Icom R1 Help

[Polypro]

Hello,

I've got an R1 that has been in storage (Pelican Case) for about 3 years. I Plugged in the wall charger and let it charge for about 4 hours before turning it on using the CPU reset (F+CL/Pwr Knob) method. It turned on fine. I then used it for about another 3 hours while it was plugged in. When I pulled the charger from it, it died. I split the case and pulled the battery...checked it with a volt meter and its at 8.4v. I'm thinking the Ni-Cad is toast, after sitting uncharged for so long...but it's showing 1.2v over what it should be (7.2v). Any recommendations?

Thanks,

P

 

[michaelsbus]

Battery Power!!

Time to replace the battery pack. Ni-cds don't like to be recharged very often or for very long periods of time. If you were to take the wrapper off the pack and test each cell individually, you'll find at least one cell dead (even negative voltage!) and the remaining cells exceeding the 1.2v charge level. Continued charging will eventually fry the remaining cells - and the pack will get quite hot! If the radio charge circuit can do it, get NiMH cells. They perform much better than NiCds and don't die quite as easily. The type of charger is very important - if the radio has a built in charge circuit, try using individual cells and use an external charger with them. In fact, NiMH work very well with just about anything, so don't be afraid to invest in them and a decent charger, and you can get them just about anywhere. Remember, the higher the mAH rating the longer they will last in use; the chargers are usually "smart" units that will safely rapid-charge anywhere up to as little as 15 minutes, but an hour is fine. If you get plenty of extra cells, you can't go wrong. (At least until someone starts making cheap AA-size fuel cells!)

 

[toydriver_det]

Hello,
...... Any recommendations?

Thanks,

P

Try cleaning those little spring clips in the battery compartment with a pencil eraser.

 

[Polypro]

Time to replace the battery pack. Ni-cds don't like to be recharged very often or for very long periods of time. If you were to take the wrapper off the pack and test each cell individually, you'll find at least one cell dead (even negative voltage!) and the remaining cells exceeding the 1.2v charge level....

Bingo. I pulled the plastic wrapper and two of the cells were severely corroded. I found the stock battery pack for $28.00 online. I also found some cross referenced ones on mods.dk that can be used and are available at Radio Shack. I'll see if I can get the RS versions in NiMH and solder my first battery pack together Thanks for the help guys!

P

 

[michaelsbus]

Followup to Battery Power!

OK, I hope I'm not too late...

DO NOT MIX NIMH AND NICD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

... could be disastrous...

The charging methods are somewhat different and using the wrong charger would be problematic. Some cells will charge at different rate than others, causing heating issues to severe breakdown. Stick with the NiCD's for now. Check with the manufacturer about the charging circuit if you can use the NiMH. I'm not that familiar with the radio, otherwise I could help you more.

 

[michaelsbus]

More on Battery Power!

I did some research for you, and learned a bit myself. Here's some web sites to check out:

www.icomamerica.com
has only archive info, but lists the various options that were available for the unit.

http://www.marcucci.it/english/download/
has the service manual for the R1. Excellent!!! A real tech manual. Haven't seen one in a long time.
http://mods.dk/view.php?ListManuals=icom
has both the instruction manual as well as the service manual

http://www.lxoindustries.com/batteries/police_fr.html
If you like French, then you might try them. Has various packs to suit your scanner.

http://www.batteriesamerica.com/icom1.htm
http://www.batterystation.com/icom.htm
also
www.all-batteries.com
have numerous cells and charging systems. Batteriesamerica has pre-made packs as well as cells with tabs.

http://www.marineelectronicshoppe.com/manuals/ICOM/ReceiverProducts.htm
Original-quality paper manuals shipped (for a fee, of course)

At first glance of Icom's site, I was skeptical about changing battery type. The other sites, however, offer both NiCD and NiMH in the original snap-on battery pack case. I learned that the unit came with an internal battery pack, and there were options for external battery packs that slid on or snapped onto the bottom of the radio. The service manual, however, clears up any confusion. The charging circuit will properly charge NiCd and NiMH without worry, so you should be able to replace the old internal pack with NiMH. (Just be sure the cells are physically no larger than the original so it fits the radio)

If you're really dedicated to the radio and want to invest the money, look at getting an external battery pack or two as well as the charging base. If you scrounge around you might find an old used pack that you could "restore" yourself, but be on the lookout for a BP-90. That's a pack that takes 6 standard size AA cells and be the easiest route for you. A handful of AA NiMH and a fast-charger and you'll be purring along. The book says it takes 16 hours with the radio off to fully charge the internal pack (because it's using a 7.2V wall-wart to pump up a 7.2V battery).

Anyway, good luck with the radio. It's a discontinued unit, so weigh the remaining life-span against whatever you do.