GRE PSR-500 Battery Drain & Questions

[rocketrob]

I just bought a PSR-500 scanner a few weeks ago and I'm generally very happy with the scanner. However, it has seemed to use battery power more rapidly than my prior scanner, a Radio Shack Pro-96. Low power first seems to show up when I temporarily turn on the backlight, which makes sense I suppose. I changed batteries, but after a week long vacation without using the scanner at all, I came home and it was completely dead. It had drained the battery power completely and I had to recharge the batteries. So, I have a few questions:

1.) Does this type of behavior sound normal, or should I perhaps contact GRE?

2.) I've read that charging batteries in the scanner may not be a good idea. Is this true? I have noticed that the scanner body case seems a little warm after being plugged in for charging with the A/C adapter.

Thanks for any responses,
rocketrob

 

[n5usr]

Mine definitely doesn't run the batteries down while off. It has sat for several weeks without use and been fine. When I do use it, I typically only have it on for short periods of time and it will still go quite some time between charges.

I can't say whether charging in the scanner is bad, but I don't do it. I have a dedicated battery charger, and a second set of batteries to swap into the scanner. I even modified the "rechargeable" holder so it won't recharge if I plug the scanner into external power.

My reason was more because I don't like the "down time" waiting for the batteries to charge, and I also don't want the batteries to get multiple partial charges whenever I plug into external power during the day - at home / in the car / at work, etc. But others don't like charging in the scanner because of the possible risk - why damage an expensive scanner should a cell go bad and leak when dedicated rechargers are so affordable.

 

[Drafin]

My 500 can sit for a few weeks at a time and retain the charge. I'm going to assume that when you say you changed the batteries you actually purchased new batteries, charged them and put them in the scanner. I would suggest checking the type of battery that is in the scanner vs the type of battery selected in the "Radio Settings" (10th option down).

As n5usr posted, charging thew batteries in most in scanner is only a bad idea due to the 20 dollar batteries going defective, melting down and ruining a 500 dollar scanner.

Draf

 

[Earwave]

I changed batteries, but after a week long vacation without using the scanner at all, I came home and it was completely dead. It had drained the battery power completely and I had to recharge the batteries.
rocketrob

If you have access to a multi meter,check the voltage on the batteries after they are charged.
also,rechargeable batteries wear down over time.they will charge to full,but will drain down faster than new ones.
What kind of batteries are you using?

 

[Earwave]

Here are a few tips I found on rechargeable batteries:

New cells should be charged to their full potential as soon as they are purchased. Be aware that they will not reach their full potential until they've been through the charge/discharge cycle roughly 3 - 5 times. Just as a new car engine gets its best longevity from a proper break-in, your new batteries must be treated similarly.

Over and under charging can shorten their lifespan. Allow it the specified time to charge up to full capacity but don't let it set there for long periods of time. Over charging results in excess heating of the battery which shortens its lifespan.

If at all possible, do not charge the batteries inside of the radio. Most radios tend to charge with excessive current which will shorten their life. And there is usually no method to detect when the battery is fully charged so that the charging current can be shut off. When rechargeables are inside the radio, it is too easy to forget about them which means they will likely be forgotten and thus overcharged.

other battery tips here:
Strong Signals - New Scanner Users FAQ

 

[cbro298]

500 Battery Drain

I have 2 500's and during the weekend they are running all the time with backlight on.I have a energizer 15 minute charger and use energizer 2450 mah batteries.I can get a consistant 8 hrs of power charging with this set up.I have never charged the batteries in the scanner and won't.I have back up batteries to charge while the ones in the scanner become low.No battery issues to complain about

 

[rocketrob]

My 500 can sit for a few weeks at a time and retain the charge. I'm going to assume that when you say you changed the batteries you actually purchased new batteries, charged them and put them in the scanner. I would suggest checking the type of battery that is in the scanner vs the type of battery selected in the "Radio Settings" (10th option down).
Draf

The original set I was using were fairly old. They had been in my Pro-96, although they seemed to be working fine. The second set was much newer, but not completely new. They are Duracell 2500 mAH NiMH batteries that I had been using in a camera flash. Sounds like I better go buy a new set or two of batteries and charge them in my charger. I'm still a little concerned that the second set actually ran down while the scanner was off for awhile. But I'll try new batteries as my next step.

I do have the correct type of battery selected through Win500 (still in the trial period).

rocketrob

 

[rocketrob]

If you have access to a multi meter,check the voltage on the batteries after they are charged.
also,rechargeable batteries wear down over time.they will charge to full,but will drain down faster than new ones.
What kind of batteries are you using?

I was using some Duracell NiMH 2500 mAH batteries that are a few years old. I am going to get some new batteries and see how that works. I have a multimeter, but I thought to really test the batteries I'd have to get a 'tester' that applies some sort of load to them. Would just measuring their charged voltage be sufficient?

rocketrob

 

[Earwave]

I was using some Duracell NiMH 2500 mAH batteries that are a few years old. I am going to get some new batteries and see how that works. I have a multimeter, but I thought to really test the batteries I'd have to get a 'tester' that applies some sort of load to them. Would just measuring their charged voltage be sufficient?

rocketrob

I'd say you're due for a new set.what I meant was check after charging and periodically after use,but now that you mentioned the batteries are a few years old...I wouldnt bother..those batteries are ready to be retired.Like I said,the older they get,the shorter time they stay charged.

