WS1040: Rechargeable Batteries

[TimInMN]

I've had my scanner for a couple weeks now and love it. I figured out all the programming and seem to be listening to frequencies as it was intended. However, I bought some rechargeable batteries but the instructions are very vague. The manual (and youtube videos) stress that you should only use the yellow holder and be careful NOT to overcharge your batteries. I bought 4 NiMH 2500 mAh but I'm not sure how long it takes to recharge them. I used them in the radio until they were totally dead. Now I'm worried about leaving them charge too long. Any information would be great.

 

[doctordialtone]

Now I'm worried about leaving them charge too long. Any information would be great.

The #1 suggestion you'll hear is:

DO NOT charge batteries in the scanner. One "accident" and your scanner is toast!

Buy a good external charger (Maha) and quality batteries (Eneloop) to protect your investment.

Good luck

 

[jaspence]

The best choice is to NOT charge the batteries in the radio. I had the back of a radio melt when one of the batteries shorted during charging. A good external charger will not only avoid this, but condition and maintain each cell individually, giving longer life and more consistent run time. From your description, it sounds like you have a Whistler scanner. If you put regular batteries in that yellow case and forget and try to charge them, you could have a serious problem. Use the other case and only charge the batteries externally.

 

[SouthernRoller]

 

[vagrant]

I agree with Jaspence. I charge my AA batteries in an Eneloop charger. I use Eneloop and EBL AA batteries with various things. I have done this for years with zero problems. Additionally, my scanners are set to never charge the internal battery when plugged in.

My WS1040 is usually on 24/7 at home, so I use an external 9v AC adapter. It supplies at least 400 mA. I only put batteries in it when portable.

 

[CycleSycho]

.

Endorse fully to never charge the batteries In the radio. HOWEVER, personal preferences in rechargeable brands is just that, a personal preference. Same for the equipment used to recharge said batteries, another personal preference. Nuff said!

.

 

[TimInMN]

Thanks everyone for the GREAT information. I guess I was so focused on being able to charge them in the scanner that I never even thought about the consequences of what could happen. I ordered my 12V plug, a box of batteries and a battery charger online today. Jaspence, yes, I just bought the Whistler WS1040 and love it.

I've got another question but I think I should start a new topic.

 

[Machria]

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[Machria]

Would you guys PLEASE STOP IT! The entire "don't charge the batteries in the radio because it will burn down the city" NONSENSE is ridiculous, and you know it. There is little to no danger in charging batteries in your devices in the year 2020. In fact, the same if not MORE danger applies when you are charging rechargeable batteries in a little desktop charger which was manufactured in the great "quality oriented" state of China. Most devices don't even give you a choice nowadays. For example, oh, the estimated 6 to 8 billion cell phones that are floating around right this very second. Sure, one guy out of those 6 billion melted his device while charging one day. That's about the same chances as hitting Mega-ball lottery 3 times in a row.

Having said that, the Whistler scanners (OR the Unidens) as mentioned do not put much charge current into the batteries, so it takes forever to charge that way which makes it very ineffective. So because of that reason (slow charge cycle), and that reason only, get a good external charger and some good AA rechargeable. Someday, a scanner company design and make a proper battery pack and charging stand for these scanners. And maybe they can update to a 2020 GUI interface, and loose the 1970's look and feel? Wishful thinking, I know.

 

[slicerwizard]

Uh huh. Uses hyperbole. Ignores the goal of not damaging the scanner; who cares if a cheap charger lets the smoke out, and of course we don't recommend cheap chargers, we push Mahas, etc. Ignores the fact that scanners have no circuitry to properly charge and balance a multi-cell pack. And for good measure, tosses in a graphical user interface interface, and can't spell "lose".

 

[vagrant]

This is a good point and actually the reason why I use an external charger. I should have clarified that. The cell balancing is what I agree on with Jaspence. The fast charge with external is great.

Having said that, the Whistler scanners (OR the Unidens) as mentioned do not put much charge current into the batteries, so it takes forever to charge that way which makes it very ineffective. So because of that reason (slow charge cycle), and that reason only, get a good external charger and some good AA rechargeable. Someday, a scanner company design and make a proper battery pack and charging stand for these scanners. And maybe they can update to a 2020 GUI interface, and loose the 1970's look and feel? Wishful thinking, I know.

