Forgive me if this question is too tangential but it does apply to Uniden scanners and my use of it and the general technical knowledge by users here is usually good. As we know, many models of Uniden scanners take three AA cells. An odd number as rechargers are set up to charge either two or four cells at a time. I know rechargeables can be finicky when it comes to how they are charged and what charge they have though I'm not sure the specifics. Hence my asking here. I like to keep at least three sets of fully charged batteries for my BCD436HP. It seems whenever I need to charge, I am faced with an odd number of batteries. Is it OK to use either a fully charged battery as a dummy to fill the fourth spot on the charger or something else that is not the same condition as the three I am charging? My wording may be clumsy but seeing as this must be a common situation for Uniden users. I am sure you know what I mean. Ideas? Thanks.
BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Rechargeable battery management
- Thread starter newcoyote
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I use this charger:
La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_V5IPxb0KPBN48
It will charge at different rates and condition your batteries as well. It will charge any number of batteries from 1-4 at a time.
Worth the investment if you ask me.
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La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_V5IPxb0KPBN48
It will charge at different rates and condition your batteries as well. It will charge any number of batteries from 1-4 at a time.
Worth the investment if you ask me.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Last edited:
KD1UA
Member
I have the same charger in the 1000 model.
Put in 3 batteries all the time for my 436 or other 3 battery units. I tend to keep the same 3 batteries together as a set and have had good results.
Generally, chargers that want you to charge more than one battery at a time are cheap units that are not actually determining whether the battery is charged or not, but just on a timer or some other poor method that can result in overheating, and other bad things for the batteries and potentially other things.
Stay away from them, and get a charger that individually charges the cells you insert, with individual readings and measurements for each battery.
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Put in 3 batteries all the time for my 436 or other 3 battery units. I tend to keep the same 3 batteries together as a set and have had good results.
Generally, chargers that want you to charge more than one battery at a time are cheap units that are not actually determining whether the battery is charged or not, but just on a timer or some other poor method that can result in overheating, and other bad things for the batteries and potentially other things.
Stay away from them, and get a charger that individually charges the cells you insert, with individual readings and measurements for each battery.
Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk
iMONITOR
Silent Key
Ideally, keep a set of 12 batteries (4 sets of 3), charge them in groups of 4, and rotate them. FIFO. You'll always have a backup of charged batteries for extended emergencies / monitoring. And all batteries get treated equally.
Oooo! That does look nice.
KD1UA
Member
I should have ordered 2
iMONITOR
Silent Key
cellphone
Silent key.
I have used one below for years. It's a little more, but it is definitely an outstanding charger. It maintained my Eneloops for over 2 years before they started losing capacity. I would charge about every other day.
PowerEx MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger-Analyzer for 4 AA/AAA Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DIGKOG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wDJPxbM87EDS7
PowerEx MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger-Analyzer for 4 AA/AAA Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DIGKOG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wDJPxbM87EDS7
Rred
Member
Many of the better chargers, set up for 12-16 cells, actually monitor EACH cell during charging. If you get one of those you can charge 3 at a time with no problem.
Or, think a little larger. If you want 3 sets of batteries, that's 9 cells. So you get an 8 or 12-cell charger and wait until 2 sets need a charge. Then you'll have 6 cells to charge, and you can charge them as 2x3 or 4+2, whichever way you choose.
All easy if you either get a few more cells, or a bigger/smarter charger.
Or, think a little larger. If you want 3 sets of batteries, that's 9 cells. So you get an 8 or 12-cell charger and wait until 2 sets need a charge. Then you'll have 6 cells to charge, and you can charge them as 2x3 or 4+2, whichever way you choose.
All easy if you either get a few more cells, or a bigger/smarter charger.
I went with the first suggestion. Not the answer I had in mind but probably a better solution. Thank you for all the replies.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've been using that charger for years. Be careful to only plug in the correct A.C. Adapter as a friend of mine plugged in the wrong one and it fried the charger. But it is a high quality charger and I use it every day several times a day.
snerd
Listening.....
I bought this beast a few weeks ago, along with a 2 8-paks of the Eneloop Pro's...........
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SO25HUO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's worked a treat! I have the 436, camera flash units, and other electronics, so I always have fresh batteries at the ready!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SO25HUO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's worked a treat! I have the 436, camera flash units, and other electronics, so I always have fresh batteries at the ready!
Rred
Member
Have had a very similar one for several years, different brand name but quite possibly built in the same basement in Shenzhen. No complaints, other than I'd like a way to shut the LED backlighting when it isn't needed.(G)
rbm
Member
One of these will charge just about anything (and any size) you throw at it.
(Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-ion, LiFePO4, etc.)
In ANY combination....
I have a few for our own use and have given them as gifts to a lot of people.
Not a single complaint yet.
($20 plus or minus)
And .....
If you ever get a 'good' flashlight that uses lithium batteries (16340, RCR123, 18650 etc) , you're good to go.
Rich
Edit: Just a few of my chargers. (Lots more on the shelf)
The Nitecore is my most 'go to' charger. Unless I have a special situation.
MH-C808M which will charge up to eight 'AAA' through 'D' Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries
MH-C9000 which will charge 'AAA' and 'AA' Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries
Several PILA IBC chargers for Li-Ion batteries
A lot of the Nitecore D4 chargers which will charge just about everything. (Li-ion , Ni-MH, LiFePO4, and Ni-Cd)
Also, not shown, a MH-C801D which charges up to eight 'AAA' and 'AA' Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries
The Nitecore D4 does it all.
.
(Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-ion, LiFePO4, etc.)
In ANY combination....
I have a few for our own use and have given them as gifts to a lot of people.
Not a single complaint yet.
($20 plus or minus)
And .....
If you ever get a 'good' flashlight that uses lithium batteries (16340, RCR123, 18650 etc) , you're good to go.
Rich
Edit: Just a few of my chargers. (Lots more on the shelf)
The Nitecore is my most 'go to' charger. Unless I have a special situation.
MH-C808M which will charge up to eight 'AAA' through 'D' Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries
MH-C9000 which will charge 'AAA' and 'AA' Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries
Several PILA IBC chargers for Li-Ion batteries
A lot of the Nitecore D4 chargers which will charge just about everything. (Li-ion , Ni-MH, LiFePO4, and Ni-Cd)
Also, not shown, a MH-C801D which charges up to eight 'AAA' and 'AA' Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries
The Nitecore D4 does it all.
.
Last edited:
bill31089
Member
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NERV1JK/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I use this charger and have had zero issues does aa and aaa charges each battery individually so you could charge 1 battery 2 batteries or 8 batteries it doesn't matter
I use this charger and have had zero issues does aa and aaa charges each battery individually so you could charge 1 battery 2 batteries or 8 batteries it doesn't matter
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