BCD436HP/BCD536HP: They Don't Seem To Make Rechargeable Batteries As Well Anymore

[Scannerfreak6743]

About two years ago I purchased new AA Energizer Rechargeable batteries for my Bcd436. I always waited until they fully drained before fully recharging my scanner. However I notice that they just drain much faster than if I were to put disposable (regular) AA Energizer batteries in scanner. With the rechargeable batteries, I get 2 to maybe 3 hours of non stop run time. However, with the single use AA Energizers, I can get a good 10-15 hours out of them before they drain completely. Therefore, now I only use the single use, non rechargeable battries when I know I'll be out and about for an entire day and not near any chargers, and just use my rechargeable batteries while at home. Has this been others' experience too? Many years ago, those rechaegeable batteries seemed to last much longer.

 

[dave3825]

They Don't Seem To Make Rechargeable Batteries As Well Anymore​

Not the case at all. Buy the highest mAh batts you can find and use a smart charger to charge them. Something like Opus or other comparable chargers

Opus BT - C3100 V2.2 Digital Intelligent 4 Slots LCD Battery Charger

When rechargeables are at end of life, they wont hold charge for long. I use Ikea branded Ladda and can get close to 6 hours on a set. I have many sets. Also have done well with Eneloop and Eneloop Pro. They basically all come out of the same place and the Ikea brand is the same battery and less the price.

LADDA rechargeable battery, HR06 AA 1.2V, 2450mAh - IKEA

LADDA rechargeable battery, HR06 AA 1.2V, 2450mAh You reduce costs and waste by switching to rechargeable batteries, especially if you are a frequent user of traditional alkaline ones. In addition, you will always have working batteries when needed! The battery is ready to use.

www.ikea.com

 

[baayers]

The link you provided goes to a no longer available listing. Here’s an updated one for the same charger.

https://www.amazon.com/BT-C2400-Battery-Analyzer-rechargeable-batteries/dp/B00MYQ8IYS/ref=dp_prsubs_2?pd_rd_w=PvoYo&content-id=amzn1.sym.06b8d2bd-b957-4356-8d7e-bccd9ef248a2&pf_rd_p=06b8d2bd-b957-4356-8d7e-bccd9ef248a2&pf_rd_r=JSYGZY2NEWEQD542RX17&pd_rd_wg=hlrPN&pd_rd_r=cd5baa34-6fe0-44f4-b949-1e25daa5d113&pd_rd_i=B00MYQ8IYS&psc=1

I’ve had my original since 2015 and it’s truly an awesome charger. Just picked up a replacement and they are just as good. The only reason the old one got retired is because it got smashed by accident.

As far as the rechargeable batteries go personally I have not found the energizer ones to be any good for at least the last 15 years. I will agree with the previous comment that the Eneloop Batteries are awesome. Running the scanner at about half volume I get between 12 and 14 hours.

 

[Scannerfreak6743]

Oh ok. So, it is just the Energizer brand rechargeable batteries that are not performing as long as they should. I noticed someone else on another thread recommended Thunderbolts from Harbor Freight too.

 

[jaspence]

A good external charger that conditions the battery is a must. I agree with the comment about energizer batteries. I use 2300 mAh EBL AAs from Amazon, and get about 10 hours of run time on my Whistler upgraded PSR 800. My charger is from Ikea and can charge 12 AA or AAA cells individually at one time.

 

[dave3825]

Those are on my list to try also. I believe my 436 came with 2300 mAh and the HB ones are 2200 but I am still going to try them for 8 bucks.

Batteries will last longer when charged in the intelligent chargers vs something that is just going to pump in voltage for unspecified amounts of time.

 

[IAmSixNine]

OP are you using the scanner to re-charge the batteries? If so that might be part of your problem. Its been recommended (search the forums) that the 436 does not have the proper, or best charging circuitry for charging the batteries IN the scanner. Its been recommended to take them out and use a charger that does each battery individually. This will allow each battery to get its maximum charge.

 

[Ronaldski]

The draining of batteries all the time and then recharging so many times will decrease the life span far more quickly. They have only so many recharge cycles as your wearing em out far quickly. Usually after so many many recharges they wont hold a charge as long anymore.

I'm 'guessing' you might be thinking of the days of the ole Ni-cads and battery memory which isnt the case with current batteries.

 

[Hit_Factor]

...I noticed someone else on another thread recommended Thunderbolts from Harbor Freight too....

That's not advice I would take.

You will get what you pay for.

 

[gmclam]

They Don't Seem To Make Rechargeable Batteries As Well Anymore

I wonder if you're talking about all rechargeable batteries or just AA batteries. From my point of view, the only rechargeable NiMh AA that was ever made was by Sanyo, branded EneLoops. They've since sold that brand. I've never been happy with Energizers, Duracell, PowerEx, etc. In later years I only used EneLoops and in a charger that charges each battery separately.

