About this replacement
Globalstar GSP-1700 — 3.7V Li-ion Replacement Battery (GPB-1700)
This is a 3.7V, 3400mAh Li-ion battery for the Globalstar GSP-1700 satellite phone. It replaces OEM part GPB-1700 and fits directly into the GSP-1700 handset. The GSP-1700 is a portable satellite phone used for voice calls and messaging in areas with no cellular infrastructure.
- GSP-1700 platform fit: The GSP-1700 runs a single-cell Li-ion pack at 3.7V nominal. This cell matches that voltage rail and uses the same connector pinout and BMS handshake as the OEM unit — the phone's firmware reads the pack correctly on first boot.
- Bench tested on actual hardware: We ran this pack through satellite acquisition cycles — antenna deployment plus full transmit power — and monitored BMS response under that current spike. The cell held voltage without tripping cutoff at room temperature.
- Cold-weather pre-warming: Before heading into sub-zero conditions, carry this battery in an inner chest pocket for at least 20 minutes. Li-ion internal resistance climbs sharply below 0°C, and the GSP-1700's satellite acquisition draw can trip the BMS on a cold cell before the phone ever locks signal.
Why the GSP-1700 shuts down during satellite acquisition
Satellite acquisition on the GSP-1700 is the highest-draw moment in normal use. The phone powers the antenna, runs the GPS chipset, and pushes the radio to maximum output simultaneously — all before a call is even connected. An aged or partially discharged cell can't sustain that current spike, and the BMS trips to protect the cell. The phone reads this as a dead battery and shuts down, even if the battery indicator showed charge beforehand. Start acquisition with the cell above 3.6V to stay clear of that cutoff threshold.
Charger won't accept the GSP-1700 pack after extended storage
Li-ion cells self-discharge during storage — typically 1–2% per month, but faster if stored warm. If the GSP-1700 battery sat unused for several months, the cell voltage may have dropped below 3.0V, which is the acceptance floor for most Li-ion chargers. The charger's protection circuit sees the low voltage and refuses to begin the charge cycle. Use a charger with a recovery or "boost" mode to bring the cell up to 3.0V first, then switch to normal charge.