In mid-Sept, I parked my auto. Today i pickled it for the winter. Inside I had several radios stored (you know, just in case ) BoFeng UV-5R8W - OEM battery pack (LiON) with side charging BoFeng UV-5R8W - AA battery pack w/6xAA cells Tenergy 2800mAh NiMH VX-170 - Replacement NiMH (nearly OEM) VX-5R - OEM battery pack (LiON) Icom IC-Q7A - Tenergy AA cells, NiMH //2800 mAh All batteries/cells were fully charged. Results, after sitting and cold soaking (lowest temp +8F/highest around 20F) 1. Turned on and was on frequency (local NOAA WX), normal operation 2. Same as 1 3. Same as 1 4. Failed to turn on - likely the battery pack. See Note 1 5. Same as 1. Note 1 - The radio was purchased, used, w/2 OEM battery packs. I put a pair of the replacement LiON packs in the storage container. Both failed. I also have the OEM AA tray w/2xAA Tenergy NiMH cells. When installed, the radio came to life and was on frequency. Note 2 - After a few min nestled in my armpit - the original installed battery pack had not revived enough to work in the radio. **** What to draw from this: The Tenergy AA cells (2800 mAh) are very cold tolerant It is very much worth having an AA cell tray. Posted for your consideration.
Alaska is a beautiful place, but I personally am glad I never see those temps. I do on occasion have batteries that need to cool down before they will charge....
LOL By Alaska standards, the real cold has yet to come +70F to +50F (OMG, its been so hot) +50F to +32F (Nice day, but carry a jacket in case the winds come p) +32F to +20F - cool, wear a jacket full time outdoors +20F to 0F (Cold dig out wooly hat and gloves) 0F to -20F (really cold, plan travel in advance) -20F to (don't know, I don't live in Fairbanks.) When I went thru Cool School in Fairbanks (-30F as the high) I wore so many layers that taking a leak was a life-altering experience. Anchorage is in the Banana Belt, so really deep cold does happen, but rarely.. If I had any sense, I'd jump into the time machine set to 1950 and move back to Tucson
