Well, I waited until the day before departing to try to put batteries into my back-up AA pack and they don't fit. My fine motor skills are fine. Is there a trick to it? Also, after I take it off the charger, it very quickly (within minutes) goes from 3 dashes on the indicator to two. Does this indicate a lame battery? I got the radio used and I don't have the manual. Thanks. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Well, I waited until the day before departing to try to put > batteries into my back-up AA pack and they don't fit. My > fine motor skills are fine. Is there a trick to it? Not that I'm aware of: it helps to have some fingernail left, but I just push the two in the bottom outside slots down, and then shoehorn the other two in with my fingernail. Maybe a spring down in the bottom is shot??? > Also, after I take it off the charger, it very quickly > (within minutes) goes from 3 dashes on the indicator to two. > Does this indicate a lame battery? I've got the same problem, and it started soon after I bought mine new. I went to West Marine to ask about it, but since they don't carry Apelco/Raytheons now, they wouldn't even discuss it. (Make sure that if you buy anything there you find out if they'll keep carrying it; otherwise warranty hassles really escalate.) I've been thinking I'll check the voltages at the time I do my next recharge and post the results here. -- Rob Gendreau Oakland, California gendreau_at_ccnet.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
E. Sullivan wrote: > > Well, I waited until the day before departing to try to put > batteries into my back-up AA pack and they don't fit. My > fine motor skills are fine. Is there a trick to it? > > Also, after I take it off the charger, it very quickly > (within minutes) goes from 3 dashes on the indicator to two. > Does this indicate a lame battery? > > I got the radio used and I don't have the manual. I just got back from being away a few days and don't know if anyone has answered this. 1. Regarding the AA battery pack, Apelco shipped many, many with the wrong length screw. Call Apelco and get the right one, which is a bit shorter and allows the pack to be screwed in fully. 2. I noticed that mine did the same thing. I don't think it necessarily meant a shorter battery charge. I did run the thing normally for what seemed the right amount of claimed charge. However, I got rid of my Apelco because of a lot of what I considered bothersome details like the one you mention as well as other quirks. Apelco took it back and gave me a full refund. Still, I do know lots of people who are happy with their 520. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have an Apelco 520 radio. Yes the AA batteries are a tough fit into the backup battery case, but be gentle and persistent, and you will succeed. Re: the three battery power indicator bars, the manual states three bars show full batteries, and that it will quickly drop to two bars. My unit does the same thing. I have had good luck with this radio. I like its small size (fits the pocket on my PFD), power and set of features. Good Luck. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
RE: the following characteristic of the Apelco 520 - << after I take it off the charger, it very quickly (within minutes) goes from 3 dashes on the indicator to two. Does this indicate a lame battery? >> I'll second the experience of a couple of others on this - it's normal operation for the Apelco. I like my Apelco 520 very much. Its instruction booklet said that this would happen (drop back from three indicator dashes to two dashes quickly). I've had the unit for almost 5 months now, I use it almost entirely with the rechargable pack, and for my useage I get plenty of battery power from it. In my particular sample the AAA battery pack fits into the unit easily. I bought a solar battery charger and rechargeable batteries, and have never needed the charger. BTW - if anyone needs to replace an Apelco, it's made by Raytheon, so Raytheon is the company to contact. Bill Hansen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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