A standard coin cell that works fine on a bench can lose most of its usable capacity in a cold car park, a refrigerated trailer or an outdoor meter box. If your product ships into winter climates or cold-chain logistics, a low temperature battery is not an upgrade — it is the difference between a device that reports and one that goes silent every January.
Why cold kills ordinary cells
Cold slows the electrochemistry and raises the cell’s internal resistance. Two things follow: the voltage sags further under load, and less of the rated capacity is actually available. A standard CR2032 is typically specified from -20°C; below that, the voltage dip during a radio transmit pulse can drop the rail under the device’s cut-off and trigger a reset or a false low-battery alarm — even though most of the energy is still in the cell.
What “HR” and “HT” mean
Extended-temperature coin cells carry suffixes. HR denotes a high-rate, wide-temperature construction; HT denotes a high-temperature build. In practice these cells use modified electrolyte and separator systems to hold performance across a far wider band — typically -40°C to +85°C — where the standard version is rated -20°C to +60°C. The physical size is unchanged, so CR2450HR fits wherever CR2450 fits.
Common extended-temperature models
| Model | Size | Voltage | Temperature range | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR2450HR | 24.5 × 5.0 mm | 3.0V | -40 to +85°C | TPMS, automotive sensors |
| CR2032HR / HT | 20.0 × 3.2 mm | 3.0V | -40 to +85°C | Loggers, industrial sensors |
| CR2050HR | 20.0 × 5.0 mm | 3.0V | -40 to +85°C | Higher-capacity wide-temp use |
Where the requirement is long life at low drain rather than pulse current, Li-SOCl2 cells extend even further — roughly -55°C to +85°C — which is why they dominate outdoor metering. And for rechargeable applications, solid-state cells retain over 90% capacity at -40°C where conventional lithium-ion collapses.
Where low temperature cells are specified
TPMS and automotive electronics — a tyre sensor sees both winter cold and hot-road heat, which is why CR2450HR with solder tabs is the standard fit. Cold-chain logging — vaccine, food and pharmaceutical shipments run at -20°C or below, and the logger must survive the whole journey. Outdoor metering and sensing — water, gas and environmental sensors sit unheated for years. Alarm and tracking devices mounted outdoors or on trailers.
Specifying correctly
- State the real minimum — the coldest the device will ever see, including transport and storage, not just normal operation.
- Give the pulse profile — peak current and duration matter more than average draw, because cold amplifies voltage sag under pulses.
- Set the cut-off voltage — tell us the voltage at which your device stops working; that determines usable capacity far more than the datasheet mAh figure.
- Specify the termination — vibration and cold usually mean solder tabs rather than a holder.
Frequently asked questions
How cold can a lithium coin cell go?
Standard CR cells are generally rated to -20°C. Extended-temperature HR/HT versions such as CR2450HR and CR2032HR operate from -40°C to +85°C, and Li-SOCl2 cells extend to roughly -55°C for low-drain applications.
Is CR2450HR a drop-in replacement for CR2450?
Yes, dimensionally — both are 24.5 × 5.0 mm, 3V. The HR version uses a wide-temperature construction that holds capacity and supports pulse loads from -40°C to +85°C. Confirm the tab pattern matches if your design uses tabbed cells.
Why does my sensor report low battery in cold weather then recover?
Cold raises internal resistance, so the voltage dips under each transmit pulse and can cross your device’s cut-off even with plenty of charge left. It recovers when temperature rises. The fix is an extended-temperature cell, a larger cell, or a capacitor to carry the pulse.
Source low temperature batteries
JBWCELL manufactures low temperature lithium batteries rated -40°C to +85°C — CR2450HR, CR2032HR/HT and CR2050HR — with standard or custom solder tabs and pins, in bulk, under ISO 9001/14001. Tell us your minimum temperature, pulse profile and cut-off voltage and we will recommend the right cell. Contact JBWCELL for datasheets and samples.
