BCD436HP/BCD536HP: BCD436HP batteries cooking, even when off.

[howie38]

I've had this BCD436HP for about two years now, only thing I didn't like was the sound isn't that clear so I haven't used it in a long, long time. Today I turned it on plugged in, but selected no on recharging the batteries but in a minute discovered the batteries got really hot. Thinking the rechargeables may have worn out I switched to alkaline. And even without the unit plugged in or even on those batteries get really hot.
Only way I can use this scanner now is without batteries.

 

[palmerjrusa]

I've had this BCD436HP for about two years now, only thing I didn't like was the sound isn't that clear so I haven't used it in a long, long time. Today I turned it on plugged in, but selected no on recharging the batteries but in a minute discovered the batteries got really hot. Thinking the rechargeables may have worn out I switched to alkaline. And even without the unit plugged in or even on those batteries get really hot.
Only way I can use this scanner now is without batteries.

This should not be happening, not at the mA requirements of the scanner.

Just how hot?

 

[tvengr]

It sounds like the battery contacts may be shorted. Double check that the batteries are not in backwards.

 

[howie38]

This should not be happening, not at the mA requirements of the scanner.

Just how hot?

Very, untouchable

 

[palmerjrusa]

Very, untouchable

Something is causing the batteries to short circuit then...

 

[nessnet]

Did you switch the little (battery select) switch inside the battery compartment when you put in the alkaline(s)?

 

[palmerjrusa]

Did you switch the little (battery select) switch inside the battery compartment when you put in the alkaline(s)?

If everything else is ok, don't think that would make a difference.
Worth a try though.

For the batteries to get that hot something is causing them to short circuit.

 

[tvengr]

Did you switch the little (battery select) switch inside the battery compartment when you put in the alkaline(s)?

From the owner's manual: There is no switch for the battery type. I checked my 436 and verified that is true.

 

[n1chu]

So, in order to get the batteries that hot, it’s assumed they have a dead short across them… and the radio STILL functions?

What USB source are you plugging into? (I ask because I’m trying to find enough power to heat those batteries to the point of “too hot to handle”.)

 

[nessnet]

From the owner's manual: There is no switch for the battery type. I checked my 436 and verified that is true.

I swear that back when I had them, there was one.
My bad if that wasn't true - (memory faulty)...
Maybe it was the TRX-1...(?)

 

[tvengr]

What USB source are you plugging into? (I ask because I’m trying to find enough power to heat those batteries to the point of “too hot to handle”.)

OP says batteries heat up even if external power is not plugged in. There has to be something shorting the batteries. I'm still waiting for the OP to check if the batteries are installed backwards.

 

[KevinC]

I swear that back when I had them, there was one.
My bad if that wasn't true - (memory faulty)...
Maybe it was the TRX-1...(?)

Or a 396 or 246.

 

[howie38]

OP says batteries heat up even if external power is not plugged in. There has to be something shorting the batteries. I'm still waiting for the OP to check if the batteries are installed backwards.

Not installed backwards, there's a diagram in the compartment. Both the original rechargeables & the alkaline heat up when installed. I pulled them, let them cool and reinstalled with the same result.
Had it for like two years but never left in on the transformer, but about 2 weeks ago I left it plugged in but not charging. When I picked it up it wasn't hot but it wouldn't turn on off of battery so I tried charging them and that's when they got hot in less than a minute. Manuel say's that it will automatically shut off if overheating, which is what I figured happened while plugged in.

 

[tvengr]

If one of the cells were shorted, that shouldn't cause the batteries to overheat without external power plugged in. I could understand overheating trying to charge the batteries with a shorted cell. Either there is a short in the battery case wiring or a problem with the charging circuit. Does the scanner work OK on external power without the batteries?

 

[howie38]

If one of the cells were shorted, that shouldn't cause the batteries to overheat without external power plugged in. I could understand overheating trying to charge the batteries with a shorted cell. Either there is a short in the battery case wiring or a problem with the charging circuit. Does the scanner work OK on external power without the batteries?

Yeah, it works fine powered by wire.
I guess with all the data stored on the card, I can just leave it unplugged forever without losing the programing. May keep it plugged in the car. Shame it can't be set up to turn on & off when I start the car.

 

[donc13]

Not installed backwards, there's a diagram in the compartment. Both the original rechargeables & the alkaline heat up when installed. I pulled them, let them cool and reinstalled with the same result.
Had it for like two years but never left in on the transformer, but about 2 weeks ago I left it plugged in but not charging. When I picked it up it wasn't hot but it wouldn't turn on off of battery so I tried charging them and that's when they got hot in less than a minute. Manuel say's that it will automatically shut off if overheating, which is what I figured happened while plugged in.

Alkalines heat up? You are not (or did not) try to charge the Alkalines did you? That's a big no no and can cause all kinds of problems with both the charger and the batteries.

 

[Ensnared]

I never ever charge my radios with the batteries inside. Instead, I use a Uniden battery charger for my SDS 100. For my 436HP, I used a Lacrosse BC-700 charger with Eneloop batteries. This is my personal preference.

 

[Ensnared]

Did you switch the little (battery select) switch inside the battery compartment when you put in the alkaline(s)?

I was thinking WTF? How did I miss that switch? I went over, got my reading glasses on and did not see one, LOL.