BCD396 Batteries

[rangers38]

Looking for NIMH batteries for my 396 unit. Have been using Powerex 2700 mah batteries in the past, but they do not seem to last long. Sent some back to the manufacturer due to them failing. Looking for something else. Can anyone recommend another good battery?

 

[Highpockets]

Looking for NIMH batteries for my 396 unit. Have been using Powerex 2700 mah batteries in the past, but they do not seem to last long. Sent some back to the manufacturer due to them failing. Looking for something else. Can anyone recommend another good battery?

I've had good luck with these:

New Version Sanyo XX Eneloop 2500 mAh Low Discharge AA Batteries

 

[rangers38]

Highpockets,

Thanks, I did see them at the same link you sent. That's where I purchased the powerex batteries. I will try them out. Thanks again. John

 

[Highpockets]

Others say the Eneloop 2000 mAh low discharge are also very good, they get more charges then the ones I use.

 

[johna136]

Battery Choices

A newbie question, but wouldn't it be better to to put in something with a larger capacity, like 3500mAh Ni-MH?

 

[jwlehman]

It's strange to see this post...here's why. I just bought the BCD396XT on 12/2/12, and the batteries are no longer holding any kind of charge. I can charge all night long, and after unplugging the radio from the wall adapter/charger, the low battery indicator is flashing 15 minutes later.

I hate to whine about something as inexpensive as batteries after spending so much for the radio itself, but is this really what a customer deserves? Is it normal for the "factory" batteries to fail so soon? I know most "consumables" that are included with electronic products are not top-of-the-line, but I am disappointed. I double checked and the battery setting inside the battery compartment is set to the correct battery type.

I guess I'm just venting...I asked my wife to pickup some new batteries on the way home from work (3 AA 2300 MAH, NI-MH), and they cost her almost $19.25 for a 4-pack.

 

[johna136]

I just ordered a 4 pack of 3500mAh NI-Mh batteries on ebay for 4.95 delivered. And these coming from a company in NJ so there is not that long shipping time from China. (we are looking at 20 days shipping from Hong Kong for batteries and a charger for our Quad Copter build) I know the radio originally came with 2500 mAh batteries so I am hoping they will last a little longer between charges?

 

[W9NES]

Get Digital brand 2900Mah batteries. I use them in my Uniden 396XT in the field.I carry two fully charged battery carriers with 4 ( 2900Mah batteries) in my pocket. I get longer battery life on the 2900 Mah batteries vs the life on the batteries that come with the Uniden scanner from the factory.

 

[cdknapp]

It's strange to see this post...here's why. I just bought the BCD396XT on 12/2/12, and the batteries are no longer holding any kind of charge. I can charge all night long, and after unplugging the radio from the wall adapter/charger, the low battery indicator is flashing 15 minutes later.

I hate to whine about something as inexpensive as batteries after spending so much for the radio itself, but is this really what a customer deserves? Is it normal for the "factory" batteries to fail so soon? I know most "consumables" that are included with electronic products are not top-of-the-line, but I am disappointed. I double checked and the battery setting inside the battery compartment is set to the correct battery type.

I guess I'm just venting...I asked my wife to pickup some new batteries on the way home from work (3 AA 2300 MAH, NI-MH), and they cost her almost $19.25 for a 4-pack.

Have you checked the setting under 'Menu --> Settings --> Battery Option --> Set Charge Time'? You can set that up to 16 hours (I believe that is the stock setting out of the box). I find that even 16 hours is not always enough for a full charge (in the radio). Your best bet (as I have done) is to invest in at least a second set of batteries, and a decent charger, and charge them outside of the radio. That seems to work a lot better, and you don't chance having the batteries leak and damage the radio.
Also, have you checked the little switch inside of the battery compartment to make sue it is switched to ni-mh (to the right)? If it isn't, the unit will not charge the batteries at all. Good Luck!

 

[scan_madison]

Battery is only half the story; charger is another important factor. Most chargers are not smart and they destroy batteries in no time. I learned the lesson hard way myself. So I went ahead and splurged on $40+ smart charger that independently charges each AA/AAA battery. Most chargers on market charge a pair at a time for certain time and that means batteries don't get exact charge they need.

I have had luck with Eneloop branded batteries I got from Costco.

 

[scanningisfun]

Get Sanyo Eneloops. They last a great amount of time. I personally bought an 8 pack of them off of Amazon. I decided to get the 2000 mAh batteries because they are able to be recharged a greater amount of times before they wear out to the point where they can't be used any longer. I charge them overnight in the scanner and I am able to run it over ~9/10 hours. The batteries with a higher capacity tend to wear out quicker from what I have seen. The 2000 mAh will suit your needs. Also, people talk about damaging your scanner by having the batteries cause some sort of damage while charging. The charging rate is very low on the scanners charging circuit; extra energy is dissipated as heat. Even if you did have an accident while charging your batteries, you can buy the rear case for less than $10.

Jacob

 

[W9NES]

The problem is that the batteries are not high enough on the Mah. 2900 Mah batteries work well and last far beyound the Sanyo Eneloops. The Eneloops are only rated at 2500Mah. My Digital brand batteries will last 4 or more days after a full charge with the use of a Maha battery charger. I depend on my Uniden 396xt scanner that I carry with me when I am away from the Communications Center. I have also used them in my Uniden 396T and the Uniden Home Patrol Hp-1 and they work great in all three radios. Also carry extra charged batteries with you in your pocket in a plastic battery carrier. I carry 2 sets of 4 fully charged 2900Mah batteries with me all the time for backup. This works for me. 2000 Mah batteries will not give you very much run time.After you use them for a short time you will have to re charge them.

