TK-2180 constant low battery indicator

MTS2000des · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009, 12:54 AM

I have a 1 year old TK-2180 that constantly shows a low battery indicator if you enable the battery status in KPG-89D. It will even cease to transmit, if you disable the battery status, the radio will operate normally with a normal battery life. I have tried several different batteries, both OEM and aftermarket (all batteries check out fine), so next step was placing it into test mode in KPG89D. I see the menu for Low Battery calibration but cannot adjust it (the softpot shows up but is greyed out, cannot adjust it). Current softpot is 188 which seems rather high...I dunno. Any ideas? The radio operates fine on both TX and RX IF you disable the battery status indicator in the software, the tradeoff is you have no low battery indication until the battery is completely exhausted (radio just resets during TX or powers off without warning).

any REPUTABLE Kenwood shops out there or will Kenwood service these directly as they do their ham gear? ideas?

ambdrvr · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009, 07:24 AM

Hello,

Just curious but are you charging your battery while it's attached to your portable? Our department switched to TK-3180's about 3 or 4 years ago and we had the same problem with some of them. I contacted Kenwood and they told me that this radio/battery/charger configuration was meant to charge the battery seperate from the transiever and that the transeiver should never go into the charger cradle. I don't know if that will help you out or not but it's worth giving it a shot. On the other hand, if you've had it less than a year it should still be under warranty and any Kenwood dealer should service it for free. Hope this helps.

Ambdrvr

pachanga22 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009, 11:50 AM

Did you let Bearcom look at it?

MTS2000des · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009, 01:41 PM

no it has not been anywhere near Bearcomm but that is the next step. I've just kind of put up with it, the radio works flawlessly otherwise, and I just don't want to be without a VHF portable (or use my old HT1000 instead) but it is starting to make me wonder if there isn't a hardware issue and I don't want the warranty to expire before I get it on a bench.

n7maq-1 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 11:16 PM

What firmware do you have in it? There was a firmware change to address the low battery indicator. If the radio is working with the battery indicator off then the low battery setting is not the problem.

I have never heard that he battery needs to be disconnected from the radio. The radio needs to be turned off when it is in the charger but not off the battery. I'm a tech for a Kenwood authorized warranty center.

I would be glad to look at the radio, but your local KW dealer should be able to help out.

Jim

kg4uad · #6 (**permalink**) 06-28-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTS2000des

I have a 1 year old TK-2180 that constantly shows a low battery indicator if you enable the battery status in KPG-89D. It will even cease to transmit, if you disable the battery status, the radio will operate normally with a normal battery life. I have tried several different batteries, both OEM and aftermarket (all batteries check out fine), so next step was placing it into test mode in KPG89D. I see the menu for Low Battery calibration but cannot adjust it (the softpot shows up but is greyed out, cannot adjust it). Current softpot is 188 which seems rather high...I dunno. Any ideas? The radio operates fine on both TX and RX IF you disable the battery status indicator in the software, the tradeoff is you have no low battery indication until the battery is completely exhausted (radio just resets during TX or powers off without warning).

any REPUTABLE Kenwood shops out there or will Kenwood service these directly as they do their ham gear? ideas?

This is a known issue with the Tk-2170/2180. Several Years ago when i bought mine the dealer told me to disable the feature in programming and that kenwood was going to address it, guess they never did. It was explained to me that the radio has a very hard time knowing what battery type is in the radio and cannot properly interpret its predicted life. The good news is your 2180 is just like everyone else.

73's
kg4uad

Astro25 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-28-2009, 02:43 PM

Current firmware for the x180 line is K01.19.00. (which also enables MDC signaling). I have this same problem with TK-3173s at work from time to time; you have to adjust the battery threshold setting in the software in conjunction with a calibrated bench power supply that will read proper voltage/current draw.

Have you tried re-installing KPG-89D? I find it odd that the soft pot is greyed out... I know with some KPG software packages, entering a certain key, or even a wrong key will disable certain features in the software.

ramal121 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 01:24 PM

Firmware needs to be upgraded to latest.

The grayed out adjustment in the test mode section of the software is normal, it is only there to show the value of the battery adjustment. To set the low battery value, you need an accurate voltmeter, adjustable power supply. The alignment is done through the panel test mode with the radio buttons. A bit of fiddling, but it can be done. Outlined in service manual.

Check this LSB from KWD.