BCD325P2/BCD996P2: BCD325P2 battery life

[n1chu]

I was surprised to see only 2 AA batteries power the BCD325P2, thinking the radio is a replacement for the BCD396XT which take 3 AA batteries. But while it’s not quite the same form factor, and regardless of if it’s considered a replacement for the 396 or not, I didn’t think my use of nicads and NMH’s in the 2 cell BCD325P2 would give me the same longevity I remembered the the 3 cell BCD396XT gave me. I knew the Eveready AA DISPOSABLE Lithium batteries would last longer but they aren’t cheap! So when the rechargable Li-ion AA batteries came out I got some. Today, first time using these new EBL 3000mWh 1.5 volt AA cells, I experienced almost 7 hours before the low battery alarm went off. The volume was deliberately set to maximum with the backlight set to squelch. During this time I was also busy programming “Digital Waiting” and since it was in a low ambient light environment, I placed the scanner display to Infinite. I’d say the backlight was continuously on for aprox 1 hour during that programming period. The radio was turned on at 5am on a Saturday and lasted to almost noontime. This time period is not as busy as a regular weekday so I’m adjusting downward the length of time the batteries would last before they needed to be replaced… conservatively I put them at better than 4-5 hours, I’m not recommending these batteries after just one session but I’d say they look promising. The EBL batteries were found on Amazon.

 

[RoninJoliet]

I use IKEA rechargeables and I get six hours with no back lighting and volume set at 8 with mostly trunk systems monitoring,...My 396XT using same methods gets about 10 hours on same type of rechargeables,...

 

[n1chu]

I use IKEA rechargeables and I get six hours with no back lighting and volume set at 8 with mostly trunk systems monitoring,...My 396XT using same methods gets about 10 hours on same type of rechargeables,...

Good to know. I neglected to ask what others were experiencing. Thanks!

 

[BinaryMode]

Just be advised there are a few threads here (one of which I responded to) that mention the lithium batteries probably have a built-in buck convertor to lower the actual battery voltage down to 1.5 Volts. If that convertor goes south, so too will your equipment using these batteries. For that reason alone I don't use rechargeable lithium batteries anymore and just buy packs of the 10 year shelf life Energizer single use batteries or use Energizer Ni-Mh's (I'm a little partial to Energizer ). In addition to that, some have claimed that the buck convertor can introduce interface to the radio. YMMV.

If you REALLY want some Watt hours, buy one or more of these. Still kinda portable. At least for me.

I'm a little partial to Tripp Lite as well.

If they can make a BCD325P2 handle simulcast I'd be happy.

 

[n1chu]

“If they can make a BCD325P2 handle simulcast I'd be happy.”

They do. It’s called the SDS100…
In order to combat simulcast they needed to incorporate “software defined radio” (SDR). And since Uniden already has a SDR scanner, the SDS100, redesigning the BCD325P2 would be redundant. If it’s the form factor of the BCD325P2, (it’s physical size) you are referring to, I agree. A smaller handheld would be nice!

 

[sfb88]

With apologies in advance for the threadjack, the post above aroused my curiosity. Since the Unication pagers can handle simulcast are they also SDRs?

 

[n1chu]

Yes. The Unication G-5 Pager IS an SDR receiver. It handles simulcast nicely. (Interesting to note the battery life of a G-5 outlasts a SDS100. It will play all day in scan mode, whereas the SDS100’s battery is only good for maybe 4-5 hours, depending upon its use. It is my understanding the Uniden SDS100 requires more power than its predecessor (BCD436HP) due to its ability to combat simulcast. I have not researched this so I can’t speak to why that is.)