Battery Prime

230 Wh LiFePO₄ solar power for gateways and custom IoT devices

RAK9156

SKU:910524

$269.00

Variant prices start at $269.00 to $359.00.

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What Is Battery Prime?

The Battery Prime (RAK9156) is an all-in-one LiFePO₄ solar battery designed to power gateways for LoRaWAN® and compatible 12V IoT equipment at sites without grid access. Its IP67-rated enclosure houses a 230 Wh battery, integrated MPPT solar charger, smart Battery Management System (BMS), and Self-heating system to allow charging even in low-temperature conditions.

The Battery Prime uses the same interface as the RAK Battery Plus and Lite, allowing seamless integration with the WisGate Soho Pro RAK7267. It can also power other compatible 12V IoT devices, while its RS485 interface enables battery status and performance monitoring.

Why You Need Battery Prime

Reliable power is essential for LoRaWAN gateways deployed in remote locations without access to the electrical grid. Battery Prime provides energy storage to keep connected equipment running during nighttime, cloudy weather, and periods of limited solar charging.

Why it’s useful:

Simplified installation: Fewer separate components to source, mount, and connect at remote gateway sites.
Reduced field maintenance: Supports solar-powered operation with less dependence on manual battery replacement.
Flexible deployment: Supports pole or wall mounting for outdoor gateway installations and compatible 12V equipment.
Cold-weather readiness: Integrated self-heating allows the battery to be charged in cold environments.

Key Features of Battery Prime

Features	Description
Battery Monitoring via RS485	When used with compatible RAK gateways, battery state and charging information can be viewed in WisGateOS2 or WisDM. Enables battery data integration with compatible external monitoring systems.
230 Wh LiFePO₄ Battery	Provides 12.8V nominal power for off-grid LoRaWAN gateways and compatible IoT devices and equipment.
Integrated MPPT	Optimizes solar energy harvesting without an external charge controller. Supports a rated 40W solar panel and up to 130W, with a maximum 30V open-circuit voltage.
Smart BMS	Manages charging and discharging while providing battery protection within supported electrical and temperature limits.
Self-Heating for Cold Weather	Warms battery cells before charging in low temperatures, activating below 0.5°C and stopping above 5°C. Charging pauses during heating.
IP67 Outdoor Enclosure	Features protective connectors, a pressure-relief valve, and a grounding terminal, with pole or wall mounting options.

Which Solar Battery Is Right for You?

RAK9156 is positioned between the compact RAK9154 and higher-capacity RAK9155, providing a mid-range option for gateway installations that rely on daily solar charging.

Feature	RAK9156 Battery Prime (This Product)	RAK9155 Battery Plus	RAK9154 Solar Battery Lite for Gateway
Rated Capacity	18 Ah	50 Ah	5.2 Ah
Rated Energy	230 Wh	640 Wh	56.16 Wh
Battery Chemistry	LiFePO₄	LiFePO₄	Ternary Lithium Battery (NMC)
Dimensions	317 × 200 × 84 mm	499 x 280 x 75 mm	180 x 130 x 60 mm
Weight	~5 kg	≤8 kg	≤1kg
Solar Charging	Integrated MPPT Solar Controller, 1 PV input	Integrated MPPT Solar Controller, 2 PV inputs	Integrated MPPT Solar Controller, 1 PV input
Self-Heating	Yes	Yes	Yes
Monitoring Interface	RS485	RS485	RS485
Compatible Gateways	Supports RAK7240, RAK7267, RAK7289, RAK7285, and RAK7393	Supports RAK7240, RAK7267, RAK7289, RAK7285, and RAK7393	Supports RAK7240, RAK7267, RAK7289, RAK7285, and RAK7393
Backup autonomy	Approximately Four [4] days with RAK7267 (at approximately 2W gateway power consumption)	Approximately Seven [7] days with RAK7267	Approximately Half [1/2] day with RAK7267
Recommended Application	Off-grid gateways and 12V devices with daily solar charging	Gateways requiring higher capacity and longer autonomy	Sensors and supplementary power

Recommendation: For installations with higher power consumption, prolonged cloudy weather, or limited winter sunlight, consider the RAK9155 Battery Plus or a larger solar power system. Choose the appropriate configuration based on device power consumption, local solar conditions, and required backup time.

How to Size a Solar Power System

Selecting a solar power solution requires considering three factors:

Daily energy consumption: Measure how much power the connected gateway and other equipment consume.
Required battery autonomy: Determine how long the battery must operate without solar charging.
Solar panel capacity: Consider seasonal sunlight, charging losses, and the battery's electrical input limits.

Actual runtime depends on the connected equipment's power consumption, usable battery capacity, temperature, and available sunlight.

RS485 Battery Monitoring and System Integration

Battery Prime provides an RS485 interface for wired communication with compatible external controllers and monitoring platforms. RS485 uses differential signaling to reduce communication errors caused by electrical interference.