 

[Machria]

Uh huh. Uses hyperbole. Ignores the goal of not damaging the scanner; who cares if a cheap charger lets the smoke out, and of course we don't recommend cheap chargers, we push Mahas, etc. Ignores the fact that scanners have no circuitry to properly charge and balance a multi-cell pack. And for good measure, tosses in a graphical user interface interface, and can't spell "lose".

You think "Mahas etc." or any other higher end charger are manufactured somewhere other than China? Mine says right on it, "MADE IN CHINA" as does the box it came in. They are actually more dangerous than using the rudimentary charging circuit in the scanners. They have more components, and they are delivering a MUCH higher amperage into the batteries. Do they work better at charging? YES. Are they less dangerous? NO. That is the point I was making, and you are aware of that.

I just can't stand the non-sense about the "danger" of charging these units using the charger that came with them. And if you are truly worried about ruining your expensive device from charging the batteries while in it, why don't you take the battery out of your iPhone when you charge it? It's $1,000, not $350! It's just a really mute argument and I dislike the fact it scares UN-suspecting newbies/non-techies that likely do not understand or care to invest time or money in managing chargers, sets of batteries....

And I'm the one using "hyperbole"? LOL

PS-Thanks for the spelling lesson, your correct, I can not spell, never could, never will. I can partially thank Dyslexia for that.

 

[Ed6698]

My Maha charger was made in Taiwan. I never charge my batteries in a scanner, not taking a chance of ruining them or shortening the life of the batteries or the scanner.

 

[eyes00only]

I loaned my idiot nephew a scanner many years ago and he MELTED THE BATTERY CASE by "mistake".

Listen to the majority here and charge batteries outside of the scanner.

 

[wtp]

WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CELLS...
ok it should be children from the simpsons BUT,
first, my 9000 says made in taiwan also,
second, anything can melt something if whatever goes wrong,
third, my wife charged in the radio until one day she picked it up and said "it's really hot",
fourth+, thinking of the cells......
the running time lasts longer if you pair them up anyway and how would you know the true capacity.
yep, with a smart charger.
how would you not overcharge a single cell in a "bunch",
yep, with a smart charger.
how do you find a weak cell,
yep, with a smart charger.
how do you keep your radio off the grid and away from lightning strikes (in florida)
yep, with a smart charger.
i could see enough positive things about an external charger that i bought one when i did not have a steady job.
i might even have more reasons, but you can tell what side i am on, and i think of myself as a cheap guy.

 

[Machria]

OHHHHH, Taiwan, then it's ok. LOL! You guys are funny.

 

[wtp]

i was going to say "close enough"
now, where is every scanner made ???

 

[ronw]

i have been programing the gre whistler and radio shack brands for 20years. one thing i remember was radio shack soldme and others a 800mhz wall wart. also the scanners came with the wrong charge time. way to much. i finally figured out to use the 400mhz wall wart and changed the charge time in scanner to 6 hours. i have programed at least 15 of the pro106,psr500,1040. and pro651.never had a problem with melting cases or batt holders. external chargers are probably a safer bet if there are failures in scanner charger, or wall wart. just saying this has been my experience.

 

[jaspence]

Machria, you need to read all the words. My problem was the battery (made in China) that shorted. The other thing that you are missing is that charging the batteries in series in the radio does nothing but increase the voltage. A good charger that charges each cell individually gives a controlled discharge and recharge, which cannot be done in the radio. I have a collection of over 50 scanners and HTs, and the biggest battery problems are those with cell packs and cheap chargers (Baofeng style). The chargers that come with Motorola, Hytera, Icom and other higher quality radios have much better battery life.

 

[Machria]

No, Jaspence, you need to read "all the words". NOBODY is arguing against charging using an external charger. We are all in agreement an external charger does a much better job charging. I have 4 different external chargers, and lots of sets of rechargeable. The point we are making is, "IT'S NOT DANGEROUS" to charge using the charger that came with the scanner. It's probably less risky than charging with external chargers. It doesn't charge as fast or as good, but it works, albeit poorly.

As per battery packs, I have a 25 year old marine Icom VHF handheld radio with a built in battery pack and a drop in desktop charger. That battery holds a charge for over 1 year, and has never had a problem holding or accepting a charge and runs like a champ. That is how these scanners should be designed. The cost of that until was $99, so cost is not prohibitive as some claim.