ICOM M1V

pandroid

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I've had one of these natty little handhelds for a year or so, but I've noticed recently that the batteries lose their charge if not used in as little as a fortnight. When I first bought the unit, they used to take 3 months or so to go flat, but it seems to have got worse lately.

I'm surprised it goes flat at all as they are supposed to be Lithium batteries and they dont lose their charge like Nicads.

Has anyone else a similar experience?
 

wakeup

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I've had exactly the same experience with the same unit.

The battery develops memory effect after about a year. I could overcome this initially by sticking the battery in a poly bag and leave in the frezzer overnight. This depletes the battery completely and 'resets' its charging potential. Once its spent a night in the freezer take out and allow to defrost naturally. keep it in the poly bag so condensation doesn't form on the contacts. The you should be able to charge up fully.(At least 15hours continously)

I must admit though that having had this unit for two years I have just bought a new battery for it. Costly at £45.


yada yada..<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by wakeup on Thu May 30 22:04:14 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>
 

Piers

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Having had one of these for three seasons now, and using it extensively, I must say I have not experienced the failing battery problem you describe.

But I am aware that as with most rechargable batteries, if they are not fully discharged before before recharged, the chemical memory kicks in to deplete the charge considerably, and cause the problems you describe.

Hence, I have always made a point of letting one battery fully exhaust itself before recharging it. Keeping a spare overcomes the problem of suddenly having no handheld.

Piers du Pré
MBM Cruising Club enthusiast
www.dupre.co.uk/fsPlaydeau.htm
 

wakeup

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That's the problem is knowing when you battery is about to go. On this unit there isn't a battery level indiacator as there are on the newer models so I have adopted the habit of running it down also by leaving the unit on in my garage until depleted.

yada yada..
 

pandroid

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There is a battery indicator, but its useless. (Its an M1V Euro) I'm aware of battery rules and have NEVER charged the unit from new without letting it run flat, but it still misbehaves. I cant understand why:
a) Its self-discharging quicker. (i.e Its running flat when its switched off, now in only 2 weeks) and
b) It does this despite being Lithium batteries. Lithium is not supposed to display a memory effect, and not self-discharge when the unit is off, unlike nicads.

Implies its either faulty, or something more sinister going on (like drain when its switched off). I'm curious that mine is obviously not an isolated incident
 

wakeup

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Correct but it only comes on when the battery is about to go. So I have set off thinking it was OK and then 20 mins out of port the indicator comes on 2 mins before it dies.

yada yada..
 

gtmoore

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My only experience with Lithium batteries is with mobile phones and from what I've found after about a year to 18 months the battery has pretty much had it and needed replacing so they do seem to have a definite life. However, there's quite a difference between the average usage of a mobile phone being used and charged every few days to a handheld VHF that is used and charged much less.

I did once hear (again in relation to mobile phones) that Lithium Ion battery lifetime is defined by the number of charges e.g. you get say 200 charges before performance drops off regardless of whether these are full charges or top ups. Whether this is true or not I don't know.
 

Piers

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Why not have a chat with ICOM's technical people - +44 (0)1227-741741.

Their address is,

ICOM Ltd.,
Unit 9, Sea Street Industrial Estate,
Herne Bay,
Kent.
CT6 8LD

I recently had to send mine back for a replacement volume/squelch spindle. All done within 5 days. All very helpful - service like Garmin.

Piers du Pré
MBM Cruising Club enthusiast
www.dupre.co.uk/fsPlaydeau.htm
 
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