benlichtenfeld
Member
The battery on my 325 drains very fast. Is there any way to reduce battery drainage?
BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Battery Life
- Thread starter benlichtenfeld
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I'm not entirely sure about this scanner, but most of Uniden's scanners require a setting change to allow charging while turned on; otherwise, you can either scan/receive or charge while off when connected to the USB power supply.
The only things you can do are use as low a volume setting as possible, and either turn off the display backlight, or use as low a brightness level as possible. That's a common complaint on the 325P2, short battery life, on an otherwise very user friendly scanner. A number of users state that they carry at least one, if not two, extra sets of batteries. You can get one of the small battery 'holders', that will hold two sets of AA's in an enclosed unit, protected from rain or accidental shorting out. Connect it to external power whenever possible. A PC or USB power source when at home with power available, a power adapter plugged into your vehicles lighter plug, or one of the power bricks like used for powering/charging a cell phone or some tablets. I have a couple of these, and have given them as gifts to some friends. High storage capacity, 36000mah, selected charging cable pigtails (USB C, micro USB, as well as I-phone), flashlight, solar charging panel, and wireless charging for 'Magsafe' phones). "A" Fakespot rating.
bigcam406
Member
I usually get 6-7 hours out of these batteries with my 325p2. Great bang for the buck.
There are probably a few recommendations. I have been using it for close to 8 years without any issues. Many of them are basically the same as far as specs and features at different price points
I open to suggestions.. to improve the care of the AA rechargeables...
- Powerex MH-C9000PRO Pro Charger-Analyzer w/4 Pro 2.0 AA Batteries
- SkyRC MC3000 Multi-Chemistry Charger
- ...
- ...
palmerjrusa
Member
I'm constantly using rechargeable batteries.
The Maha MH -C9000PRO is best overall charger for AA/AAA NiMH cells, very configurable. Own one and its previous iteration.
Bought a SkyRC MC5000 charger a month or so back.
If you want a charger that has the ability to handle every chemistry out there then the MC5000 is the way to go. Handles everything and can be controlled via the SkyRC app.
palmerjrusa
Member
Also a great charger, have one, plus others cause chargers/rechargeable batteries fascinate me.
I stopped using my Lacrosse charger for precisely that, overheating issues, for some reason that charger seems to heat batteries to a greater extent than other chargers at the same charging rate.
I got out of rechargeable batteries. I use a usb brick that runs the scanner almost 24 hours straight. I do leave the rechargeable ones in the scanner as it gets charged by the usb battery. When I have to switch out the usb battery, can keep the scanner going with the internal batteries.
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At Amazon $45
Anker Power Bank, 20,000mAh Travel Essential Portable Charger with Built-in USB-C Cable, 3-Port 87W Max Fast Charging Battery Pack, for MacBook, iPhone 16/15 Series, Samsung, Switch, and More
Here is the cable you will need if you get a usb battery.
palmerjrusa
Member
I would definitely say yes, that or the Opus.
Avoid like the plague cheap chargers with obscure brand names, the same applies to batteries and power banks = the stated capacity is often vastly inflated. I know this 'cause I've tested them.
I use power banks as well, there's only two brands I trust, Anker and Iniu. Power banks are what they do and are accurately rated. I've learned this through bitter experience when I first started using power banks, most cheap banks that seemed too good to be true were just that either were nowhere near the stated capacity or failed quickly.
E.g. A bank that was rated 50,000 mAh was actually around 17,000 mAh.
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palmerjrusa
Member
Just never allow a power bank to completely deplete without any batteries installed, did that once and the scanner wouldn't boot up because it didn't power off correctly.
Nice setup... so Anker powerbank + USB cables to Scanner
Figuring out which .... rechargeable battery care...
Figuring out which .... rechargeable battery care...
- Powerex MH-C9000PRO Pro Charger-Analyzer w/4 Pro 2.0 AA Batteries
- Opus BT - 3100
- ???
- ???
palmerjrusa
Member
I splurged recently on this Anker charger:
It's great, can handle 240 Watts because it has GaN semiconductors and can be controlled via an app.
Usually it's $170 but currently on sale for $100
Amazon.com: Anker Prime Charger, 250W GaN Prime USB C Charging Station, Ultra-Fast 6-Port, 2.26" LCD Display and Smart Control Dial, Compatible with MacBook Pro/Air, iPhone 16/15/14, Galaxy, and More (Silver) : Cell Phones & Accessories
Buy Anker Prime Charger, 250W GaN Prime USB C Charging Station, Ultra-Fast 6-Port, 2.26" LCD Display and Smart Control Dial, Compatible with MacBook Pro/Air, iPhone 16/15/14, Galaxy, and More (Silver): Charging Stations - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
It's great, can handle 240 Watts because it has GaN semiconductors and can be controlled via an app.
Usually it's $170 but currently on sale for $100
Go for Anker or EBL. *nod* EBL may be Chinese (so is Anker), but you get solid performance. (Just invested in 16-packs of EBL AAs & AAAs, all NiMH, plus a 12-slot USB charger for said batteries, also EBL. This, as my oldest NiMH batteries are getting fewer and fewer.... My oldest NiMHs? 2008 Rayovacs!)
palmerjrusa
Member
EBL AAs rated at 2800mAh are actually only around 2500 mAh.
EBL D cells supposedly rated at 10,000 mAh were only around 7,500 mAh on arrival, and quickly became around 5000-6000 mAh after a few cycles. I only bought them because the Amazon Basic Brand rechargeable D cells were out of stock
Later I purchased the Amazon D cells when they became available and Amazon actually underrates them, listed at 10,000 mAh they were actually around 11,000 and have retained their capacity after many cycles. Knew the Amazon D cells had a higher capacity immediately they arrived since they were significantly heavier than the EBL D batteries
The NiMH rechargeable brands I trust:
Eneloop, have AAs that are over 10 years old and still functioning well
Powerex, they sell the only accurately rated 2,700 mAh AAs out there.
Anyone else claiming 2700 mAh or over is lying.
Amazon Basic Brand NiMH batteries
Also note, the higher capacity NiMH batteries are intrinsically less tolerant of misuse than lower capacity cells and have a much reduced charge life cycle rating
One of the worst offenders out there for D NiMH cells = Energizer.
They took an AA cell and stuffed it in a D-cell case.
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