PSR500 Eats Batteries

[somme1916]

Great mobile scanner.

TERRIBLE mobile battery life !

I put new (checked) lithium batteries in my PSR500 & received less than 3 hours & I'm being generous.

I guess it would only do worse with alkaline but it sure loves lithium for breakfast lunch & dinner !

Rob

 

[ROCKnTIME]

I purchased some new rechargeable Duracell 2650 mAh batteries and they last about 12 hours.

 

[somme1916]

I purchased some new rechargeable Duracell 2650 mAh batteries and they last about 12 hours.

That's me then. These lithium bats are way to expensive for the little service I received from them.

I'll take 12hours over 3 or 4 anyday !

Rob

 

[RagnarD]

I'm using the MAHA Powerex 2700's and getting between 18-20 hours per charge. That is with the display NOT lit up and I don't use the alert LED's.

I slow charge them at 200 ma and get this type of run time out of them. I have 3 sets in rotation. One in the radio, one in the holder and one in the charger.

HTH!

73
de
chris
kq4z

 

[bravo14]

I'm using the MAHA Powerex 2700's and getting between 18-20 hours per charge. That is with the display NOT lit up and I don't use the alert LED's.

I slow charge them at 200 ma and get this type of run time out of them. I have 3 sets in rotation. One in the radio, one in the holder and one in the charger.

Where did you get these batteries at? I am looking for a few god sets. Do you scan more than 2 systms or more when you get 18-20 hours?

 

[tglendye]

I'm noticing it eats the batteries up fast too. Especially if the display light is on. I've got 3 sets of NiMH batteries as well, but they are getting some age on them.

 

[RagnarD]

www.thomasdistributing.com

I am scanning more than one system but as I said in my original post i do NOT use the backlight and I don't use the alert LED.

The systems I monitor are a mix of digital and analog too.

I do not charge my batteries in my radios. I use the MAHA MH-C9000 charger.

I did a break in cycle on the batteries when I first charged them and I charge them at a rate of 200 ma.

HTH,
73
de
chris
kq4z

 

[ROCKnTIME]

www.thomasdistributing.com

I am scanning more than one system but as I said in my original post i do NOT use the backlight and I don't use the alert LED.

The systems I monitor are a mix of digital and analog too.

I do not charge my batteries in my radios. I use the MAHA MH-C9000 charger.

I did a break in cycle on the batteries when I first charged them and I charge them at a rate of 200 ma.

HTH,
73
de
chris
kq4z

How does the MAHA MH-C9000 battery charger perform?

 

[hiegtx]

How does the MAHA MH-C9000 battery charger perform?

The charger does a very good job.
A lot of options besides just charging the batteries. Refresh/analyze or cycle, to try & rejuvenate batteries that have perhaps developed a memory & lost charge capacity. You can also tailor the charge rate (as well as the discharge rate for the refresh/cycle functions) to match the battery capacity, or how fast a charge you want. It's found some ringers in my rechargeables that weren't really carrying their own weight.

If you don't want (or need) the extra features, the MH-C401FS is another option. Fast (one hour) or slower (100 minute) charging. "World" ac adapter (100-240V), plus a 12vdc cord for charging in your vehicle. I have the predecessor to this model. The only difference is that the ac adapter is just US (120v), not the 'world' adapter (100-240v).

I'm also using MAHA Powerex 2700 batteries in my 500. I don't get quite as much run time as kq4z, usually 13-15 hrs on fully charged 2700's. But I use the backlight & LED on certain systems, so that does draw more current. I also have multiple sets, & did a break-in/conditioning charge before putting the new batteries in service.

I do have some of the Duracell 2650s, but the Powerex batteries are better,

 

[mtindor]

Great mobile scanner.

TERRIBLE mobile battery life !

I put new (checked) lithium batteries in my PSR500 & received less than 3 hours & I'm being generous.

I guess it would only do worse with alkaline but it sure loves lithium for breakfast lunch & dinner !

Rob

I doubt it is the scanner - if it is, it's defective and isn't indicative of all PSR-500s. I use Energizer 2500 mAh rechargables, and thhey last about 17 hours of regular monitoring around here as long as I don't kick on the display too often.

Mike

 

[somme1916]

I doubt it is the scanner - if it is, it's defective and isn't indicative of all PSR-500s. I use Energizer 2500 mAh rechargables, and thhey last about 17 hours of regular monitoring around here as long as I don't kick on the display too often.

Mike

I have little real time use re battery life as I've only used it sporadically on just the batteries so time will tell. I can add though my sight is not great so I use the back-light more than maybe alot of people would. Judging from posts the back-light drinks power & I'm sure plays a big part.

From reading posts I now have a handle on what to buy & what to expect.

I'll also add this radio blows the 996t away as far as being able to hear trans. Again , reading other posts , that can be a bad thing for people who run into intermod. Fortunately I do not have that problem & the extra reception comes in real handy.

Rob

 

[mtindor]

I have little real time use re battery life as I've only used it sporadically on just the batteries so time will tell. I can add though my sight is not great so I use the back-light more than maybe alot of people would. Judging from posts the back-light drinks power & I'm sure plays a big part.

From reading posts I now have a handle on what to buy & what to expect.

I'll also add this radio blows the 996t away as far as being able to hear trans. Again , reading other posts , that can be a bad thing for people who run into intermod. Fortunately I do not have that problem & the extra reception comes in real handy.

Rob

Rob,

I agree, using the backlight will definitely kill the batteries a lot quicker, at least in my experience. I don't have great eyes either. Without my glasses I couldn't even begin to read the display. I'd prefer it on but keep it off just so the batteries last longer.

I'm glad you don't have the intermod problem. I'm one of the ones who has posted in other places on these forums regarding intermod. But I wouldn't give up this scanner for anything. It's so nice to be able to pick up trunked systems so well with this beast. I figure if I wasn't so lazy and frugal I could get a PAR filter and do away with 95% of my frontend overload problems

Have fun!

Mike

 

[somme1916]

Rob,

I agree, using the backlight will definitely kill the batteries a lot quicker, at least in my experience. I don't have great eyes either. Without my glasses I couldn't even begin to read the display. I'd prefer it on but keep it off just so the batteries last longer.

I'm glad you don't have the intermod problem. I'm one of the ones who has posted in other places on these forums regarding intermod. But I wouldn't give up this scanner for anything. It's so nice to be able to pick up trunked systems so well with this beast. I figure if I wasn't so lazy and frugal I could get a PAR filter and do away with 95% of my frontend overload problems

Have fun!

Mike

Before trying that PAR filter you may want to try what I did on a much earlier Uniden scanner with intermod probs. Radio Shack sold this deal that went in between the antenna & radio. It had a little turn knob on it that , I guess , attenuated the incoming sigs. It was dirt cheap & really did the trick. The good thing about it was you could fine tune it so's not to knock out what you were looking to hear.

Just a thought.

Rob