HomePatrol 1 Battery Question

[northwoodsradio]

Hello,

I have a question in regards to Uniden HP 1 battery life. I have had this scanner and the original batteries (2300 mah ni-mh 1.2v) since I got it about 3 years ago. This week I have notice the battery life has went down, only holding a charge about 5 minutes off the power cord. I always use the scanner for recording audio and lives on a wall charge 99% of the time and is usually on almost all the time. Question I have is this okay to always have rechargeables in the unit at all times since I use this for recording on a wall charger, and the HP 1 won’t record without the batteries? Or should I be switching out batteries? I guess I have just always used left the batteries in. I overheard a while back about charging batteries inside the scanner can cause issues. Just want some clarification on that or is what I have been doing for 3+ years okay.

 

[W8RMH]

Personally, I never charge batteries in the scanner. Scanners charge for a set time and can not tell when the batteries are full which could lead to an overcharge situation, possibly causing battery and scanner damage.

I leave the batteries in my HP-2 all the time but never charge them in it. I charge them in a LaCrosse BC-7OOU external battery charger/tester/conditioner. I change them out every month or two, or if they get low, with a freshly charged set. The batteries last longer this away as well.

If you charge the batteries all the time they get used to it and will not hold a charge.

 

[northwoodsradio]

Thanks for the info. I will go forward with not charging them in there, but just “have” the batteries in there not charging when I have it plugged into the wall mount and instead charge them from my battery charger. I’m surprised the batteries lasted that long tho. I use this scanner almost everyday and stays on 24-7 since I use it to find RIDs from the trunked system I monitor.

 

[marksmith]

Thanks for the info. I will go forward with not charging them in there, but just “have” the batteries in there not charging when I have it plugged into the wall mount and instead charge them from my battery charger. I’m surprised the batteries lasted that long tho. I use this scanner almost everyday and stays on 24-7 since I use it to find RIDs from the trunked system I monitor.

You need them in there to record, but never charge them in there.

Even plugged to the wall, batteries will lose their charge sitting in the radio. You need another charged set to put in when using battery only. If you move to car and plug in there, they will be fine, just like when connected to wall.

Mark
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