SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 electrical issue

[Tower5153]

All,
I purchased my SDS100 3 months ago from Bearcat Warehouse. It’s been used on 3 different trips since then, and has worked flawlessly. Today, I headed out for a short trip to Modesto. I was using the Uniden supplied USB power adapter and programming cable for power. I hooked everything up, but did not power the unit on. The red charging indicator was lit, as it has been on all previous occasions.

About 3 miles from home, the USB power adapter began to make a popping/arcing sound and emitted a heavy burning odor. I Immediately pulled over and unplugged everything. The USB adapter was hot to the touch and had obviously suffered some sort of internal failure.

After this, my SDS 100 will not power up. I removed the battery and inspected the interior for damage. No signs of anything, or any smell of electrical failure. I have tried another cable, power supply, etc. I also tried swapping memory cards, to no avail. I’ve got an email in to Bearcat Warehouse for a return of the unit.

Has anyone else had this type of thing happen?

 

[nessnet]

The ("programming") cable is basically a standard USB cable, nothing special (electronics) in it. If you were in a car, why were you using the "Uniden supplied USB power adapter"? Using it via an inverter?

So, the bad news here is unless the cable had a direct short somewhere (pinched or compromised somehow), the problem is elsewhere (probably the inverter, the power supply or the radio itself?).

 

[Tower5153]

The ("programming") cable is basically a standard USB cable, nothing special (electronics) in it. If you were in a car, why were you using the "Uniden supplied USB power adapter"? Using it via an inverter?

So, the bad news here is unless the cable had a direct short somewhere (pinched or compromised somehow), the problem is elsewhere (probably the inverter, the power supply or the radio itself?).

I was using the USB adapter that goes into the 12v outlet in the vehicle. (you know, the thing you plug a cell phone charger into) I‘m not sure where you got that I was using an inverter? I’ll attach a picture to make it easier for you. In the paperwork, it’s referred to as “USBDC Power Adapter (for the car)”

The cable wasn’t pinched, I wasn’t using an inverter, and there is no issue with the power supply. The scanner was never powered up before the incident occurred. I plugged my cell phone into the same 12v outlet and powered it for over 3 hours with no issues.

 

[USASA]

Hi All!

I have the same 12 volts to 5 volts 2 amp. adaptor/converter, got it at B.C.W. also. If the battery in my SDS100 is very low it will not charge and run the scanner. I get the "LOW BUS VOLTAGE" message. B.C.W. is a very good place to get a radio but these adaptors are JUNK!!! They get very hot, they do not do the job that they were intended to do! They are cheep CHINESE junk. I feel they are a waste of money. I would not recommend them to anyone! Just my opinion based on my experience. They are a fire hazard! B.C.W if you check this site you should find a much better adaptor/converter to sell. Then send everyone who purchased one of the junk ones the new and improved one. There are better devices out there with will do a better job and safer. I do use it but I watch it like a hawk!

Just my thoughts and my experience with this product, agree, disagree if you want. That is your right!

I am still in awe of the SDS100, what a radio!!!!! I use it every day! Hand held or mobile, where I go it goes.

Thanks!
Al
U.S.A.S.A.

 

[trentbob]

I am also a little confused as to what you were doing? You mentioned using the Uniden power adapter which is the wall wart which you would not use in the car. You would pull the cable from the wall wart and just plug it into a USB outlet in the car. Usually that is not enough power, you need over 2 amps to run the radio and charge it at the same time but you went out with the radio just to charge it?, not use it, and it wasn't turned on??? it was only charging???

Now the picture you supplied looks like it's just a cigarette lighter adapter that you plug the USB into that you can purchase anywhere, so you were plugged into the cigarette lighter?

When using the 100 in the car you usually listen to it and you don't use the charger / programming cable supplied with the radio, you purchase a mini USB and put it in the other input which is power only, not charging, you start the car first then plug in the USB into a USB outlet and listen to the radio, not charge it, why would you take a ride with your radio just to charge it and not actually listen to it? I'm not sure but there is some kind of misunderstanding here.

There is no need to buy any kind of adapter from Bearcat Warehouse to operate the radio in the car. As long as charge while on is not enabled you could use the programming cable and the USB port would supply enough energy just to run the radio.

One thing is for sure, whatever you were doing, to smell electrical burning and hear popping, arcing sounds is not a good thing and no, I wouldn't think the radio would work after that... as far as calling Bearcat Warehouse to return the radio, don't waste your time, I believe they give a 30-day money-back guarantee and that's it. You will be entering the Quagmire of Uniden repair and your radio will be gone for a while. I wouldn't mention the circumstances of why it doesn't work, I would just say it doesn't work and get the warranty repair. Hopefully they will replace the unit.

 

[tvengr]

I am also a little confused as to what you were doing?

Just a note. The USB port in my vehicle does not supply enough current to operate my SDS100 with charging disabled. I can understand the need for a cigarette lighter USB supply.

 

[mc48]

Try removing the battery and powering up the radio with the USB cable and 120vac USB power supply, you may have cooked the battery along with the 12v adapter.

 

[N9JIG]

Just for a little clarification: The 12V adapter does not come from Uniden, it comes from the retailer and is added to the package. Uniden provides a 120V USB adapter but no 12V one.

Based on the issue my guess is that the 12V adapter failed and shorted and perhaps sent 12V up the USB line, this in turn may have triggered a protection circuit in the radio rendering it inoperable.

