Industry Background

Smart agriculture is rapidly transforming global farming practices. As climate variability increases and water resources become more constrained, precision irrigation systems are becoming essential tools for growers worldwide.

Smart irrigation controllers integrate IoT connectivity, real-time soil sensors, weather data, and automated valve control to optimize water usage and improve crop yield. These systems are often deployed in remote outdoor environments without stable grid power, making battery reliability a critical design factor.

High-performance lithium batteries—especially custom LiFePO4 battery packs and NMC-based Li-ion solutions—have become the preferred power source for smart irrigation controllers.

Key Pain Points of Smart Irrigation Controllers

• Long standby requirements: Controllers must support multi-month or multi-year operation with ultra-low self-discharge.
• Harsh outdoor environments: Wide temperature swings, humidity, dust, and occasional water exposure.
• Limited solar efficiency: Compact solar panels require batteries to buffer energy during cloudy seasons.
• Difficult maintenance: Battery replacement across large farmlands is costly and labor-intensive.

PKNERGY Lithium Battery Solution Value

A professionally engineered lithium battery pack—based on 18650 Li-ion or LiFePO4 chemistry with intelligent BMS—addresses these challenges effectively.

• Ultra-long standby performance with stable voltage output
• Outdoor durability with moisture-resistant sealing and NTC temperature monitoring
• Support for 1S, 2S, and solar-hybrid power architectures
• Lower total cost of ownership through extended service life

All battery packs are fully customizable through PKNERGY’s custom lithium battery manufacturing service.

Technical Insights & Battery Design Options

1. Battery Chemistry Selection

NMC-based 18650 lithium-ion cells provide high energy density and balanced cost. For higher safety margins and longer cycle life, LiFePO4 chemistry is also recommended.

2. Power System Architecture

A typical smart irrigation controller power system includes:

• Battery pack configuration: 1S1P / 1S2P
• PCM / BMS protection circuit
• Solar charge controller
• Wireless communication modules

3. Customization Parameters

• Cell capacity: 2500–3500mAh
• Operating temperature range
• Waterproof grade and enclosure design
• Connector and cable specifications

Typical Applications

• Drip irrigation systems
• Smart greenhouse irrigation controllers
• Remote field irrigation nodes
• Solar-powered agricultural IoT devices

These applications are also supported under PKNERGY’s industrial automation battery solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions