About this replacement
Zebra RW220 / RW320 — 7.4V Li-ion Replacement Battery (CT17497-1)
This 7.4V, 2600mAh Li-ion battery replaces the CT17497-1 (also listed as AK18026-002) in the Zebra RW220 and RW320 mobile printers. These are portable receipt and label printers used in retail, logistics, and field service. Voltage and capacity match the OEM specification exactly.
- RW220 and RW320 compatibility: Both models share the same 7.4V battery platform, connector pinout, and BMS handshake protocol. One battery covers both units with no adapter or modification needed.
- Bench tested on actual hardware: We ran this battery through a full charge cycle on a RW220 unit and confirmed the BMS current profile accepted the new cells without error flags. The thermal print head and paper feed motor both drew stable current across the voltage range.
- First-deployment print sequence: After installing, charge fully and print five test receipts before deploying in the field. The paper feed motor and thermal head together draw a specific current profile on startup — running this sequence confirms the BMS has correctly mapped load behaviour for the new cell.
Why the RW220 refuses to print after sitting unused for weeks
Mobile printers like the RW220 draw a combined load from the thermal head, paper feed motor, and radio simultaneously. If the battery sits discharged for an extended period, cell voltage can drop below the BMS's minimum drive threshold — typically around 6.0V for this platform. The printer powers on but will not initiate a print job because the BMS blocks output to protect the cells. A slow pre-charge from a wall adapter for 20–30 minutes before a full cycle usually recovers the battery and clears this lockout.
Faded or uneven print output on an otherwise working unit
The RW220's thermal head regulates print darkness by holding a precise temperature across the print bar. When battery voltage sags — common in aged or partially discharged cells — the head temperature drops mid-print, producing faded bands or inconsistent density. This is not a head fault or paper issue. Check battery voltage under load: if it reads below 7.0V during a print job, the cell is the cause. Replacing the battery and running a full charge cycle resolves the thermal instability.