BCD436HP/BCD536HP: BCD436 BATTERY ISSUE

[jdesena912]

I just put in brand new fully charged batteries in the scanner which only lasted 3 hours. I sent the batteries back thinking there was an issue. I then tried using brand new regular AA alkaline batteries and had the same problem. any thoughts? TYIA

 

[W2JGA]

Did the radio completely die, or did it give the warning message indicating batteries were low?

If the latter, your low voltage warning may be set too high.
What is it set at?

 

[dave3825]

I just put in brand new fully charged batteries in the scanner which only lasted 3 hours. I sent the batteries back thinking there was an issue.

I then tried using brand new regular AA alkaline batteries and had the same problem. any thoughts? TYIA

If you then tried AA Alk's, what was the first set?

Many of us use good nimh rechargeable with smart chargers like or similar to this,

Opus BT-C3100 v2.2 4 Bay Digital Battery Charger

Modes: Charge, Discharge, Test, Quick Test and Refresh. Output Current – up to 1A x 4 channels (selectable 200mA, 300mA, 500mA, 700mA, 1000mA) or 2A x 2 channels. Backlit digital display showing battery voltage, charge/discharge current, charging time, battery capacity, etc. The quick test mode...

www.18650batterystore.com

Not saying this will fix our issue. Many factors involved with battery life and drain.

 

[W2JGA]

He makes a good point. If you are using cheap Chinese .99 cent batteries, they will surely die in no time.

 

[richardbritt]

I have a question regarding the same thing, what do others on here with bcd436hp have their battery limit set for? I was using nimh rechargeables but ordered some lithium ion rechargeables and they are lasting much longer due to the higher capacity and voltage.

 

[W2JGA]

I have a question regarding the same thing, what do others on here with bcd436hp have their battery limit set for? I was using nimh rechargeables but ordered some lithium ion rechargeables and they are lasting much longer due to the higher capacity and voltage.

That's a good question and I've pondered the same thing over the years.
Also, what is a recommended charging time for different types of batteries?

 

[dave3825]

ordered some lithium ion rechargeables and they are lasting much longer due to the higher capacity and voltage.

Have a link? Looking to spend some money today.

 

[richardbritt]

I ended up buying a specific lithium ion battery charger from Amazon. I am a first responder and also state level responder with one of RRT Hazmat Response Teams in NC and I hear about car fires with lithium ion batteries, and other devices becoming frequent. So don't try to mix the types of batteries with those or use other than lithium ion specific chargers charging them for that reason.

 

[dave3825]

Ok, so not link?

 

[KevinC]

I have a question regarding the same thing, what do others on here with bcd436hp have their battery limit set for? I was using nimh rechargeables but ordered some lithium ion rechargeables and they are lasting much longer due to the higher capacity and voltage.

What's the capacity on them? All the ones I can find are around 2400 mAh or less.

 

[richardbritt]

Amazon is where I bought the charger and the batteries. The stuff came from China but seem to be working ok. Not sure if I will continue using the lithium ion batteries and charger yet. Nimh is safer and when they short internally they don't burst into a violent fire. They mainly melt and get very hot. But I do like the quick charge time and how long they last. Look up lithium ion battery fires on YouTube. Scary stuff and they are very real and more frequent than is in the news. I am on the fence using them

 

[W2JGA]

^ and this is the reason I charge lithium battery based devices in controlled environments and not just laying on a bed/couch/wood stand etc.

 

[dave3825]

Quite familiar with all the fire videos. Was asking for a link to what you bought but twice you dodged the question.

 

[W2JGA]

Having experience with high power consuming SLR cameras, my fellow camera guys recommend using Eneloop brand lithium batteries....

Amazon.com : eneloop aa rechargeable batteries

 

[StoliRaz]

Look up lithium ion battery fires on YouTube. Scary stuff and they are very real and more frequent than is in the news. I am on the fence using them

BuY aN eLeCtRiC cAr!

No thanks!!!

I have lith-ion tools, but have mostly stuck to brand name OEM batteries. The 2 knockoffs I have I keep stored at half power (just like the OEMs), and only charge attended. Preferably outdoors away from my house

 

[StoliRaz]

I have a question regarding the same thing, what do others on here with bcd436hp have their battery limit set for?

By battery limit I'm assuming you mean the option under "set battery low" as to when it goes into alarm. I have mine set at the default 3300mV. Would there be any benefit of lowering that down to 3200 or even 3100mV (the lowest setting allowed)? It may run longer, but would it harm the batteries? Something I haven't put much effort into thinking about obviously, but would be interested in hearing what others do with theirs.

 

[n1chu]

The AA Li-ion rechargable batteries I have are brand specific. I have two different brand names that I must recharge using their own chargers. I tried to one set in the other charger with no luck. And both state I must use their charger for their batteries. But I’ve gotten good use from both. (Probably not as good as the Eveready DISPOSABLE Li-ion batteries, meaning they don’t last as long before needing a recharge, which is what I was going for) but they are lighter than the nicads or NMH’s. When using the BCD325P2 the need for carrying spares adds up. Somebody needs to create a Li-ion pack that attaches to the 325. Make it like the ham radio portable batteries but allow for the pack to attach to the 325 without any modifications to the scanner so the option to use AA cells is still available. I know one of the reasons some what to stick with AA cells is because disposables are readily available when you find you are running short.

 

[W2JGA]

Oh, if and when you do get these new batteries, read the instructions. I've heard horror stories about people bricking batteries because they weren't 'properly' charged the first time.

 

[Ubbe]

It may run longer, but would it harm the batteries?

The setting only sets the voltage when the alarm should go off, not when the scanner stops working. Set it to a high value and you'll have an hour or longer before it dies and setting it to the lowest voltage could produce an alarm and die at the same time from the increased current needed for the alarm signal.

/Ubbe

 

[W2JGA]

I'm curious as to what the OP was originally using for batteries that lasted a short time.