First of five parts
Radio manufacturers usually provide basic batteries and chargers, which do a fine job as long as the radios don't get a lot of use.
Active users of two-way radios, however, soon find they need more charging capacity and more versatile, longer-lasting batteries. Fortunately, radio manufacturers and several aftermarket companies offer plenty of ways to turbocharge your power capacity.
Chargers
A single charger can restore the battery of a single radio, but people with a radio fleet often buy a multi-charger, which allows several radios to be recharged simultaneously. Key considerations with chargers:
- What’s the recharge rate? Make sure you know how long it takes to fully recharge a battery. A “rapid” recharger obviously works more quickly than other models.
- Can the battery remain attached to the radio while recharging? Some rechargers allow you to keep the radio mounted in the charger with the battery still attached. Others require you to remove the battery.
- Can the battery be left in the charger after it’s fully charged? Some chargers will damage a battery if it’s left in the charger slot after it’s fully charged, while others have a circuit that turns charging off when the battery has a full charge.
- What kind of batteries can it charge? Ideally you want a charger that works with the three main battery chemistries: NiCd (nickel-cadmium), NiMH (nickel metal hydride) and Li-Ion (lithium ion).
- Do want a manufacturer or aftermarket model? Top manufacturers like Motorola Solutions, Icom America and Vertex Standard offer accessories optimized for their radios. But aftermarket companies exist to plug gaps in the manufacturer’s line, so they can sometimes be a better option for people with very specific needs.
- NiCD — These are rugged, reliable batteries that work great in two-way radios but they have a couple drawbacks. They have a “memory effect” that narrows your recharging options, and they contain toxic metals that make disposal difficult.
- NiMH — These have more storage capacity than NiCD batteries and contain fewer toxins, making them easier to recycle. However, they also “self-discharge” (lose power when not in use) much more quickly than NiCDs.
- Li-ion — This chemistry is typically used in batteries for laptop computers and smartphones. Li-Ion batteries discharge much more slowly than either the NiCD or NiMH varieties, making them a much more versatile choice. They can be more expensive than the other varieties, however.