Using the 9V Battery Harness Safely: What You Need to Know

The IGNITE i18 and i36 modules include an Emergency 9V Backup Harness. This harness lets you power your module in a pinch if your LiPo battery isn’t working and a replacement isn’t immediately available.

Keep in mind that the 9V battery harness is designed only for temporary emergency use. Because a 9V battery doesn’t fit inside the LiPo compartment, the battery door won’t close completely when it’s connected. Don’t worry, this won’t affect the performance or safety of your module.

For best results, we recommend using a new Energizer Max 9V battery. These batteries go through rigorous quality testing and have consistently performed well in our internal tests.

While the i18 and i36's LiPo battery runs at 7.4V, a 9V battery supplies slightly higher voltage. However, voltage alone doesn’t determine firing power; the key factor is current output.

Please see our article What is the Maximum Firing Capacity with IGNITE Firing System Breakout Boards? for maximum firing specifications. These specifications are the same for both the 7.4V LiPo and a 9V alkaline battery. 

Remember, the 9V battery is great in an emergency but won’t match the performance of your LiPo battery.