Charging a VHF Radio

[jointventureII]

Hi everyone,
I've got a Swiftech M-198 portable VHF, but have lost the charger. However, I noticed that a standard nokia phone charger fits the plug and so left it charging using that overnight.
Came down this morning to discover that it seems to have worked!!
However, could this be doing any damage to the battery? The battery pack says it needs a Tl-07 wall charger.
Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[Rivers & creeks]

May be OK but only if your Nokia and VHF batteries have the same voltage - Nokia is 3.6v I think. If not then you may be pumping in too many volts. That would still charge the batteries but will damage them or the charging system.

 

[Ruffles]

There is a very simple charge regulator built into the battery pack. The standard mains convertor for the M198 produces a very unregulated output so you should be ok.

BTW someone posted on this forum that connecting it direct to 12v works fine. I made up a lead that does just that and it seems to work.

 

[discovery2]

I agree with Ruffles.

I had the same model VHF and purchased the 12 volt charging lead.
The lead was a direct connection to the 12 volt supply - no resistor or regulator incorporated in the plug. Obviously works!