SDS100/SDS200: Charging issue? Low usb voltage?

[Computrguy]

I am thinking I might have a SDS100 charging issue. I was using the scanner in the car. The battery was lowish (~3.7?) when I left. I hooked up to the usb port in the car and let it charge for a while before I turned it on. All "seemed" ok for a while. At some point I saw on the display of the scanner "low usb voltage..." and probably some more. Wish I took a pic but I didn't. I've used the radio in the car numerous times without issue so I am thinking it is not a car usb voltage issue.
I unplugged the usb and the radio started scanning. I plugged it back in and the voltage on the display increase by ~.2 volts and the red charging led did not come on. I used the scanner plugging in to the usb for 6 hours while driving. The whole time the red charging light did not light. The voltage stayed about the same ~3.99
I get home and plug into my AC adapter to the usb and while off the red charging led illuminates. I let it charge to full when the led goes green and then turn the scanner on. The red led still does not illuminate with the scanner is on. Voltage when plugged in is 4.21
Thoughts???

 

[enosjones]

There is a setting on the scanner to charge while on , its in settings, but if the USB port or the charging cable itself isn't putting forth the juice it needs it will automatically turn that setting off.. it has to be a high power USB charger and cable for it to charge while on, otherwise it will only charge while off

 

[doctordialtone]

Thoughts???

Which USB port are you using?

SDS100: - Which USB port to use for desktop power?

 

[Computrguy]

There is a setting on the scanner to charge while on , its in settings, but if the USB port or the charging cable itself isn't putting forth the juice it needs it will automatically turn that setting off.. it has to be a high power USB charger and cable for it to charge while on, otherwise it will only charge while off

OK, well, that resolves the not charging issue. After that message it turned charging while on to disabled. At home now changed it back to enabled and led light is working.
Different issue is why it got the usb low voltage in the car. I've used the same port for a few years and not had a problem.
Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[nessnet]

To clarify....
Be it a bug or a feature, the charging while on setting will revert to off ANYTIME you get the low voltage error.
You have to go in and re-set it to on - every time.

As to the USB ports, it is fickle.
I've had plugs/OE ports that work, but very occasionally get the $#@! error.

Make sure, if you are not using the Uniden supplied cable, that you have a cord specked as 24AWG.
That heaver gauge is required in order to not drop the voltage and cause the ($#@!) error.
.

 

[KK4JUG]

When I charge mine in the car, I always use a cigarette lighter power supply (at least 2A) with a USB cord.

 

[Ubbe]

Be it a bug or a feature, the charging while on setting will revert to off ANYTIME you get the low voltage error.

It's probably a feature. If you have a bad cable or low voltage from a 5 volt source and get the low voltage warning it will disable charging as that will require less ampere and the voltage drop will be less and hopefully you can at least use the scanner. If it didn't disable charging it would probably upset users that they couldn't use the scanner at all, if not remember to manually go into the settings and disable charging.

/Ubbe

 

[FKimble]

4.21 is max for a lithium battery. It's built in charger should cut off the charge at that point. 3.7 is nominal, so 3.7 to 4.2 is a well charged battery. May have been a dirty connector. Plugging and unplugging wiped it clean?

Frank

 

[maus92]

The USB port in your car is probably designed for audio connectivity and not rated BC (Battery Charging). A standard USB 2.0 port supplies only .5A while a USB cig lighter adapter typically delivers 2.1A

 

[KK4JUG]

The USB port in your car is probably designed for audio connectivity and not rated BC (Battery Charging). A standard USB 2.0 port supplies only .5A while a USB cig lighter adapter typically delivers 2.1A

I guess that's true but all of my cigarette lighter power supplies are a minimum of 3A and a couple are 5A. They weren't bought at Walmart, though.

 

[maus92]

I guess that's true but all of my cigarette lighter power supplies are a minimum of 3A and a couple are 5A. They weren't bought at Walmart, though.

Those are the good ones, lol. Not sure what the charging circuit in the radio allows for a max charge rate - is there a published spec for that?

 

[Omega-TI]

Those are the good ones, lol. Not sure what the charging circuit in the radio allows for a max charge rate - is there a published spec for that?

That would be interesting, if there is one. There is obviously a cut-off point as it will not let it attain parity. But the charge I believe slows on it's own as the voltage in the battery gets higher. Voltage is the electromotive force, which is why the voltage must always be higher than the battery you are charging.

 

[KK4JUG]

I don't worry about the charge voltage as much as I do the amperage.

 

[Ubbe]

Charge rate seems top be limited to 500mA, 1/10 of the big battery's capacity. That's the standard slow charge rate for all kinds of battery types.

/Ubbe

 

[gmclam]

I customized my display to show the USB voltage as well as battery voltage so I don't have to wait for the low voltage warning to know if things are working.

If you're plugged in and the light on the right is not either green (charged) or red (charging), check the setting. I too dislike the fact it "auto disables" when the USB voltage goes low.

 

[Computrguy]

I customized my display to show the USB voltage as well as battery voltage so I don't have to wait for the low voltage warning to know if things are working.

If you're plugged in and the light on the right is not either green (charged) or red (charging), check the setting. I too dislike the fact it "auto disables" when the USB voltage goes low.

Agreed. I am not a fan of it disabling it. I do agree it makes sense (from a pure liability standpoint for Uniden). Low voltage high amperage could be problematic. If it disabled the charging because of this something more intuitive, maybe flashing the red led, alternating between red and green, maybe some other color would make sense. Maybe an enhancement request for the Joe Uniden list?