After reading the manual for the BCD436HP I noticed that the unit only charges when off. Is there a way to have the scanner charger while it is in use? If not, Why?
BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Charging on the BCD436HP
- Thread starter gsapatka
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USB only provides 5V at, nominally, 500 mA. That's not enough power to run the scanner and charge it at the same time. There are a lot of higher-powered USB ports/devices out there, which will put out higher amperage - I've never heard it said whether or not the batteries will receive a fractional charge based on this increased power input.
The other thing to know is that there's some kind of law in California that forbids charging of batteries internal to devices - at least, that's all I can recall of it at this instant. I have never really delved too deeply into it to know exactly what it involved. The end result was that in order to sell a certain scanner in CA, Uniden had to rework its internals to remove the charging circuit.
You'll also have a host of people charging into the thread shortly to tell you about how bad of an idea it is to charge batteries inside a radio. It's true that the charging systems built into most radios don't charge batteries very intelligently, and you could run into a situation where the life of a battery is shortened by your charging habits. In extreme situations, you may end up damaging a battery and the damage causing collateral damage to the radio (i.e. the battery gets hot enough while failing to melt the radio from within). These situations aren't as common as the warnings imply, but if you want to maximize battery life, charging them externally (with a dedicated battery charger) is ideal.
The other thing to know is that there's some kind of law in California that forbids charging of batteries internal to devices - at least, that's all I can recall of it at this instant. I have never really delved too deeply into it to know exactly what it involved. The end result was that in order to sell a certain scanner in CA, Uniden had to rework its internals to remove the charging circuit.
You'll also have a host of people charging into the thread shortly to tell you about how bad of an idea it is to charge batteries inside a radio. It's true that the charging systems built into most radios don't charge batteries very intelligently, and you could run into a situation where the life of a battery is shortened by your charging habits. In extreme situations, you may end up damaging a battery and the damage causing collateral damage to the radio (i.e. the battery gets hot enough while failing to melt the radio from within). These situations aren't as common as the warnings imply, but if you want to maximize battery life, charging them externally (with a dedicated battery charger) is ideal.
This has got to be a joke? You can't charge the radio while its on? My Grecom PSR-800 is powered by USB. I can keep it on 24 hours a day. My phone is powered by USB and I don't have to turn it off to charge it.
There has got to be a legit reason but all I can say is Uniden needs to fire their Engineers.
There has got to be a legit reason but all I can say is Uniden needs to fire their Engineers.
MStep
Member
Most of the folks here on the forums charge their batteries with external chargers, rather than charging them in the radio. Yes, it is a bit of a hassle to have to swap out batteries every day or so, but there seems to be a discomfort level about charging the batteries in the radio (obviously even with the radio having to be off) because there is a fear that the 436 does not incorporate safeguards in the event on an overcharge.
Panasonic makes some very good chargers that can charge an odd number of batteries (you don't have to charge in pairs), so that I can charge 3 batteries at a time. According the Panasonic, there are 9 safeguards to prevent what in effect would be a "meltdown"--- those safeguards are not incorporated in the 436. I would only charge batteries in the 436 as a very last resort.
Personally, I wish they would just remove the charging function. It causes too many issues.
And I've seen meltdowns happen more often in GRE units than Uniden, so I suspect there is some safeguard they have that GRE does not. Or maybe the charge rate is simply slower which would reduce the chances of catastrophic failure.
It's not a joke when you wake up to a melted glob that used to be a scanner.
And I've seen meltdowns happen more often in GRE units than Uniden, so I suspect there is some safeguard they have that GRE does not. Or maybe the charge rate is simply slower which would reduce the chances of catastrophic failure.
It's not a joke when you wake up to a melted glob that used to be a scanner.
dougjgray
Member
I think I read in the manual uniden added a battery tempurature sensor on the 436 to shut down charging so that should make it safer
bee
Member
Anyone recommend a charger, that can charge batteries in the car?
internal batteries?
