How to Care For Your Two Way Radio Batteries

If your battery was to fail, so will your two-way radio. Unfortunately, when your radio fails, your business communications fail too. Now, I’m sure you are aware that this can have a huge impact on the productivity and the safety of your employees. In order to ensure continuity in your business communications, it is imperative that you know how to use, store and care for your batteries. Below we have outlined some advice on things you should and shouldn’t do with your radio batteries: Best practice: Use the battery in a suitable environment. Check the IP rating to see if it is resistant to dust and water. Frequently inspect all battery contacts for dust and dirt. Clean the contacts using a suitable micro fibre or lint free cloths. Follow the charging practices recommended for your battery chemistry. Things you should not do: Attempt to tamper, disfigure or alter the form of your battery. Store batteries alongside flammable materials. Leave batteries depleted from long periods of time. Use a source of heat to attempt to dry a battery if it gets wet. Discard your battery in a fire. Storing your two-way radio batteries: Before storing your battery, ensure that is unattached from the radio. (This helps to reduce drainage of the battery). New batteries which are to be stored should be charged above 50% but not to full capacity. Batteries must be recharged to more than 50% every 9 months. Ensure batteries are stored in a well-ventilated temperature (68F/20c – 86F/30c) and humidity (30% – 60%) controlled environment. It is worth noting that batteries which have been removed from storage may take numerous charge/discharge cycles in order to reach optimum capacity. How to recharge your two-way radio batteries: Turn the radios off. (If the battery is drawing current whilst charging simultaneously the battery life can shorten). Remove from the stand once fully charged. (Leaving it plugged in can also shorten the battery life). When using a new battery, it is important to charge (initialise) them before use. Li-Ion batteries need to be charged for 2-4 hours whereas NiMH batteries require 14-16 hours prior to first use. Bear in mind that if you continuously recharge NiMH batteries before they have run out, they can suffer from the ‘memory effect’ which results in a drop in the batteries capacity and only partially charging. When should you renew your radio batteries? Batteries typically have a lifespan of 1-2 years when well looked after, however an unhealthy battery will last much less than this. In some cases, we have had to replace batteries within a matter of months. This is why it is important to follow the guidelines set out in this blog to ensure you get the most out of your batteries. Motorola Impres Range If you want to better manage the health of your batteries, why not check out Motorola’s Impres product range? There is a chip in the battery that measures the batteries statistics, this is then displayed on the battery charger. The Motorola Impres range allows you to monitor the current capacity, the potential capacity, the part number and the battery chemistry. Not only this, it also has an effective reconditioning cycle! This state-of-the-art technology allows communication between the radio and associated accessories. Audio accessories experience optimal audio performance, while IMPRES batteries experience maximum talk-time and optimized battery life cycle. · Chargers Advanced charging algorithms maximize talk-time and battery life, and automatic reconditioning based on usage keeps IMPRES batteries optimized. · Batteries IMPRES batteries store and communicate data to their chargers through a unique communication protocol designed to maximize talk-time and battery life. · HMN4098 This IMPRES™ telephone-style handset is ergonomically designed, easy to hold and includes cup and hardware · HMN4104 – Display Remote Speaker Microphone (APX) IMPRES Display RSM with Audio Jack, Channel Selector, Volume Control, 2 Programmable Buttons and Orange Burron. Windporting, Rugged, Submersible (IP68) · PMMN4025 IMPRES Remote Speaker Microphone (MOTOTRBO™) This remote speaker microphone comes with a 3.5mm audio jack and offers IMPRES and windporting audio benefits. · RLN5882 – IMPRES™ Surveillance Kit, Black This 2-wire surveillance kit with a translucent tube allows the user to both transmit and receive discreet communications. · PMLN5275A Heavy duty headset, noise reduction When that time comes and you need to replace your two-way radio batteries, or if you would like more information on Motorola’s Impres product range, Comms Spec will always be here to assist. If you have a requirement for two-way radios or accessories, please contact our team on 0333 000 7888 or email enquiries@comms-spec.com Read more blogs relating to two-way radios: https://comms-spec.com/blog/

For more information on How to Care For Your Two Way Radio Batteries talk to Communications Specialist Ltd