BC246T charging question

[ErickSaint]

Well I just recently got back into the radio world. Got my 246 the other day and it's nothing like I'm used to at all. Getting the hang of it slowly but surely, still many features I have not even touched on using yet, but at least I'm learning how to program with the ARC246 software.

Anyway, what are the charging properties of the radio? Most of the time I use it I'm at home. But do occasionally grab it on my way out the door. I usually have it always plugged in. Will the batteries overcharge at all? It seems like the batt. compartment is warm after it has been plugged in all night and not turned on. I just dont want to shorten the life of my batteries by leaving them in all the time when most of the use, for right now anyway, seems to be indoor.

E.

 

[AndrewC75]

The batteries will be charged for 14 hours whenever you plug it in. It's a timer circuit. If the batteries are partially charged and you leave the scanner plugged in for all 14 hours, they will overcharge, possibly damaging the batteries or radio.

Here's what I do: First, I set the battery switch to Alkaline to prevent internal charging. I have an external NiMH charger that I use to charge my batteries. I have 3 sets of AAs. One is always in the radio, one is in my pocket, and one is either in the charger or otherwise fully charged.

 

[oregontreehugger]

IMO it's not worth it to charge the batteries in the scanner. Too much of a risk.

Like AndrewC75, I also keep a set charged up and ready to go. Energizer makes some 2500mah NiMH batteries that work great. Lots of hours of happy scanning.

 

[ErickSaint]

Thats kinda what I thought. So if I move the switch back to alkaline it will disable the internal charger right? I guess worst case scenario now is that I will just have to use the internal charger when needed until I can get a charger and a few sets of batteries, shouldnt be more than a week or two, but as I said I am hardly using it on batteries right now unless it is to hook it up the the PC. Plug is hard to get at so I only have it in my normal listening spot for now.