246t Battery Life

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yorkphotog

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I am using the original rechargeable batteries that comes with the 246, however I'm noticing that they don't really last that long. I had them charged overnight last night, and used the scanner moderately today. It lasted about half the day and then the batteries died. Am I best to replace them with higher quality batteries? I had a similar situation with my digital camera and couldn't really get a resolution until I changed the batteries to rechargeables with a higher mAh rating.
 

IdleMonitor

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I use Energizer 2100 mah rechargeables and get around 8-10 hrs. out of them, depending on how much activity there is on the radio, depending on if I'm constantly pushing buttons, also depends on if you use the Backlight option as well.

Mind you I also get the same out of "Monster Powercell" High Capacity Alkaline batteries rated at 2850 mAh but I use those as back up when my rechargeables die out.

yorkphotog said:
I am using the original rechargeable batteries that comes with the 246, however I'm noticing that they don't really last that long. I had them charged overnight last night, and used the scanner moderately today. It lasted about half the day and then the batteries died. Am I best to replace them with higher quality batteries? I had a similar situation with my digital camera and couldn't really get a resolution until I changed the batteries to rechargeables with a higher mAh rating.
 

pathalogical

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Similar thread here not long ago, http://radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74731 I have since purchased another Energizer charger, a wall charger with 4 2500 mah batteries which also has an on/off switch on the unit and three interchangable faceplates. Model CHFMWB-4. Much, much better than the 15min one I described in the other thread. Bought it at the Superstore, about $32. I'm keepin' this one !
 

slicerwizard

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yorkphotog said:
I am using the original rechargeable batteries that comes with the 246, however I'm noticing that they don't really last that long.
The biggest problem with 246T's and battery life is the fact that the scanner initiates a 14 hour charge cycle every time you plug in the AC adapter, even if the cells are already charged. This quickly leads to damaged cells due to overcharging.

I deal with this by using high capacity cells (2500 mAH) as they're less likely to get overcharged and only recharging them when they're run down. Running the scanner for a few hours and then plugging it in overnight is a sure way to toast the batteries. Of course, the owner's manual doesn't explain this.
 

yorkphotog

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Ohhh, now that makes a lot of sense. I never charge it with the AC adapter for 14 hours. Plus , I'll likely use it on the road without the adapter and then plug it in when I get home.

Is it a better idea to take the batteries out of the unit and charge it with my Panasonic battery charger? Will this eventually wear out the battery cover or something?
 

slicerwizard

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Ohhh, now that makes a lot of sense. I never charge it with the AC adapter for 14 hours. Plus , I'll likely use it on the road without the adapter and then plug it in when I get home.
So are they overcharged or undercharged? You can use the 246T battery voltage monitoring program found here:
http://home.ica.net/~phoenix/wap/BC246T/
to get a handle on charge state.

Is it a better idea to take the batteries out of the unit and charge it with my Panasonic battery charger? Will this eventually wear out the battery cover or something?
Is the Panasonic charger a smart charger or does it also just do dumb timed charges?

There are many users on this site who always use an external charger. Myself, I've always charged cells in my scanners (over 20 years now) without major incident. Removing the cells every freakin' day doesn't work for me. Damage to the battery cover is a possibility, but it seems to be reasonably strong, certainly better than the ones on my old Pro-43's.
 

wiredgargoyle

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I'm switching between four sets of Energizer 2300mAh's, have been since I got my 246T over two years ago. Usually one set in the 'On' section of the charger, a charged set in the 'Off' section, one in my radio and one in my manbag/murse.

Every now and then when I know I won't be listening on the 246T I'll drain em all and mix em up just because it makes sense in my addled brain.

I've never had any luck charging them in the radio, they only seem to last a short while when I try. The switch is set right and all that but it just never seems to work. When at home I'll usually pull the batteries and plug the radio into the wall and into my PC so I can intermittently fiddle with it on the BuTel software.
 

yorkphotog

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Slicerwizard, the Panasonic is a smart charger.. it stops charging when it's full, so it doesn't overcharge the batteries.

Wiredgargoyle, a murse? I like that! :)
 
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