Problems with ICOM VHF charging

[Oscarpop]

I purchased an ICOM VHF radio second hand. It worked perfectly, now it is refusing to charge and I am trying to work out what component is faulty.

The radio sits in its desktop cradle and connects with the contacts in the cradle. the plug from the charger then plugs into the cradle. Now the thing is refusing to work . If i "wiggle" the lead into the cradle, the charge light may occasionally come on, however this really is a hit and miss affair.

Suggestions please? I am unable to bypass the cradle either.

Many thanks.

 

[EdWingfield]

I had exactly this symptom.

Feel the electrical contacts with your nail. You may find a tiny 'pip' that causes a poor connection. Remove the pip with a nail file and you should be ok.

 

[coromar]

Icom charging

Hi,

With my Icom I can take the battery out of the radio and just charge that. The charger unit fits the battery.

Have you checked the contacts on the radio for charging, mine needed a rub with wet and dry paper.

Best of luck,

Paul

 

[rob2]

I'd be cautious about using abrasives on the contacts. I used to clean edge connectors on printed circuit boards by rubbing them with an eraser. Iso Propyl Alcohol is also good at cleaning a lot of verdigris off without risk to surrounding plastic bits.

Rob.

 

[exfinnsailor]

Clean the contacts on radio and stand carefully with a rag with some WD40 on it. Mine had the same problem.

 

[nigelmercier]

I'd be cautious about using abrasives on the contacts...

Quite. Never use any form of abrasive on an electrical contact. If you need to clean them, get contact cleaner and a chamois leather. As Rob says, an eraser can also work, but not an ink eraser. Oh, and WD-40 is an insulator!

 

[PeterGibbs]

I purchased an ICOM VHF radio second hand. It worked perfectly, now it is refusing to charge and I am trying to work out what component is faulty.

The radio sits in its desktop cradle and connects with the contacts in the cradle. the plug from the charger then plugs into the cradle. Now the thing is refusing to work . If i "wiggle" the lead into the cradle, the charge light may occasionally come on, however this really is a hit and miss affair.

Suggestions please? I am unable to bypass the cradle either.

Many thanks.

Rechargeable, smargeable - heave out the decaying recharge batteries and replace with Duracell - no more problems. And a radio that works. It's what I did. Never looked back.

PWG

 

[Talulah]

Rechargeable, smargeable - heave out the decaying recharge batteries and replace with Duracell - no more problems. And a radio that works. It's what I did. Never looked back.

PWG

With some Icoms the power output is less when using the alkaline battery pack instead of the rechargeale pack. i.e. 2W instead of 6W on an M35.

 

[noelex]

Now the thing is refusing to work . If i "wiggle" the lead into the cradle, the charge light may occasionally come on, however this really is a hit and miss affair.

.

Its common for the thin wires to break internally near the end of the plug and this sounds like the problem.
The plugs are often standard and can be purchased at one of the electronic shops. Alternatively open the case and solder the wires directly to the plug socket leads, leaving the wire permanently connected.

 

[Oscarpop]

I don't think it is the contacts. it does sound like a problem with the wires in the lead to the charger. I will investigate further.

 

[Conachair]

I don't think it is the contacts. it does sound like a problem with the wires in the lead to the charger. I will investigate further.

Worth checking out the contacts first though. I had the same with an m71, emailed icom, quickly they emailed back and said, common problem, clean the contacts. From memory the charger was flashing green. Working fine now.