BC125AT: Time to charge new batteries in new BC125AT

[dadonatrain]

I just got my new BC125AT. I put the NiMH batteries Uniden included into the scanner yesterday at 11:08 am and plugged in the scanner with the usb cord and a standard ac wall charger. At 11:30 am today they still aren’t charged complete acc to the screen. What does this suggest to those of you who understand this eqpt better than me (which is all of you)?

Are the batteries defective? Is the scanner charging circuitry defective? Or is this typical for the batteries Uniden provides?

In the long run it won’t matter since I’m buying a separate scanner and Panasonic Eneloop batteries, but I’m curious.

 

[hill]

Might not be the highest quality shipped with the scanner.

Don't charge batteries in the radio, as it is just a timed circuit and doesn't monitor the voltage.

Set the scanner to alkaline batteries with the switch in the battery compartment, so won't charge.

Get a good battery charger and charge them in it. Get a few sets of batteries and will always have a charged set. Batteries will last longer with good charging in charger, rather than being cooked in timed charger
in the radio. Plus some had issues with batteries melting down and if this occurs won't destroy your scanner.

If used at home or in vehicle power from USB and don't use batteries.

 

[RandyKuff]

I agree with not using the scanner to charge the batt's...
But in a pinch if the need be, your not going to hurt anything...
Just a Note --- According to the manual, the batt's will only charge in the scanner from USB power when the radio is turned off...
And the switch in the batt compartment in the correct position...

 

[dadonatrain]

Might not be the highest quality shipped with the scanner.

Don't charge batteries in the radio, as it is just a timed circuit and doesn't monitor the voltage.

Set the scanner to alkaline batteries with the switch in the battery compartment, so won't charge.

Get a good battery charger and charge them in it. Get a few sets of batteries and will always have a charged set. Batteries will last longer with good charging in charger, rather than being cooked in timed charger
in the radio. Plus some had issues with batteries melting down and if this occurs won't destroy your scanner.

If used at home or in vehicle power from USB and don't use batteries.

Thx. Good to know I’m on the right course. Good batteries and chgr should both arrive while I’m cooling my heels getting my car mntce done!

With respect to “power from USB and don’t use batteries“ do you mean remove both batteries entirely in that situation?

 

[dadonatrain]

Do all chargers charge any battery at the same rate in the same amount of time or do the “better” ones ( which may or may not be = more expensive) do it faster?

 

[hill]

When I am.using this scanner on USB don't even have the batteries it with no real use.

It doesn't get much use and just got for mostly mil air when outside, plus some searches for ham and GMRS when overnighting for work.

 

[n1chu]

Do all chargers charge any battery at the same rate in the same amount of time or do the “better” ones ( which may or may not be = more expensive) do it faster?

The better chargers will allow for additional options.

Do all chargers charge any battery at the same rate in the same amount of time or do the “better” ones ( which may or may not be = more expensive) do it faster?

Do all chargers charge any battery at the same rate in the same amount of time or do the “better” ones ( which may or may not be = more expensive) do it faster?

No. My Lacrosse Tech B1000 charger’s only work with NiCad’s or NMH’s. They will not work with rechargable L-Ion’s. Since Lacrosse isn’t making chargers anymore, and with the advent of rechargable L-Ion (lithium ion) batteries, I've switched to them. But nicads and nickle metal hydrides are still a good choice. Search for these types of chargers if that’s the way you want to go. They have many features much like my B1000 chargers have, depending upon what you want to spend. Over the years I’ve compiled a bunch of the nicads and nmh batteries, all charged with three of the B1000 which has a refresh option and other options that do various charging rates, etc., mine even tell me when the cell is bad. So, do your research and get something that works for you. I liked the various settings for charging rates due to the fact that the quicker charging rates tend to heat the cell up, and heat is a major enemy of anything electronic, including batteries. So I used the slower charging rates and expected to get longer battery life before they were toast.

 

[buddrousa]

The scanner only charges the batteries when powered off and you the user pick yes each time to charge the batteries. Also the charge time for the batteries is 12 to 14 hours this powerx charger is a much better option than the scanner.

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