SDS100/SDS200: Swollen Battery?

[Randyk4661]

That is correct. I use a lower amperage USB charger when I'm not listening only charging.
I use the USB charger that comes with the radio when I listen and charge at the same time. I will also use this charger to power the radio (not charge) in the other jack.
Sorry for the confusion.

 

[RandyKuff]

I have "possessed" three external chargers and only one of them has worked right.

The first one would latch, but the pilot light would go out.

The second one was returned to Scanner Master last week. If you put the battery in the charger, it would not latch, at all.

I asked Scanner Master to inspect the charger.

If I possessed the means and knowledge, I would take the electronic guts out of this and remake it with a 3D printer.

God, I miss Regency.

I still am using the external charger I bought awhile ago...
I had the issue where the charge light would go off Immediately...
What I found to fix this was when you put the battery into the charger, move it around while it's latched in to wipe the contacts first...
I also do it on the scanner too... When I swap the battery...

 

[345binder]

That is correct. I use a lower amperage USB charger when I'm not listening only charging.
I use the USB charger that comes with the radio when I listen and charge at the same time. I will also use this charger to power the radio (not charge) in the other jack.
Sorry for the confusion.

Are you getting heat issues with the lower amperage charger? Is the battery reaching full charge?
The red/green light I would not trust at a lower amperage charge.
Heat in the charger and none in the battery?
You may want to investigate using a lower amperage charger, a little more. In my mind battery life may be shortened.
Just a thought, nothing negative.

 

[Randyk4661]

Are you getting heat issues with the lower amperage charger? Is the battery reaching full charge?
The red/green light I would not trust at a lower amperage charge.
Heat in the charger and none in the battery?
You may want to investigate using a lower amperage charger, a little more. In my mind battery life may be shortened.
Just a thought, nothing negative.

I don't use the lower amp charger to run the SDS100, only to charge. It does take longer to reach full charge but it does get a green light.
While charging, the radio does not get warm like it does using the supplied charger. It was my understanding from an electronics expert (old school ham radio and electronics designer from the 60's, 70's & 80's) that quick charging batteries degrades them after time. I'm sure technology has change a great deal since those decades have past and this my no longer be a factor.
It has been working for me this past year I have had the scanner and unless someone can show me I am damaging the scanner I will continue charge only with the lower amp charger and use the supplied charger to listen while it is plugged in.

 

[Ubbe]

... quick charging batteries degrades them after time.

That's true. Heat destroys batteries and heat build up more when you quick charge. Slow charging over 10-12 hours are probably the best. One problem are that the voltage from the adaptor will drop when it cannot supply the full current and will be below 5 volt and the charge electronics can be a bit off in its specification but will correct itself when the batteries reach full charge and the power supply goes up to 5 volt when all current are no longer needed.

/Ubbe

 

[Hooligan]

Unident-Bearcant seems chronically complacent/lazy/negligent when it comes to acting upon suggestions & concerns of their customers. If you're properly using OEM Unidont-supplied batteries/chargers bought in the USA and noticing a potentially dangerous battery problem, the best way to give unident a kick in the ass that they can't ignore would be to file complaints with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Contact Us

Consumer Hotline and General InformationPhone: (800) 638-2772; TTY (800) 638-8270Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.

www.cpsc.gov