Astro Portable current during "OFF-periods"

Keygun · Post by **Keygun** » Sat Jan 05, 2002 11:49 am

Hi there.

I found out, my Astro Sabers discharging the batterys within 3 or 4 weeks when not in use and switched off. Since it is not "hardswitched" it`s clear, that some current is flowing even when the radio is off. But i newer saw such "hungry" radios before. Is this normal behaviour??

Keygun

10-95 · Post by **10-95** » Sat Jan 05, 2002 11:53 am

Is it Currently programmed as a secure unit with a module, if so the current is being drained for Key retention , not a big deal.

10-95

Post by **wavetar** » Sun Jan 06, 2002 5:17 am

Are you using NiMH or NiCD batteries? You may be used to NiCD batteries on older radios. NiMH batteries self discharge (with no load at all) at triple the rate of NiCD batts. I know several years ago it was 6% & 2%/day respectively. Improvements may have been made in the meantime, but I'm sure it's still significant. Add this to secure key retention (if you use it), and you can easily have a dead battery in 3-4 weeks.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: wavetar on 2002-01-06 08:19 ]</font>

Keygun · Post by **Keygun** » Sun Jan 06, 2002 7:49 am

On 2002-01-05 14:53, 10-95 wrote:
Is it Currently programmed as a secure unit with a module, if so the current is being drained for Key retention , not a big deal.

10-95

Two of my Astros are Secure and two have no board. But on all 4 radios it is nearly the same. Compared to other "softswitched" radios (Jedi, for example), they are really hungry. A full charged 1A battery is empty within 4-5 weeks.

Keygun

Keygun · Post by **Keygun** » Sun Jan 06, 2002 7:53 am

On 2002-01-06 08:17, wavetar wrote:
Are you using NiMH or NiCD batteries? You may be used to NiCD batteries on older radios. NiMH batteries self discharge (with no load at all) at triple the rate of NiCD batts. I know several years ago it was 6% & 2%/day respectively. Improvements may have been made in the meantime, but I'm sure it's still significant. Add this to secure key retention (if you use it), and you can easily have a dead battery in 3-4 weeks.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: wavetar on 2002-01-06 08:19 ]</font>

Yes, NiMh-battery have an high discharge rate, but most of the time i`m using NiCd-batterys. Attached to an Analog-Saber, the charge last for 6-12months (depending on the battery-size).

Keygun