My FT-60 started power off and on when I press the PTT button. I can charge the battery but it drops to 7.2 volts after a few days. Do I need a new battery? It is probably 9 years old.

Larry
K0LAI

开云体育

Yes

Hi Larry,
That's what mine did when I was checking it out just before purchase.? The high current draw dropped the battery voltage so low that the radio turned itself off.? When I ripped it open, I found 2 failed cells in the battery pack.? I now use a battery case with regular NiMH AA cells.? It's an inconvenience to unload the battery pack and use a regular charger since the battery case doesn't have circuitry and contacts for the desktop charger.? I'm considering buying this

to house my spare set.? Either that or repopulating my original holder with a couple lithium pouch cells.
Cheers
Halden VE7UTS

You might consider getting the empty battery tray and using six AA cells. I use NiMH cells because they do a great job and have a long life in terms of how long they stay charged when not being used and how many charge cycles they will last.

I use the Eneloops brand (originally a Sanyo product, but now a Panasonic brand). I bought three "sets" at Costco a number of years ago so I could have three four-cell chargers (two for my FT-60R so I can charge all of a six-cell set at once and one for the outboard flash in?my camera bag). For each of those applications, I carry the chargers and a spare set of batteries.

Each of my Eneloop sets came with a charger; 8 AA cells; 4 AAA cells; and two adapters in each of two sizes (C cell and D cell) that allow using the AA cells for C and D cell replacements. I don't see that brand on Costco's website currently, but they do show "Duracell Ion Speed 4000 Rechargeable Battery Kit with 4 x AA Batteries and 4 x AAA Batteries" (and a charger). Amazon shows an assortment of NiMH battery packages so they shouldn't be hard to obtain.

There are different grades of these batteries and their physical sizes may differ. Perhaps some of the folks in this group could comment on that--I haven't experienced that with the cells I have, but it could be an issue with? cells fitting into the battery tray.

73,
JERRY, N3AA

?

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I bought a lithium battery pack and wall wart charger from Amazon or eBay a few years back.? Suits my needs.? I also have two MAHA chargers, a multitude of NIMH AA cells and two battery trays.? I'm set.

Hi Larry,
That's what mine did when I was checking it out just before purchase.? The high current draw dropped the battery voltage so low that the radio turned itself off.? When I ripped it open, I found 2 failed cells in the battery pack.? I now use a battery case with regular NiMH AA cells.? It's an inconvenience to unload the battery pack and use a regular charger since the battery case doesn't have circuitry and contacts for the desktop charger.? I'm considering buying this

to house my spare set.? Either that or repopulating my original holder with a couple lithium pouch cells.
Cheers
Halden VE7UTS

-- 
Sent from laptop

That's true!

Thanks for the reply.

I think some rechargeables can be slightly larger than AA batteries. I have seen where someone tried to fit rechargeables into the AA battery case and they can't get the last one into the case.

Yes, that is a good idea. I don't think the double A batteries last as long as the factory battery but it is easy to replace them in the field.

Thanks for the info.

I found my battery case and loaded it with 6 AA batteries. The radio is working again. I have 2 and tested both. Both need a new original battery pack. I will purchase from HRO next weekend and I will buy another AA battery case as well.

Larry
K0LAI

Double battery life: get a Smiley 270 or SMA-24 or Pryme RD-98SMA antenna, and turn TX power down to 2W. If you are not making it 2W line of sight on 2m/440 with better antenna, you won't be making it at 4-5W.
--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com