KSC-17 and KSC-18 Difference

[pcaddict]

I am a new Reserve for our local county Sheriff and we use TK-250(G) radios. I have one on loan(minus the charger) and don't want to do anything to ruin it so I bought some Kenwood chargers and a remote mic off of eBay instead of OEM. I know that the KSC-18 is a rapid charger and the KSC-17 is a standard charger. However, I have a few questions:

1. What is the difference in charging time between the KSC-17 and KSC-18? I bought a new KSC-18 off of eBay and the instructions indicate about 2 hours for a KNB-12A battery.

2. I just bought a used KSC-17 off of eBay because the KSC-18 seems to make the battery awful warm when it charges. I don't want to ruin the battery which is why I also bought the KSC-17 but still want the ability to quick charge if necessary. I am just curious if a slower charge will make any difference and if the KSC-17 has any kind of trickle charge feature. I am afraid to leave the radio on the KSC-18 due to the warmth issue.

3. Will the KSC-17 charge the KNB-12A battery or did I just waste my money? I am pretty sure it will but I would like confirmation from someone who knows more than I do.

4. Does anyone know where I can get a user's manual for the KSC-17? I've looked around on the Internet but haven't had much success.

Thanks in advance.

 

[vorndamr]

Batteries and Chargers

Go to this site for charger information: New Page 0

Usually when a battery gets to warm from charging\, there is something wrong with the battery. You batteries may need to be refreshed. If you don't have a special charger to do that then run the battery completely down ... down dead like. Then charge it at a regular rate.

Charging time differences rely upon the battery. A rapid charger starts with the rapid charge until it senses that it needs to switch over to a trickle charge which is what your standard charger is. Generally speaking 10 to 12 hours is a safe charging time for any battery for two-way radios.

A Rapid charger will almost always cause the battery to heat up at first. It also decreases the life of the battery unless it is Lithium-ion. And then you need a whole different charger. Next time you buy a charger look at the KSC-20. It charges both Ni-Cad and N-Mih.

Manuals for charges are what you get in the box. Very few service manuals for charges. Rod

 

[pcaddict]

Go to this site for charger information: New Page 0

Thanks for the reply. I actually stumbled across that site yesterday when I was searching for KSC-17 and KNB-12A. I like the spreadsheet and it definitely answered my question.

Usually when a battery gets to warm from charging\, there is something wrong with the battery. You batteries may need to be refreshed. If you don't have a special charger to do that then run the battery completely down ... down dead like. Then charge it at a regular rate.

Charging time differences rely upon the battery. A rapid charger starts with the rapid charge until it senses that it needs to switch over to a trickle charge which is what your standard charger is. Generally speaking 10 to 12 hours is a safe charging time for any battery for two-way radios.

A Rapid charger will almost always cause the battery to heat up at first. It also decreases the life of the battery unless it is Lithium-ion. And then you need a whole different charger. Next time you buy a charger look at the KSC-20. It charges both Ni-Cad and N-Mih.

Manuals for charges are what you get in the box. Very few service manuals for charges. Rod

I will do as you suggested, run it completely down and then put it on the KSC-17 for what I hope will be a long charge. Thanks again for the info.