Batteries for handheld

[Hoofy]

I need suggestions for a type of long lasting 1.2v battery for a handheld scanner.

What's a good brand of NMH or NiCad battery and which type holds up longer???

Do different types of batteries need different types of chargers ????


Is a 2700mah enough better than a 2500mah to spend the extra money on or will a lesser one work just as well??

I've seen lots of different batteries advertised but I'm in the dark as to which way to go.


My experience has been with older battery packs so all comments will be appreciated.

Hoofy

 

[Al42]

I need suggestions for a type of long lasting 1.2v battery for a handheld scanner.

What's a good brand of NMH or NiCad battery and which type holds up longer???

Any of the major brands is good. NiMH usually come in higher capacities than NiCd in AA cells.

Do different types of batteries need different types of chargers ????

DFINITELY! Although some of the better chargers can handle either type.

Is a 2700mah enough better than a 2500mah to spend the extra money on or will a lesser one work just as well??

It depends on how much the extra 8% is worth to you.

 

[safetyobc]

I use Energizer 2500 mAh's in my BCD396T and charge them with an Energizer 15 minute charger.

I usually get a good 8 to 10 hours of constant scanning on a set of 3.

 

[Hoofy]

Thanks for the info.

Hoofy

 

[W4KRR]

I use Energizer 2500 mAh's in my BCD396T and charge them with an Energizer 15 minute charger.

I usually get a good 8 to 10 hours of constant scanning on a set of 3.

Hey Safety, can you provide a link to the charger that you're referring to? Can you charge just three batteries with it? Some of these types of chargers require that you charge batteries in pairs.

 

[Codeman]

Hey Safety, can you provide a link to the charger that you're referring to? Can you charge just three batteries with it? Some of these types of chargers require that you charge batteries in pairs.

Here's the link to the manual. It can handle AA or AAA, from 1-4 cells. It uses a fan to keep the cells from overheating, charges to about 95% capacity (ideal for battery life), and it uses both electronics and a temperature sensor to monitor progress.

Note: the manual says it's good for AA up to 2200mAh. I've been using it with Energizer 2500mAh cells with no problems.

It's usually sold with 4 2300mAh cells as Model CH15MNCP-4. I got mine from Lowe's for $30.

 

[safetyobc]

Here is what I have: http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do...15 Minute Battery Charger With 4 AA Batteries

I got mine at Target for around $30.00 It can charge 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 in any combination.

Hope this helps.

matt

 

[bwhite]

If you get the new hi-capacity batteries and charge them in your scanner (not recommended), realize that they are probably 2-3 times the capacity of what came with the scanner. Translation, if your 1000 mah original batteries took 10 hours to charge fully you can guess that the 2500's will need at least twice as long (an inexact number using the charger in the radio).

 

[Hoofy]

Thanks again for the info. I bought some 2500mha NiMh and a charger so we'll se how it goes.

 

[metalfab]

I have 8 Optex 2500 mAh batteries that go between my digital camera and now my sw portable. The charger I use can hold up to 8 batteries and charge them in 1 hour; Radio Shack model: 23-422.

 

[RISC777]

I paid more, but the additional $ is worth it to me.
http://shop.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=405

 

[pathalogical]

I am using Energizer 2500 Nimh in my 246. They're pretty good. I did a little experiment when I first got them. I noted the total charge time and then used my stopwatch to start/stop the time whenever I turned to scanner on/off. It seemed that for every 1 hour of charge time, I'd get about 45min of radio useage. So for a 12 hour charge, that would be a 9 hour run time until "batt low" started beeping. Charging time would vary between 10-14 hours, usually charged overnight in the scanner. I don't have a separate charger. I usually charge about every other day to avoid the beeping.

 

[TooLate]

Battery/Chargers

Just for sake of understanding...WHY do NiCad and NiMH batts require different chargers?

Further, will mixing the two types in the device (radio/scanner) cause problems, what problems, & what happens?

The reason for asking is I just acquired an old HH CB for "highway use" and the previous operator had 1500 mAh 1800 mAh and 2500mAh NiMH rechargeables in it. Have been recharging them on an old Eveready Model FCC2 charger (capac of 4 AA). Other info on charger is: Input 120v, 60Hz, 30mA; Output: 1.45 VDC, 30mA; 1.45 VDC 110mA. When I remove the unit and batts after all night charging...the batts feel barely warm and the charger barely warmer than that. There is nothing on the charger package or unit that states NiCad only (it IS an older unit) while on the new NiMH I got a minute ago says NiMH only. What's the history/evolution with the physics of these 2 compounds?

So, what's the real deal scoop?

tl

 

[Codeman]

Just for sake of understanding...WHY do NiCad and NiMH batts require different chargers?

Further, will mixing the two types in the device (radio/scanner) cause problems, what problems, & what happens?

The reason for asking is I just acquired an old HH CB for "highway use" and the previous operator had 1500 mAh 1800 mAh and 2500mAh NiMH rechargeables in it. Have been recharging them on an old Eveready Model FCC2 charger (capac of 4 AA). Other info on charger is: Input 120v, 60Hz, 30mA; Output: 1.45 VDC, 30mA; 1.45 VDC 110mA. When I remove the unit and batts after all night charging...the batts feel barely warm and the charger barely warmer than that. There is nothing on the charger package or unit that states NiCad only (it IS an older unit) while on the new NiMH I got a minute ago says NiMH only. What's the history/evolution with the physics of these 2 compounds?

