Battery Question

[cbro298]

Something is going on with my rechargable batteries. On two separate times i have had my 500 in my car and have had to stop and be away from my car.One time for about 20 minutes and the second time for 2 hrs.I put the 500 in my glove compartment both times.Both times when i came back to the car and open the compartment the batteries had died or lost a great deal of power.Any clues?

 

[RoninJoliet]

I have had this same problem on my GRE500, some of my Duracell 2650 NiMHD batteries die in about two hours and some hold up for 8-10 hours, seems this scanner with a vast menu needs good power...I set the batt-setting on Alkaline in the Glob-Menu and that seems to work better keeping even some rechargables last longer....

 

[cbro298]

These batteries are for the most part in the 75% to 80% charged when the 500 is put into the compartment.When the 500 is running normal outside the compartment the batteries will run for hours.There seems to be an issue when it is confined to the glove compartment.

 

[enine]

Give details, brand, mAh, etc. For example you could be using the Energizer 2500mAh which are known bad.

 

[bjwyatt1999]

Give details, brand, mAh, etc. For example you could be using the Energizer 2500mAh which are known bad.

I missed that memo; what's bad about the Energizers?

 

[RoninJoliet]

Today bought some Powerex 2700mah NiMHD from Battery Plus, the guy there said most "Energizers-Duracell NiMHD last only about a year under high usage, exceptions are possible...I will see how good these Powerex 2700's work out and hold a good long charge....

 

[Mike_G_D]

batteries versus glove compartment

cbro298,

The only thing I can think of, given that you say the batteries last fine normally but wither quickly after a stay in your car's glove compartment, is that maybe it's a heat issue? You didn't say what the outside temperature was in both these cases but if it was fairly warm then it is almost certain that the interior of the car will be even warmer (than the outside ambient temperature) even after a relatively short time. In the glove compartment, given its small dimensions and confinement this may be exacerbated. Batteries of this type typically don't like heat and being overheated may increase their self-discharge rate. Next time you could try taking out the battery pack before putting the scanner in the glove compartment and try and find a cooler place to put the batteries. Don't put them in your pocket!! That is both too warm and potentially dangerous as they may short and leak if you have other metal items in your pocket!

-Mike