Do I need a power source for the Square Terminal?

[Chubbskeywest]

Hello! We have hotdog carts and are looking forward to using the square terminal to integrate deliveries into our business. All our lights are run off a battery system. We have no way of plugging anything in. What power source would you guys recommend to use the square terminal for about 10 hours a day and then recharge for the next days use? Thank you for your time!

[ryanwanner · Accepted solution]

Hello @Chubbskeywest ! Welcome to the seller community!

I have a couple of ideas for you, depending on your budget.

It's been my experience that the terminals with a full charge can last 6-7 hours under heavy usage before you'll run into low battery issues. I've left my terminal unplugged for two days before before I see battery alerts. If you plug it in overnight you will have a full charge the next day no matter how low the battery is. You may be ok depending on how heavy you use the device.

You may consider using a battery bank and just plug the terminal into it using a standard USB-C -> USB-C cord. I don't believe that's covered under warranty though, so be careful there.

The Jackery products are great portable power stations as well. You can find them on amazon for $200+ and will definitely keep your terminal charged for the duration of your events. If you decide on going that way and all you're doing is charging the terminal, it may make sense to just pick up a second terminal instead. That way you can switch over when one gets low.

[Chubbskeywest]

That's great information!! Thank you very much!!

[Summer2024]

Hi @Chubbskeywest ! I see @ryanwanner has given some great insight here. 

I wanted to provide you with some battery best practices as well to ensure your Square Terminal is reliable for your business. 

• Regular charging:

  Always fully charge your Square Terminal before starting a busy day or shift. 
• Plug in when not in use:

  When not actively using the terminal, leave it plugged into a power source to maintain a full charge. 
• Battery level monitoring:

  Check the battery icon on the device screen to monitor the battery level and recharge when necessary. 
• Avoid extreme temperatures:

  Keep your Square Terminal in a moderate temperature environment as extreme heat or cold can affect battery life. 
• Power management features:

  If available, utilize any power-saving features on the Square Terminal to extend battery life. 

  I hope this helps! 

[Chubbskeywest]

Ok, this is great to know!! Thank you very much for the response!!