 

[scanningisfun]

The problem is that the batteries are not high enough on the Mah. 2900 Mah batteries work well and last far beyound the Sanyo Eneloops. The Eneloops are only rated at 2500Mah. My Digital brand batteries will last 4 or more days after a full charge with the use of a Maha battery charger. I depend on my Uniden 396xt scanner that I carry with me when I am away from the Communications Center. I have also used them in my Uniden 396T and the Uniden Home Patrol Hp-1 and they work great in all three radios. Also carry extra charged batteries with you in your pocket in a plastic battery carrier. I carry 2 sets of 4 fully charged 2900Mah batteries with me all the time for backup. This works for me. 2000 Mah batteries will not give you very much run time.After you use them for a short time you will have to re charge them.

Why do you need sets of 4? If you are using the 396XT, you would only need 3. Are you not using a 396XT? The 2000 mAh Eneloops are more than enough for my needs; they should be enough for most people's needs as well.

Jacob

 

[davidmc36]

Why do you need sets of 4? If you are using the 396XT, you would only need 3. Are you not using a 396XT? The 2000 mAh Eneloops are more than enough for my needs; they should be enough for most people's needs as well.

Jacob

The two extra ones are for the pager in case somebody at the "Communications Center" needs him there ASAP.

 

[W9NES]

Rangers 38, You asked about batteries. I would look at the 2900Mah batteries for use in your Uniden 396XT. This is money well spent. The 2900Mah batteries are the same batteries that professional news photo people use in their camras. These can be used in anything that use batteries. That is the reason why I have extras that I carry with me. These will double your run time on your scanner. Those other batteries will make your battery indicator come on sooner that needed. Also if you do not discharge the batteries that will develop a charge on the batteries and you will need to charge the batteries sooner that needed. I have been using the 2900Mah batteries for a very long time. Try the 2900Mah batteries are you will see the change.

 

[scanningisfun]

Rangers 38, You asked about batteries. I would look at the 2900Mah batteries for use in your Uniden 396XT. This is money well spent. The 2900Mah batteries are the same batteries that professional news photo people use in their camras. These can be used in anything that use batteries. That is the reason why I have extras that I carry with me. These will double your run time on your scanner. Those other batteries will make your battery indicator come on sooner that needed. Also if you do not discharge the batteries that will develop a charge on the batteries and you will need to charge the batteries sooner that needed. I have been using the 2900Mah batteries for a very long time. Try the 2900Mah batteries are you will see the change.

Professionals use them in cameras because cameras consume more power over a given amount of time because of things like flash. The 2900 mAh will not have as long as life span. I would recommend the OP going to CandlePowerForums to make a decision from there.

Jacob

 

[Highpockets]

The problem is that the batteries are not high enough on the Mah. 2900 Mah batteries work well and last far beyound the Sanyo Eneloops. The Eneloops are only rated at 2500Mah. My Digital brand batteries will last 4 or more days after a full charge with the use of a Maha battery charger. I depend on my Uniden 396xt scanner that I carry with me when I am away from the Communications Center. I have also used them in my Uniden 396T and the Uniden Home Patrol Hp-1 and they work great in all three radios. Also carry extra charged batteries with you in your pocket in a plastic battery carrier. I carry 2 sets of 4 fully charged 2900Mah batteries with me all the time for backup. This works for me. 2000 Mah batteries will not give you very much run time.After you use them for a short time you will have to re charge them.

I guess because your a "Professional Scanner User" you know batteries.

The Eneloops are excellent batteries, I'm sure everyone is happy you get good results with your 2900 mAh batteries in your Uniden Scanners.

 

[lep]

When i was a child my Dad was in the furniture business, you could order bedding sets from the factory with cloth labels sewn in at the factrry with prices of say $149 or $179 or $199 depending on how much "off" you wanted to advertise in your sales flyers as the items were all the same.
I am told by a person in the battery business that the main difference in many imported AA cells between 2300/2500/2900 mah is the same, just what label you want from the factory for your advertising. Since I am NOT in the battery business I can't vouch for the accuracy but I believe it to be factual.

 

[W9NES]

2900 Mah batteries work for me. That is what I use.I have had excellent results with them. And they can be used in other items like scanners. I do not use any other batteries in my scanners except for the 2900Mah batteries. Try them and you will see. If you want that max life out of using a scanner use the 2900Mah batteries. If you like other batteries rated at 2500 Mah fine. 2500 Mah does not work for me and will not last using a maha charger charging the battieries outside the scanner. I have seen all the guides and studies for battery use. I all depends on how the batteries are charged, what they are charged with and the MAH of the battery. The Higher the MAH of the battery that longer use you will get.

 

[scannersnstuff]

although i don't know if what lep said is correct, battery mfg's use their own standards to measure the final capacity of the battery when it is topped off. i know these measurements are not the same one's that the end user will get. i swear by sanyo eneloop batteries. i have the original version. when superstorm sandy hit, i had all of my nimh batteries charged up. the eneloops became my "go to" batteries. the other various brands, held up part of their charges. when i topped off the eneloops, and let them sit for about a week, they were the only ones that i could throw on the maha charger, and see that they still had pretty much full capacity. i have 5 set's of eneloops. when they other various brands expire,i will be replacing them all with the newer high cap. eneloops.