A two-way radio is only as good as its battery. Give the battery a little attention and your sets will last the shift, day after day. Ignore it and you will get dropouts, short run time, and unhappy teams. The good news is that small habits make a big difference.
Quick wins you can start today
- Put batteries on charge as soon as a shift ends.
- Seat each pack properly in the charger.
- Wipe contacts weekly with a dry cloth.
- Store packs in a tray or labelled box, not loose in tool bags.
Know your pack: Li ion versus NiMH
Most modern business two-way radios ship with lithium ion. They are lighter, charge faster, and prefer frequent top ups. Nickel metal hydride is still around on older fleets. It is heavier and slower to charge, and it does not love constant short top ups. Not sure what you have? Check the label on the pack.
Charging habits that extend life
- Li ion likes small, regular top ups. Keep packs cool, and if you are storing for a few days, sit them around half charge.
- NiMH prefers deeper cycles now and then with a full, uninterrupted charge. A smart or slower charger helps keep them healthy.
A simple rotation system
Number each battery and radio and use a first in, first out rule on the charging bench. Keep a tiny log near the chargers. If a pack drops early, note it and swap it onto a known good radio to confirm the fault.
Storage between shifts and seasons
Batteries hate heat and deep discharge. Store at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and off hot dashboards. For Li ion, store at about half charge if radios are off the floor for a while. For NiMH, store fully charged and check monthly.
Charger placement matters
Choose a stable surface with airflow. Keep chargers away from vibration and metal dust, leave space between bays so heat can escape, and use surge protected sockets.
Spotting a tired battery
Watch for shorter run time than usual, a pack that feels swollen or sits awkwardly, heat during normal use, or a radio that restarts when you key up at high volume. Tag the pack and take it out of circulation. Do not force a swollen battery back into a radio.
Squeeze more hours from each charge
- Turn transmit power down if coverage allows.
- Dim screens and shorten backlight time.
- Use earpieces in loud zones so volume can drop.
- Switch off features you do not use.
Safety basics you should never skip
Only use approved chargers and batteries. Replace packs that no longer latch. Keep liquids away from charging bays, and recycle dead batteries properly.
Troubleshooting quick guide
- Light flashes then goes dark. Reseat the pack, clean the contacts, or try a second bay.
- Shows full but drops fast. Test on another radio. If the issue follows the pack, replace it.
- Shuts off when you press to talk. The pack cannot deliver peak current. This is a classic end of life sign.
Find the right battery for your radio
If you are replacing packs, a quick check saves guesswork.
Step 1. Note the radio model from the label or under the battery.
Step 2. Choose your brand and browse compatible packs.
Step 3. Match the battery code on the page to your radio model. If you are unsure, tell us your model and hours per shift and we will confirm the right pack.
When to replace
Most business batteries give two to three years with good care. High duty use shortens that. If a pack fails two of the checks above, retire it. Replacement is cheaper than chasing faults across a shift.
Need fresh batteries or a charging setup that suits your site
We can help you choose the right battery packs, multi chargers, and accessories for your fleet. Contact us today and we will get you sorted quickly.
