carddude99
Member
Are the batteries and unit supposed to be a bit warm all the time? Does the radio know when the batteries are fully charged? Please advise.
Thanks
Thanks
The unit will run a little warmer than usual when the batteries are charging. The radio does not know when the batteries are fully charged. The HomePatrol has a charging circuit based on a timer only, which can be set to different charge times by the user. If you run the unit on the AC adapter most of the time, you would be well advised not to charge the batteries every time you turn it on.Are the batteries and unit supposed to be a bit warm all the time? Does the radio know when the batteries are fully charged? Please advise.
Thanks
To answer your questions, yes, the radio case and batteries will be warm while they are charging and especially as they approach full charge.Are the batteries and unit supposed to be a bit warm all the time? Does the radio know when the batteries are fully charged? Please advise.
Thanks
It'll run but there are a number of functions that won't work without the batteries installed..noted in the manual.I think you can also run it without any batteries using just the ac adapter. I guess that would be the safest if you are worried about it.
I don't need more of someone else deciding what's best for me...I think it would be in everyone's best interest if the next firmware update did away entirely with the option to charge the batteries. It's just annoying, and no good can come of it.
I was being a little sarcastic there, but it would be nice to be able to just turn it completely off. It's just not a good way to charge your batteries.I don't need more of someone else deciding what's best for me...
How about you worry about your best interest and I'll worry about mine?:roll:
That is all correct. One thing though, Uniden did design the HP where each cell does have its own contacts. I've not looked but they may just use wires or jumpers to jump from one terminal to the next. Or maybe they do break the cells down for monitoring. Maybe in groups of two cells.@digitalanalog:
Unless you know the limitations of NIMH batteries charged in series, you have no business saying there's a design flaw. Without per-cell charging you cannot automatically charge an NIMH fully or safely IMHO. The circuitry to do this is simple in an external charger since each cell is usually on its own sensor circuit and charging circuit. In a radio which requires 4-6 volts to operate you cannot individually monitor each cell or charge them as if they were separate from the others in the series string.
You think you can do better - get a job designing scanners. Otherwise I suggest you take the advice of those more knowledgeable than you.
For my current crop of scanners I rotate 2 sets; one set in the radio and one charging. However, with my HP1 on the way, I like your idea of 3 sets. That pretty much guarantees continual battery power.Now you know why quality Ham radio Li-iOn and NIMh battery packs cost so much, they have charging circuits to monitor and not over charge the batteries plus good quality cells. Motorola puts alot into their battery packs custom circuitry without wires and topnotch cells even old NICD packs can last for years and still give good service.
I charge my cells outside my HP-1 and have 3 sets to rotate 1 set always on charge 1 installed and 1 ready, for storm or emergency duty I have extra cells or alkalines if needed and can charge 12 at a time in my chargers
@digitalanalog:
Unless you know the limitations of NIMH batteries charged in series, you have no business saying there's a design flaw. Without per-cell charging you cannot automatically charge an NIMH fully or safely IMHO. The circuitry to do this is simple in an external charger since each cell is usually on its own sensor circuit and charging circuit. In a radio which requires 4-6 volts to operate you cannot individually monitor each cell or charge them as if they were separate from the others in the series string.
You think you can do better - get a job designing scanners. Otherwise I suggest you take the advice of those more knowledgeable than you.
Especially since i use the HP1 as my weather alert radio now too, this thread remined me to find the 12volt adapter plug and keep it in with the HP-1. The extra set SouthSide keeps you running just in case the charger turns off/power outage/fuse blows. just a little extra cheap insurance plus you never know when a battery may go bad, you'd go from 2 sets to none if the set inside need charging and you have 3 good charged cells and 1 bad one, the extra set gives you time to fix/troubleshoot. don't forget when you get your new HP-1 to update the sentinel software-firmware and database to bring up to date. then get ready to have fun. Welcome to the HP-1 clubFor my current crop of scanners I rotate 2 sets; one set in the radio and one charging. However, with my HP1 on the way, I like your idea of 3 sets. That pretty much guarantees continual battery power.
![]()