rechargable batteries for 97

[razorhead89]

is buying the batteris and charger worth it...or should i stick with just one time us batteries?

 

[safetyobc]

Definately buy rechargables!!

I use the Energizer 2500 mAh rechargables with the Energizer 15 minute charger. $30 at Wal-Mart for the charger and 4 2500 mAh batteries. Duracell sells a similar model.

Target sells the same charger

 

[scanrrman]

If you wanna spend about $5 bucks a day, SURE!!!!! Going through a set of alkalines a day for about 5 bucks a day, that charger will be paid for in a week!!!! Seriously, don't even think about it for another second. Get rechargeables!!!!

 

[gmclam]

I have had bad luck with the 2650mah Duracells. I have had great luck with the 2300mah Panasonics (and associated smart charger) and the 2500mah Energizers. I am currently testing the Digital Concepts 1.25v 2500mah batteries which I bought at WalMart at 4 for $5.97. I previously bought 4 batteries and the associated charger for under $18. I've been using that brand battery in my digital camera (it needs the higher voltage); and like them, so now I am giving them a shot in a PRO-97. So far, great.

 

[Russell]

Wow, I've had excellent success with the Duracell 2650s. I have like 16 of them. I'll keep them in the 96 and 97 and charge them in place. The other two sets I will charge in the big charger and rotate them out occasionally. I love them, they last forever.

Russell

 

[gmclam]

2650 dead as a nail

Wow, I've had excellent success with the Duracell 2650s. I have like 16 of them. I'll keep them in the 96 and 97 and charge them in place. The other two sets I will charge in the big charger and rotate them out occasionally. I love them, they last forever.

Russell

I bought an 8 pack of the 2650s and ran them in two scanners (one a PRO-97). All of a sudden the PRO-97 whouls show low battery as soon as I disconnected external power. Upon further investigation I found one of the 4 batteries to be absolutely dead.

I took the single dead battery and put it into a smart charger. It came up just fine. I then charged each other the other 3, all individually in the same charger. I left them unloaded and checked them several hours later. That same 2650 was again dead. It will charge up but will not hold a charge even under no load. I have about 1 month's use on this set of batteries (so in no way is it near 100 cycles, let alone 1000).

By and far I've been running the Panasonic 2300s the longest. I've had zero problems with all others.

George

 

[trunker0205]

Same here im using Duracell 2650s and they ae great,a pro-97 will run 30 hours with backlight on with one charge..You can get them on E-nay for about $6 for 4 on ebay..

 

[icom1020]

I'm not a big fan of quick chargers, I think heat means wear. I use an Emerging Power smart charger that has the microprocessor. I used the 2650 Duracells but the charger seems to flash the eval code for a long time. I havent tried them one at a time yet, I did with a Rayovac quick charger and that seemed to work but time consuming, plus it has always heated up regardless. I believe from reading up on this that the Emerging Power EP-4. charger is rated for up to 2100ma so that is the type I have to use, as I want the batteries to be evaluated before a charge. I have used the Rat Shack ac power adapter to charge the Duracells in the 97, but I think it would better to charge outside the radio. Anyone recommend a smart charger for the high capacity batteries?

 

[trunker0205]

I'm not a big fan of quick chargers, I think heat means wear. I use an Emerging Power smart charger that has the microprocessor. I used the 2650 Duracells but the charger seems to flash the eval code for a long time. I havent tried them one at a time yet, I did with a Rayovac quick charger and that seemed to work but time consuming, plus it has always heated up regardless. I believe from reading up on this that the Emerging Power EP-4. charger is rated for up to 2100ma so that is the type I have to use, as I want the batteries to be evaluated before a charge. I have used the Rat Shack ac power adapter to charge the Duracells in the 97, but I think it would better to charge outside the radio. Anyone recommend a smart charger for the high capacity batteries?

I never charge them in the radio, I have a Duracell smart charger when the flashing light goes out they are done and it will not overcharge them that is what kills rechargables.

 

[icom1020]

I never charge them in the radio, I have a Duracell smart charger when the flashing light goes out they are done and it will not overcharge them that is what kills rechargables.

Ok, so how long does it take for the Duracell Smart Charger to charge a set of 2650'? and are they warm, not hot?

 

[safetyobc]

I have been using the rapid charger (Energizer) for about a year and a half with absolutely no problems. I have had to throw away some cells over the past year and a half but you have to realize how many times they have cycled.

I go through about 8 to 10 batteries a day.

2 in the Icom R5
3 in the BCD396T
3 in the Pro-99
(soon to have a Pro-97 using 4 more a day)

I usually get about 6 to 8 months and usually more out of 4 rechargables. At $10 for a set of 4 Energizer mAh, I don't think that is too bad. (I scratch the month/year on the battery).

I have bought 1 bad set of 4. They wouldn't hold a charge from the day I bought them.

So to sum it up, the charger I use doesn't seem to be doing any worse on the cells than the slow charger I had. The Energizer 15 minute charger has a built in fan to keep heat down and is also a smart charger (charges each of the 4 cells independently).

 

[icom1020]

Ok, it piqued my interest and I looked around on the net , the maha Powerex http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewitem.asp?idproduct=423

looks like a high tech model, maybe too extreme which shows progress and is adjustable. They also have the "cool charger".
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/item.asp?idproduct=178

I don't use a rapid one as I have multiple sets of batteries, just want to avoid any overheating. Thanks for the replies.

 

[razorhead89]

batteries

i guess il have to buy them thanks guys!

 

[KrazyKevin]

I just bought a pack of Duracell 2650 for my new Pro -97. I only have the Energizer 15min quick charger though. On the first charge on the Duracells using my Energizer charger, I'd say the batteries lasted 8-10hrs. I had the volume turned down and the backlight on. Could this be because of the first time use and they haven't broke in yet, or using the energizer charger to charge them. The only thing that I could see a issue with is the energizer batteries are 2500mah and the Duracells are 2650mah. What do yall think?

Ps. What do yall think about letting the Pro-97 doing the charging? Would it be better or worse than my energizer 15min charger at charging the higheer mah duracells?

 

[safetyobc]

I use the same combo, Energizer 15 min Charger and have some Duracell 2650's. It works fine for me. I think it charges to maximum capacity. If not, it wouldn't stop charging, right?

Anyway, I usually get 10 hours or so with the 2650's.

 

[gmclam]

I just bought a pack of Duracell 2650 for my new Pro -97. I only have the Energizer 15min quick charger though. On the first charge on the Duracells using my Energizer charger, I'd say the batteries lasted 8-10hrs. I had the volume turned down and the backlight on. Could this be because of the first time use and they haven't broke in yet, or using the energizer charger to charge them. The only thing that I could see a issue with is the energizer batteries are 2500mah and the Duracells are 2650mah. What do yall think?

Ps. What do yall think about letting the Pro-97 doing the charging? Would it be better or worse than my energizer 15min charger at charging the higheer mah duracells?

Yes, it sounds like they were not fully charged the first time.

I am able to run a PRO-97 with the backlight ON for about 24 hours on 1 charge. I am getting that kind of duration from 3 different batteries; Digital Concepts 2500, Duracell 2650 & Energizer 2500. I get a few less hours from the Panasonic 2300; but not enough to consider.

Most of the time I just let the batteries charge in the scanner. I don't usually leave a scanner plugged in for more than 8 hours. If/when I ever discharge a set of batteries completely, I use a smart charger to bring them back to full. Whether you should use the scanner for recharging, IMO, depends on how long you run it from batteries and how long you have it charging. I do not let them sit and charge in a scanner for days on end.