Impress Batteries, Chargers & Non Impress Batteries

[icom98]

A local fire company asked me this question and I didn't have the correct answer for them. Maybe you guys can help.

Can an Impress battery be charged without the need to upgrade to an Impress model charger without damaging batteries?
They have an Impress 6 unit charger with version 1.6 software. Is it that necessary to upgrade that software?
Will this damage for shorten the lifespan of the Impress series battery?
Can an Impress battery be charged in a conventional rack, single, or mobile charger without damage to the battery or charger?
Also I have a single unit Impress charger (without display) that indicates Version 3.30. Is it necessary to have this unit upgraded?
What is the latest version upgrade and what is the cost to do so?

Any Batlabbers with some input on this topic will be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Larry

[spectragod]

I can update your chargers, PM me for a price.

[RFguy]

A local fire company asked me this question and I didn't have the correct answer for them. Maybe you guys can help.

Can an Impress battery be charged without the need to upgrade to an Impress model charger without damaging batteries?

Maybe. What chemistry is the batteries? You are probably OK with Ni-Cad and NiMH batteries, but not Li-Ion

They have an Impress 6 unit charger with version 1.6 software. Is it that necessary to upgrade that software?
Will this damage for shorten the lifespan of the Impress series battery?

Probably. 1.6 is old, but if you’re not charging Li-ion batteries, you are probably OK.

Can an Impress battery be charged in a conventional rack, single, or mobile charger without damage to the battery or charger?

Yes it can, but to get the full benefits of the IMPRES system, you should charge the battery in an IMPRES charger periodically. This will keep the battery gauge calibrated and allow reconditioning of the battery. Also, IMPRES chargers are better if you leave the battery in the charger after charging. Note, the first charge on a new battery should always be in an IMPRES charger.

Also I have a single unit Impress charger (without display) that indicates Version 3.30. Is it necessary to have this unit upgraded?
What is the latest version upgrade and what is the cost to do so?

It depends on what battery you’re charging with your charger with firmware 3.3.

I found a note that I had regarding firmware version 3.4. Here it is:

Version 3.4 was written specifically for the NTN9862C, NNTN6034A, NTN9857C, NTN9858C and NNTN6263A batteries. There are two features within 3.4 that benefit the users of the batteries listed.

1) All of these batteries have undervoltage protection circuitry which protects the cells against excessive discharge. If the undervoltage protection circuit is tripped, the battery will need a longer trickle charge to reactivate the IMPRES circuitry, which 3.4 has. If earlier software versions are used, a user may need to remove and reinsert once or twice to initiate a charge on a completely discharged battery

2. The two lithium batteries listed need to have their charge cycles terminated at a higher current value to optimize battery life. 3.4 has the appropriate charge termination feature built in for these batteries.

As for the latest version, the latest Motorola release on MOL 3.4 (although I have seen a post about someone seeing a charger with 3.9 in it.
The only version that had real problems was version 3.0. There were issues with corruption of the battery firmware resulting in the charger flashing red when a battery was charging. If you see version 3.0, best to upgrade it.

[MT2000 man]

As far as charging an Impres battery in a standard NON-Impres charger, I've had negative results on my Impres XTS5000 battery ( genuine Motorola battery, part number NNTN4437B ). Everytime the battery would need a charge and I would stick it in a standard tri-chem charger, it's like the battery didn't even know it was IN a charger. The light would go green 20 minutes later, and the battery gauge would still be flashing, and the radio would die shortly thereafter. I tried taking the battery on/off the radio, etc. but that Impres battery would NOT charge with a standard charger. Tried leaving it in the charger overnight, and nothing still dead when I took it out.

It works great with my Impres charger, but otherwise, forget it. I always thought an Impres battery WOULD charge on a standard charger, only the battery gauge would disappear, but at least the battery should hold a charge ?