup time, reporting interval and which connected sensors must remain powered.

Both provide backup power when the vehicle supply is lost, but their battery requirements depend on the device design.

• OBD-II trackers often have limited internal space. Their batteries need to support an unplug alert and any location updates required after removal.
• Hardwired trackers may need to continue reporting after a supply wire is cut or the vehicle battery is disconnected. Longer backup operation requires more usable battery energy.

A hardwired tracker does not automatically need a larger battery or a different chemistry.

No. Car and fleet trackers may use a 3.7 V internal backup battery even when connected to a 12 V or 24 V vehicle supply. The tracker’s power electronics convert vehicle power for charging. The backup battery must match the internal charging circuit and operating voltage range.

A typical discharge temperature range is −20°C to +60°C. VTCBATT offers custom options for different climates and installations. Available discharge-temperature options include:

• Low-temperature: −40°C to +60°C
• High-temperature: −20°C to +80°C
• Wide-temperature: −40°C to +85°C

The available range depends on the battery specified for your vehicle tracking device. Charging and storage limits are defined separately.

High temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions inside the battery that break down the electrolyte and produce gas. In a sealed pouch cell, this gas builds up and causes swelling. Keeping the battery fully charged for long periods, especially in a hot vehicle, can accelerate these reactions.

To learn more about the causes of battery swelling, read our blog post on battery swelling.

A higher-capacity battery may extend runtime if it is compatible with the tracker. Check chemistry, charging voltage, discharge capability, dimensions, connector polarity, protection and any temperature-sensor connections. With the same charging current, a larger lithium battery will generally take longer to recharge.

Service life depends on temperature, charging conditions and battery aging. Replace the battery if it swells, becomes damaged or can no longer provide the required backup time. Check replacement compatibility with the tracker manufacturer.

Send the required voltage, available battery space, target backup time, average and peak current, and expected operating temperatures. Include the connector, wire length, protection or NTC requirements, sample quantity and expected order volume.

If some values are unknown, share the tracker specifications or an existing battery drawing for review.