ScanRiverside.com

OK so yesterday I noticed that after a while, my BCD396XT started to give me the low-battery power beep. It had been on the charger all weekend long so I don't understand what the problem is. Could it be because I left it on the charger constantly?

Sounds like you overcharged your battery and ruined it. I doubt the stock charger that comes with it is a smart charger which shuts off when the charge is complete.

sp1989 wrote:Sounds like you overcharged your battery and ruined it. I doubt the stock charger that comes with it is a smart charger which shuts off when the charge is complete.

Strangely enough, over the summer I would charge it for 14 hours with the stock charger and then get a good 10-12 hours out of it. I'm surprised because it's been a while since I had a battery problem like this.

That's one of the reasons I quit liking Uniden products. Plus, you have to find a battery pack for it instead of just getting some rechargeable AAs like with a GRE.

sp1989 wrote:That's one of the reasons I quit liking Uniden products. Plus, you have to find a battery pack for it instead of just getting some rechargeable AAs like with a GRE.

God I didn't know that! They don't say that ANYWHERE. As for Uniden products, I love them. I've recommended Uniden when my uncle needed a new phone system for his house even though he things they're crap just because they're Chineese. They're a great brand in their own rights.

The charger in the Uniden scanners is time based. The charging ends when the set time has elapsed. The charger does not monitor the voltage of the batteries and has no idea how long the batteries should be charged. This results in undercharging or overcharging which are both bad for the batteries.

Everything seems like it's made in China these days, so were GRE/Radio Shack scanners and HF receivers. The Chinese actually make some good radio equipment, that's not the reason I don't like Unidens.

sp1989 wrote:Everything seems like it's made in China these days, so were GRE/Radio Shack scanners and HF receivers. The Chinese actually make some good radio equipment, that's not the reason I don't like Unidens.

I think there's like 70% China/30% Japan products these days. Panasonic makes Japanese products for example.

I believe the current Uniden products are made in Vietnam.

w6kru wrote:I believe the current Uniden products are made in Vietnam.

Might as well be made in Cambodia or Thailand for that matter.