PRO-106 Recharable Battery Question

austink · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 01:18 PM

Hello,

For some reason I cannot get the rechargeable batteries, that I bought at Wal-Mart, to charge in my unit. I am not sure if I have the battery settings correct or not. Do the batteries have to be the same kind, voltage, ect that they want in the manual? Also, if I charge the batteries on the included external charger, they last like 20 minutes in the scanner. Please help. Thanks!

hcpholder · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 01:22 PM

I know that there's a place in the GLOBAL setting to select the battery type. I would make sure that this is checked, and of course be sure you're using the "yellow" battery holder. I do not believer that it makes any difference which company batteries you use, as long as they are "rechargable". I personally use the RS brand. Even my new batteries do not hold up a whold day, and never have.

cfr301 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austink

Hello,

For some reason I cannot get the rechargeable batteries, that I bought at Wal-Mart, to charge in my unit. I am not sure if I have the battery settings correct or not. Do the batteries have to be the same kind, voltage, ect that they want in the manual? Also, if I charge the batteries on the included external charger, they last like 20 minutes in the scanner. Please help. Thanks!

There are two different settings in the scanner for rechargeable batteries which kind of batteries do you have is the setting right in the scanner? I use Duracell Rechargeables in my scanner they last for 8 or 9 hours without a charge you get what you pay for.

N1BHH · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 04:54 PM

You need to use the yellow battery holder for rechargeable batteries. I don't believe there is an included charger with that radio. Maybe it was bought separately during your purchase. I prefer to not charge batteries inside my scanners, as I may want to listen to it. So I prefer to charge them outside the radio in a quality charger. I use Ray-O-Vac rechargeable NiMH batteries in a Ray-O-Vac charger. I have 5 sets and will always have at least 3 sets to use when charging. In very rare cases have I actually charged batteries while in the scanner, in particular when I'm out on the road and the batteries quit on me. I just whip out my car charge cord and plug it in.

cfr301 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1BHH

You need to use the yellow battery holder for rechargeable batteries. I don't believe there is an included charger with that radio. Maybe it was bought separately during your purchase. I prefer to not charge batteries inside my scanners, as I may want to listen to it. So I prefer to charge them outside the radio in a quality charger. I use Ray-O-Vac rechargeable NiMH batteries in a Ray-O-Vac charger. I have 5 sets and will always have at least 3 sets to use when charging. In very rare cases have I actually charged batteries while in the scanner, in particular when I'm out on the road and the batteries quit on me. I just whip out my car charge cord and plug it in.

I run my scanner most of the day on the Batteries to run them down, then in the evening if I'm using it to search while my 197 is scanning I'll plug it in with the charger I bought for it from Radio shack let it charge and play, shut it off over night, Next day I have a fully charged 106. I have the car cord as well and use it if the batteries happen to get weak.

pathalogical · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austink

Hello,

For some reason I cannot get the rechargeable batteries, that I bought at Wal-Mart, to charge in my unit. I am not sure if I have the battery settings correct or not. Do the batteries have to be the same kind, voltage, ect that they want in the manual? Also, if I charge the batteries on the included external charger, they last like 20 minutes in the scanner. Please help. Thanks!

Make sure you set the GLOB settings to the battery type you bought, NiCad or NiMH along with the mentioned yellow battery holder.

austink · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:17 PM

Im not sure what the type of batteries they are. I will check when I return home. I do know that they are rechargable, and I have set the global setting to accomodate the type of battery. THANKS!

RadioDaze · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:32 PM

This is a good time to mention another forum. These are flashlight people, but the subthread deals with a lot of questions about batteries. These guys are obsessed with squeezing every last bit of performance out of rechargeables.

Flashlight Electronics - Batteries Included - CandlePowerForums

Just make sure the flashlight bug doesn't bite though, or you'll end up with another expensive hobby!

DaveIN · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:54 PM

Looks like they use Lithium Ion cells. I wouldn't recommend them for scanner use, but it is interesting discussion on charging and measurement.

RadioDaze · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 03:50 PM

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.

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.

DaveIN · #11 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 08:36 AM

Agreed. I like the Eneloops also and have been using the MAHA MH-C9000 for a year now. I also use the BC-900 by La Crosse Technology - Tomorrow's Weather Today. Anything but charging in the radio and for mobile pedestrian use it's good to have backup sets of batteries.

AlabamaRS · #12 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioDaze

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.

I've had the Bc9009 charger for about 6 months, excellent charger

austink · #13 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 07:49 PM

Ok, here are the battery specifications:

Recharable Batteries
Ni-MH
Size: AA
2000mAh
1.25V
Quantity: 4

What do I need to set my radio on to charge and run these and too also notify me when the batteries get low?

AlabamaRS · #14 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 09:17 PM

Shouldn't have to set anything & the scanner will BEEEP & flash when batteries are low

austink · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 09:29 PM

what should i set my charge time too? how do i know if they are charging in the scanner?

AlabamaRS · #16 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 09:37 PM

If ya have scanner on it its charging ( and plugged into the wall wart etc), if ya have scanner off it will take a a shorter period, BE SURE to use the yellow holder . it will take 12-14 hours with scanner off , longer if you have it on. I do not think you can set the time with the scanner .