PRO 164 Battery Life?

[rosecitywanderer]

I exhumed my 164 from hibernation last night and installed two new batteries. There were two on the backside that I had forgotten about when I put it away so they were in from Christmas '08 until just now. I was running the scanner pretty hard last night and did a ton of programming. I then used it for several hours today. Right around 30 minutes ago, I got the battery low warning and put in four fresh AAs.

Now that it's programmed, what kind of battery life can I expect out of it doing just scanning? I'm sure it doesn't make a damn bit of difference but I'm using Duracells.

 

[shadcall]

When I first got mine, I used batteries until I got around to getting the AC adapter at RS. I listened to it about every day, maybe 5-6 hours a day, sometimes a bit more. I got several days from the batteries. I just turned it on and let it run. Did not use the backlight.

I have read somewhere that cheap alkaline batteries are just as good as the Duracell's. I buy mine at a warehouse store like Sam's Club and usually get a pretty good price.

But if you are going to be monitoring in your home, I would suggest you get the AC adapter.

Shadcall
Pro 163 Pro 164 Pro 62 Pro 2027
DX-390

 

[KC5EIB]

I get about 22 to 30 continuous hours of operation on my Pro-164 on a set of AA Alkaline batteries

 

[brumey]

Get yourself a set of rechargables and a charger.

Best deal seems to be Costco. They have Sanyo Enloop batteries and a charger. 8 AA's, and 2 or 4 AAA with charger for about $27.

The great thing about these batteries are their ability to hold a charge while on the shelf (or sitting in the radio. I listen about an hour a night and get 6 weeks or more before charging the batteries.

Good luck,

Kevin

 

[N1BHH]

You should always use a full fresh set of batteries when using any scanner, because if one battery of the four has a problem, it can lead to all the others following suit. I have alkaline cells in mine for the last 3-4 days and it's holding up nicely. I haven't had it on all that time, but I have gotten more than 30 hours of operating time out of alkaline cells.

I have gotten good results with rechargeable batteries with comparable operating time. Rechargeable batteries should never be charged in the radio and multiple sets should be purchased along with a good quality charger. I have 4 sets ready to feed my '106 and '164.

When operating the radio via external power, the batteries should be removed from the radio.

I place my scanners in coffee mugs for support while around the house, since I don't drink coffee and they make sturdy holders

 

[Spadinator]

I have 2500 mah walmart rechargeables in mine and I get two or three days out of them before needing to be charged. I also have a power supply I got at a yard sale for a buck that has the required rating for the scanner.