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Battery powered digital signage: what to expect
A battery poster removes the cable - which removes the need for a socket, a permit and a trip hazard. The trade is runtime, and runtime is predictable if you know the three things that affect it.
Runtime by model
| Model | Runtime per charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor portable poster (43") | Mains, battery optional | Lightest unit at 14 kg, wheeled base |
| Outdoor battery poster (43") | 10-12 hours | 1800 cd/m2, IP65, 45 kg |
| Outdoor double-sided (43") | 12 hours | 120 Ah / 3024 Wh pack |
| Outdoor double-sided (55") | 10 hours | 120 Ah / 3780 Wh pack |
| Outdoor portable LED (P2.5) | 8-10 hours | 50,000 mAh / 1260 Wh, 30 kg, 69.7 mm deep |
Figures are for a full charge at normal brightness. Content brightness, ambient temperature and playback all move the number.
The three things that change runtime
- Brightness setting. A screen driven at maximum draws more than one dimmed for an evening. Automatic brightness adjustment is worth specifying for this reason alone.
- Ambient temperature. Cold is the big one. Below 0 C, expect roughly 10% less runtime for every further 5 C drop.
- Pack size. Our outdoor double-sided models carry 120 Ah packs (3024 Wh on the 43", 3780 Wh on the 55"); the ultra-thin P2.5 outdoor LED poster carries 50,000 mAh / 1260 Wh.
When battery power is the right call
- Pavement and forecourt positions with no mains supply
- Outdoor events, markets and festivals
- Temporary retail and seasonal pop-ups
- Drive-through lanes and car parks
- Any position where a cable would be a trip hazard or need permission
If you have a socket and the position never moves, amains portable unit is simpler and cheaper. Battery power is for when the cable is the problem.
Practical charging practice
Charge overnight from a standard socket. Battery models show remaining charge on the unit, so staff can check before a trading day rather than discovering a flat screen at opening time. For sites that run every day, ask us about a second pack.
Specifying one
Tell us the operating hours, whether the position is outdoors and the lowest temperature it will see. With those we will size the pack and tell you the honest runtime - rather than quoting a best-case figure measured at room temperature.
Common questions
How long does the battery actually last?
Eight to twelve hours depending on the model and how hard the screen is driven. That covers a full trading day for most retail and event use.
Does cold weather reduce runtime?
Yes. Below 0 C expect roughly 10% less runtime for every further 5 C drop. If you operate outdoors in winter, tell us the temperature range and we will size the pack accordingly.
Can I run the screen while it is charging?
In most configurations yes, which effectively extends the day. Confirm this for your specific model - it depends on the charger and the power draw at your brightness setting.
How do I know how much charge is left?
Battery models carry a visible battery-level indicator on the unit, so staff can see remaining charge at a glance before an event or a trading day.
Does battery power reduce brightness?
No. The outdoor battery poster still runs at 1800 cd/m2 and the P2.5 outdoor LED poster at 5000 cd/m2 or more. Runtime, not brightness, is what the battery limits.
How long does it take to recharge?
Charging overnight from a standard socket is the normal pattern. Exact charge time depends on the pack size - ask us for the figure for the model you are considering.
Is a battery unit worth it if I have a socket?
Usually not - mains units are simpler and cheaper. Battery power earns its cost when there is no socket, when the position changes weekly, or when cabling would be a trip hazard or would need permissions.