So, what's the real deal scoop?

tl

Because of the different chemistries involved, optimal charging of NiCd and NiMH require different charging schemes. In general, though it's usually safe to charge NiCd cells in a NiMH charger. But not the other way around.

NiCD cells can absorb energy at a higher and more efficient rate than NiMH. So, if NiMH cells are charged in a NiCD charger, they will almost certainly overheat, possibly to the point of venting (think outgasing, rupture, fire, etc), as a worst case. At the least, it would lead to premature loss of capacity.

They also have different discharge characteristics, so mixing them is never a good idea. One bad thing that can happen is something called reversed-polarity. The positive buton ends up being negative on one or more cells because they discharged fully yet other cells continued to provide power. When this happens, the cell is damaged beyond use. Reverse polarity can happen even when same type cells are used together, which is why cells of different capacity (whether through designed capacity or effective capacity due to unequal use) should never be mixed.

For complete details, take a look at BatteryUniversity.

For the differences between the two in regards to charging, see Charging nickel-based batteries.

Two of BU's pages are summaries that I find quite handy: Do and don't battery table & How to charge - when to charge table.

 

[KB4REA]

Walmart

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4291460

This charger, though not as fast as others mentioned, for this price seems great.
It is out-of-stock online but you may find it at your local Walmart like I have.

I didn't buy it then...but after a little research this morning I realize that $18 is a very good price for a charger with 4 - 2500mAh batteries included. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I found what seems to be a discrepancy though on the energizer website. It says for the compact charger that it will take about 8 hours to charge 2500mAh batteries. But in the FAQ page it says approx. 12 hours for the same type battery. Either way I guess you can call it an overnight charger.

Suits my needs, I think. Any opinions??

 

[Codeman]

Correction

Here's the link to the manual. It can handle AA or AAA, from 1-4 cells. It uses a fan to keep the cells from overheating, charges to about 95% capacity (ideal for battery life), and it uses both electronics and a temperature sensor to monitor progress.

Note: the manual says it's good for AA up to 2200mAh. I've been using it with Energizer 2500mAh cells with no problems.

It's usually sold with 4 2300mAh cells as Model CH15MNCP-4. I got mine from Lowe's for $30.

I've noticed that the 2500mAh cells get slightly warmer than 2200mAH cells. And the fan runs longer, as a result. So, I talked to a test engineer I know who is very familiar with NiMh cells and charging. The higher capacity cells (2500mAh and up) use a slightly different construction (I don't remember the details), which isn't as tolerant of the 15 minute charge rate. So, I'm probably going to see reduced life for my 2500's. Even so, the 2500mAh cells remain below 115°F, which is well below the safety threshold. I'll take the extra capacity and convenience of the quick charge, even if I do lose some cycles on the cells.

 

[scannersnstuff]

i have to say the same thing.very happy with the energizer 2500 mah nimh's.i have 20 of them.i use them with the rs pulse charger.they take a bit longer to charge than the 15 minute charger.i still think it's better to slow charge a battery for optimum life span.

 

[John_M]

http://www.batteryuniversity.com

This site has alot of battery information.

 

[photone]

I've got 20 Duracell 2500s that I use for both my 396t and my digital camera, as well as the three batteries that came with the scanner.

I took my scanner to work today and timed the Duracells ...I got just about 9 hours on the button before the low battery indicator appeared, not too shabby at all, IMO. I checked the voltage indicator just before I left for work, and it was showing 3.85...slightly lower that the stock batteries after a complete charge. The Duracells had been sitting for about a week and a half without being used...don't know if this is a factor or not.

I also rotate the batteries so each set gets equal usage/charge time.

As for storage, I have an old check box that I keep 9-12 of them in, with a foam insert in the box to prevent terminal to terminal contact.. I usually keep 4 of them in the camera, with 7 spares (4 for the camera, three for the scanner ) in my camera bag. If I'm on an overnight road trip, I'll adjust the number of spares I bring with me accordingly/
.

I don't charge the Duracells in the scanner...I have both a RS 23-428 universal charger and a smaller Duracell 1 hour charger, giving me the capability to charge 12 batteries at a time if necessary.

I'll run the scanner using the charger/AC adapter with the stock batteries in it...I've had no problem charging them in the scanner, and I don't want to run it on the AC adapter with no batteries in it, and risk forgetfully popping the charger out while it's still on and realizing, in that idiosecond, that I've likely just cooked the memory. I don't want to risk charging the Duracells in the scanner, however, due to their higher capacity. If I'm 'On the Road', I'll bring the RS charger and use my spares.

Hope this rambling tale made sense!

Rob

 

[xpawel15x]

I just bought Energizer rechargeables as mentioned before. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4291460

Is it better to charge them with the charger they came with or charge them in the scanner?

If you charge them with the charger they came with...how do you know when they're charged?