Charging PRO 106 Handheld

[eileenplun]

The manual indicates that when recharging the batt the batt icon should flash every second to show it is charging. I am not getting the icon at all just the beep and a message to recharge.. How many hours should I be getting from the batts? It appears I should charge them for 16 hours. Does that mean I need to charge my NiMh batts that long each time I recharge them? I am not getting many hours of usage so I suspect I have not charged the batts long enough. It also says that if you use the radio while it is charging, it takes longer? How much longer? Anyone out there have an answer for me?

Eileen

 

[tobarger]

I would recommend getting a separate battery charger. Since one bad battery will make the whole set seem bad, you will first need to confirm that each individual battery is good. This is not possible by using the scanner to charge batteries. The La Crosse BC-900 is what I've been using for over a year with no problems, so I just bought another one. It has a test function that works great, each battery is on its own charging circuit and digital display. Most people would not recommend using the scanner to charge batteries since a malfunction or battery failure could very well destroy the radio and or cause a fire. Thomas Distributing has the BC-900 on sale right now for $38.97 regular $54.97, it comes with 4 AA and 4 AAA batteries. Good deal.
http://www.thomas-distributing.com/la_crosse_bc-900_battery_charger.php

 

[poppafred]

Batteries

I own an MFJ-633 Intelligent Battery Charger. They generally are used by ham radio ops but will charge any small battery. You can see one at: MFJ Enterprises Inc.

The nice part is they sell for $29.95 and shipping isn't very much. It will charge "D", "C", "AA", "AAA" or 9v batteries in Ni-Mh or Ni-Cad.

I would be lost without mine.

MFJ also sells quality rechargeable Ni-Mh cells. I have some of their 1800mAh Ni-Mh "AA" batteries that I use in my Pro-97. They don't last quite as long as a high quality alkaline but they do last longer per charge than the standard Ni-Cad you pick up at Walmart or Radio Shack.

 

[N8IAA]

There undoubtly will be many others saying this: do not charge in the radio. I would follow this advice. Why take the chance of ruining your expensive scanner. Not looking in the manual, but going by what I see on the main page of Win500 you can change what type of battery is being used in the radio. How long to charge it, etc.. Get an external charger that treats your batteries gently to give you many hours of listening pleasure)
Larry

 

[TES]

. . .you can change what type of battery is being used in the radio. How long to charge it, etc . . .

Be aware that the charge-time function only applies while the radio is turned on. A radio that is plugged in and turned off, containing batteries in the yellow holder, will be charging ALL THE TIME.

 

[eileenplun]

I would recommend getting a separate battery charger. Since one bad battery will make the whole set seem bad, you will first need to confirm that each individual battery is good. This is not possible by using the scanner to charge batteries. The La Crosse BC-900 is what I've been using for over a year with no problems, so I just bought another one. It has a test function that works great, each battery is on its own charging circuit and digital display. Most people would not recommend using the scanner to charge batteries since a malfunction or battery failure could very well destroy the radio and or cause a fire. Thomas Distributing has the BC-900 on sale right now for $38.97 regular $54.97, it comes with 4 AA and 4 AAA batteries. Good deal.
BC-900 Battery Charger Sale $38.97 La Crosse - LaCrosse BC900

Pages 18 and 19 of the manual specifically give instructions on recharging the batteries IN the scanner. If this can destroy the scanner why would they suggest recharging this way. I have a Panosonic charger but I believe it has a limit set for how long it charges batts. E.G., when I put new AA batts in it only charged for maybe two hours and then the solid light tells me they are done. But since the manual says it takes 16 hours for Ni-MH batts to charge, I took it out and put it back several times. I don't think that this is normal. What say you?

OK I googled Panasonic BQ390 which is the charger I have and here are two reviews from Amazon on two older chargers.

Jack Wang's Profile


Customer Reviews: 5
New Reviewer Rank: 183,739
Classic Reviewer Rank: 102,530
Helpful Votes: 390


.
Reviews Written by
Jack Wang (Waterloo, Ontario)

The Sony Power Charger can recharge 4 AAA or AA cells at a time. Unlike the Panasonic BQ-390 which I also used and reviewed, this Sony uses a timer to stop charging. The Panasonic BQ-390 has advanced circuitry inside to monitor charging through temperature, voltage drop, and the cell's internal resistance, so that you'll get more precise charging and less damage from overcharging of simpler chargers. Sony also offers a similarly advanced product, but this model is a cheaper timed model. It charges the 2100mAH cells for 8 hours straight, or 800 mAh AAA cells for 7 hours straight. If you charge a partially used cell, it will not detect when the cell reaches full charge, and might overcharge. It's best to charge a fully depleted cell with timed chargers.


