396T battery ?

[kjfswkr]

Hi all,
I got my 386T in the mail yesterday and charged it. The manual says that the display will say charging complete when it is complete. Mine was charging all day and night and the display just said normal charging. Am I missing something here?

Kevin

 

[MarkWestin]

Hello,

I have never charged the batteries in any of my scanners. I use an external charger (Maha MH-C401S). I have heard the same comment as yours from others, and the answer is that on the first few (2 or 3) charges the "Charge Complete" will not show up. After the first few charges, the "Charge Complete" will show up.

Mark

 

[captaincraig44]

I would advise charging external to the radio. My 396T just arrived back "home" to be repaired after a battery exploded inside it. From here out, if any electronic device doesn't have a smart charging circuit (ie time-based like the 396) I will charge batteries outside of the unit. Get some quality high capacity NiMH batteries and a good charger and go with it.

 

[PhilipPeake]

The charger is controled by a timer - so the state of charge of the battery does not correspond to what is displayed. I have seen the claims that "it works after the first few cycles" but that cannot be correct.

The timer is for 14 hours, so you need to leave it charging for 14 hours to see the "charge complete" message. 14 hours is more than plugging it in when you go to bed, and hoping to see it charged when you get up (unless you are a REALLY heavy sleeper).

Another problem is that the original firmware could be triggered into resetting the timer by very short duration interruptions of the power supply - later versions require the supply to be absent for somewhat longer before resetting the timer.

The biggest problem is that if you put fully charged cells into the scanner and plug in the power supply (maybe to run it on your desk, wanting to leave the battery for when you go out later), it will begin charging for 14 hours ...

The charging current is enough to make the batteries (and scanner) quite warm -- not doing the cells much good in the process.

The best suggestion I have seen is to use an external charger (the MAHA charger seems quite popular, and can be had for ~$40 complete with a spare set of (4) cells), and to leave the internal switch in the "alkaline" position - which will prevent the batteries from charging when you plug in the power supply. Your cells will last much longer this way, and will be fully charged when you pick them out of the charger.

I think my only reservation about this is that the constant opening/closing of the battery compartment may cause wear on the body and battery cover such that it will not lock in place correctly after a while.

NOTE to Uniden: next rev., think about a more positive locking mechanism for the battery cover so that it will take constant opening/closing -- and/or think about building a real battery charger into the unit.

 

[kjfswkr]

thanks for some good suggestions.

73'

Kevin

 

[epbernstein]

I'm wondering if the following is an acceptable level of risk: Use the external charger when at home, and let the batteries charge internally when I'm travelling (which relatively speaking isn't that often when I'd have the scanner). Thoughts, anyone?

 

[PhilipPeake]

That is pretty much what I intend to do.

The problem is that you either have to use the scanner until the batteries run out, which by sod's law will be when you want the unit most -- then wait until you can plug in the charger and allow 14 hours to recharge, or you plug in the charger and try to guess when the batteries are charged, so as not to over charge them.

I put mine on charge in the hotel last night, and this morning it was warmer than I am comfortable with.

Honestly, I don't think there is a good answer. The real answer would have been for Uniden to find the space and extra $2 to include a proper charging circuit -- too late for that now though.

 

[epbernstein]

That is pretty much what I intend to do.

The problem is that you either have to use the scanner until the batteries run out, which by sod's law will be when you want the unit most -- then wait until you can plug in the charger and allow 14 hours to recharge, or you plug in the charger and try to guess when the batteries are charged, so as not to over charge them.

I put mine on charge in the hotel last night, and this morning it was warmer than I am comfortable with.

Honestly, I don't think there is a good answer. The real answer would have been for Uniden to find the space and extra $2 to include a proper charging circuit -- too late for that now though.

I think the answer is to carry a spare set of batteries. Then when set 1 conks out, you can change in set 2 for the time being, and charge set 1 that night or day or whenever. You could even carry a set of alkalines to carry you over until you got external ac or dc power.

The real message I'm getting here is not to charge the batteries in the scanner unless they are truly depleted. I can follow that rule on the road...

 

[Al42]

I'm wondering if the following is an acceptable level of risk: Use the external charger when at home, and let the batteries charge internally when I'm travelling (which relatively speaking isn't that often when I'd have the scanner). Thoughts, anyone?

