Icom IC M-31 switched-off life?

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Mudhook

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The Icom IC M-31 uses some absurd electronic wizardry to discharge its battery even while switched off. Mine doesn't seem to last long before dying. Anyone got an idea how long a switched-off M-31 should go for before being recharged? Or why Icom invented such a stupid feature?

Regards, Mudhook
 
I have the same issue with mine.
It seems a bit erratic.
I had found that if the radio was in the charging base (with the power off) it would hold the charge.
I have had it stored as above for the last month or so.
I checked it last night and it was flat.
Not sure if it had been dislodged or what.
It is most annoying.
 
It's certainly a "feature" which has been aired on here a no of times in the past. For what it's worth, I store my M31 in the grab bag with the lithium battery loose in the radio body and fix it in with the locking screw when taking it out before a sail. Haven't had any problems in the 3 yrs I've had this H/H, tho' I do of course recharge from time to time.. ( I also keep the AA battery pack insert in the grab bag as a back up, but have never had call to use it.)
 
Experience shows that our example lasts about 3 weeks - but then battery is near useless.
Recall that it is claimed that it is permanently in a sort of standby mode to give a faster start up when the set is switched on Sounds a load of marketing tosh to cover up a design fault.
 
Thanks for that guys. I've always had a high regard for Icom but this "feature" has made me think twice. It's made worse by the fact that there is no mention of this shortcoming in the operator's manual.

Mudhook.
 
Any hand held radio that does not have proper clicky on/off switch willdrain batteries.There is a circuit that senses you pressing the button to switch the unit on which has a very tiny current draw.

Icomare no different to anyone else in this matter, I have a Simrad one and that goes flat after a coupleof weeks if the battery is left on the unit.
 
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We keep our battery out of the radio when we aren't planning on using it for a few days. Takes seconds to put it back in.

- W
 
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