"some kind of law in California that forbids charging of batteries internal to devices" really like an iphone?? I think that information may be incorrect. There "was" a law in the works to ban inductive coupled charging because of the high loss, but I recall that was tabled when our legislators found out they had more important things to deal with.
"some kind of law in California that forbids charging of batteries internal to devices" really like an iphone?? I think that information may be incorrect. There "was" a law in the works to ban inductive coupled charging because of the high loss, but I recall that was tabled when our legislators found out they had more important things to deal with.
KE0GXN
Member
Without going into the long diatribe I may be known for going on in here about battery charging and what not, I will just simply echo my fellow hobbyist comments...
You do NOT want to charge batteries within the unit. No bueno idea.
Here is a example of why:
http://forums.radioreference.com/gre-scanners/321631-batteries-blew-up.html
The owner ended up having a happy ending, but I am not willing to take that chance with my $400 dollar scanner.
You do NOT want to charge batteries within the unit. No bueno idea.
Here is a example of why:
http://forums.radioreference.com/gre-scanners/321631-batteries-blew-up.html
The owner ended up having a happy ending, but I am not willing to take that chance with my $400 dollar scanner.
KE0GXN
Member
If you mean charging batteries outside the unit in a separate battery charger then I would recommend these devices:
MH-C9000 - Maha Energy
car charger for C9000 charger - Maha Energy
Otherwise you run the same risk at the OP if you try and charge within the scanner in your car with a cigarette/USB adaptor plug configuration.
If you mean a battery charger, that will run off the cigarette lighter socket, this one will: Amazon.com: Maha MH-C401FS-DCW INTERNATIONAL Version Smart Charger with Car Adapter: Computers & Accessories
I have a couple of these. It comes with both an ac adapter for using at home, plus a dc power card to use while mobile. It will charge any combination of one to four AA or AAA batteries. This version will also work in other countries.
bee
Member
Thanks for the options. I will order one of them. Haven't decided yet, on which one.
Thanks, for both of you!
Thanks, for both of you!
You're talking about the CEC standard, and it does exist. Phones are largely exempt because they use USB to charge which is an exemption under the standard. That's why Uniden changed to USB as well.
KE0GXN
Member
Glad I was able to help. A good charger can be a little pricey, compared to the wall-wart "dumb" chargers you can pick up at Wally World, however the "smart" ones like the ones suggested on here will save you a ton of money in the long run in battery life and replacement.
Here is my thread where some of us on here talked about chargers and what not, may help you decide which one to get:
http://forums.radioreference.com/general-scanning-discussion/321134-rate-your-battery-charger.html
Good luck and happy scanning!
You think wrong. I may have been off target by calling it a law, but Uniden was forced to create and market an entirely new scanner - the BC346XTC - because the BC346XT, having rechargeable batteries and an onboard battery charger, was noncompliant with California Energy Commission rules and could not be sold there.
I use both the C9000 and the C401FS... They are both excellent smart chargers and do individual cells.
Both can be powered from a cigarette lighter adapter. The 401 would be smaller and easier to handle and carry for mobile use. Sometimes you can find a deal on them with the carrying case. Be it on amazon or thru Thomas Distributing. The latter sells on amazon too.
Thomas Distributing is a reputable company.
http://thomas-distributing.com/
Uniden should find out what LED's that charger is using... I have so many battery's my C9000 runs 24/7.
It's probably at least 5 years old now. The display on it is still super bright.
Are you sure? I thought that about mine until I needed to charge more than 4 cells, so I took the one out of my 'go bag' and plugged it in. It was a night and day difference (almost literally). Then I remembered how the display used to light up the entire room. Now, the one I use often is very dim.
I would be willing to bet the LED manufacturer and part number is the exact same as the one Uniden IS using.
It is interesting that not all 9000s have the dim issue - just like not all x36s have it. Tells me it's a QC issue.
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