Reconditioning and Maintaining Motorola Batteries

[Zach489]

Hello,

I recently replaced all of my Motorola batteries and purchased brand new NTN7144CR's. I now have 6 new ones, and 6 old ones. Three out of the six old ones hold a pretty good charge (above 12 hours). The other three hold charges below 8 hours; one stays on for about 10 seconds. My question has two parts: One, with my newer batteries; how can I keep them at their best condition? And two, as far as my old batteries go, is it possible to recondition them? I purchased the ACT Maintainor off of eBay in hopes of reconditioning them.

In order to prevent the batteries from frying on the charger, I usually charge them untill the charge is complete, then take the radios out, turn them on and make sure they're completely dead before replacing them in the chargers.

thanks!

[N4KVE]

I use the Advance Tec charger. It pulse charges the batteries, so you can charge the batteries half way through their discharge cycle without harm. After the charge cycle is over, it safely trickle charges the battery, & you can safely leave it trickle for days. The company also makes the charger under the Motorola name, & "M" sells it. The adapter plates can be changed so 1 charging base can use lots of adapters for different batteries. These are only good for Nicad & Nimh so far. I have been using these since '98 & the results have been excellent. Because they run on 12V wall warts, they can be used in a car, & I have seen them in many "Crown Vics". GARY N4KVE

[Zach489]

Cool. Are there any other conditioners out there that are as good or better than the ACT brand?

[escomm]

Cadex is pretty much the gold standard

[Zach489]

Okay, I'll try and make good on the information. I appreciate the help, guys!

[Zach489]

Anyone who uses ACT chargers - does anyone know what the slow green blinking light means? It's under "Complete". Does that mean it's trickle charging?

[Will]

Anyone who uses ACT chargers - does anyone know what the slow green blinking light means? It's under "Complete". Does that mean it's trickle charging?

Yes the green LED indicator flashing means completed charging. The ACT chargers do not "trickle charge" so you can leave the battery on the unit.

[N4KVE]

Mistake.

[Zach489]

I see... That explains why they were dead when I went to use them, lol.