Can I Run SDS200 on a Smart Outlet?

[Kaleier1]

Would there be any ill effects to leaving the SDS200 volume control on and then turning power on and off to the scanner by plugging the supplied wall transformer into a smart outlet?

Seems this would save wear and tear on the volume switch, keep me from having to adjust the volume every time I turn the scanner on, and allow me to turn the scanner on and off with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Home Mini.

 

[Xray]

If its anything like the 100 wouldn't work, as you have to press a button to turn it on, much like any other modem electronic item. turn it off, yeah that would work.

 

[wtp]

what ? you mean these things turn off...never tried it.

 

[JohnnyGent]

Would there be any ill effects to leaving the SDS200 volume control on and then turning power on and off to the scanner by plugging the supplied wall transformer into a smart outlet?

Seems this would save wear and tear on the volume switch, keep me from having to adjust the volume every time I turn the scanner on, and allow me to turn the scanner on and off with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Home Mini.

I say sure it would be pretty cool, as long there in surge protection, I see no problem, the few times I've turned off my radios, they stay plugged in WITH surge protection when turned back on.
Scan On!

 

[JohnnyGent]

If its anything like the 100 wouldn't work, as you have to press a button to turn it on, much like any other modem electronic item. turn it off, yeah that would work.

Looks like the power is actually on the volume knob, and I think that would be a pretty cool set up.
Scan On!

 

[SteveSimpkin]

One thing to be aware of that if you have recording or replay turned on, you stand a good chance of corrupting the SD memory card if you take away power while the card is being written to. Turning off power using the volume knob will safely finish writing to the SD card before powering down.

 

[jonwienke]

Would there be any ill effects to leaving the SDS200 volume control on and then turning power on and off to the scanner by plugging the supplied wall transformer into a smart outlet?

Yes, you'll corrupt the SD card if you kill power while the radio is receiving a transmission. Use ProScan for remote control, not Alexa.

 

[ka3aaa]

let the scanner run all the time just adjust the volume when you want to listen to it.

 

[ResQguy]

Yes, you'll corrupt the SD card if you kill power while the radio is receiving a transmission. Use ProScan for remote control, not Alexa.

Having had an SDS200 permanently installed in my vehicle since it was released, I'm willing to bet there I've induced close to 400 power removals without touching the knob that didn't cause an SD card corruption by turning off the ignition. I'd assume that 50% of the time the radio was actively receiving. But just in case, I keep a spare card in the glovebox. I'm willing to take the slight risk for the convenience of a mobile install.

 

[mikewazowski]

Having had an SDS200 permanently installed in my vehicle since it was released, I'm willing to bet there I've induced close to 400 power removals without touching the knob that didn't cause an SD card corruption by turning off the ignition.

Same here. My BCD536HP is tied to ignition and while I try to make sure it's off before I power down my vehicle, that doesn't always happen. Guess I've been lucky so far but I haven't had an SD card issue yet.

I'm installing a 12v smart switch on my SDS200 so I can remotely power cycle it when it looses contact with Proscan.

 

[jonwienke]

If you disable Replay and recording, then you aren't writing to the card constantly, and unannounced power-off isn't as much of a potential issue. Interrupted writes are what cause problems.

 

[mikewazowski]

Yes, you'll corrupt the SD card if you kill power while the radio is receiving a transmission. Use ProScan for remote control, not Alexa.

If you disable Replay and recording, then you aren't writing to the card constantly, and unannounced power-off isn't as much of a potential issue. Interrupted writes are what cause problems.

Let me fix that for ya:

"Unless you disable Replay and recording, you'll corrupt the SD card if you kill power while the radio is receiving a transmission."

So the OP should probably be fine if he isn't using the recording function.

 

[jonwienke]

Fair enough.

The question is whether disabling those features is an acceptable tradeoff for getting remote power shutoff without causing card issues.

 

[MartyF81]

I have both of my SDS200's on Smart Outlets. They each reboot the scanners once a day (staggered). I also use it for rebooting them remotely if I am having issues listening online. I have never had an issue at all.

 

[TGP]

Have Numerous SDS 200 in mobile applications.
On/off constantly with truck ignition.
No problems.

We don't use record function.

Tom

 

[mikewazowski]

I also use it for rebooting them remotely if I am having issues listening online.

That's exactly my reason for wanting to remotely reboot my SDS200. It seems to be the worst for misbehaving online.

 

[03msc]

Fair enough.

The question is whether disabling those features is an acceptable tradeoff for getting remote power shutoff without causing card issues.

Yes but I think for many of us, the question is also...why the heck do I need to record to the SD card? IMHO you don't. Feature disabled! Problem solved for the unexpected power cycle.

 

[seth21w]

Cards are cheap I say go for it dont worry about the card. I keep replay on 240 never had one go.

 

[WoodburyMan]

FYI I run my SDS200 on a Smart Outlet just fine. The knob on it turns it off/on. So long as you leave it in the "on" position, at any volume level (I keep mine to mute, just powered on) turning it on/off with the smart outlet will work just fine. However, I wouldn't use it like that regularly. The SDS200 uses the MicroSD card in it. Unsafely powering down it down can potentially cause problems with the card getting corrupt. That being said, your chances of something happening are VERY slim. I also replaced the stock card with a much better Samsung Evo. The one it comes with isn't the best quality. I hold Samsung's in high regard. (I have had issues with many SanDisks... I also run dozens of RaspberryPi's, and set up dashcams for many people, and Samsung I have never had a problem with except on one RPI i had in a attic where it got to 120F+, and the RPI overheated as well [80C+] and literally melted the plastic on the MicroSD a bit... mind you though the others have held up on DashCams in the sun in cars no problem..that was EXTREME).

I did that because I have my SDS200 hooked up to ProScan via a LAN cable. The SDS200 has once or twice locked up on me, as it's left on 24x7. Likewise, there is a bug on the SDS200 LAN connection, where if the network switch it's plugged into reboots, or say I lose power and the SDS200 boots up before my router/switch, it will not work. Even with a Static IP. It needs to be reset. My Smart Plug outlet works remotely after a power event no problem, so I will power cycle it by turning the SDS200 outlet on and off. A UPS battery has helped me prevent issues with short power outages (Common, especially in the Winter in the middle of the woods where I am) but not my networking equipment which I reboot often. So it helps.

 

[wtp]

how about half-way,
leave the scanner plugged in a separate outlet and plug computer speakers into the radio and a smart outlet.