I just installed a Tempest '26 model TH-TWD-02 two weeks ago. It is firmware version 185. The initial battery voltage after installation was 2.4 volt. It has been steady now at around 2.33 volts. All the sensors seem to work fine, but it has been in ECO state for a few days .It has also been partly cloudy for a few days. The nameplate on the back of the Tempest says the battery is 2.4V 1300 mAh. The online docs list various voltages, all above 2.455 volts, but I am not sure if this applies to the Tempest '26. So my question is, what should the battery voltage be on the Tempest '26?
At what point should I consider adding the power booster accessory?
Call customer service to find out. I think the on line documentation is for the previous model.
Update: I purchased and installed a Power Booster Accessory. The battery voltage steadily increased from 2.32 to 2.58 and has held steady around 2.57-2.58 for some time. So, all is good here.
I keep my two old Tempest° devices (from about 2021/2022) on “Permanent Life Support”. . .aka Power Booster Accessory (PBA). Battery levels on both read out at 2.80v and 2.79v respectively. I switch off the Life Support on days that are totally Clear and Sunny to allow the Solar Panels to function as normally designed. Then by late evening. . .well after sundown. . .when the LTO batteries start drawn down to a minimum level (2.66v and 2.59v respectively). . .I switch the PBAs back on for each Tempest° device which keeps them “topped-up” all thru the overnight hours. On totally Cloudy / Overcast days. . .the PBAs stay ON continuously and keeps the batteries “topped-up”.
I have Not experienced had any battery issues since the old beta pre-production devices of the “Field Tester” days back in early 2020! The PBA devices were a great investment!
By switch off, do you mean unplug? I do not see a switch on the PBA that I just received. I can unplug the RJ45 cable that connects it to the Tempest, though.
I connected the AC adapters for both PBAs to a multi-plug extension cord. . .then plugged the other end of the extension cord into an “on / off” switch. . .then plugged That Switch into the electrical socket on the back of the house. The PBAs and extra wrapped-up cabling are in a plastic “tote box” with a lid snapped onto it. The tote box is then placed inside a plastic trash bag with a bungie cord over the top to keep it anchored the small table next to the Tempest° mount.
The taller Tempest° in the image below is the main device. The shorter Tempest° device is a “left-over” from the old “Field Tester” days of 6 yrs ago.
Orange extension cable from the tote box leads to “end plug” that is “plugged” into the Switch which is “plugged” into the house AC socket. When it is not totally cloudy. . .I merely “Switch Off” and the Solar Panels on both Tempest° devices take over. In late evening or on totally cloudy (Overcast) days. . ,like today. . .the PBAs are “Switched On” to provide Topped-up max battery voltage to both devices (2.80v & 2.79v).
Wow! 6 years. Good to know the Tempests last that long.
Your pictures were helpful. Right now my PBA is on batteries, but you have started me thinking about how I can power it up from a 120-volt receptacle I have for tree lighting. Work in progress.
