246t Battery Help

[JR45]

I just purchased new rechargable batteries for my 246T uniden scanner.

I purchased 2 AA Duracell Rechargable 2650 mAh batteries.

I charged them for 14 hours and they lasted almost 12 hours. I was very impressed at first but now I am having second thoughts

The question is are they the wrong (2650mah) batteries for this unit. Will they damage the radio and if so what batterie shoud I use. I was using the batteries that came with the radio when I purchased it

JR

 

[hypersight]

Having higher mAh batteries will not ruin your scanner. Having higher mAhs just means your scanner will will last longer between charges as you already have found out.

 

[IdleMonitor]

Just make sure you have it set properly for either NiCad or NiMh batteries.

 

[yorkphotog]

Yeah, higher Mah won't damage it. This is the same for digital cameras.. when I first got mine I was wondering what the heck I could do to lengthen battery life.. RadioShack said get batteries with a higher mah rating.

 

[IdleMonitor]

I find the Energizer Rechargeables pretty reliable.

 

[IdleMonitor]

Not sure of because of having mine for so long or what and they've been through a few charges, but I figure I get around 8-10 hours out of mine.

Perhaps I should try something else.

 

[pathalogical]

I recently purchased, then refunded, the Energizer 15 min charger that came with 4 2200mah batts. Regularly $70, on sale for $35...I couldn't resist. I returned it because one of the batts got really hot after being charged up. None of the batteries lasted in my 246. They powered my radio for barely 1/2 an hour, then they quit working after only one low batt "beep" came on. However, I have been using Energizers 2500mah in my 246 for almost 18 months and they are superb ! I charge them in the radio. I get many hours of useage with these and over an hour of low batt beeps with these batteries...what a difference !!! And yes....I can tolerate the low batt beep...though I keep the adaptor close by !!!!!!!!

...just my 1 ¢ worth...

 

[DaveH]

I just don't trust those super-fast chargers. There are just too many
things that can go wrong, and ruin the batteries or worse. They seem
to be designed for people in too much of a hurry, or who expect too
much. If/when they work properly, battery life will be shortened.
Normal NiMH life is shorter than properly-maintained NiCds to begin
with.

I keep a couple of 2-5 hour chargers, one which can run on 12v.
Charge time depends on capacity. Some of my older NIMHs are only
1200-1400mAh but still quite useful, and charge faster than 2500's.
I keep at least one set of spare cells on hand. These days it isn't
expensive, and you lose nothing by rotating them.

I also have an older RayoVac overnight charger which also does NiCd
and rechargeable alkaline; slow but very useful.

XS-Cargo had an unadvertised deal on a RayoVac 4-cell charger
for $9. It would do two 2500mAh cells in 2 hours (1.3A) or four in twice
the time (good enough for me). It does single cells, which is good for
3-cell radios (FRS, scanners). Unit runs on 10-16v dc as well, not sure
if they still have any left; this was a couple of months back.

Dave

 

[Junior76sx]

My Rayovac 15 Min. Rechargable nickle cadium batteries work great and they last about 10 to 14 hours in my BC246T.

 

[DaveH]

XS-Cargo had an unadvertised deal on a RayoVac 4-cell charger
for $9. It would do two 2500mAh cells in 2 hours (1.3A) or four in twice
the time (good enough for me). It does single cells, which is good for
3-cell radios (FRS, scanners). Unit runs on 10-16v dc as well, not sure
if they still have any left; this was a couple of months back.

Dave

They've had this in stock as of a couple of weeks ago, and
it's now on their website.

http://www.shopxscargo.com/product_...id=6&category=Accessories&category2=Batteries

Dave