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Author Topic: Storing HT Battery  (Read 271 times)

KC0BTP

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Storing HT Battery
« on: December 12, 2019, 05:54:23 PM »

I have a Yaesu VX-8GR with a standard 1100 mAh battery that I like to have handy for emergency communication. The problem I have is that I will charge it, and sometime within a week or two with no use, the battery will be dead. I have read about some GPS-related battery faults with this HT (see https://www.amateurradio.com/vx-8gr-battery-drain-fault/), but in my case, the GPS is not active. I have a couple of Baofeng UV-5Rs and a VX-3 whose batteries remain charged FOREVER, and while I don't expect the VX-8 to hold a charge indefinitely, it seems like it discharges relatively quickly.

You're probably wondering why I don't just use the other radios—I just like the VX-8 better. 😊

Anyhow, I have three questions:

1. Has anyone else experienced this issue?
2. Does anyone have any recommendations to mitigate this?
3. Will storing the battery disconnected from the radio help (and as an aside, will this cause any problems)?

I have Googled around about storing HT batteries and haven't found much that's useful, aside from general battery storage advice. I have a 2200 mAh battery on order that should help, but I'm still interested in finding out what I can to make my batteries hold their charge as long as possible.
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KR6NU

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Re: Storing HT Battery
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2019, 06:05:09 PM »

Your question #3 was my first thought.  It may be the battery.  Charge it, remove it from the radio and then check the charge.  That will tell you whether it's the battery itself or the radio discharging it.
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K5LXP

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Re: Storing HT Battery
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2019, 07:26:50 PM »

Any radio with an electronic on/off will have some parasitic draw, albeit pretty small.  I keep some HT's in my camper and the standard method of storage is either with the battery removed or a piece of plastic or paper "remove before flight" strips that insulate the battery from the radio contacts.  One can debate the nuances of how long it should last turned off but disconnected from the radio removes all doubt.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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WB6BYU

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Re: Storing HT Battery
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2019, 06:34:06 AM »

I solved that problem by getting AA battery cases for all my HTs.  The lithium AA
cells aren't cheap (though I just found some at Costco) but last a long time in
storage. 

Energy so, I would store the battery disconnected from the radio, and often with
the batteries out of the case in case one leaks (more common with AAA alkaline cells).

When I was in Search and Rescue, battery powered equipment was one of our
biggest headaches, trying to keep the batteries charged at all times without
overcharging them.  The best solution seemed to be having someone recharge
them every 2 weeks to a month, as needed.

N9LCD

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Re: Storing HT Battery
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2019, 03:34:35 PM »

If you remove the battery from your HT (or other battery powered rig), store the battery in a new, clean ziplock sandwich bag to prevent accidental shorting of the battery terminals.

If you want to try an interesting experiment, short the terminals of a spent 9-volt battery.  The arc is enough to pit the terminal.

Also, it would be a good idea to store HT's and other small rigs without a battery in a new, clean ziplock bag to prevent accumulation of grime on the terminals.

N9LCD 
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KC0BTP

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Re: Storing HT Battery
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2019, 08:26:03 AM »

Thanks to everyone for the advice. 😀 I have been looking at an alkaline battery case already, but I wasn't sure how well they work. I'll definitely grab one of those. Otherwise, I'm storing the battery off the radio and we'll see how it goes.

I appreciate the help!
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WB6BYU

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Re: Storing HT Battery
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2019, 09:45:41 AM »

Alkaline batteries won't run your HT at full power because they have higher internal
resistance than most rechargable batteries.  They seem to work fine at low power,
and they are cheap and commonly available.  That's what I use in my HTs, as I don't
use them very often, and it is easy to carry spares.

The lithium AA cells, however, are capable of high currents and last much longer in
storage.  Because they are more expensive, I only leave them in equipment where
there is no danger of leaving it on accidentally (which becomes a more costly mistake).
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