Out of the box, the Song Meter Mini and Mini Bat operates on four AA batteries. In Fall 2020, Wildlife Acoustics will begin selling an expanded Lithium lid accessory for the Song Meter Mini and Mini Bat. This lid will have the space to mount up to six 18650 batteries, which are a type of rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can hold much more energy than AA batteries. Using six 18650 batteries, we expect up to 1,100 hours of continuous sonic recording or up to 100 ten-hour nights of triggered ultrasonic recording.

Not all Lithium-ion 18650 batteries are the same. Wildlife Acoustics offers 18650 batteries which are tested and approved at $30 (USD) for 2 batteries. Please note, depending on the quantity of batteries you order, there may be additional shipping charges.

If you choose not to buy the lithium-ion 18650 batteries from us, consider the following when selecting your batteries:

• The 18650 battery must be 68-69mm to make proper electrical contact. These dimensions include any tab at the top.
• The cell must be “protected” as opposed to “unprotected”. This refers to additional circuitry inside the packaging, that protects the cell from over-charge, heat or over-discharge, over-current and short-circuit.
• The lid and recorders will work with several 18650 battery voltage and capacities, but our battery life estimates are based on six batteries of 3.6V and 3500mAh.

Additional Considerations:

• Never mix different types of battery.
• Ensure all batteries are at the same level, fully charged, before use.
• Always deploy in pairs of 2, 4 or 6 lithium-ion 18650 battery configurations.

Note, Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries will work with the standard battery tray in the SM Mini and Mini Bat, but they are not to be confused with Lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable. Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries are not rechargeable and are not compatible with the Lithium lid.

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