If you run them down completely before charging them in the scanner, and allow them the full 14 hours to charge, the only risk is a bad cell overheating and damaging the scanner, or the scanner circuitry going bad and overheating the battery, damaging the scanner.

Whether you're willing to risk a $500 scanner to save $20 on a charger is something only you can answer. I'm not. I travel with my charger.

 

[epbernstein]

Whether you're willing to risk a $500 scanner to save $20 on a charger is something only you can answer. I'm not. I travel with my charger.

That's a fair point. The fact that I haven't had it happen in 25+ years of scanning probably means I'm due...

 

[BadRambo]

Battery Scenario

Too bad they did not go for a lithium battery system. The production cost of lithiums is so low now, they could have put one in, along with the same charging technology they use in very large volumes in cell phones. Cheap now.

There are many good charging systems out there. MAHA is but one, for a good rapid-charger. I am going to do that too -- I caught on to the behavior of the 396T on my first charging session -- the cells will easily overcharge and overheat, shortening their life.

Gonna shop today for a reasonable rapid charger for NiMH AA cells. Will post if I find a good, common source.

Regards --- Bob

 

[PhilipPeake]

Yeah... <sigh> ... I think you are probably right.
One more piece of junk to add to the collection I carry around with me.

[Laptop, laptop charger, cell-phone, cell-phone charger, razor, ethernet cable, palm, palm cradle + PSU,
etc, etc ...]

BTW: I did do a quick look around for alternative chargers. I ended up with the MAHA charger mainly because of price and the fact that it charges each cell individually. It seems to be popular for good reason -- it also came with 8 free 2300 mAH cells, case for the cells, and a carrying bag. Scheduled for delivery on Tuesday ... of course, I am back on the road on Monday morning.

 

[rhutch]

Too bad they did not go for a lithium battery system. The production cost of lithiums is so low now, they could have put one in, along with the same charging technology they use in very large volumes in cell phones. Cheap now.


Regards --- Bob

Lithiums may be cheap to produce but have you tried to buy any lately, the one for my Yaesu is about $100? I'd rather pay $10 for 4x2500 mAH AA's. And if it runs out I can always find 3 AA's around somewhere.

 

[etc]

Can you use Energizer Lithium AA cells in 396T?

Their initial voltage is about 1.75-1.8V, is this safe?

They are generally good for high drain devices like cameras, and so on.

 

[Khdmtcbvsymw]

I wouldn't.

Can you use Energizer Lithium AA cells in 396T?

Their initial voltage is about 1.75-1.8V, is this safe?

They are generally good for high drain devices like cameras, and so on.

Alkalines: 1.5v X 3 = 4.5v
Your Lithiums: 1.8v X 3 = 5.4v
Ouch!

 

[slicerwizard]

I'm wondering if the following is an acceptable level of risk: Use the external charger when at home, and let the batteries charge internally when I'm travelling (which relatively speaking isn't that often when I'd have the scanner). Thoughts, anyone?

Go for it. You can use the onscreen battery voltage display to determine charge state and that will tell you how long to charge it and/or when to stop charging.

 

[N8IAA]

Can you use Energizer Lithium AA cells in 396T?Their initial voltage is about 1.75-1.8V, is this safe?They are generally good for high drain devices like cameras, and so on.

Yes. I have used them in many scanners and ham ht's. Remember, those voltages are preload. When you turn on the radio and it is running, especially if running the backlight, different story.
Larry

 

[rjviola12]

Yes. I have used them in many scanners and ham ht's. Remember, those voltages are preload. When you turn on the radio and it is running, especially if running the backlight, different story.
Larry

'got a quick question! How do you charge those batteries?

Rich

 

[N8IAA]

'got a quick question! How do you charge those batteries?Rich

I am presuming that you are talking about the 4 or 8 that are bought at your local store that you purchase batteries. If you are, you don't. Unless you buy Li-ion that are rechargeable. Not even sure where one would get those and a charger.
Larry

 

[torontokris]

I for one dont want a lithium pack or any other pack. That will send us back into the 245xlt 250D & 296D days of having to charge packs all the time in the scanner.

Then when they reach the end of life having to hunt down expensive replacement packs.

Rechargable AA's are great and inexpensive high capacity and can be found almost anywhere