BCD436HP/BCD536HP: powering scanner from AC, question.

[N9NRA]

Hey all, i have a question re, AC power supply for my `436HP, the one i got at Dayton last year finally gave up today (started noticing issues with the scanner losing power intermittently, traced it to the wall wart), now for the question, the power supply i got at Dayton (which happens to be a cellphone charger, nice ) outputs at 5.0 to 5.5 volts at 100mh, and the one i`m now using (experimentally, hence my asking) outputs 5V at 1A. My question is, one, can i run this power supply withoug hurting the unit, so long as the voltages match? and two, regarding what i believe is just the way they`re charactarizing the amperage output, does the unit need to see a 100mh current or can i safely run a 1A (amp) current? would like to know so i don`t hafta find an OEM supply since it seems i could just use a cellphone charger with the cable that came with the original supply (the one that`s flaking out, tried it and it appears to work, and i really don`t want to hafta wait just to snag an OEM supply or god forbid turn a really great scanner into an expensive paperweight). So any help would be greatly appreicated . Thanx! N9NRA P.S. The supply i`m now using is also a cellphone charger .

 

[DickH]

... does the unit need to see a 100mh current or can i safely run a 1A (amp) current? ... .

The scanner will draw only as much current as it needs, if it is lower than the power supply rated current it will be fine.
Having said that, I, and others here, advise against running a scanner with a wall wart. It's possible that a power surge could damage your scanner. It has happened to me. You are much better off to buy extra batteries and a charger and charge the batteries outside the scanner.

 

[N9NRA]

The scanner will draw only as much current as it needs, if it is lower than the power supply rated current it will be fine.
Having said that, I, and others here, advise against running a scanner with a wall wart. It's possible that a power surge could damage your scanner. It has happened to me. You are much better off to buy extra batteries and a charger and charge the batteries outside the scanner.

Actually that is what i do, i use battery for the most part & NEVER charge `em in the scanner, i have a nice external charger for the AA batteries . The only time i run on AC is usually at night when i wanna listen before i hit the sack, and the wall wart i got last year at Dayton started to go away on me, that`s why i asked about this, as i found a way to (possibly) use another power supply, which happened to also be a cellphone charger too, like the one i got with the unit when i snagged it at Dayton. And yes, i am aware of that power spike thingy, seen it here in this building as we have older wiring (this place was oniginally a hotel built in the `20`s, remained open till the mid `70`s), so i know all about that, another reason i usually don`t run it on AC around here, but i still do from time to time and wanted to know if my replacement would work and not be a problem. Thanx guys ! N9NRA

 

[Voyager]

100 mA is likely not enough to fully power the scanner. The 1A is a much better choice which will fully power the scanner with capacity left over (which won't hurt anything)

 

[darunimal]

Anything ABOVE 500ma is better because that is what the USB standard was written for. As well as, between Volume at 15, Channel Volume Offset at +3, Brightness at High, and Contrast Set at 15 you may well need all 500ma, under powering can cause as much damage as over powering. Between 500ma and 1a should suffice for maximum power draw needs to the scanner and less waste, dissipated as heat in the vicinity. Personally, I don't think I'd go below 300ma, even if that's all I had available, unless I put all 4 of the aforementioned settings, really low.

 

[N9NRA]

Anything ABOVE 500ma is better because that is what the USB standard was written for. As well as, between Volume at 15, Channel Volume Offset at +3, Brightness at High, and Contrast Set at 15 you may well need all 500ma, under powering can cause as much damage as over powering. Between 500ma and 1a should suffice for maximum power draw needs to the scanner and less waste, dissipated as heat in the vicinity. Personally, I don't think I'd go below 300ma, even if that's all I had available, unless I put all 4 of the aforementioned settings, really low.

Hey thanx guys, answered it nicely . I`ll just use the 1A one i have now, good to know i can do it without hurting my scanner, and i really don`t use the AC wall wart all that much, mainly at night to monitor for Skywarn nets & the odd police call once in a while. Curiously, when i see something like "5 volts at 100 mh", is that just another way of saying, "5 volts at 1 A (amp)? I see this from time to time on power supplies for the video stuff i work with, and got to wondering, Thanx guys! Mabey i`ll see some of you at Daton this year . N9NRA

 

[darunimal]

1000mah is 1amp, 100mah is 0.1amp

 

[DickH]

... i really don`t use the AC wall wart all that much, mainly at night to monitor for Skywarn nets & the odd police call once in a while. ...

All it takes is a millisecond surge and your $500 scanner is fried. Good luck.

 

[darunimal]

All it takes is a millisecond surge and your $500 scanner is fried. Good luck.

I've had more wall warts die than scanners plugged into them. In fact I've never had a scanner die because of one, not a portable, mobile, or desktop, but it can happen. Best Wishes!

 

[gmkelm]

I've had more wall warts die than scanners plugged into them. In fact I've never had a scanner die because of one, not a portable, mobile, or desktop, but it can happen. Best Wishes!

Agree.

Any valued piece of electronics needs to plugged into either a quality surge suppressor or an uninterruptible power supply. With that being said I have never lost any electronics due to a surge because they are protected.

I don't charge batteries in my radios because that is what inexpensive external chargers are for, and if lightening is in the area unplug. Otherwise is OK to run on AC.

Mark