Integrators can refer to the available documentation, communication protocol, and register map provided here to integrate Battery Prime monitoring into new or existing equipment and systems. A link will be added once available.

Use Case Examples for Battery Prime

The Battery Prime solves two common deployment needs: maintaining gateway powered at remote sites and powering independent monitoring equipment where grid power is unavailable or impractical.

Use Case #1: Solar-Powered Gateway for Remote Agricultural Monitoring

An agricultural operator needs uninterrupted LoRaWAN coverage without grid power. The operator pairs Battery Prime with the WisGate Edge Prime RAK7240 and a compatible solar panel to provide power to the gateway. The system combines solar energy storage and gateway power delivery, reducing the need to install separate battery management and solar charging equipment.

Use Case #2: Independent Power for Field Monitoring Equipment

For environmental monitoring stations deployed in remote areas without access to the electrical grid, Battery Prime provides a reliable 12V power source for sensors, data loggers, and other monitoring equipment.

Paired with a solar panel, Battery Prime stores energy generated during daylight hours to power connected equipment at night or when solar generation is insufficient. Through the RS485 interface, operators can also monitor battery status and performance alongside the data collected by their monitoring system.

Gateway Compatibility and Connection Requirements

Battery Prime supplies DC power to compatible LoRaWAN gateways and third-party IoT equipment. Device compatibility depends on the connected equipment's voltage requirements, electrical load, connector configuration, and installation conditions.

Compatible Equipment

Battery Prime can power the WisGate Soho Pro RAK7267 and other compatible IoT equipment, offering a flexible solution for off-grid deployments

Equipment	Compatibility	Connection requirements
WisGate Soho Pro RAK7267	Fully compatible	Compatible DC connection cable
Other 12V IoT Equipment	Supported within battery electrical limits	Compatible voltage, connector, and power requirements
24V equipment	Requires additional hardware	Appropriate DC-DC converter

Note: For third-party equipment, verify the voltage range, power consumption, and connector compatibility before installation.

Connecting RAK9156 to a Gateway

Before installation, verify the following:

Input voltage compatibility: Ensure the device accepts the RAK9156 operating voltage range of 10.8–14.4V.
Electrical load: Confirm the connected equipment remains within the battery's continuous discharge limit.
Connector compatibility: Use an appropriate DC connection cable with the correct connector type and polarity.
Solar panel compatibility: Verify PV voltage limits and electrical requirements.
Outdoor installation: Secure the mounting hardware, protect cable connections, and follow the grounding requirements in the installation manual.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Battery type	LiFePO₄
Rated voltage	12.8 V
Rated capacity	18 Ah
Rated energy	230.4 Wh
Operating voltage range	10.8 – 14.4 V
Max. continuous charge current	9 A (limited by solar charger)
Max. continuous discharge current	9 A
PV input voltage (typical)	18 V
Max. PV input voltage	30 V (open circuit)
Solar panel power	40 W
Charging temperature	0 °C – 55 °C
Discharging temperature	-20 °C – 58 °C
Operating humidity	20 – 80 % RH
Ingress protection	IP67
Interfaces	Output (DC + RS485), PV input, ON/OFF switch, grounding terminal, pressure-relief valve
Mounting	Pole (50–150 mm) or wall
Dimensions	317 × 200 × 84 mm
Net weight	~5 kg

What’s in the Box

1 × RAK9156 Battery Prime
1 × Discharging Cable for RAK7267 or RAK7240V2/CV2 with DC and Battery Plus Support
1 × Mounting Bracket for Battery Prime RAK9156
3 × Mounting Screws
2 x Steel Strap Clamps (diameter 38-156 mm)
2 x Steel Strap Clamps (diameter 38-256 mm)
1 x Grounding Cable (1 Meter)
1 x 40W Solar Panel Kit (Only Battery Prime & 40W Solar Panel Kit (For RAK7267/RAK7240 Series) Variant)

How to Get Started with Battery Prime

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and Answers

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Product Reviews

Parameter	Specification
Battery type	LiFePO₄
Rated voltage	12.8 V
Rated capacity	18 Ah
Rated energy	230.4 Wh
Operating voltage range	10.8 – 14.4 V
Max. continuous charge current	9 A (limited by solar charger)
Max. continuous discharge current	9 A
PV input voltage (typical)	18 V
Max. PV input voltage	30 V (open circuit)
Solar panel power	40 W
Charging temperature	0 °C – 55 °C
Discharging temperature	-20 °C – 58 °C
Operating humidity	20 – 80 % RH
Ingress protection	IP67
Interfaces	Output (DC + RS485), PV input, ON/OFF switch, grounding terminal, pressure-relief valve
Mounting	Pole (50–150 mm) or wall
Dimensions	317 × 200 × 84 mm
Net weight	~5 kg