Portable radio

[All U Get]

Hi all,

I brought my handheld radio home for the winter and wondered about leaving it in the charger. Is it better to keep it on charge or set it aside after a full charge and only charge it once or twice a month? Its a West Marine VHF 250.

All U Get

 

[JohnShannon]

Depends on battery technology and internal circuitry. So consult your owners manual.
Or just take the advice of random dudes on the internet

 

[Rich Stidger]

I charge my Standard Horizon handheld and then remove it from the charger. The next charge is in the Spring back on-board. I forget what battery technology it has.

 

[redhead78]

I charge mine and then remove the battery, has been workin for me...Red

 

[centerline]

Hi all,

I brought my handheld radio home for the winter and wondered about leaving it in the charger. Is it better to keep it on charge or set it aside after a full charge and only charge it once or twice a month? Its a West Marine VHF 250.

All U Get

Dont charge it just because its been sitting around for a couple months...
depending on the type of battery it may build a memory in it.

If its going to be out of service for awhile, Its better to charge the battery fully and then remove the battery pack from the radio so if the battery should leak it wont ruin the radio...

 

[bawlmer]

Charge it fully, remove it and then store it OUT of the charger.

 

[Picflight]

Regardless of battery technology, charge it fully and keep it on until fully drained out of the charger. Keep repeating this cycle.

 

[All U Get]

Li-ion battery which served us well for two years of cruising. Its easy to use so I want it to last. I do need to get an antenna, this one has slowly degraded in the sun.

All U Get

 

[Ken13559]

All U Get, we have same WM VHF250 and also same problem with its antenna. I bought couple of sizes of shrinkable sleeve and start shrinking one over another to build up the shape of the antenna. Almost good as new. BTW it comes with Lithium ion battery as well as holder for AAA batteries.

 

[bawlmer]

To add one more comment. The life cycle of newer technology batteries is measured more in charge/discharge cycles than in time. Leaving a battery in a charger for long periods of time will add unnecessary charge cycles to the battery thereby decreasing its life span. During a transitional period in my life I left my VHF for over 2 years and when I turned it on it still had some life in it. After a full charge it was as good as new.