[Yaesu] Aftermarket HT Batteries?

[A10382]

Hi Brian,

I have a nine year old ft-530 (serial number starts with a "4" from 1994)
that came with two 7V batteries.  I've added a 12V 1000mah NMHI battery from
Batteries America ($39 sale price) about a year ago and it's works just
fine - runs down and gets re-charged about 2-3x a week from the radio being
used for quite a few hours every day.  While I use the mid-level power
settings almost all the time (2.5W), the extra battery capacity means that
it works for about two full business days between re-charging.

I have been using the Yaesu desktop rapid charger (NC-50) that came with the
radio and it works just fine on the NMHI pack.   The NC-50 has sleeves in
both slots that each fit both the 7 & 12V ft-530 format batteries.  For
'emergency' usage, I've also bought the AA-alkaline cell pack.  It also
works well, but I have not yet needed it (recent power outages only lasted a
day each).

If you go to a LiON pack, then you would be better off getting a LiON
specific charger -- they are 'smarter' to handle the more complex charging
requirements of the LiON chemistry.

The only thing you will notice with almost all after-market battery packs is
that they don't fit as perfectly as the original OEM battery.  It has not
been a usage problem, but if you are a real perfectionist for fit & trim
then you might be happier spending the extra money and buying the original
Yaesu battery from HRO or AES.

73, Frank



----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Mileshosky" <n5zgt@swcp.com>
To: <yaesu@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 12:16 PM
Subject: [Yaesu] Aftermarket HT Batteries?


> Hi Everyone,
>
> I have an older FT-530 and its NiCd batteries are shot - they no longer
> hold a charge, so I'm wanting to replace them.  Since the radio is so old,
> it looks as though aftermarket dealers are the only option.  So I have
> some questions for you all:
>
> -- MAHA, W&W, Batteries America...there are a lot of dealers out there.
> Which should I buy from?  I'm looking for a high-quality battery
> (something that won't die after 6 months), a good fitting battery
> (something I don't have to muscle to slide on), and good service in the
> event something happens.
>
> -- I think I'm going to go with the 7.2-volt battery with high current
> capacity.  No need for the 5 watts that the 12-volt battery allows for.  I
> also think I will go with NiMH since I've heard lots of great things about
> them.  Can I continue to use my stock Yaesu Ni-Cd charger with the NiMH
> battery?  Or will I have to purchase a new charger for it to all work out
> properly?
>
> -- I know many variables are involved, but what is the average life that
> can be expected from these aftermarket NiMH bateries, say, as a casual
> user of the HT?
>
> Any assistance would be appreciated!  Please respond to the list so as to
> encourage others to reply.  Thanks!
>
> 73,
> Brian, N5ZGT
>
>
> Amateur Radio Station N5ZGT - N5ZGT PBBS, 145.01 MHz
> ARRL Life Member, NorCal #1700, QRP-L #580, AK/QRP #125
> Boy Scouts of America - Eagle Scout - ASM Troop 409
> Vigil Honor Member, O.A. Lodge 66 Yah-Tah-Hey-Si-Kess
>
>
> Moderator: Ray Brown, KB�STN
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