Why 18650 Lithium Batteries Are Becoming the Preferred Power Source for IoT Gateways

01 | Why do IoT gateways need battery power?

As IoT deployments continue expanding into remote, industrial, and outdoor environments, IoT gateways have
become the backbone of modern connected systems. They aggregate data, manage communications, and act as local
“mini hubs” for thousands—sometimes millions—of IoT nodes. But behind every stable IoT gateway lies one decisive
factor: a reliable power source. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Unlike ultra-low-power IoT sensors, gateways require significant energy to support multi-protocol connectivity,
edge computing, and real-time data transmission. This is why an increasing number of engineers and product teams
are choosing cylindrical 18650 lithium-ion batteries as the optimal balance of safety, cost, and long-term
performance.

Many gateways operate in locations where stable AC power is not guaranteed—or not available at all:

• Outdoor smart-city poles
• Subway tunnels and underground pipes
• Farmland and forest monitoring stations
• Distributed industrial control cabinets
• Temporary or mobile deployment sites

In these scenarios, a battery must support:

• Continuous operation under 0.5 W–10 W loads
• UPS-style backup when AC fails
• High pulse current during network transmission (1–2 A)
• Reliable performance in harsh environmental conditions

For applications that require higher safety margin, long calendar life, or wide temperature performance,
PKNERGY can also design custom LiFePO4 battery
packs or custom lithium polymer battery
packs based on the same gateway platform.

02 | Why 18650 batteries outperform other options

For many IoT gateways, 18650 cells hit the sweet spot between power capability, energy density, and mechanical
robustness.

1. Outstanding pulse-current capability

Communication modules generate rapid current spikes. Low-quality or high-resistance batteries may cause voltage
drops, device resets, or packet loss. High-grade INR 18650 cells maintain a stable voltage plateau even under
heavy burst loads, ensuring stable connectivity for multi-protocol gateways (LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, etc.).

2. Higher energy density for longer uptime

Typical 18650 capacities range from 2600 mAh to 3500 mAh. Common pack configurations for IoT gateways include:

• 1S1P (3.7 V) — compact single-cell pack
• 1S2P (3.7 V, large capacity)
• 2S1P (7.4 V) — for higher system voltage
• 2S2P (7.4 V, high capacity)
• 3S1P (11.1 V) — for more demanding gateway platforms

PKNERGY designs custom lithium battery packs based on the gateway’s input voltage, standby time, and enclosure
constraints, so engineers can achieve the best balance between runtime and size.

3. Industrial-grade durability

18650 cells offer strong mechanical stability, improved safety, and lower swelling risk compared to many soft
LiPo packs—an important advantage in harsh industrial and outdoor conditions where vibration, temperature
swings, and long installation cycles are common.

03 | Typical IoT gateway applications using 18650 batteries

18650 lithium battery packs are already widely used in different IoT gateway scenarios, such as:

• LoRaWAN outdoor micro-base stations
• NB-IoT agricultural and environmental monitoring gateways
• Smart-city field gateways
• Edge computing video gateways
• Industrial PLC/SCADA remote gateways

Depending on the application, PKNERGY can combine solar charging, DC input, or UPS backup modes so that gateways
continue working even during power outages or maintenance windows.

For mobile and robotics scenarios such as AMR/AGV platforms, you can also reference our
Mobile Robot Power Solution and
AGV battery solution, which share similar pack
design principles and protection strategies.

04 | How PKNERGY customizes power solutions for IoT gateways

Every IoT gateway platform has its own power input range, firmware behavior, startup current profile, and
mechanical constraints. PKNERGY provides end-to-end customization to ensure the battery pack fits both
electrically and mechanically.

A. Pulse-current optimization for stable communication

We select appropriate INR 18650 cells, design the pack layout, and size the protection/PCM/BMS components to
handle high pulse currents during RF transmission, modem registration, or edge AI processing, minimizing the
risk of brownouts and restarts.

B. Enhanced low-temperature performance

For gateways deployed in cold regions or high-altitude locations, PKNERGY can match cell chemistry and
electrolyte formulation that maintain usable capacity at low temperatures, and optimize charging windows to
protect the pack.

C. Full customization options

Our engineering team supports a wide range of design parameters, including:

• Pack configurations: 1S / 2S / 3S, single or multi-parallel
• Connectors and wire gauge matched to your PCB and current profile
• PCM/BMS with protections (OVP, UVP, OCP, SCP, NTC sensing)
• Mounting brackets, insulation, and mechanical design to fit your housing

If your roadmap includes future migration to sodium-ion or other chemistries, we can also pre-study
custom sodium-ion battery solutions for the
same gateway platform.

D. Consistency and long-term reliability

To support long deployment cycles, PKNERGY implements IR matching, capacity grading, and environmental stress
tests on battery packs. This reduces field failure rates and ensures that distributed gateways maintain stable
runtime over years of operation.

05 | Conclusion: The 18650 battery is becoming the new standard for IoT gateways

A high-quality 18650 battery pack ensures reliable communication, longer deployment cycles, reduced maintenance
cost, and stronger environmental resilience for IoT gateways.

For next-generation IoT gateway development, the right battery partner is as important as the right chipset. By
working with a specialized custom battery manufacturer like PKNERGY, you can optimize pack performance, safety,
and cost from the early design stage.

Discuss your IoT gateway power requirements with our team and we will help you choose the right 18650 pack
configuration, protection strategy, and long-term supply plan.

For more information about our capabilities and project experience, you can also explore:
FAQ,
Consumer Electronics Power Solution,
and Security Devices Power Solution.

Discuss with Miah — Product Expert at PKNERGY
Email: sale@pknergy.com
WhatsApp: +86 139 0246 3897

FAQ: 18650 Battery Packs for IoT Gateways