 

[longreach]

Hi all,

Ive got both scanners (Pro 96 and PSR500) and have found my 500 will chew thru batteries far quicker than the Pro96. i generally run my 2500 NiMh batteries in my 500 to get decent battery life (round 8-10 hours) the 96 will get 10-12 on the same batteries.
i find too that aklaine battereis are rubbish in them both only getting 3-4 hours at most.
cheers
Matt

 

[Gadgetman728]

I've been fairly happy with eneloops, their claim to fame is their slow "not in use" discharge rate. Which as Sanyo claims means, they can sit fully charged for extended periods without losing their charge.

As i was typing this, my 500 low battery alarm sounded. I turned off the scanner, removed the discharged batt. pack, replaced with the charged one sitting on the desk, and turned the scanner back on. I then got up, went to kitchen where the 3rd set of batteries are in a battery charger. I make the swap from charger to batt. pack and I'm ready to go. With this rotation scheme, I can go all over the house for about 8 hrs. on a set.
During the night, it's plugged in without batteries in it, and a fresh batt. pack sitting next to it on the headboard for in the morning.

The extra battery holders are $6 at scanner master, batteries are around $20, charger about the same. Not ruining my $500 scanner with leaky batteries... priceless!

 

[DiGiTaLD]

In addition to what others have wisely suggested, the charging circuit in the 500 is supposedly pretty weak, and thus won't provide a good, full charge like an external dedicated battery charger will. I've got a couple sets of Lenmar 200 mAh NiMH batteries that I've been rotating for a while now. Been through a couple other sets of batteries since I've had the radio, and when they start to wear out, they become pretty useless. Also, there is no reason why you have to use the yellow battery holder for your rechargeable batteries. This is handy if you want to use external power but not charge your batteries while leaving them in the radio. The black battery holder doesn't have the extra terminal for charging so the batteries won't charge even if you plug into external power with the batteries in place.

 

[Ensnared]

After calling GRE about the battery issue, I learned about the Sanyo Eneloop battery which retains a charge for extended periods of time. Since these are fairly hard to find my city, I bought another brand of battery with a Nickle Hydride and Alkaline mix. These work great. Soon, I will order the aforementioned batteries. From what I've been told, digital radios consume more energy than analog versions.

 

[puzzleriddle]

try here Rechargeable Batteries Battery Chargers Rechargeable Lithium Digital Camera Batteries Maha Ansmann Energizer Sanyo ZTS they also have great chargers

 

[SCPD]

The best type of battery if you are looking for ones that don't self discharge are Sanyo Eneloop (often hard to find here in Canada) or Rayovac Hybrid (available from Walmart) batteries. Though I find that the AA size Rayovac Hybrid are often sold out at Walmart.

I also would very much recommend NOT charging your batteries inside your scanner. More than a few Radio Reference users have found out the hard way that this is a possible way to destroy your scanner. It just isn't worth it when you consider that an external charger is not only safer but more reliable way of charging your batteries.

 

[Ensnared]

Kevin: Goodness, I did not know that about charging the batteries in a scanner. Once I obtain my batteries from either Wal-Mart I will stop this practice. At present, I don't have another charger. Word of warning. I had this 15 minute charger which zapped my car's power outlet. I could not believe it, but it happened. It fried my cigarette lighter circuit. Luckily, Nissan replaced it. I have been unable to find the Rayovacs mentioned. Target has stopped keeping these in stock. So, I will look at Radio Shack. Thanks for the information.

 

[judas12]

The best type of battery if you are looking for ones that don't self discharge are Sanyo Eneloop (often hard to find here in Canada) or Rayovac Hybrid (available from Walmart) batteries. Though I find that the AA size Rayovac Hybrid are often sold out at Walmart.

I also would very much recommend NOT charging your batteries inside your scanner. More than a few Radio Reference users have found out the hard way that this is a possible way to destroy your scanner. It just isn't worth it when you consider that an external charger is not only safer but more reliable way of charging your batteries.

I've been charging in scanner for years. Never had a problem

 

[SCPD]

I've been charging in scanner for years. Never had a problem

Just do a search on Radio Reference and you will see that more than a few people have wrecked their scanners by charging their batteries in the scanner. I don't really care what you do (it is your scanner afterall), but just telling everyone to do it cautiously as it isn't the best way to charge your batteries.

 

[Larry27]

Internal vs. External Battery Charging

Just to add to what other people have said:

I own both the Pro-96 and PSR-500.

I have never had a problem charging the batteries inside the Pro-96.

When I charge the Ni-MH batteries in the PSR-500 however, I only get around 90 minutes of scanning
before the low battery indicator comes on. The scanner starts beeping around two hours and dies shortly thereafter. My charger setting is "99".

When I charge the SAME SET OF BATTERIES with an ordinary Energizer "dumb" charger, the scanner will run for up to 18 hours with no problems.

I have never had batteries go dead in the PSR-500 when the scanner was not turned on.

Try using an external charger first, then try new batteries.

Good Luck,

 

[Ensnared]

I went to two separate Wal_Mart locations in Waco, Texas yesterday and found none of these Rayovac Hybrids. The only place that I've seen them in stock was Target. I broke down yesterday and ordered the Sanyo's from Amazon.