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BATTERY CARE
SST-442
6
BATTERY MAINTENANCE
With daily use and recharging, a battery’s service life
is about one year. To ensure maximum service life,
follow these guidelines:
•
DO NOT discharge a battery that is already “run
down.” If the battery cannot power your radio,
recharge the battery.
•
DO NOT overcharge a battery. The standard
battery should not be left to charge continuously.
•
Condition battery packs once a month as
directed in Battery Conditioning.
•
Condition batteries that are run down.
•
Charge batteries for 16 hours before storage,
and for 16 hours once a month thereafter.
•
DO NOT charge batteries in temperatures colder
than about 45°F. Charging batteries in
temperatures above 95°C. does not harm them,
but can reduce charge capacity.
It is time to purchase a new battery:
•
When the radio’s transmitter coverage decreases
or does not work at all.
•
When the radio quits working after just a few
hours of use, even with a full overnight charge.
•
When the battery is more than two years old.
The date of manufacture is stamped on every
battery. The first two digits indicate the year, the
last two digits the week.
BATTERY CONDITIONING
Due to the extended run time of the SST-442 radio,
some users may never fully discharge the battery
pack during normal use. Achieve maximum battery
life by fully discharging the battery periodically to
condition it.
After exposing the battery pack to many cycles of not
fully discharging it before recharging, the radio may
exhibit reduced battery capacity. This reduced
capacity is evident when, after several hours of use,
battery voltage drops while the radio is transmitting,
causing the radio to emit a dead battery warning tone
and shut itself off.
Condition battery packs by the following procedure as
either a preventive measure, or if you suspect
reduced capacity:
1.
Use your radio throughout a normal working day
without charging.
2.
Press and hold the On/ Volume Up and Volume
Down/ Off buttons simultaneously for 8 seconds
to place the radio in "open squelch" mode.
3.
Release both buttons when you hear the radio
beep rapidly; it will then emit a loud "rushing"
noise. Press On/ Volume Up to maximize this
noise.
4.
Put the radio away in a secure place (possibly a
desk drawer), where nothing can press against
the buttons to accidentally turn it off or cause it to
transmit. Allow the radio to run until it shuts off
when the battery is completely discharged. A
typical battery pack may require up to 8 hours to
completely discharge.
5.
When the radio has shut off, charge it overnight
for 12-14 hours. The battery will be ready for use
with renewed capacity.