Batteries leaked and scanner is in trouble.

[Zik43]

Well.


I bought my pro-164 about 2 weeks ago. Purchased 4AA duracell batteries (non rechargable). I put them in the BLACK pack (the one your supposed to), and into the machine. Yesterday morning I noticed the scanner was wet with a clear discharge coming from the battery compartment. It was obvious the batteries leaked.
I took the batteries out and noticed there was some damage done to wording in the compartment, along with liquid all over the place. I cleaned everything up and went out and bought rechargables and put them into the YELLOW (the one your supposed to) pack and tried the scanner again.

The scanner seems to overheat and nothing happens. It scans, but gets very hot and I don't pick up anything at all anymore.

I took it back to radio shack hoping to exchange it. The same sales guy who has been extremely rude to me since I bought the thing, (see my other post) tells me it was MY fault for putting normal batteries into the rechargable pack. I did NOT do that.

So I got a useless scanner, Radio Shack telling me it is my fault. Any suggestions?

 

[mike_s104]

Well.


I bought my pro-164 about 2 weeks ago. Purchased 4AA duracell batteries (non rechargable). I put them in the BLACK pack (the one your supposed to), and into the machine. Yesterday morning I noticed the scanner was wet with a clear discharge coming from the battery compartment. It was obvious the batteries leaked.
I took the batteries out and noticed there was some damage done to wording in the compartment, along with liquid all over the place. I cleaned everything up and went out and bought rechargables and put them into the YELLOW (the one your supposed to) pack and tried the scanner again.

The scanner seems to overheat and nothing happens. It scans, but gets very hot and I don't pick up anything at all anymore.

I took it back to radio shack hoping to exchange it. The same sales guy who has been extremely rude to me since I bought the thing, (see my other post) tells me it was MY fault for putting normal batteries into the rechargable pack. I did NOT do that.

So I got a useless scanner, Radio Shack telling me it is my fault. Any suggestions?

Not sure about that scanner, but on the Uniden 396T, there is a switch for normal or rechargeable. You might want to try taking it up with Duracell for bad batteries. Also try another RatShack.

 

[Navycop]

That happened about a year ago with my pro-93 and Regular batteries in the Regular (black holder). I was listing at work and when I grabbed it liquid was leaking...

 

[Zik43]

What bothers me, is how they accused me of causing this. You can clearly look at the batteries and see they leaked. And clearly see the damage to the BLACK battery pack.

I am going back up Radio Shack right now and show that guy my proof. Not because I want or expect them to do anything, but because of the way I was treated. Will post results.

 

[Rekd]

If they leaked in the black holder, there is residue in it, not the yellow one. Take the scanner, batteries and both holders and ask for the store manager and take it up with him.

I don't leave batteries in my scanner at all unless I'm using it away from a 110v power source, and I especially don't have batteries in it when I'm plugged in to the wall, no matter WHAT holder I have in it. I also take the batteries out to recharge them.

 

[eddie412]

Yea show them the proof and see what they can do.

 

[N_Jay]

Call Duracell.

They have a warranty on their batteries.

Its not the scanner, its the batteries.

http://duracell.com/company/contact.asp?id=58&

 

[Zik43]

If they leaked in the black holder, there is residue in it, not the yellow one. Take the scanner, batteries and both holders and ask for the store manager and take it up with him.

I don't leave batteries in my scanner at all unless I'm using it away from a 110v power source, and I especially don't have batteries in it when I'm plugged in to the wall, no matter WHAT holder I have in it. I also take the batteries out to recharge them.

Ok. I provided proof to RS that I did not put the wrong batteries into the wrong pack. I did it mainly because of their attitude at blaming me. I got a little personal satisfaction.

But they now blame me for another reason you indicated here. They say it happened because I was operating the scanner while it was plugged into the wall, with the batteries in it.

And to be honest, I did do that. But you tell me where in the manual it says not to do that. I thought by using the wall power, I was conserving the batteries. How in the world was I supposed to know it would cause damage?

Wouldn't the average person also think he was saving battery power? This is crazy. Because if I did cause this by simply operating the scanner while it was plugegd in, then Duracell isn't responsible either. Now what do I do?

 

[davidmc36]

Ok. I provided proof to RS that I did not put the wrong batteries into the wrong pack. I did it mainly because of their attitude at blaming me. I got a little personal satisfaction.

But they now blame me for another reason you indicated here. They it happened because I was operating the scanner while it was plugged into the wall, with the batteries in it.

