Best batteries for 396

[PaulAnderegg]

The OEM batteries in my 396 which used to last avg 8 hours now beep low batt in 3 hours

I need some recomendations on long lasting higher amp AA's as replacements. Anyone know some decent brand high AmPhR rated ones they have had good success with?

thank you

Paul

 

[adrenalyn]

Maha Powerex 2700 mAh batteries are favorites among the digital camera crowd. I got mine at www.thomasdistributing.com

 

[BigJimbo]

I've used several types in mine. I've been running the Duracell Ni-MH 2650 rechargeables for a few months now and they have performed very well.

You can get them in most stores. I purchased mine at a Kroger's (Ohio grocery chain) for about $12.00.

I strongly recommend the Maha 9000 charger. I bought one at the Hamvention and it is awesome. It can turn your old batteries into new ones. It can be a bit on the pricey side, but if you run multiple scanners, with AA rechargeables, it is a must-have.

 

[rdale]

Also heard good things about the Sanyo Industrial 2700 - I've been using Maha with no problems. All available for about $7/4-pack online.

 

[WX4JCW]

I use Energizer 2500 Mah Rechargables, No Worries here

 

[74596]

I use Energizer 2200 mAh batteries. They last longer for me than the OEM batteries that came with my 396. But, eventually some 2700 mAh batteries would probably be a better option...

 

[Raven95150]

I found some Kodak 2500mah batteries at a local surplus store for $5 per 4-pack, so I bought several packs of them and they work great. Using a cheapo charger from Wal-Mart, I get about 10 hours out of them. With a good charger, I am sure they would last longer.

 

[Barn]

Purched extra rechargeable batterys the same type that came with my 396t, but they won't charge. Keep getting BATTERY EAROR. The ones that came with the unit work fine.

 

[DaveNF2G]

I'm still using the original batteries in both of my 396s, but they don't perform the same.

One 396 takes several hours to charge, but the batteries last about 8 hours after a charge. The other unit reaches "Charge Complete" much more quickly, but the batteries only last a couple of hours.

 

[Junior08]

I switched recently to Duracell 2650maH rechargeables in my BC246T (I know, not a 396) and they last very long. Usually have the scanner running 8-10 hours a day at least 3/4 volume, with display light turned off.

 

[slicerwizard]

I'm still using the original batteries in both of my 396s, but they don't perform the same.

One 396 takes several hours to charge, but the batteries last about 8 hours after a charge. The other unit reaches "Charge Complete" much more quickly, but the batteries only last a couple of hours.

You're saying that one of your 396's takes "several hours" and the other takes even less? Something's fishy, since 396's just do timed 14 hour charges.

Since the 396 doesn't have a fast charge mode, how are you getting 8 hours of run time out of "several hours" of charging?

 

[DaveNF2G]

I'm just reporting my experience. It's obvious that one of the 396s is not charging properly.

 

[slicerwizard]

Have you tried swapping the cells between scanners?

I'd start with fully discharged cells in both units and then keep an eye on their voltage (using the onscreen display) as the scanners go through their charging cycle.

 

[KE5TLF]

Eneloops.
C9000 charger is a over priced POS.

 

[linuxwrangler]

tWhat don't you like about your C9000? Mine's great. If I think there's a problem, it will tell me exactly what cell may be bad and does a pretty good job of rejuvenating problem cells. $65 is not really a huge premium over other good-quality chargers.

I may eventually pick up some Eneloops but as far as I can see, their only advantage, low self-discharge, is outweighed by their meager capacity.

Even assuming a first day self-discharge of 10%, and my testing shows a far lower self-discharge on modern NiMH cells, 2700mAh cells will have 2430mAh capacity after a day of sitting. They will have to sit idle outside of the charger for over two weeks before they drop below the full capacity of the Eneloop. Mine just don't sit around that long.

On the other hand, given a fully charged Eneloop and a fully charged 2,700mAh cell, the 2,700mAh cell has 35% more capacity which will typically translate to an extra 2-4 hours of use.

 

[hiegtx]

I may eventually pick up some Eneloops but as far as I can see, their only advantage, low self-discharge, is outweighed by their meager capacity.

Even assuming a first day self-discharge of 10%, and my testing shows a far lower self-discharge on modern NiMH cells, 2700mAh cells will have 2430mAh capacity after a day of sitting. They will have to sit idle outside of the charger for over two weeks before they drop below the full capacity of the Eneloop. Mine just don't sit around that long.

On the other hand, given a fully charged Eneloop and a fully charged 2,700mAh cell, the 2,700mAh cell has 35% more capacity which will typically translate to an extra 2-4 hours of use.

I bought several sets of the Eneloops, but not for my 396 or other handheld scanners. They're for the the digital cameras, which may sit for serveral weeks between uses (and charges), then need to ready right away.

For my 396 & 330, I'm using the 2700mah Powerex's. Also bought two sets (6 cells) of the 2900mah to try. I'd agree. The higher capacity, & longer run time, are more important than the low discharge when it comes using them every day. I, too, have a C9000 charger, plus others. The 9000 has done well in culling out weak cells that no longer carry their own weight, and/or have higher than acceptable self discharge rates.

 

[N467RX]

I don't have a 396, but Duracell 2500 or 2650 are wonderful with my Pro-97 and Pro-99. Target is the cheapest store, carries them at about $10.99 plus tax.

 

[XTS3000]

A good way to test the batteries in the 396 is to press the top knob to view the battery voltage, now turn on the lamp. Does the voltage drop when the blue LEDs lamp is turned on?

On newly purchased quality batteries fully charged, the voltage will not drop when the lamp is turned on. Older batteries that have cycled many times but fully charged, will drop 1 to 6 hundredths of a volt when the lamp is toggled on/off.

One set of energizers I've been using daily for the last 7 months only last 5 hours in the 396T. When I do the lamp test, these batteries go from 4.12 (lamp off) to 4.05 with the lamp on. A new set of the same batteries, the voltage doesn't drop at all.

This is a quick/cheap/dirty way to check actualy battery condition.........

 

[DaveNF2G]

Thanks for the tip. My "good" batteries are dropping 0.04 V when the lamp is turned on. I'll check the "bad" set when I get home.

 

[trace1]

Duracell Rechargable 2500mah with Duracell Rechargable NiMH Battery Charger for me and it/they work great!!!