PRO-43 Battery Issue

[W9DPY]

Pro-43 users; a question for you. My Pro-43, which has always been reliable; has started eating batteries at a very high rate. I have gone through two sets if six AA cells in about two hours of use. I know that up to 1/2 year ago, the same set of six batteries batteries would last many hours.

Has anyone else seen this issue? I can tell you that my battery holder is starting to crack.Looking at a previous thread; I'm going to try and order on (or three) of them. Has anyone measured thee voltage of the battery holder at the terminals? I'm getting 6+ volts. My guess is that two of the six batteries are in parallel - if not; it should be somewhere around 9 Vdc for the pack.

Also, has anyone sent out a Pro-43 for repair? Do you have a place you trust?

Any help is appreciated!

73's - Dave; W9DPY
d_s_chapman@yahoo.com

 

[MarkWestin]

With GRE out of the business and the Pro-43 being a 20 or so year old radio parts and repairs could be difficult. Any of the RS 6 cell battery cases should work. (not the ones they sell off the shelf)

Pro-43 (20-300) Case, Battery Mfr's Part No. GE-91D-9339 (no pull ribbon)

Pro-34 (20-135) Case, Battery (Black) RS Part Number B-0733 Mfr's Part No. GE-82D-3490 (has orange pull ribbon)

The PRO-30 (20-131) used the same battery case as the PRO-34. I think the older style case was made better if you could find one. Never store batteries in one of the above cases unless the battery case is installed in a scanner. I had one of the cases (a spare with batteries in it) melt while in my car and not installed in a scanner (due to the heat in the car and the case isn't the most rugged design.

If you can find one, replacing the battery case is an inexpensive way to see if you scanner has a problem of if it is the old battery case. Buy or borrow one and see how long your batteries last while using it. Get one battery case and try it. If it works then get one or two more.

My case with six not so good NiMh cells in it measures 7.91 volts not under load. With 6 alkaline batteries it should measure about 9.6 volts or so not under load.

Mark

 

[52to12]

I ordered battery holders for the Pro-43 about 4 years ago. The R.S. stock # at that time was:10657013.
If I remember correctly the price was about $5.00
I Haven't used the scanner in over a year now, The battery life was never that great.

 

[jimlawrence]

For service of Pro-43s, G&G Communications in Leroy, NY is the best. Gerry has worked on a couple Pro-43s for me over the years. I recommend him without reservation. Tell him I sent you.

 

[JustLou]

Also, has anyone sent out a Pro-43 for repair? Do you have a place you trust?

Any help is appreciated!

73's - Dave; W9DPY
d_s_chapman@yahoo.com

It would probably cost you more to repair than it's worth. I've seen Pro-43's going for under $50 on eBay.

 

[W9DPY]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback. The first step is to order a couple new battery holders; if RS still carries them. The gentleman who said he got 7+ volts shows me that my pack is low. So there is a connection to terminal problem. If that doesn't work; it's off to service!

73's - Dave

 

[slicerwizard]

Has anyone measured thee voltage of the battery holder at the terminals? I'm getting 6+ volts.

Sounds like you put a cell in backwards. Post picture of both sides of the (fully loaded) pack.

My guess is that two of the six batteries are in parallel - if not; it should be somewhere around 9 Vdc for the pack.

Since nothing in the battery pack is hidden, there is no need to guess.

And, since you have a voltmeter, why haven't you just checked the voltage at every point from the pack's negative terminal all the way to the positive terminal? You should see a ~1.5V increase for each cell you step over.

The gentleman who said he got 7+ volts shows me that my pack is low. So there is a connection to terminal problem. If that doesn't work; it's off to service!

You've already determined that the battery pack (or your use of it) has a major issue, so servicing the radio is pointless.

 

[SOSull66]

For service of Pro-43s, G&G Communications in Leroy, NY is the best. Gerry has worked on a couple Pro-43s for me over the years. I recommend him without reservation. Tell him I sent you.

I also got a lot of parts from G&G...I like them too...he was very nice.

I still use my old Pro-43...its still a great radio.....
Good for Mil Air.
Its a classic...fast scanning....worth keeping.....

 

[JustLou]

I still use my old Pro-43...its still a great radio.....
Good for Mil Air.
Its a classic...fast scanning....worth keeping.....

Agreed. One of the best ever made.