Portable Battery Power for TV Carts and Digital Signage
TV carts, kiosks and digital-signage systems normally depend on a fixed electrical socket. A properly designed battery system can provide temporary portable power and allow the equipment to operate away from a wall outlet.
Battery integration requires careful calculation. Screen size alone does not determine the required battery capacity.
Equipment That Can Use Portable Power
Subject to engineering review, batteries may be used with:
- Mobile TV trolleys
- Video conference carts
- Information kiosks
- Digital-signage systems
- Medical computer carts
- Warehouse workstations
- Presentation carts
- Temporary event displays
Calculate the Total Load
List every device that will operate from the battery:
- Television or commercial display
- Mini PC or laptop
- Camera
- Soundbar or speakers
- Touch screen
- Media player
- Network equipment
- USB accessories
The total electrical demand must be calculated using realistic operating values.
Required Runtime
The system should be designed around the time it must operate between charges.
A cart that only needs power during short transfers has a different requirement from digital signage expected to operate for several hours.
Runtime is affected by:
- Power consumption
- Screen brightness
- Battery condition
- Temperature
- Conversion losses
- Charging level
Specifications Beyond Capacity
Also review:
- Output voltage
- Continuous output power
- Surge capacity
- Battery-management system
- Charging time
- Cycle life
- Operating temperature
- Enclosure
- Ventilation
- Weight
- Serviceability
Battery Position on a Trolley
The battery should be securely mounted and positioned low where practical. This helps maintain the trolley’s centre of gravity.
The additional weight must be considered when selecting castors, brakes and the trolley structure.
Charging Arrangement
Consider:
- Where the system will be parked
- How long charging takes
- Whether it can operate while charging
- How battery status is displayed
- Whether charger access should be restricted
- Whether overnight charging is allowed
Safety
The system should include suitable protection against:
- Overcharging
- Excessive discharge
- Overcurrent
- Short circuits
- Excessive temperature
The enclosure should protect the battery while maintaining the required ventilation.
Compatible RIFE Equipment
Battery integration can be considered for mobile display equipment such as the RIFE RK01 Mobile TV Trolley, the RIFE VCT09 Video Conference Cart and the RIFE RK-16 Indoor Digital Signage Stand, subject to engineering review of the intended load.
Information Needed for a Proposal
Provide:
- Complete equipment list
- Power consumption of each device
- Required runtime
- Required charging time
- Indoor or outdoor environment
- Cart dimensions
- Movement frequency
- Charging location
The best solution is not necessarily the battery with the highest advertised capacity. It is the battery system that safely supports the actual load and operating requirement.