These days many of us are using an SDS-100 portable scanner which uses a Lithium Ion rechargeable. Yeah there's lots of issues with these and you can read about that in other threads. But this is not new, meaning they STILL don't make rechargeables well (IMO).

 

[iMONITOR]

Oh ok. So, it is just the Energizer brand rechargeable batteries that are not performing as long as they should. I noticed someone else on another thread recommended Thunderbolts from Harbor Freight too.

Harbor Freight batteries =

 

[GadgetGeek]

I only use Eneloop Pro batteries.

 

[dave3825]

I only use Eneloop Pro batteries.

Me too, just mine are branded Ladda.

 

[JethrowJohnson]

About two years ago I purchased new AA Energizer Rechargeable batteries for my Bcd436. I always waited until they fully drained before fully recharging my scanner. However I notice that they just drain much faster than if I were to put disposable (regular) AA Energizer batteries in scanner. With the rechargeable batteries, I get 2 to maybe 3 hours of non stop run time. However, with the single use AA Energizers, I can get a good 10-15 hours out of them before they drain completely. Therefore, now I only use the single use, non rechargeable battries when I know I'll be out and about for an entire day and not near any chargers, and just use my rechargeable batteries while at home. Has this been others' experience too? Many years ago, those rechaegeable batteries seemed to last much longer.

I use Energizer Recharge batteries too, but mine last at least a good 7 hours and sometimes even close to 10 hours. I use the Opus BT-C3100 intelligent battery charger that @dave3825 recommended to me after I got my 436HP and it works great! The only thing is that the Lexel batteries that the scanner came with started getting low a lot sooner, but the Energizers haven't had any problems, at least not yet.

 

[Scannerfreak6743]

My experience has been the opposite. I did get one of those separate wall battery rechargers from Home Depot when I first bought the scanner, and not only did the batteries get very hot, I noticed they never fully charged. However, when I started charging them inside the scanner itself, they would fully recharge (and still do), but drain faster now. Most likely the separate charger I purchased was just a poor quality one.

I agree with Ronaldski, that perhaps my energizer rechargeable batteries just have trouble holding their charge after so many recharges. I now only get about 2-3 hour constant run time with them now.

 

[Scannerfreak6743]

I wonder if you're talking about all rechargeable batteries or just AA batteries. From my point of view, the only rechargeable NiMh AA that was ever made was by Sanyo, branded EneLoops. They've since sold that brand. I've never been happy with Energizers, Duracell, PowerEx, etc. In later years I only used EneLoops and in a charger that charges each battery separately.

These days many of us are using an SDS-100 portable scanner which uses a Lithium Ion rechargeable. Yeah there's lots of issues with these and you can read about that in other threads. But this is not new, meaning they STILL don't make rechargeables well (IMO).

I was only referring to my AA Energizer Batteries and the ones the scanner came with.

 

[Hit_Factor]

.. wall battery rechargers from Home Depot when I first bought the scanner, and not only did the batteries get very hot, I noticed they never fully charged. ....

Some chargers were known for charging too fast, creating heat that damages the battery. I think it had one of the two Big Names in batteries at HD on it.

If you search, I bet you can find threads where batteries charged in the scanner melted down as well. Quality chargers go hand in hand with quality batteries.

 

[Markscan]

Powerex Maha 2700 Mah batteries used to give me 10 hours + on my 436.

 

[hill]

I have had very good luck with the Harbor Freight AA rechargeable batteries. The ones I have work well, but can't compare them to others without use any. Going forward the worked fine for my use and the price was great.

I am not really heavy battery user now that use my G4 for P25.

I do use a BC125AT sometimes when out for mil air.

 

[dave3825]

wall battery rechargers from Home Depot when I first bought the scanner, and not only did the batteries get very hot, I noticed they never fully charged.

Some chargers were known for charging too fast, creating heat that damages the battery.

Quality chargers go hand in hand with quality batteries.

The Opus and similar intelligent chargers let you pick the current starting as low as 200mAh which will take longer. When they are fully charged, the charger kills the main charge and applies a trickle charge. I have 2 of those chargers, so I can always have 2 sets charging when the 3rd set is in the scanner.. Plus you can charge any of these,

Charging Cell Type: Ni-MH, NiCd, Lithium Ion, Designed for AA ( LR6 ) and AAA ( LR3 NiCd, NiMH or 3.7V Li-ion rechargeable batteries in size type of 10440, 14500, 16340, 17335, 17500, 18490, 17670, 18650