BCD436HP/BCD536HP: XTAR 3300mWhr Battery in BCD436HP?

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N4SRN

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Will these work OK in a BCD436HP? I saw one user mention noise in a different radio, but perhaps the battery compartment was poorly shielded.

BRET/N4SRN
 

n1chu

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Yes. But the 1.5 volts is a bit misleading… it’s probably advertised as such so as to not raise any questions when comparing it to a regular disposable AA battery. Rechargables are actually slightly less at 1.3 volts, but will work just fine in the scanner.
 

N4SRN

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Noise? What noise?
The batteries have a little charging circuit incorporated and an Amazon review mentioned RF when used in a radio.

"Can't use these in my portable radio as they generate strong static and nearly wipe out the local station. Just setting the plastic pack of 4 batteries near the radio causes interference."
 

RandyKuff

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I don't know of anybody thats tried them...
But yes there is a high frequency switching buck converter circuit built into them to lower the voltage to 1.5v...

My guess would be some RF spraying from them depending on how well they are able to shield them...
 

hiegtx

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The batteries have a little charging circuit incorporated and an Amazon review mentioned RF when used in a radio.

"Can't use these in my portable radio as they generate strong static and nearly wipe out the local station. Just setting the plastic pack of 4 batteries near the radio causes interference."
Besides the possible interference that has already been mentioned, some of these larger capacity batteries are somewhat bigger around than a standard AA battery. There is an outside chance that, in addition to interference, it could be a tight squeeze to fit them into the scanner. Like Randy, I also do not know anyone that has tried these.
 

n1chu

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I have a set of the LI-ions and the physical dimensions are the same as a normal AA battery. But I know what you are saying… some single cell li-ions are slightly bigger but NOT FOR USE as they tout the higher voltage level of a li-ion cell. That’s why they are bigger-to prevent someone from trying to use them in place of a normal size AA. They are made for commercial use primarily.

The internal circuitry mentioned in these AA LI-ion batteries simply drops the li-ion cell’s voltage to 1.5 volts and can be used in a AA battery scanner.
 

RandyKuff

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Liion 14500 size battery (14mm dia by 50mm long)...
Same size as a "AA" battery (aprox)...
Yes those cells are 3.7v nominal...

And if one does not pay attention, good way to to watch a radio go up in smoke using them in place of standard AA batt's...

@jonwienke rewired his 436 to use 14500 Liion batt's... His batt's are in parallel now not series connected...
 
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N4SRN

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Well, I ordered a set will report back. My old Lenmar 2700 mWhr batteries give “Battery Error” in the BCD436HP so time to buy new ones anyway.

My charger has a “conditioning” button that’s supposed to revive such batteries but it doesn’t seem to help on these batteries. I keep a bunch of mostly eneloop AA/AAA batteries in storage and top them up yearly.
 

RandyKuff

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Yes, post back then... I am curious to if they cause interference with the scanner...
If all else fails, you can use them in a flashlight... Not wasting your money buying them...
 

JoeBearcat

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Will these work OK in a BCD436HP? I saw one user mention noise in a different radio, but perhaps the battery compartment was poorly shielded.

BRET/N4SRN

2000 mAH is rather low for AA cells these days. Don't let the "3300 mWH" throw you. That is not mAH.

I personally use Eneloop Pro (name brand or rebranded Eneloop cells).
 

N4SRN

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Those XTAR 3300 mWhr batteries arrived late yesterday. I charged them fully and installed into my BCD436HP this morning and they seem to work just fine for me.
 

RandyKuff

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Well if your not getting interference from them, thats a good thing...
See what kind of average runtime you get out of them...

Obviously that can and will vary with scanner activity... Be it whatever battery you use...
 
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