Uniden Scanner Mod

[rinoltz]

Hello all,
I hope this is in the right topic area.  I have an older Uniden Bearcat 200XLT.  I have replaced the batteries once with the original NI-CD batteries.  Currently I have them removed since they will no longer hold a good charge for more than an hour or so.  Still works with AC adapter.  Has anyone ever modified the battery pack to use NI-mH batteries?  I assume the original power supply would not work for this.  Otherwise I am just gonna use it with the AC adapter.  I've had the scanner since 1990 but it still works great, except for the battery pack. 

Thanks in advance for any input,

Brad

[Jason]

I'm afraid I haven't done any battery modifications to any of my receivers.  I'll have to defer this to someone who has.

[Biff]

Those Uniden battery packs are the worst.  I have a pair of 245XLTs and have been thru 4 battery packs.  You're not alone in your suffering.

I modded mine to accept regular AA batteries.  I use alkaline but rechargeables should work as well.  I don't plug in the AC adapter while running on AA batts for fear that Something Bad might happen.

The modification is fairly simple.  You just need an Altoids tin (or something similar, to cut conductive strips of metal from), a couple small bits of cardboard, a sacrificial battery pack to cut the wire leads and connector from, and minimal soldering skill.  You can probably Google the instructions. 

[dave]

Hello all,
I hope this is in the right topic area.  I have an older Uniden Bearcat 200XLT.  I have replaced the batteries once with the original NI-CD batteries.  Currently I have them removed since they will no longer hold a good charge for more than an hour or so.  Still works with AC adapter.  Has anyone ever modified the battery pack to use NI-mH batteries?  I assume the original power supply would not work for this.  Otherwise I am just gonna use it with the AC adapter.  I've had the scanner since 1990 but it still works great, except for the battery pack. 

Thanks in advance for any input,

Brad

A few options - I have one of these as well.  It was the second scanner I ever owned so very long ago.

1. Get a replacement NiCd pack and use your current charger:
http://www.scannermaster.com/BP200_NiCad_Battery_Pack_p/02-590674.htm

2. Get a NiMH pack:
http://www.scannermaster.com/BP200_NiMH_Battery_Pack_p/02-590675.htm

The NiMH pack can be charged with your existing NiCd charger but it will take about 36 hours to charge.  You might contact Scannermaster to see if they have a more approprate NiMH charger.  Otherwise there are plenty of battery companies around - contact one of them to see if they have an appropriate charger.  You might have to modify what they have to put an appropriate plug on the charger so it mates with the BP200.

3. Just use the charger as an AC power supply.  Open your old battery pack and bypass the battery cells internally (remove them and just wire directly to the charging jack).

Have fun - that scanner was a very nice unit. 

Dave