And to be honest, I did do that. But you tell me where in the manual it says not to do that. I thought by using the wall power, I was conserving the batteries. How in the world was I supposed to know it would cause damage?

Wouldn't the average person also think he was saving battery power? This is crazy. Because if I did cause this by simply operating the scanner while it was plugegd in, then Duracell isn't responsible either. Now what do I do?

It sure does not say anywhere in the manual that you can't plug it in with the batteries in it. That is what the two holders are supposed to do, right, automatically charge or not chare the batteries so long as you put the right type in each holder.

Anyway it totally sucks but I bet you will have a tough row to hoe getting anything out of anybody.

If you are OK with taking the scanner apart it may be worth trying to clean the liquid with some 99% isopropal alcohol ( available at the pharmacy) and/or some contact cleaner. Use and acid brush very gently without letting any of the metal handle contact the PCB's or anything. Cut the bristles down with scissors about half way and make a little scrub brush with it. Be very careful and maybe you can salvage it.

Maybe somebody else has and idea of a solvent that would be good to use I just know neither the alcohol or contact cleaner will damage anything.

 

[N_Jay]

If that is true, then it is bad design.

If they already give you two different holders, for rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable, then the non-rechargeable holder should prevent the DC supply from applying voltage to the batteries.

Is it true?

 

[pro92b]

If you used the black battery holder, the battery is disconnected when you plug in the AC adapter. Unless there is a short circuit in the radio that prevents the battery from being disconnected it is a defective cell that caused the problem. Duracell is most likely responsible for the scanner damage and I wouldn't expect Radio Shack to replace the radio when the battery manufacturer is at fault.

 

[hoser147]

Try to contact Duracell as Njay suggested. See what they tell you. If there was a problem with the Black BP it would be on RS. If you still want to pursue the RS problem with the salesperson and to state your case, get the district managers Phone number and deal with them. Your not the only person that has had battery leakage and tried to deal with it, and that is why you are getting no where. I usually make it a habit to remove any batteries from the scanner while plugged into the wall, but Ive forgot to before and was just lucky. There have been many threads about not leaving batteries in the scanner, and Ive seen some pretty nasty outcomes. Good Luck

 

[Zik43]

If you used the black battery holder, the battery is disconnected when you plug in the AC adapter. Unless there is a short circuit in the radio that prevents the battery from being disconnected it is a defective cell that caused the problem. Duracell is most likely responsible for the scanner damage and I wouldn't expect Radio Shack to replace the radio when the battery manufacturer is at fault.

Thanks for the information. I am glad that at least I didn't cause this.

I went back to RS this morning because this is where I bought the unit. I was under the false impression that maybe they could exchange it or at least try and help me figure out what happened. I knew I did nothing wrong and wanted help. I got them basically throwing their hands in the air and blaming me for putting the batteries in wrong. Then when I proved that to be untrue, they blamed me for using it while plugged in. They said the unit will automatically try and recharge and if their are regular batteries in it, it will explode the batteries.

I left there once again wondering if I caused this, but knowing if I did, they should of told me this or put it in the manual.

Thank you for your information. At least I know I did nothing wrong. And thanks to RS once again for showing me why I haven't bought anything there in years, and why I never will again.

Please don't miss my point. I am not blaming them for what happened. I am blaming them for their horrible customer relations they have showed me throughout this whole scanner buying experience.

 

[Zaratsu]

Here is some advice on how to get things moving along here.

Contact RS corporate.


Explain to them how the local store is treating you. Give them names. Have your reciept and everything pertinent ready.

Do not go into too much detail unless they ask. You need to present this issue to them in this order of importance.

1. they sold you a faulty product. (don't get techy about the black vs the yellow batt carrier, you did not wrong. scanners should not blow up)

2. they have denied you service / have not lived up to their end of sale

3. their employees wrongly accused you of wrongdoing and had no idea of what you did. Made huge assumptions

4. If the three above reasons fail to get things moving along and you a replacement, explain that they have sold you a fire hazard.


The local store is just a bunch of schmucks trying to strongarm you. Sounds like a bunch of guys that used to sell used cars trying to make it through the winter selling phones instead. They don't want to deal with it, and you would be suprised to see how many people fall for this type of tactic. YOU ARE NOT IN THE WRONG.


link to RS corporate contact lines

http://www.radioshackcorporation.com/contacts/index.html

If you get a drone, ask to speak to supervisor. Be patient but insistent that you did no wrong, you were sold a faulty product, and that you only seek replacement. You colour their motivation to make-right with your in-store experience with the schlubs.

