ICOM ic-m31

[ccscott49]

Help,
I need a new battery for my IC-M31 vhf handheld, anybody know where I can source one?
Tried E bay, nowt there. Its a BP 224 battery.

 

[pvb]

The BP224 is available (look at Google Shopping) but it's around £50 and is a NiCd battery. Probably a much better idea to replace with a BP252 Li-Ion battery, which has a bigger capacity and is also around £50.

 

[Gwylan]

Experience shows that a new handheld from any other brand is cheaper that any spare for iCom.

 

[Paragon]

I have the same problem as the OP and given PVB's estimate on the cost of replacement I am inclined to agree!

 

[ccscott49]

The BP224 is available (look at Google Shopping) but it's around £50 and is a NiCd battery. Probably a much better idea to replace with a BP252 Li-Ion battery, which has a bigger capacity and is also around £50.

Only problem being you have to buy a special charger as well.

 

[pvb]

Only problem being you have to buy a special charger as well.

Depends which charger your M31 came with. Anyway, the BP224 NiCd battery is still available.

 

[Stork_III]

Depends which charger your M31 came with. Anyway, the BP224 NiCd battery is still available.

252 with charger available from Seamark Nunn for £63.60. 224 battery No longer available, wellI can't find one anyway.

 

[pvb]

224 battery No longer available, wellI can't find one anyway.

Try here.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

If you look here http://www.hamradio.co.uk/acatalog/Icom_IC-M31_Accessories.html you will find a BP223 which is a case for 6 AA Cells. If you put rechargeable cells in it I should imagine the Icom charger would charge them.

 

[Interlude]

Don't think so, 'cos the dry cell holder has no charging contacts on the bottom. And the contacts internally are different for 6x1.2 volts for NiCd vs 6x1.5 volts for alkaline. I went through the process of replacing the original NiCd with the Li ion (and then the new charger base). Got 2 years from the NiCd, then another two with the Li ion. Fed up with this I butchered the NiCd case (never throw anything away here!) and replaced the cells with Ni-MH cells for a fraction of the price. Seems to work OK using the original NiCd charger. Next stop will be another brand of radio with standard batteries if they exist.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

Don't think so, 'cos the dry cell holder has no charging contacts on the bottom.

Ah yes. As Cpt. Mainwaring was wont to bluster, I was wondering who would be the first to spot that. Good point.

 

[ccscott49]

Don't think so, 'cos the dry cell holder has no charging contacts on the bottom. And the contacts internally are different for 6x1.2 volts for NiCd vs 6x1.5 volts for alkaline. I went through the process of replacing the original NiCd with the Li ion (and then the new charger base). Got 2 years from the NiCd, then another two with the Li ion. Fed up with this I butchered the NiCd case (never throw anything away here!) and replaced the cells with Ni-MH cells for a fraction of the price. Seems to work OK using the original NiCd charger. Next stop will be another brand of radio with standard batteries if they exist.

Now that is a good idea, where do I get Ni-MH cells from, maplins? Are they AA sized inside the case? I'll butcher mine as well, easy to epoxy up afterwards!!