I would contact the vendor first as they provided and sourced the 12V adapter.

Also, if you have a USB Micro cable available you might be able to power the radio off that if the USB Mini port is bad. It won't charge the battery but it might at least let you operate the radio.

 

[nessnet]

Just for a little clarification: The 12V adapter does not come from Uniden, it comes from the retailer and is added to the package. Uniden provides a 120V USB adapter but no 12V one.

Based on the issue my guess is that the 12V adapter failed and shorted and perhaps sent 12V up the USB line, this in turn may have triggered a protection circuit in the radio rendering it inoperable.

I would contact the vendor first as they provided and sourced the 12V adapter.

Also, if you have a USB Micro cable available you might be able to power the radio off that if the USB Mini port is bad. It won't charge the battery but it might at least let you operate the radio.

Sorry, my error. Like others have noted, you said "Uniden supplied" - Uniden ONLY supplies the wall wart and the USB cable with an SDS100.

The el cheapo POS you got, probably cooked your radio.

 

[trentbob]

Just a note. The USB port in my vehicle does not supply enough current to operate my SDS100 with charging disabled. I can understand the need for a cigarette lighter USB supply.

Just for a little clarification: The 12V adapter does not come from Uniden, it comes from the retailer and is added to the package. Uniden provides a 120V USB adapter but no 12V one.

Based on the issue my guess is that the 12V adapter failed and shorted and perhaps sent 12V up the USB line, this in turn may have triggered a protection circuit in the radio rendering it inoperable.

I would contact the vendor first as they provided and sourced the 12V adapter.

Also, if you have a USB Micro cable available you might be able to power the radio off that if the USB Mini port is bad. It won't charge the battery but it might at least let you operate the radio.

I actually have one port in the car that will run the sds100 and as I said in my post you should use a USB micro cable rather than the charger/ programming cable.

If the USB port in your car does not run the radio even when not charging a $5 adapter for cigarette lighter plug will do the trick.

 

[AvidHiker]

Or you could just spend $10 on a known reliable USB Car charger brand (e.g., Anker) and have the equivalent of the stock Uniden wall-wart in your vehicle. Mine is perfectly capable of powering and charging the SDS100 simultaneously. I'd be interested to know the brand that was included with the OP's SDS - looks like it might be a cheap generic type.

 

[AK9R]

Or you could just spend $10 on a known reliable USB Car charger brand (e.g., Anker)...

How are Anker and other "known reliable" brands with regard to spurious emissions? I have car chargers that wipe out parts of VHF and I'm loathe to buying a bucket of different USB chargers trying to find one that is clean.

 

[buddrousa]

The Anker parts are higher but I have had no problems with them mobile 2 running 5 scanners.

 

[IAmSixNine]

Just a note. The USB port in my vehicle does not supply enough current to operate my SDS100 with charging disabled. I can understand the need for a cigarette lighter USB supply.

@tvengr the USB A port in your car is not meant for charging. Its meant for data transfer so you can hook a phone to a vehicle and get music or use it for other controls. Its not meant for charging. And if it did charge something it would be very slow as those ports are usually 500mAh output (some could be 900mAh).

 

[KK4JUG]

@tvengr the USB A port in your car is not meant for charging. Its meant for data transfer so you can hook a phone to a vehicle and get music or use it for other controls. Its not meant for charging. And if it did charge something it would be very slow as those ports are usually 500mAh output (some could be 900mAh).

There's a little more to it. The USB port that is located on or near the audio equipment is for data (music). Many vehicles have other ports. My Sorento also has a port inside the console and one at the back of the console for middle seat passengers. While they are relatively low amperage, those two are for charging and are not connected to the audio system.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Based on the issue my guess is that the 12V adapter failed and shorted and perhaps sent 12V up the USB line, this in turn may have triggered a protection circuit in the radio rendering it inoperable.

That is exactly what I was thinking, too - 12V sent to the scanner.

 

[kruser]

That is exactly what I was thinking, too - 12V sent to the scanner.

Just think what would happen in new homes that have USB ports built into the 120 VAC receptacle's wall plates!
I'm not so sure I'd trust one of those devices for fear that something fails and sends 120 VAC out the USB port.

 

[KK4JUG]

Just think what would happen in new homes that have USB ports built into the 120 VAC receptacle's wall plates!
I'm not so sure I'd trust one of those devices for fear that something fails and sends 120 VAC out the USB port.

If it's done right with quality materials, it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[AvidHiker]

How are Anker and other "known reliable" brands with regard to spurious emissions? I have car chargers that wipe out parts of VHF and I'm loathe to buying a bucket of different USB chargers trying to find one that is clean.

That's a good question - most of their 12V USB stuff is designed to support many, if not most, modern charging protocols, some of which are capable of supplying a lot more than the basic 12W (5V/2.4A). I've only monitored UHF P25 systems with the SDS100 plugged into an Anker outlet (https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Compatible-Devices-Anker-PowerDrive/dp/B07H4LH6P7) and that seems to work fine.
I recently upgraded to this one, with even more power, but have yet to test it out:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WYF9HP

 

[KK4JUG]

Historically, Anker products have always been excellent quality. I have mostly used 120v and 12v power supplies and have never had a problem. They deliver as advertised. While they're a little higher in cost, I find them worth every penny.