BCD436HP/BCD536HP: external power question

[dave3825]

When your powering the scanner via the usb cord, is it truly using just external power?

The reason I ask is because I am charging the batteries in an external charger and running the scanner off usb power from the computer. I tried to do a Discovery mode session. I get a message saying "Can not start discovery when batteries are low or not installed"

Why does it need Batts installed if it has an external power source?

 

[UPMan]

Because the discovery feature uses recording, which is disabled when batteries are removed to help avoid SD card corruption.

 

[dave3825]

Because the discovery feature uses recording, which is disabled when batteries are removed to help avoid SD card corruption.

OK, so if one was to use 3 dummy batteries,while plugged into USB power, would that tell the scanner the battery circuit is complete, and enable the record feature? And would that hurt anything?

 

[UPMan]

I don't believe dummy batteries would work (might even be detrimental to have a dead short across the battery terminals, which is what dummy's would do). Why not use real batteries?

 

[dave3825]

I don't believe dummy batteries would work (might even be detrimental to have a dead short across the battery terminals, which is what dummy's would do). Why not use real batteries?

Just asking. I have a few dummy batts just sitting in the drawer. I usually keep the reachable batts in the charger until I take the scanner outside, I really need to get a few more sets of batts..

 

[marksmith]

Just asking. I have a few dummy batts just sitting in the drawer. I usually keep the reachable batts in the charger until I take the scanner outside, I really need to get a few more sets of batts..

Pretty sure dummies would not work. Recording is disabled when the radio senses batteries are low. Might also do it when they are not there.. but when batteries get low the recording function stops.

Mark
536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/
396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

 

[Voyager]

Dummy cells likely contain no voltage, hence the scanner would see them as 'dead'.