Batteries and Chargers: Making Good Communication Possible
Walkie talkies and other radio units are useful for communicating with others without relying on internet connection or phone lines. They work in close proximities and are popular among restaurants and hotel management to keep constant contact. Motorola has been a popular brand for battery powered walkie talkies and they also offer battery chargers and replacements.
What Type of Batteries Do Motorola Walkie Talkies Use?
The brand's battery packs are designed specifically for different series of radios and walkie talkies. This is due to the differences in the design and specification of the devices. See manufacturer site for more details.
- Lithium-Ion Battery: Some devices like the CLP series two way radios use this type of battery. Often abbreviated to Li-ion batteries, they are lightweight and highly energy dense, ideal for portable devices. Li-ion batteries from Motorola are available in ranges such as the IMPRES range.
- Nickel Metal Hybrid Battery: There are also nickel metal hybrid, or NiMH, battery series available for radio series like the PR400, CP150 and CP200. They produce a higher voltage and are suitable for devices with higher energy usage.
Why Do I Need to Change Batteries on My Walkie Talkie?
Although they are rechargeable, both Li-ion and NiMH batteries can't last forever and they need to be replaced eventually.
- Finite Charges: Overall, rechargeable batteries have a maximum number of charges they can undergo before their quality starts to deteriorate. Lithium ion ones can be recharged up to 500 times and nickel metal hybrids can be recharged about 100 to 200 times more.
- Signs of Battery Deterioration: You will know when your battery needs replacing when it no longer holds its charge. You may find that you will need to charge it more frequently or, in some cases, your radio unit is not functional once it leaves the charging bank.
What Kind of Charger Should I Get?
Even for specific radio series, there can be several types of charges available. You will also find there are some chargers designed to accommodate a range of radios.
- Compatibility: You need to ensure that your charging bank is compatible with your radio units as well as the type of battery installed in them. If you use the wrong battery charger, you can potentially harm the longevity and functionality of your battery.
- Usage: There are different battery chargers you can buy according your usage of radio units. Besides the basic single charging bank that charges one radio unit at a time, you can get multi-unit chargers that can recharge multiple units in one go. You can also get rapid chargers if you require a faster turnover of units.