Uniden 396 'illegal voltage' message after shut off and no power up

[VA3QRM]

Have seen this message twice. I use Energizer 15 minute rechargable batteries and charger. I have never used the scanner to re-charge these or the batteries that came with it. First time I saw the message I assumed the Energizers; that had over a year and a half of constant use, were the problem. I replaced the Energizers, then had no problem over the course of a couple of months. Message again today, alkalines and AC adapter work OK. Anyone else dealt with this issue?
Thanks

[n2mdk]

Check this thread http://www.radioreference.com/forums...llegal+voltage

[VA3QRM]

Originally Posted by n2mdk

Check this thread http://www.radioreference.com/forums...llegal+voltage

Read the thread.....my problem is different than these. Thanks Jerri.

[Mark01]

You might check to see if the switch in the battery compartment is set to alkalines rather than NIMH,if you are using alkalines.
Mark

[VA3QRM]

Originally Posted by Mark01

You might check to see if the switch in the battery compartment is set to alkalines rather than NIMH,if you are using alkalines.
Mark

NIMH switch set when using NIMHs and back to alkaline with alkalines.Thanks Mark.

[linuxwrangler]

Stop your evil ways and go buy some legal voltage.

I haven't seen that message but have some thoughts:

I was told by a Uniden tech that the only purpose of the NiMH/alkaline switch is to control battery charging (ie. don't charge alkalines). Like many others, here, I use NiMH but leave the switch on alkaline and use an external charger for the batteries (but I can still use external power for the radio - it just won't charge the batteries). So the switch position is probably not relevant.

My guess is that it is complaining about too-high voltage as too-low and it just doesn't work.

I don't know the characteristics of a hard-charged NiMH cell but 4C (15 minute charge) is, I imagine, making a hot cell. Do you get this message right after pulling batteries from the charger? Try measuring the voltage of the pack when you see the problem. You could also try draining the cells a bit in a flashlight or with a resistor then retry.

[Saint]

Originally Posted by VA3QRM

Have seen this message twice. I use Energizer 15 minute rechargable batteries and charger. I have never used the scanner to re-charge these or the batteries that came with it. First time I saw the message I assumed the Energizers; that had over a year and a half of constant use, were the problem. I replaced the Energizers, then had no problem over the course of a couple of months. Message again today, alkalines and AC adapter work OK. Anyone else dealt with this issue?
Thanks

I use the same charger and batteries and have had no problem with the 396t scanner.
Steve

[VA3QRM]

The problem occured after the batteries had been charged, installed and the scanner had been used for some time, not freshly charged. How the voltage would elevate, I don't know? I have noticed the batteries were not maintaining charge very well. I'll just stick with alkalines and AC......or maybe an excuse to pick up a second 396.
Thanks
John
VA3QRM

[MarkEagleUSA]

Originally Posted by VA3QRM

I have noticed the batteries were not maintaining charge very well.

I've only seen "illegal voltage" when using an underpowered AC adapter. My guess is your rechargeables are shot, though I'd expect to see low battery warnings instead of "illegal voltage".

[Tidalwave]

I had that same message when I first received my 396. The unit would not turn on with batteries. It would turn on when plugged into the wall, and stay on if I kept batteries in it, but would not start unless it was "jump started from the wall". I tried NiMH and alkeline, several different types, nothing worked. I eventually sent it in to uniden and they replaced 3 parts on it. It's worked fine ever since. Maybe my story will help you out.

[Raven95150]

I would start by getting different batteries AND charger. I use Duracell 2650s and they last about 14 hours. The Energizer 2500s work good too, but the longest I ever got out of them was about 12 hours. Stay away from those "quick chargers," all they do is wreck the batteries, especially the 15 minute chargers. I have a cheap Energizer charger that charges 4 AAs in about 3 hours that seems to do a good job, but a good quality charger would be better.

[rooivalk]

There's been many documented issues (mainly with very high self-discharge rates) with Energizer 2500MAH AA's. I think Energizer will replace them if contacted.

This could be the issue?