SDS100/SDS200: Approximately How Long Will the Uniden SDS100 Work Starting With A Fully Charged Battery?

[JASII]

I want to use my Uniden SDS100 in my vehicle tomorrow to try and catch activity on one analog frequency while I am at work. I suspect that there are no more than a few transmissions per hour. I have the display set to turn off with no activity. I will have the REC feature on. Assuming that the battery is in reasonably good condition, approximately how long will the SDS100 work before it runs out of power?

And, yes, I know that there are lots of variables, I am just looking for a rough guess. Will it go two hours, four hours, six hours?

 

[natedawg1604]

With the "extra large" battery 6-8 hours. If you have the display turned off and keep it parked on 1 channel, it may last a few hours longer.

The SDS 100 sucks battery capacity just by being powered on, even when you're not scanning anything.

 

[hiegtx]

I want to use my Uniden SDS100 in my vehicle tomorrow to try and catch activity on one analog frequency while I am at work. I suspect that there are no more than a few transmissions per hour. I have the display set to turn off with no activity. I will have the REC feature on. Assuming that the battery is in reasonably good condition, approximately how long will the SDS100 work before it runs out of power?

And, yes, I know that there are lots of variables, I am just looking for a rough guess. Will it go two hours, four hours, six hours?

Using the 'large' battery?

Mine usually runs between 5 & six hours, but that's with a lot of activity, and with liberal use of the backlight on the display.

In your case, with only a few, not overly active, channels programmed, and with the display mostly off, you probably should get a longer run time.

 

[tvengr]

I want to use my Uniden SDS100 in my vehicle tomorrow to try and catch activity on one analog frequency while I am at work.

If your vehicle has a USB port with sufficient current output, you can run the scanner on external power.

 

[WD6ZJH]

Using your USB-C charge port is fantastic idea!

I’d go with at least a 2A power supply. Remember, with a 2A power supply, the battery will not charge, however, it will stay consistent. Using a 2A power supply (or cigarette lighter plug with a 2.1A USB port) also allows you to use your SDS100 24/7.

As for a fully charged battery, I’d agree with everyone here, maybe 6 or so total hours. 🙂

 

[Ubbe]

The backlight takes 50mA and the scanner 750mA while scanning and 850mA when listening to a call at max volume with the display on.
The small battery have a 3600mAH capacity and the big one 5400mAH.

3600/750=4 hours at the most and 5400/750=7 hours. Display on and constant audio at full blast equals 5400/850=6 hours if the battery are in a good condition. If the display are set to only turn on at activity and it's a 50/50 time between scan and activity you will gain 15 minutes extra compared to have it on constantly, and 30 minutes if you turn the display off permanently and only listen to the audio.

/Ubbe

 

[mc48]

Turn on the battery save mode.

Battery Options (SDS100 only)



Set Battery Save Turns off RF power for 1 second and turns it on 300 ms to extend the battery life in Channel Hold Mode for a Conventional System (without Priority Scan), and in any Search Hold mode when there is no transmission over 1 minute.

 

[gmclam]

It sounds like you're already taking several steps to minimize power consumption. Don't forget to turn the volume to zero if you're not listening. You should expect 5+ hours from a fully charged battery, but if in a vehicle, why not power externally?

 

[buddrousa]

Both of mine are 6 to 8 hours Volume 8 so I carry 2 spare batteries 1 for each scanner.

 

[jaspence]

I use a 5000 mAh power bank battery to extend running time on my portable scanners. Less expensive than a second factory battery and can be used to charge my phone.

 

[whooey]

I find the runtime satisfactory for my use. I highly recommend buying 2 extra batts for a total of 3 along with a external charger.

 

[Ubbe]

Set Battery Save Turns off RF power for 1 second and turns it on 300 ms to extend the battery life in Channel Hold Mode for a Conventional System

What I can see it draws 725mA while on conventional hold and goes to 675mA during the battery save time. That 50mA over a 70% time is an average of 35mA saved. That's an extra 20 minutes of battery life.

/Ubbe

 

[PCPA]

I want to use my Uniden SDS100 in my vehicle tomorrow to try and catch activity on one analog frequency while I am at work. I suspect that there are no more than a few transmissions per hour.

For monitoring one analog channel the SDS100 is like using a shotgun as a flyswatter. There are inexpensive VHF/UHF scanners readily available for that purpose.

 

[Randyk4661]

I used a portable cell phone charger pack in the non charging jack. Once the battery powered off the scanner automatically started using the scanners battery. I didn't time it but must have run for 12+ hours.