[ICOM] Re Icom T-90a

[Jim Miller]

GOOD QUESTION - I have wondered the same thing.

The BC-139 Rapid Charger which will charge the battery in 2.5 hours and has
the CAUTION "To avoid damage to the transceiver, turn the transceiver OFF
while charging" (Page 5 in the manual).

External power operation can be done.  "An optional CP-19R cigarette lighter
cable can be used for external power operation" (Page 4 and 5 in the
manual).  This will charge the battery also.  This is the most practical
solution.  The second solution I had considered is to purchase the rapid
charger and a second battery pack now that the prices have come down.

The question originates in that there is no reference about whether or not
you can operate the radio while the wall charger is connected (Page 4 in the
manual).  The voltage indicated on the radio while the wall charger is
plugged in and the radio is then turned on is 11.2 volts.  If someone who
has a cigarette plug cable will tell us the supplied voltage shown on the
radio at power on while using the cigarette lighter cable, we will have the
answer.  If the voltages are the same it should be SAFE to operate the radio
BUT, the wall charger may not be able to supply the current for transmit,
CAUSING (1) The radio may cut off the charger and use the battery during
transmit if the current supply is too low, OR (2)(More likely) It may simply
may NOT transmit or transmit with low power (or try to and this condition
may be dangerous to the radio) because the current supply available from the
wall charger is too small.

Before I try to transmit or even receive for any amount of time, I would
like to know the voltage shown when turning on the radio while using the
cigarette lighter cable.

Thanks, es 73, de Jim KG0KP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Fiber" <g.fiber at verizon.net>
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 9:04 PM
Subject: Re: [ICOM] Re Icom T-90a


> Its unlikely the charger will power the T90A properly. Yes it might for
> receive but not for transmit. Even when receiving you need to look at the
> current draw of the T-90A and the current output of the charger. You would
> probably be best to connect it to a regulated higher amperage power
supply.
> I have not looked but would think a nice 12 volt supply will do the trick
> of some 3 amps or more.
>
> Gary K8IZ
>
> At 06:58 PM 10/22/2004, you wrote:
> >The Icom T-90a handheld takes about fifteen hours to fully charge the
battery.
> >Is it permissible to use the unit while the charger is plugged into the
> >wall and
> >connected to the T-90a or must you leave the unit turned off until the
battery
> >is charged? Understanding, of course, that using the T-90a while the
> >battery is
> >being charged will cause the charging process to take longer.
> >
> >Thank you.
> >
> >Duane Fischer, W8DBF
> >dfischer at usol.com
> >
> >
> >----
> >Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> >Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> >Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>
> Gary Fiber K8IZ
> GROL PG-19-6691
> Washington State Resident
>
>
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>