 

[unitcharlie]

What bothers me, is how they accused me of causing this. You can clearly look at the batteries and see they leaked. And clearly see the damage to the BLACK battery pack.

I am going back up Radio Shack right now and show that guy my proof. Not because I want or expect them to do anything, but because of the way I was treated. Will post results.

Don't waste your time with the Store Manager, if he allows his employees to get away with that garbage he obviously doesn't care himself.... call the District Manager and explain the situation in detail.... And, do contact Duracell, here is the Duracell Battery Guarantee (from the Duracell website):

If you're not completely satisfied with a DURACELL Product,
All DURACELL Batteries are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship. Should any device be damaged by these batteries due to such defect, Duracell will repair or replace it (at Duracell's option) if it is sent with the batteries, postage prepaid to:

Duracell
Berkshire Corporate Park
Bethel, CT, 06801 U.S.A.
Att: Consumer Dept.

As a former loyal Rat Shack patron, I am so thankful for Scannermaster and so glad GRE now sells their scanners.... That "I'm right and you're wrong" attitude toward customers and scanners is what drove me away from Rat Shack...

 

[mancow]

Dan is right. Raise hell up the chain at RS.

I had a 96 return from repair with the antenna missing, the back literally caved in and the same problem in went in with. After sending it in 3 more times and getting a run around I had to call the area manager.

They quickly gave me a new one.

You shouldn't have to put up with that B.S.

 

[Zik43]

Thank you guys so much for your understanding and great advice and links you provide. It means allot and I will keep on this and post my results later.

On another note, I did just call another Radio Shack 40 miles away and spoke to the store manager. She was extremely nice and understanding and knows something about customer relations. However she did in fact tell me basically the same thing. She said you can not plug the scanner into the wall while the batteries are in the unit. She told me she is looking through the manual and although there is nothing in there, that this is what caused it . She said she seen this problem before and my best bet would be to contact Duracell. But to do it without mentioning black pack/yellow pack etc. To simply blame the batteries. She said in the past Duracell has replaced a scanner that this happened to.

Someone above mentioned the fact that if you plug the scanner in, the AC takes over and the batteries are no longer in use. She said that is not true, and it will attempt to recharge the batteries and will explode the batteries.

If this is true, it needs to be in the manual. Common sense is not dropping it in water. Not dropping it etc. Simply plugging it in while the batteries are in, seems to me should not cause me to lose a scanner.

Ok guys. Thanks again for all the excellent advice.

 

[mancow]

WHY DO YOU KEEP LISTENING TO THESE PEOPLE?

She is as full of S*** as the other guys. My PSR500 goes on the charger every night while on and I grab it and go in the morning. I have operated it this way since I got it.

If it's not in the manual then what grounds do they have to tell you anything? They could tell you that you can only charge it on Tuesdays "but that's not in the manual" and now it's your fault. It doesn't make it true.

Quick being a pushover, go in, prove that it is only 2 weeks old, show them the crappy battery holder and raise hell until you get another one.

Or, just live with it.

Sorry, but these RS people really piss me off. No only do they never want to stand up and support their products they will often try to sell returned merchandise as new. I say piss on them and do what you have to do until you get treated right.

 

[Rekd]

That's BS. You're getting a (nicer) version of the treatment you got at the original store.

It doesn't say not to plug it in with batteries in it. In fact, it says you can charge batteries right in the unit.

The ONLY thing I saw stated that you need to plug into the scanner before plugging into the wall. (I'm assuming it's static related but not sure)

Call corp.

 

[pro92b]

She said in the past Duracell has replaced a scanner that this happened to.

Someone above mentioned the fact that if you plug the scanner in, the AC takes over and the batteries are no longer in use. She said that is not true, and it will attempt to recharge the batteries and will explode the batteries.

If this is true, it needs to be in the manual.

It isn't true - she does not understand why there are two battery holders. If you had used the yellow battery holder instead of the black one then the AC adapter would have charged the batteries and caused problems. The black battery holder does not have the metal contact needed to complete the charging circuit.

Although Radio Shack may not have treated you well and their store clerks don't understand how the scanner charging system works, there isn't any evidence they sold you a defective product. In a perfect world Duracell would replace your scanner. Radio Shack might replace it if you yell loud enough but really they had no control over the battery quality (I assume you bought the batteries elsewhere).