Cobra HH350 flt vhf

Contest1

Contest1

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Hi,
My cobra radio is not holding the charg for more than an couple of hours even on lo setting.
Been checking and everything seems in order except the output at the charger is a stead 11.4 v.
I realise it's likely the battery but just checking if the charging voltage is sufficient.
Thanks as always for any info.
Brian
 
Are you measuring the charger voltage at it's pin connectors with no load (the radio) connected?

Most budget multimeters have low accuracy, especially when the internal battery is low. Secondly most chargers are intelligent so the output voltage will depend on the state of the battery/device plugged into it. Measuring the open circuit voltage of a charger won't usually offer useful information.

Does the radio have a part of the display that shows the charging/state of charge when it's plugged in? That may offer better info.

Edited to say, I just checked the manual, you can also remove the battery and charge that directly in the charger base. You can also buy an AA battery tray which might be an option if the Li battery is toast.
 
wonkywinch said:
Are you measuring the charger voltage at it's pin connectors with no load (the radio) connected?

Most budget multimeters have low accuracy, especially when the internal battery is low. Secondly most chargers are intelligent so the output voltage will depend on the state of the battery/device plugged into it. Measuring the open circuit voltage of a charger won't usually offer useful information.

Does the radio have a part of the display that shows the charging/state of charge when it's plugged in? That may offer better info.

Edited to say, I just checked the manual, you can also remove the battery and charge that directly in the charger base. You can also buy an AA battery tray which might be an option if the Li battery is toast.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Voltage in is 12.5 at the charger pin , 11.4 on the battery pins with no load. New battery is 25 euro so may invest. The radio is maybe 15 years so no complaints.
Thanks
 
Contest1 said:
Thanks. Voltage in is 12.5 at the charger pin , 11.4 on the battery pins with no load. New battery is 25 euro so may invest. The radio is maybe 15 years so no complaints.
Thanks
Click to expand...
The pins on the bottom of the radio are unlikely to be connected directly to the battery but through the internal charge controller so any voltage read there may not be meaningful.

Similarly, as mentioned, the charger output with no load might not mean much.

Replacement battery well worth buying if the set otherwise works.
 
Thanks again WonkyWinch
Replacement battery in being delivered today.30 euro Inc delivery.The existing battery appears for have improved just by dumping fully and recharging while testing. I should be able to have a standby on charge in future.
 
All good 30 euro well spent. New battery , new lease of life. Came fully charged so only worry now is will the charger top it up. Running it down now on low scan, will charge over night and compare proformance.
 
Contest1 said:
All good 30 euro well spent. New battery , new lease of life. Came fully charged so only worry now is will the charger top it up. Running it down now on low scan, will charge over night and compare proformance.
Click to expand...
Still concerned about the charger so another 22e , seems to be charging better and left on channel 16 in the charger it immediately shows fully charged when turned off. The old charger struggled to keep the full charge under standby so a big improvement.
If I get another 10 years it's money we'll spent.
Thanks to all who responded
Stay safe
 
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