BCD325P2 battery life

[GROL]

Ok, so the battery life of the BCD325P2 stinks although it performs great! Has anyone found a battery solution with much better life? Rechargeable Lithium? I am using Eneloops right now. Sure wish this radio was just a bit larger to use 3 cells.

 

[wtp]

just to let folks know,
Battery Option These settings allow you to turn the battery save option on or off and to set the battery charge time. The scanner turns off power for 1 second and turns it on for 300 ms when you hold on a channel/frequency that has no activity for more than a minute.

so turning it on and scanning anything is a waste.
the best thing i have found is to carry 2 extra cells in a pocket.

 

[pb_lonny]

I just carry a couple of spare AA's with me.

 

[n1chu]

The max audio level isn’t all that great either… (probably one of the things Uniden did to keep battery consumption at a minimum). If I don’t want to hold it, instead, keep it in my pocket, I have to use the earphone jack. There are external packs that will supply USB power levels (that come in different amounts of storage) you can use. I tried the LI-Ion double A batteries but they don’t seem to extend battery life much-they do allow me to carry extra rechargeable AA batteries which saves me the cost of replacing disposable batteries. Or, in a pinch I buy the Eveready LI-Ion disposable AA’s, which do give better life. (That’s where I got the idea that maybe the rechargeable ones would also, not so much!)

 

[buddrousa]

This works great I have one.
AUKEY 30,000mAh Portable Charger with Quick Charge - Charger Harbor

 

[Skypilot007]

I've tried a lot of high capacity batteries in my 325P2. If you get 5 hours you're doing good. It's usually 4 and change. The 325P2 had good potential to be a much better scanner. If Uniden would have made it longer to accommodate a 3rd or even 4th battery and added a better speaker they would have had something good. Instead, just another toy with crappy audio and dead batteries every 4 hours.

 

[buddrousa]

On the one I listed I run 2 SDS100's and a 325p2 12 straight hours and still had battery left.

 

[Skypilot007]

On the one I listed I run 2 SDS100's and a 325p2 12 straight hours and still had battery left.

I was referring to batteries that fit inside the scanner itself. But yeah, those are great option for mobile and stationary field use.

 

[takyrob]

I use the highest mAh rechargeable battery I can find.

 

[buddrousa]

That is the only way I have been able to run the scanners for extended run times. I tested with 1 SDS100 for 24 hours on duty so I know that option.

 

[GROL]

I find the audio to be pretty decent. Although not as loud as any of my handheld transceivers, it is loud enough in my vehicles. So far best I have found is high capacity Eneloops and EBL batteries. Performance is great asside from speaker and batteries. I was considering trying rechargeable Lithium, but seems that hasn't been better for other users.

It's probably too much to ask Uniden to use the same guts in a larger case to accommodate another AA and larger speaker. Although they monitor these threads, they never consider user comments in future designs.

 

[RoninJoliet]

In regards to volume on 325P2 have you increased in the menu the "volume offset " , increased to "2" and volume set to "9" its very good sounding,....

 

[GROL]

In regards to volume on 325P2 have you increased in the menu the "volume offset " , increased to "2" and volume set to "9" its very good sounding,....

I hadn't thought about it for the 325P2. I have done it on the SDS100 which I use most often. But the 325P2 actually has better audio than the SDS100. I will try it. Thx

 

[GROL]

I hadn't thought about it for the 325P2. I have done it on the SDS100 which I use most often. But the 325P2 actually has better audio than the SDS100. I will try it. Thx

Tried volume offset. It really does help, but of course it will further shorten battery life. I think the solution is just carry spare batteries and plug into external power when possible.

 

[GROL]

I bought a USB Lithium battery for dedicated use with my BCD325P2. This battery was a great deal. It charges up very fast. Full charge in about 2 hours with a 2 amp USB source, and powers the radio about 12 hours. I have not measured the exact life yet.

Limited-time deal: Portable Charger 10800mAh, Smallest LED Display Power Bank, Dual Output USB C Input High-Speed Charging Battery Pack with Flashlight Compatible with iPhone 13 12 11 Pro Max X Samsung Galaxy iPad Amazon.com

Also got this cable. Robotjoy Coiled USB 2.0 Type A to Mini-B USB Cable w/Right Angle Connectors Amazon.com