BCD396XT will not run on batteries...

[rowlf914]

Hi all,

I recently acquired a BCD396XT so I can have a portable scanner...I already have a BCD996XT and wanted something portable that could use the same programming as my 996. It has been working flawlessly for about a month, and suddenly today it will not power on while on batteries, I have the Eneloop 1.2v 1900 mAh Ni-Mh batteries, they are fully charged. When plugged in the 396 shows normal charging. When powered on while plugged in the voltage shows around 4.0. I have checked the switch inside, and it is set to Ni-Mh. I tried it with a set of alkaline AAs, changed the switch over to alkaline, and still nothing. The unit has not been dropped or otherwise abused. I did use it for about six hours this past weekend when we had a power outage, and everything worked fine...voltage dropped to about 3.75 volts, but charged right back up, and ran on batteries after charging. I did try a fresh fully charged set of Ni-Mh batteries with no change....it will not power up on batteries. I do not have an external charger, and I generally do not charge the batteries any longer than about 2 hours in the radio since I don't use it much on batteries. I have not yet tried factory resetting it...I wanted to check here first and see if anyone had any ideas before I wipe it out and re-program.

Thanks all!

 

[tvengr]

Try exercising the battery switch several times in case it it dirty. Spray contact cleaner into the external power jack and plug and unplug the power plug numerous times in case there are dirty contacts on the jack.

 

[dave3825]

Start with checking the contacts that the batts sit against. One could be dirty or corroded preventing the radio from receiving power. If you have a multimeter, you can install the batts and put it on the dc scale and test the positive and negative terminals furthest from each other and at least know if the voltage is making it into the radio. Just touch the terminals and not the batteries. That's what I did with my br330t and found power was not making it in the radio. A little alcohol on a Q tip and good to go.

The alkaline ni mh switch basically wont let the external power charge the battery compartment if its set to alkaline.

 

[rowlf914]

Hi Dave...thanks for the reply. I took the back off and was able to test the voltage from the terminals...it is 4.1 volts. I tried the power switch while in connected to the terminals and got no voltage drop. The unit is showing normal charging when connected to the wall and powered off. When on external power the voltage shows 4.1 volts. I'm beginning to think something is up with the power switch itself, or some component that switches from external power to battery. I saw no corrosion anywhere. So I'm definitely puzzled.

Start with checking the contacts that the batts sit against. One could be dirty or corroded preventing the radio from receiving power. If you have a multimeter, you can install the batts and put it on the dc scale and test the positive and negative terminals furthest from each other and at least know if the voltage is making it into the radio. Just touch the terminals and not the batteries. That's what I did with my br330t and found power was not making it in the radio. A little alcohol on a Q tip and good to go.

The alkaline ni mh switch basically wont let the external power charge the battery compartment if its set to alkaline.

 

[rowlf914]

Try exercising the battery switch several times in case it it dirty. Spray contact cleaner into the external power jack and plug and unplug the power plug numerous times in case there are dirty contacts on the jack.

I did exercise the battery switch, with no change. I also exercised the power switch just in case, but since it powers on on external power I did not have much hope that would do anything. I am out of contact cleaner, but that was one of my next moves. I did plug and unplug the power plug...I already thought about dirty jack contacts. Knowing my luck one day it will just start working again with no explanation.

 

[dave3825]

I am out of contact cleaner, but that was one of my next moves.

When another of my radios headphone jack was acting up (think it was the pro95) I used rubbing alcohol as it dissipates pretty quick. Dropped in a couple drops and worked the headphone connecter in and out and let it sit for an hour. Cleaned the dirty contacts and works good. Make sure either way you go, to remove that batts / external power and let it sit for a little while.


You said while plugged in you get around 4.0 . Have you tried this? If you set the switch to ni mh with ni mh batts in, and plug in the power, and power it up, does it work? And if so, what happens when you remove the external power? does it shut right off?

 

[rowlf914]

When another of my radios headphone jack was acting up (think it was the pro95) I used rubbing alcohol as it dissipates pretty quick. Dropped in a couple drops and worked the headphone connecter in and out and let it sit for an hour. Cleaned the dirty contacts and works good. Make sure either way you go, to remove that batts / external power and let it sit for a little while.


You said while plugged in you get around 4.0 . Have you tried this? If you set the switch to ni mh with ni mh batts in, and plug in the power, and power it up, does it work? And if so, what happens when you remove the external power? does it shut right off?

When plugged into external power, switch on Ni-Mh with batteries installed...it powers on and shows 4.1 volts. If I remove the external power plug from either the radio or the outlet it shuts right off. I may try the rubbing alcohol. I'm also going to get some contact cleaner and clean up the power jack on the unit...the contact does look a little dirty. I doubt this is the problem but you never know....I've seen some strange things on electronics.

 

[trap5858]

It is possible that the the receptacle for the external power is staying in the open position when the plug is removed not allowing power from the batteries to flow. I am not really sure how to check or correct this but something similar often happens to well used headphone jacks. Possibly probe it with something non conductive like a toothpick.

 

[wtp]

on my radio, i tried to 'open' the power connection with a toothpick, and it will not turn off the radio.

i guess it is ac > batteries > radio
............................. alkaline /
i hope that makes sense.
i need the dots to set itup right.

 

[rowlf914]

It is possible that the the receptacle for the external power is staying in the open position when the plug is removed not allowing power from the batteries to flow. I am not really sure how to check or correct this but something similar often happens to well used headphone jacks. Possibly probe it with something non conductive like a toothpick.

Hi trap....I did try this and got no response. I took the back off and examined the power connector. I did not see anything amiss.