Panasonic BQ390A - Battery charger - battery - rechargeable - AA - NiMH x 2 - 2100 mAh
Availability: Currently unavailable


38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
A Fine Charger Set, July 4, 2004
The BQ-390 charger, with its pearlescent white finish and simple lines, is an attractively designed charger. If you were giving this as a gift to your girl friend, it will not look so geeky as the other Sony, Kodak or Maxell chargers you can find on Amazon.com.
Like the Sony Power Charger, it has advanced circuitry inside to monitor charging through temperature, voltage drop, or the cell's internal resistance, so that you'll get fuller charges and less damage from overcharging of simpler chargers. In other words, your NiMH cells will give you better performance as well as a longer service life. This breed of chargers also charge each cell individually, rather than in pairs. Less sophisticated chargers charge in series, so one cell in the pair may not receive full charge, while the other, worse, is overcharged. NiMH, unlike older NiCd's, does not tolerate overcharging. Because they have 3 times the capacity of NiCd's to refill, all at under 2 hours, you can see why chargers are so expensive, and why they're worth it.

Panasonic has recently shifted their cell production from Japan to China, so you might get Chinese cells in the bundle. Still, Sanyo and Panasonic are the 2 major NiMH makers, and you can't go wrong with either. (Sony and GE NiMH cells are all made by Sanyo.)

This charger will only accept 1~2 AAA cells at a time (but 1~4 for AA cells). If you need to charge 4 AAA at a time, look to the Sony Power Charger elsewhere on Amazon.com. It bundles 4 NiMH AA cells made by Sanyo for Sony, but charges more slowly, twice as long as this Panasonic. But that is also why it's somewhat cheaper.

So I guess I have the answer concerning my Panasonic charger.

 

[SquierStrat]

Pages 18 and 19 of the manual specifically give instructions on recharging the batteries IN the scanner. If this can destroy the scanner why would they suggest recharging this way.

the battery charger in the scanner is very poor, and low powered. even after 16 hours in the scanner's charger, a completely drained 2500mah battery is still not fully charged

on to your question..... just cuz you can, people prefer not to take the chance with such an expensive radio. me personally, i wont do it cuz i remember reading a while back about someone whos psr500 was ruined (melted) when they left their batteries in it to charge. you can go to walmart and get a suitable, MUCH faster charger for $15-20. pretty cheap insurance if ya ask me......

 

[eileenplun]

Be aware that the charge-time function only applies while the radio is turned on. A radio that is plugged in and turned off, containing batteries in the yellow holder, will be charging ALL THE TIME.

All the manual says concerning charging IN the scanner is "Using the scanner while charging will increase the charge time." Nowhere does it mention that the batteries continue charging if you keep the power plugged in although that certainly makes sense. But, in another page of the manual it says that if you plan to use scanner plugged in to remove the rechargeable batts because they will discharge if you keep them in while plugged into power.. You should put the alkaline batts in the black case in.l...................so what is the answer? Better manual might be the answer...LOL.

Eileen

 

[eileenplun]

I would recommend getting a separate battery charger. Since one bad battery will make the whole set seem bad, you will first need to confirm that each individual battery is good. This is not possible by using the scanner to charge batteries. The La Crosse BC-900 is what I've been using for over a year with no problems, so I just bought another one. It has a test function that works great, each battery is on its own charging circuit and digital display. Most people would not recommend using the scanner to charge batteries since a malfunction or battery failure could very well destroy the radio and or cause a fire. Thomas Distributing has the BC-900 on sale right now for $38.97 regular $54.97, it comes with 4 AA and 4 AAA batteries. Good deal.
BC-900 Battery Charger Sale $38.97 La Crosse - LaCrosse BC900

I want to thank everyone who responded. I will no longer charge my batts in the scanner but use the Panasonic instead. I do have one question though. How many hours should I expect to get out of RS rechargeables? I have a AAA in my mouse which refuses to die. I use on e AAA in my MP3 which lasts a very long time. Of course, then the question is how long do I use the items? Well, the mouse constantly, the mp3 maybe three hours a week.

I prefer not charging in the scanner anyhow since it limits where I can go when charging so this works out ok for me.

Eileen

 

[jamesa53]

I have a PRO-106. Purchased the Radio Shack 9V supply and tip. I GUARANTEE that if my radio burns up, melts down, or whatever due to recharging the NiMH batteries in the radio using the procedure documented in the PRO-106 manual, Radio Shack will give me a new 106 due to a)the warranty and b)their manual says it can be done.

 

[eileenplun]

I have a PRO-106. Purchased the Radio Shack 9V supply and tip. I GUARANTEE that if my radio burns up, melts down, or whatever due to recharging the NiMH batteries in the radio using the procedure documented in the PRO-106 manual, Radio Shack will give me a new 106 due to a)the warranty and b)their manual says it can be done.

It's more than likely they will say that you overcharged the batts, all manufacturers try to wiggle out of a warranty using the so called fine print. I charged my batts in the scanner and I got about 2 hours out of them. Not worth the risk. I bought a Panasonic Charger which included 2 AAA's and 4 AA's for $17 at Costco several years ago and now will charge the batts for the scanner in it to avoid losing my 106. Think about the reprogramming you will need to do and losing your scanner for however long you have to discuss the warranty with them. OTOH, maybe they will give you a new one over the counter. However you handle it, good luck.

 

[tobarger]

I advise investing in a better battery charger than the Panasonic BQ390A.
Eventually at least one of your batteries is going to crap out sooner than the others in the set.
One bad battery will make the whole set appear to be bad.
The Panasonic BQ390A does not give you information on the status of individual batteries.
Does not have a test or refresh function, separate charging circuit and digital display for each individual battery.