Maintenance of Motorola Batteries for Portable Radio: Tips for the Best Care, Including Recycling
Motorola continues to make the best portable two way radios in the marketplace, but no one can appreciate their superior features unless they have reliable batteries. Some tend to forget that maintenance of portable radio batteries is essential to keeping two way radios functioning as best they can. It’s important to think about the various ways to maintain your Motorola batteries, because complacency could lead to a dead radio in the middle of a workday or a situation that requires communication.
Since many field workers rely on two way radios for communication, taking care of your Motorola batteries can help take care of you.
Regardless, the ones used in these radios are the most durable in the industry. Whether you use Motorola’s standard batteries, or more powerful ones from IMPRES, each battery has been designed to withstand rugged environments.
Each Motorola battery gets tested for vibration, shock, and drop-tested to assure complete dependability. Plus, you get an extensive warranty for non-IMPRES and IMPRES batteries, including 24 months against any defects in manufacturing or workmanship.
So how can you better care for your batteries? Here’s some vital tips to keep in mind and pass on to employees.
Maintenance for Motorola Battery Charging
Keeping your batteries charged is something you obviously expect, though there are many tips available to make this work more conveniently. You can buy Motorola’s battery chargers, which also come with your two way radio purchase, through us here Nova Communications, and we recommend careful use of these with your employees working in the field.
One thing to remember about charging batteries for two way radios is you need to bring them to room temperature before charging begins. Otherwise, charging an overly cold battery (after being in freezing conditions) could reduce the battery’s life. Doing this properly ensures your batteries hold up for their life expectancy.
It’s also important to not leave your batteries in the charger too long. While it’s easy to forget after plugging in your charger, remember to remove the radio from the charger as soon as the charge completes. Excessive charging can easily reduce the life of the battery.
You may feel tempted to keep charging your batteries, even when they don’t need it. Don’t do this, because it could cause damage like above. For a first-time charge, it’s best to charge overnight to obtain maximum capacity.
Plus, it’s essential you use only Motorola chargers. Anything else isn’t compatible and could cause serious damage.
Maintenance for Motorola Battery Storage
How you store your batteries matters in how well they continue to function. As a standard practice, we suggest discharging to 50% for optimal storage. If you’re storing new batteries, be sure to store them as they’re delivered to assure they’ll have maximum power once they’re finally in use.
Always remember that batteries have flammable materials, so store them in a well-ventilated, controlled temperature environment.
Other Maintenance to Keep in Mind
You may use your batteries around excessive dust and water, and how much protection you get depends on the Ingress Protection rating. Some of you may not know what your IP rating is. We’re here to help give you this information when it’s needed.
Despite the incredible endurance of your two way radio batteries, always be sure to clean the contact surfaces for complete reliability. In addition, if your batteries are over two years old, be sure to replace them so you won’t have unexpected troubles with power at the worst possible times.
Recycling Your Motorola Batteries
At Nova Communications, we will recycle your Motorola batteries to dispose of them in an environmentally correct manner at no charge. All you have to do is send them directly to us and we’ll take the appropriate measures.
Contact us here at Nova Communications if you have any further questions.
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