Burnout! How long can a RS scanner be left on?

[norm25]

Burnout! How long can a RS scanner be left on? Concerned for a Pro 96 presently, but also considering any other possible future acquisitions such as

Pro 94
Pro 95
Pro 2096
Pro 2052

and other RS portable and base scanners

New to scanning, just how long (days, hours, ?) in continuous operation may any of these scanners be left on operating without causing damage to the unit?

What if any RS scanners may be left on operating the longest, is there a particular model you'd recommend? With the advent of scanner recording programs, there is a worry about just how long particular units may be left on before a mushroom cloud.

It would also be interesting to have an idea just how long some of your RS back light displays have lasted. Can we be careless about leaving that light on all night long over and over? Or must we be extremely frugal?

Have heard others bragging about submerging some of their built like a tank Japanese made scanners in water to cool off while operating. RS says made in China, is that close enough?

 

[Thayne]

I have a PRO-92 that has been on for about four years and 5 months, monitoring conventional interagency VHF & UHF. I never turn it off (Powered by a 12VDC UPS feeding a 12V/9v cigarette lighter adapter) I just leave the volume kinda low and it lets me know if there is a reason to fire up all the trunking radios, since the inter-agencies never talk unless something big is going on.

 

[scanfan03]

I leave my Pro-95, 92, and 34 on 24/7 with no damage yet. I leave the backlight on 24/7 on the 92 and only at nights with the 95 (it's my mobile scanner too).

 

[N_Jay]

Use it.
It will breakl when it breaks.
There is nothing in it that wears out.

 

[SAR923]

Agree with everyone else. The big killer with electronics is heat and scanners build up very little heat. I've had both Radio Shack and Uniden scanners going 24/7 for many years without a problem. We've had the Uniden 780 installed in our patrol cars for well over three years and those things run all the time unless the battery is disconnected. We have about 40 of them and the only problem we ever had is when one of the deputies spilled his super-size cola directly inside the scanner. Just leave 'em on (assuming you have a tolerant spouse or partner) and you will be lusting after a new scanner long before your current one breaks.

 

[letarotor]

I've got two PRO-2036 that have been running continously 24/7 for about 8 years now, no problems. I've also got a Uniden Sportcat and two BC-235's that have been running continously for several years chunking TRS data channels for Trunker, no problems. I periodically visit pawn shops for deals and occasionally pick up used units to eventually replace them, but so far, I haven't had to. They just keep on ticking!

Mark

 

[retrodude]

Leave it on!

Norm,

Like a computer, turning it on and off actually creates more stress than leaving it on. My computers and my PRO-2052 run 24/7!!

 

[INDY72]

The only things liable to "burnout" over a period of years will be the backlight after say- 8 to 10 years.... The BNC connector being a "tight fit" will if constantly ant changes.. wear down after say- 8 to 10 years....

The models with seperate plugs for power/charge (like the PRO-28) will show loosening of connections.... and the lil clips holding battery doors/slots, can wear out before too long.

And the most notorious will be of course the belt clips...

WEG

But note that youll have to actually work hard to "kill" any particular part on a scanner.... It will last yearssssssssssssss, and yearssssssssssssssssss, except for "extreme scannists" that do things with scanners that really we should NOT do LOL!

 

[unitcharlie]

we have two pro 96's that have been on constantly since july 2004 (except when it reboots after freq updates).... i would suggest using regular akaline batteries instead of rechargeables in a radio that isn't turned of if it stays on a transformer.... we have a uniden mr-8100 that has been powered up since 1992....

i have learned that using some solder to enlarge the center lead on the antenna makes the rat shack bncs last a little longer---the flanges on the female end appear to spread apart after a few hundred antenna on-off cycles....

 

[Cobra_Commander]

I have had my very first scanner a pro-79 connected up 12 hours at a time all the time. and it works fine and i have had it for 4 1/2 years now. I have a question If i leave my pro-96 connected up 24/7 will it ruin it? :?:

 

[MisterPaul]

:lol: I have had my Pro-96 on for 24/7 the very day I bought it. It has been over year now. Previous scanners were left on too... No problems. I do leave mine in a window facing south, which is not a good idea. It gets the noon day sun. oops :x