10 Tips for Longer Lasting Two Way Radio Batteries
Following these simple care instructions can help protect your rechargeable two way radio batteries and enhance their performance and useful life. Motorola rechargeable two way radio batteries are designed and precisely manufactured by Motorola to ensure optimum portable radio performance.
1. Charge your new battery overnight before using it. This is referred to as “initializing” and will enable you to obtain maximum battery capacity.
Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride: Charge 14-16 hours
Lithium-ion/Polymer: Charge 1-2 more hours after the charger light turns green
2. For Motorola IMPRES™ batteries, when inserted into a Motorola IMPRES charger, will indicate a calibration cycle by displaying a steady yellow light on the charge status indicator. Allow this calibration process to complete by not removing the battery from the charger until it’s fully charged and displays a steady green light.
3. To minimize capacity loss and cycle life reduction, new, non-initialized batteries must be stored in well ventilated, cool and dry locations. Batteries stored in these conditions may be stored:
- Nickel Cadmium up to 2 years
- Nickel Metal Hydride up to 18 months
- Lithium-ion/Polymer up to 18 months
4. If used batteries are to be removed from service for extended periods (greater than 30 days) they should be discharged to about 50% of their capacity before storage in a cool, dry location.
5. Batteries which have been in storage for more than two months should be fully discharged and recharged.
- Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride: Charge 14-16 hours
- Lithium-ion/Polymer: Charge 1-2 more horus after the charger light turns green
6. When using a Motorola rapid charger, leave the battery in the charger for an additional 1-2 hours after the steady green light appears. (Applies to non-IMPRES batteries only.)
7. Do not leave your radio and fully-charged battery in the charger when not charging. Continuous charging with shorten battery life. (Do not use charger as a radio stand.)
8. Only charge a battery when it needs it. If it is not fully discharged, do not recharge it. We suggest carrying a spare battery. This is the most cost effective solution for users requiring longer operating time.
9. Do not return full charged non-IMPRES batteries to the charger for an “extra boost”. This action will significantly reduce cycle life. Repeated short cycle charging of non-IMPRES batteries will shorten battery life. (Do not use charger as a radio stand for non-IMPRES batteries.)
10. Stabilize batteries to room temperature (72 F) before charging. Charging below 40 F and above 104 F will decrease cycle life.
Want to learn more about what you can do to optimize your battery life? Contact us at Nova Communications today.
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