Pro-668: Battery Issue

[GrumpyGuard]

I am having an issue with powering my radio using rechargeable batteries. I have the scanner set to Alk for battery type as I charge my batteries in a stand alone charger. I am using 2450 mAh energizer batteries. Each battery showed a charge level of 1.44 volts for a total of 5.76 voltz. When I turn on the scanner it goes through its start up and after I push the play button the radio shuts off. I placed the switch to NiMH and I still get the same results. The battery indicator in the upper right hand side of the screen shows just the outline of a battery. When I checked with the Ez Scan software it shows a dead battery at 4.08 voltz. I placed the batteries in my 106 and it worked just fine. What setting needs to be changed?

 

[buddrousa]

Is this a Pro-668? Have you updated the 668? Mine was the first batch and eat batteries in about 4 hours. My ser# is in the high 4000 range.

 

[GrumpyGuard]

Is this a Pro-668? Have you updated the 668? Mine was the first batch and eat batteries in about 4 hours. My ser# is in the high 4000 range.

My radio shows CPU firmware 1.0 and DSP firmware 1.0. I have tried to update the firmware, but my computer is running Windows 8.1 and I am unable to update the driver. I downloaded the instructions from Whistler and each time I get to step 6 and the computer locks up with some sort o krytolocker and I have to enter a code from microsoft. Is there any other work around that will allow me to update the driver? I am very frustrated that Whistler does not verify it's driver so we can update with out jumping through all these hoops.

 

[buddrousa]

From what I know the scanner has an update for battery meter from reading here you need to find a driver and get it updated

 

[GrumpyGuard]

I found an older windows 7 laptop and was able to make the CPU and DSP up grades. After up grading the scanner nothing has changed regarding the batteries.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

 

[TAbirdman]

I found an older windows 7 laptop and was able to make the CPU and DSP up grades. After up grading the scanner nothing has changed regarding the batteries.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Try another set of rechargeables just to rule out the set your trying to use now.

 

[marksmith]

There are a couple different threads in the forum dealing with how to correct the battery problem before firmware did. You can look also at the PSR 800 as it initially did the same thing.

They basically give you the battery settings to change in ezscan or iscan that will correct the problem. This is assuming that these settings are your problem. I checked my 668 settings to those posts to determine if the radio was OK as I went through all this on the 800 when it came out

Mark
536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/
396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

 

[sigint1]

My radio shows CPU firmware 1.0 and DSP firmware 1.0. I have tried to update the firmware, but my computer is running Windows 8.1 and I am unable to update the driver. I downloaded the instructions from Whistler and each time I get to step 6 and the computer locks up with some sort o krytolocker and I have to enter a code from microsoft. Is there any other work around that will allow me to update the driver? I am very frustrated that Whistler does not verify it's driver so we can update with out jumping through all these hoops.

You need to reboot Windows 8.1 using the "disable signed driver verification" option - this will allow you to install the driver for the iscan software so it can see the scanner you can then update the firmware from the iscan software

 

[thegriff]

Based on replies I got to a thread I started regarding updates I was told there are no updates to be had for the scanner. My scanner is in the 2000s and has no updates available. Now I'm confused. Buddrousa, what versions does your scanner show?

 

[buddrousa]

PC Application 2.2BLD 310
CPU 2.3
DSP 1.3
Database 409
Location Database 10
SER# 4000's

 

[GrumpyGuard]

Try another set of rechargeables just to rule out the set your trying to use now.

I have two sets of rechargeable batteries and I get the same results with both sets.

 

[GrumpyGuard]

There are a couple different threads in the forum dealing with how to correct the battery problem before firmware did. You can look also at the PSR 800 as it initially did the same thing.

They basically give you the battery settings to change in ezscan or iscan that will correct the problem. This is assuming that these settings are your problem. I checked my 668 settings to those posts to determine if the radio was OK as I went through all this on the 800 when it came out

Mark
536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/
396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

Thanks Mark, I will do another search of the forums for these threads.

 

[scosgt]

Thanks Mark, I will do another search of the forums for these threads.

Seems obvious you have a bad radio. Check the radio battery terminals, maybe one is loose or corroded.

 

[GrumpyGuard]

Seems obvious you have a bad radio. Check the radio battery terminals, maybe one is loose or corroded.

Radio is new, less than two weeks old. All terminals are clean and making contact. I want to troubleshoot all possible problems before sending the radio in for warranty work.

 

[goldvrx]

How old are the batteries? I don't get more than 10 or 15 minutes from my rechargeables but they are getting old. Alkaline batteries work fine.
I am going to get some Eneloops and see how that works.

 

[scosgt]

Radio is new, less than two weeks old. All terminals are clean and making contact. I want to troubleshoot all possible problems before sending the radio in for warranty work.

The age of the radio does not matter, it is defective.
And there is no place to send it for "warranty work".

 

[GrumpyGuard]

Went out and purchased new batteries and charger. Placed the new batteries in the radio fresh out of the package and the radio fired right up. I am charging the batteries to full charge to see how long they last. The two sets of batteries that I have are several years old as well as the chargers. I don't think I have a bad radio, but I will run the radio on batteries tomorrow as I have a three hour drive, just to see how long they last.
Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions, I appreciate the support.

 

[scosgt]

If the new batteries work you found your answer.

 

[goldvrx]

Got the Eneloops from Costco, Panasonic 10 AAs, 4 AAA and charger for $30.
Used radio for about 2 Hours, battery indicator barely moved.

 

[vagrant]

Got the Eneloops from Costco, Panasonic 10 AAs, 4 AAA and charger for $30.
Used radio for about 2 Hours, battery indicator barely moved.

My results are the same using the above. I use the supplied charger and not the radio.