 | FirstWireless, Inc. specializes in the Sale, Service and Rental of two-way radios, accessories and applications. Pam Tucker is part of the team of Wichita sales staff and RF radio technicians that is grouped with shops located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. FirstWireless, Inc. offers client consultations and demos, service, maintenance and installation, radio rentals, FCC licensing, GPS tracking and warranty administration. As a Premier Service Partner with Motorola, the trained sales staff and radio technicians keep customers up-to-date with the most current technical advances in two-way radio systems and devices. Visit www.firstwirelessinc.com for more information or call us at (316) 265-2290. We are now on Facebook! |
Electronics
2010-05-01 14:25:00
7 tips for better battery performance
Question: My workplace uses commercial grade walkie-talkies. How can I extend the battery life?
Answer: You’re absolutely right that much of what you do can control the battery life of your two-way radio. Many users don’t realize that having a proper battery maintenance procedure lengthens the time between charges--which translate into cost savings.
7 Tips for Better Battery Performance
1.Be sure the battery is not out of date.
•To locate a Motorola battery’s date of manufacture, find the 3-digit number on the label. The 1st digit is the YEAR of manufacture; the 2nd and 3rd digits are the WEEK. So a battery with a code of 012 was manufactured in the 12th week of 2010. Other manufacturer’s have similar date codes.
2.Watch closely for outdated batteries.
•Older batteries may not hold a charge as well as newer ones. Using an outdated battery can also lead to erratic operation, a short lifespan and impaired product performance. Discontinue usage when the battery:
•Is more than 2 years old
•Has been utilized for 18 months in a typical retail application
•Was used for 12 months in a 2-3 shift industrial/warehouse application.
3.Change the battery when prompted (the indicator light reads "low", you get an audible alert, or a pop up indicates a low battery).
•If you use the device until the battery has completely drained, it may lock up and appear to be dead. Many times, locked units can be reset without being sent out for repair. If this occurs, let the unit charge overnight. If the unit is still locked, the unit may require a cold boot.
4.Maintain 2-3 spare batteries per unit.
•Keeping extra batteries on hand allows you to fully charge the others off shift. Here are what we recommend for increasing reliability & minimal downtime:
•Retail user
1 to 2-shift use 2+ batteries
•Industrial user 24x7 use 3+ batteries
5. Assign a specific terminal to each User.
•Charging stations located throughout the floor/building/area, is a common practice. However, as their batteries become discharged, Users pick up a battery from any station – though it may have only been placed there 15 minutes prior. Have one person monitor a central charging location to help reduce device failure & confusion.
6.Associate specific batteries to specific charging units.
•Think "One Battery--One Charger/Slot--One Adaptor". Assign each device (radio-battery-charger-adaptor) a number and/or name and label accordingly. This makes it easier in the future to indentify the actual source of any problem, which will save money on repairs and replacements. Most chargers and adaptors can be purchased separately.
7.Keep your battery contact surfaces clean.
•Dirty contact points are a main source of charging problems. To clear dirt & residue, clean contacts with a soft cloth. Pure alcohol may be used to remove grease & other contaminants.
*Information taken from Motorola’s brochure "Battery Management and Maintenance"
