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BP-217 Alternatives

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BP-217 Alternatives - 12/3/2007 10:52:50 PM

K6IFF

Posts: 5
Joined: 12/2/2007
Status: offline

As a new IC-91AD owner, I would like to know if I should consider the BP-217 battery pack available from Batteries America. There is certainly a price advantage, but I have heard that their product may not function properly in the 91AD, and that their customer service is not reliable. I have read some pretty bad horror stories from other forums, so would be interested in your comments. Does anyone else offer an alternative to the BP-217?

Post #: 1

RE: BP-217 Alternatives - 12/6/2007 8:18:43 PM

VE7TKO

Posts: 158
Joined: 4/5/2005
From: Abbotsford, BC; Canada
Status: offline

One of my friends purchased spare batteries from Batteries America and is very happy with their service. One of the batteries failed within 2 months and was promptly replaced by them under the terms of their warranty. Replacement took about 2 weeks. Personally I would rather stay with the genuine ICOM battery. I have never had one fail prematurely. I always use the drop in smart charger.

Good service is often a result of your attitude and proper documentation for the warranty problem. A pleasant, reasonable and patient attitude will bring forth better results than a confrontational attitude.

_____________________________

Jan van Vugt - VE7TKO
Monitor 145.670 MHz D-STAR Calling Frequency. Tag "D*Call"
Jan the Bicycle Man
http://www.janthebicycleman.com
Abbotsford, B.C. Canada

(in reply to K6IFF)

Post #: 2

RE: BP-217 Alternatives - 12/7/2007 3:42:18 PM

Howard_Z

Posts: 152
Joined: 1/16/2007
Status: offline

I have not tried it, but here is another idea

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3882

(in reply to VE7TKO)

Post #: 3

RE: BP-217 Alternatives - 12/11/2007 5:57:35 AM

n2aym

Posts: 52
Joined: 12/4/2006
Status: offline

I purchased the Batteries America BP-217 and it performs just as well as the original icom pack at approx 1/2 the cost.

_____________________________

Dan; N2AYM, WQJH289: ID-800H, IC-91AD, IC-900A(all bands), IC-W2A, IC-3SAT, IC- 901A, IC-D100H, IC-T81A

(in reply to Howard_Z)

Post #: 4

RE: BP-217 Alternatives - 12/13/2007 8:18:29 PM

K6IFF

Posts: 5
Joined: 12/2/2007
Status: offline

Thanks for the inputs! I decided (at least for this time) to lay the bucks out to Icom. Maybe I'll give Battery America a try for the next one (and I am sure that there will be a next one!)

(in reply to n2aym)

Post #: 5

RE: BP-217 Alternatives - 6/22/2010 12:53:54 PM

northernscout

Posts: 1
Joined: 6/22/2010
Status: offline

I had a problem with an Icom BP-217 battery. The fault was not so much with the battery as with me. Lithium batteries can store a huge charge for their size compared to other batteries and if the terminals get shorted a fire can ensue. Nothing like having your pants or jacket go up in smoke. Anyway, it seems like if you put a loose battery or radio in your pocket with conductive metal objects such as a large set of keys you run the risk of a short across the charging terminals. This is not just a problem in design with Icom batteries, it seems to be common
with all of the small handheld radios I've seen. The charging terminals are exposed on the back or bottom. It seems to me that it would have been no problem to recess the connections as is don in equipment like iPods and most all cellular phones. The built in protection seems to be an internal device, a fusable link, whatever, inside the battery pack. When an external short occurs the pack becomes toast (expensive toast). One good protective device is a small carrying case or even a piece of vinyl tape over one or both terminals.

I purchased a W&W battery to replace one of my BP-217 batteries and it worked fine for a while. One problem with these 91A radios and others is that they run clocks and other things that drain the battery pack and so you should remove the battery when it's not being used. After I did that with the W&W unit the back of the case came off leaving the inside half of the case inside the radio along with the cells and charge control electronics. So much for that. The Icom batteries are way sturdier than that. So, will be shipping away the
battery to Battery America. Hope I can get it out without busting the radio.

Am seriously considering getting a couple of small 4 amp 12V AGM sealed type batteries for powering up my two 91A radios. Not quite so convenient but could use them for a few days without charging. Could also use a solar cell pack to charge them in the field for extended field work. Frustrating when these things fail in the middle of an event where you're volunteering your time and talents.

< Message edited by northernscout -- 6/22/2010 1:08:47 PM >

(in reply to K6IFF)

Post #: 6

RE: BP-217 Alternatives - 8/12/2010 1:48:18 PM

KE6QCV

Posts: 3
Joined: 8/12/2010
Status: offline

I’m a little late on getting in on this as I have just joined up. What I use is a car cigarette adaptor wired to a Optima deep cycle battery (safest type to use, no spillage), I also use a solar charging panel to keep the battery topped off, I can run my HT or even a mobile unit for several days with out problems, if it’s a week end event out in the boonies you can charge the battery with a set of jumper cables and a car or truck if the solar panel does not do the trick.

(in reply to northernscout)

Post #: 7