I really like my SDS100 and wouldn't get rid of it for anything, but they missed the target on one thing that even some CCR's can do.

[Dewey]

... Doesn't seat in the cradle for contact easily either ...

A little off the drop-in charger topic, but I hope this helps. I have 4 batteries, the one that came with the 100, and 3 bought as part of EBC100 kits. I was having a problem with the same battery losing contact in all three of the EBC100 chargers. Since it was always the same battery, on a whim, I sat the battery on a hard surface and pressed down on the top part of the battery (the label side). I felt a little give when I did that and haven't had a problem with that battery since. My thoughts is that the battery was never properly seated in the plastic base part of the casing until I pressed down on it.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled drop-in charger topic.

 

[chrose3]

Follow the money!

 

[KC9NEG]

As much as I would love to see a drop-in charger, this does not align with the many of us (myself included) who refuse to charge the battery in the scanner in the first place (I also will not charge my 436 batteries in the scanner).

Why not charge the battery in the scanner?

 

[Dewey]

Why not charge the battery in the scanner?

There are many reports of scanners being damaged by battery "anomalies" while charging in the scanner to the include the 24 page thread here on RR about SDS100 battery swelling. Enough said for me.

 

[pb_lonny]

Why not charge the battery in the scanner?

Based on my own personal experience and that of others I trust, I won't do this.

 

[KC9NEG]

Interesting… I’ve got some reading to do.

 

[werinshades]

Interesting… I’ve got some reading to do.

Nothing to worry about, been charging nightly in the scanner for over 6 years. No one reports any batteries blowing up or starting on fire, some expand but no damage to any scanner. As you were...

 

[KC9NEG]

Nothing to worry about, been charging nightly in the scanner for over 6 years. No one reports any batteries blowing up or starting on fire, some expand but no damage to any scanner. As you were...

Ha ha I just ordered the external charger and the second battery from Amazon. Doesn’t mean I won’t charge a battery in the radio, but it wasn’t too expensive and it’s good to have a second one on hand I suppose.

Thanks everyone, I’m really digging this radio.

 

[dmfalk]

Ha ha I just ordered the external charger and the second battery from Amazon. Doesn’t mean I won’t charge a battery in the radio, but it wasn’t too expensive and it’s good to have a second one on hand I suppose.

Thanks everyone, I’m really digging this radio.

It's always good to have the spare while the other is charging! The external charger is always a wise investment. And yes, I charge in both the SDS100 and the external charger. I charge in the SDS100, only for relatively short term charging, while the charger is used if the battery is fully drained.

 

[Ubbe]

Unidens battery swelling isn't related to the charging process or battery temperature. A battery can be stored outside of the scanner for a long time and still swell. The external charger as well as the internal in the scanner simple charge with a 500mA current until the voltage reaches max value. So it will take a longer time to charge the big battery than the small one. There's a temp sensor in the battery that are used to cut the charging process if the temp rises too much. There's no other intelligence involved.

/Ubbe