Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveIN
Looks like they use Lithium Ion cells. I wouldn't recommend them for scanner use, but it is interesting discussion on charging and measurement.
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They do discuss some exotic batteries there that would not be advised in a scanner, that's true.
One of their suggestions that has served me well is the use of Low Self Discharge NiMH batteries, such as Sanyo Eneloops, and investing in a high quality charger that can analyze and condition batteries. The most popular one is the MAHA MH-C9000. It costs a bit more, but it can prolong the life of batteries. It can even rejuvenate batteries that have lost their capacity, as well as detect cells that are really kaput. Having 2 or 3 sets of batteries in rotation assures me that I will always have a set ready to go.
Among the better pieces of advice I found here on our own forums is to not charge your batteries inside the scanner. I took this to heart when I got my BR-330T, my first new scanner in many years. The last thing I wanted was to have a battery leak or worse while it was charging, and ruin the radio. I don't think I would trust the charger circuitry in any of these radios to work without failure 100% of the time. Another problem with using the radio to charge is getting too many partial charge/discharge cycles over the life of the batteries. I think both the batteries and the radio have a chance of maximum life if charged outside the radio. Just always be careful to line up your battery compartment cover each time you replace it so it doesn't break or wear out.