OK, what is it with Saber batteries?

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Dorpmuller
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Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:41 pm

OK, what is it with Saber batteries?

Post by Dorpmuller »

I have several syssabers with NOS Motorola batteries, high capacity. (~2007)

If the batteries sit for a couple days, they self-discharge-what a PIA. I have two aftermarket batts. from Ebay and they can sit for months and not do this-radio is always ready to go.

You'd think OEM batteries would perform. Any ideas on this?

Thanks,

Rich
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Tom in D.C.
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Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 4:00 pm
What radios do you own?: Progreso soup can with CRT

Re: OK, what is it with Saber batteries?

Post by Tom in D.C. »

You can gain a better understanding of what to expect regarding self-discharge,
shelf life, etc. etc. if you first categorize the batteries by the various chemistries
that are available.

Nicads and Nickel Metal Hydride batteries will self discharge. Lithium Ion batteries
do so at a much, much slower rate, so much so that it is commonly believed that they
don't do so at all.

However, the basic chemistry data still does not tell you anything about the quality issues
involved, which can range from absolutely crappy (don't cost much) to nearly gold plated
(for which you must pay an arm and a leg).

And finally, have you tried a conditioning charger on the two batteries that are giving
you the problems? That might be all that's needed.

Complicated subject, with many, many facets.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
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escomm
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Re: OK, what is it with Saber batteries?

Post by escomm »

www.batteryuniversity.com

more ideas than you can shake a stick at
RadioSouth
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Re: OK, what is it with Saber batteries?

Post by RadioSouth »

Or could they be 1997 or 1987 date codes ? They're all real similar. I have 7-10 year old Saber batteries both NiCd and NiMh and they last much longer. Also have 6 year old HT600 batteries that I have an analyzer for and they're all over 80%
GlennD
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Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2004 8:00 am

Re: OK, what is it with Saber batteries?

Post by GlennD »

We are no longer a Saber shop but we used to use a lot of NTN9485 and 9486 batteries. Many would analizse OK but not hold a charge due to low internal resistance.

Good new batteries last a long time between charges. I rarely charge my test batteries but they are charged when I need them for the rare saber.
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