How Long Does the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Backup Battery Last?

The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 backup battery lasts for about 24 hours if the system is not plugged-in. The backup battery is called the Qolsys IQ2 Battery. It receives reserve power when the IQ Panel 2 is receiving power from the wall outlet. The battery has a product life that lasts several years

The IQ2 Battery is a lithium-ion polymer battery specifically designed for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus. It uses advanced technology to last for up to 24 hours, despite being very compact in terms of size. In most cases, the IQ Panel 2 will be using electrical power supplied from the wall outlet. Only when the power is out will the IQ Panel 2 switch to the backup power supplied by the backup battery. When running on this power, the IQ Panel 2 should remain powered on for up to 24 hours. Once the IQ Panel 2 is receiving power again, the backup battery will begin to replenish its reserves.

Since the IQ2 Battery is rarely used, it usually has a particularly long product life. If the user keeps their IQ Panel 2 plugged in all of the time, they should expect the IQ2 Battery to last for several years. But if the power is constantly going out, this time will likely be reduced. In most cases, it's fair to expect the backup battery to last for about three to five years before requiring replacement. The panel will display a warning message when a low battery is detected.

The IQ2 Battery plugs conveniently into a port on the back of the Qolsys IQ Panel 2. When it's time for replacement, power down the IQ Panel 2 by going to Settings > Advanced Settings > Entering the Installer Code (shown below) or the Master Code (default is 1234) > Power Down. When you select this option, you'll see a message telling you that you must wait for the power down sequence to complete before unplugging the transformer or the battery from the IQ Panel 2.

The full message reads:

CAUTION: Are you sure you want to shut down?

Disconnecting the power supply and/or battery before the shutdown process is completed may result in data corruption and/or panel failure.

IMPORTANT: To continue, press Shut down (OK) and wait for LED buttons to turn completely off. Then unplug the battery, followed by the power supply.

Once the power down is complete and the battery and transformer have been disconnected, put the new battery in place and plug it in. Plug in the transformer. Finally, press the power button on the side of the panel to initiate the power-up sequence.