Survival UK Forums

Continuing with the UV5r theme, one of the radio’s possible weaknesses in a grid down environment is the ability to keep it charged.

There are several possible solutions to this:

1. 12v power adaptor Approx £8.00 on e-bay including shipping from China / HK.

These adaptors fit in place of the battery and have a lead terminating in a cigarette lighter plug. They allow the UV5r to be direct powered from a 12v car power circuit, or from any other 12v source Solar powered battery bank for example.

2. AAA and AA Battery packs

Approx £ 5.00 on ebay including shipping from China/ HK ( price does not include the rechargeable cells)

These Battery packs are holders for AAA or AA rechargeable cells and install in place of the original battery pack.

The AAA / AA rechargeable cells can be charged from:-
Battery chargers that are 12v capable ( and hooked up to Car or Solar charger 12v supplies),
Dedicated Solar AAA / AA battery charger
Simply by dropping the dry cells in solar garden lights ( with the LED disabled) and allowed to recharge slowly over time. Very slowly in winter months!

IMPORTANT: THESE SOLUTIONS ARE ONLY VIABLE CURRENTLY FOR FIRST GENERATION UV5R TRANSCEIVERS UP TO THE 5R+ Plus MODEL. This is because the low cost accessories described, currently only fit the form factor ( shape ) of the first generation radios. The casing on later models has been changed and the battery pack is a different shape and will not accept these accessories.
It is assumed that accessories for the later models will become available over time. Pay particular attention to compatibility if you order any of these.

I have a 12v inverter, so should be ok from the solar panel

(26 July 2013, 20:47)Highlander Wrote: [ -> ]I have a 12v inverter, so should be ok from the solar panel

Yep that'll get you started Highlander, but you'll still have to have a power converter from 12v (I haven't got the radio with me at the moment so do not know what voltage the supplied charging cradle takes.... if its 12v, then you're good to go of course.

(2 August 2013, 07:27)Lightspeed Wrote: [ -> ]

(26 July 2013, 20:47)Highlander Wrote: [ -> ]I have a 12v inverter, so should be ok from the solar panel

Yep that'll get you started Highlander, but you'll still have to have a power converter from 12v (I haven't got the radio with me at the moment so do not know what voltage the supplied charging cradle takes.... if its 12v, then you're good to go of course.

On the back of the charger is written....
Model ch-5
Input DC 10v
Output DC 8.4V... 400mA

(2 August 2013, 08:13)Highlander Wrote: [ -> ]

(2 August 2013, 07:27)Lightspeed Wrote: [ -> ]

(26 July 2013, 20:47)Highlander Wrote: [ -> ]I have a 12v inverter, so should be ok from the solar panel

Yep that'll get you started Highlander, but you'll still have to have a power converter from 12v (I haven't got the radio with me at the moment so do not know what voltage the supplied charging cradle takes.... if its 12v, then you're good to go of course.

On the back of the charger is written....
Model ch-5
Input DC 10v
Output DC 8.4V... 400mA

Hi HL

So you're either going to have to convert from 12v to 10v and use the charger, or get a 12v to 8.4v converter to charge the battery, or get a 12v converter for the radio.

I'll be using

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Charger-Ca...33842deb3a

+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-V-Car-Batte...5af3b1c5f5

you are welcome

---

should have said not exactly from those sellers, but those items for sure, gives me car charging, plus charging from any 12v supply

(2 August 2013, 12:47)Binnie Wrote: [ -> ]I'll be using

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Charger-Ca...33842deb3a

+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-V-Car-Batte...5af3b1c5f5

you are welcome

---

should have said not exactly from those sellers, but those items for sure, gives me car charging, plus charging from any 12v supply

This'll work Binnie.

Some of the chargers do not have a smart charge regulator in them so its important not to leave the radio connected to the charger permanently, otherwise it could fry the power pack.

Fot long term attachment to a 12v supply a battery eliminator like this is a good way to go: http://dx.com/p/baofeng-bl-5-1800mah-res...tAodf2UAqg

We have car chargers for both of ours too,.. although we have never used them, they hardly ever need re-charging, they last for months

(2 August 2013, 15:11)Highlander Wrote: [ -> ]We have car chargers for both of ours too,.. although we have never used them, they hardly ever need re-charging, they last for months

We were surprised how long the original charge laste as well.

Remember about only using the car charger for shortish periods. I learned the hard way by frying the battery on one of my radios by leaving it on charge in the car throughout a 13 hr road trip.