Is there a decent car charger for Baofeng UV-5R radios?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is there a decent car charger for Baofeng UV-5R radios?

Posted: 12/23/2013 11:00:43 AM EDT

Short of putting in a small inverter to use the 110v charger they come with, is there a decent car charger for the Baofeng UV-5R? I prefer something with a cigarette lighter style accessory plug.

I found a link to this charger from 409 Shop in another thread but the image doesn't look like a 12 volt plug.

The only other thing I can find is something like this cable which I assume plugs in to the charging base that came with the radio. My issue is that a car output can be around 14 volts but the charging base is supposed to have a 10 volt input.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Posted: 12/23/2013 11:12:25 AM EDT

[#1]

The lack of a DC plug on the radio is probably it's biggest downfall, and the most overlooked. The rest of how it works is just a pile of quirks.

Without going downstairs to look, you say the AC adapter is 10v out? Is there any charging circuitry in the base itself? Who's going to be the first to wire it to 12v and see if it survives?

Posted: 12/23/2013 12:19:37 PM EDT

[#2]

I wanted the same thing. Somewhere in the 10 page thread on Baofengs here, I think someone did link to a DC charger that'd work. However, if you look on ebay and everywhere else, the only thing you'll see is the battery "eliminator" which...I think...just acts as a DC power source...doesn't actually charge anything. Sort of like plugging a lamp in the wall...as soon as you unplug it...no power.

What I am going to try is looking at the requirements for power (amps, watts, volts, etc.) and see if I can find a plug that will 1) work and 2) fit in the hole on the charger.

-Emt1581

Posted: 12/23/2013 12:33:00 PM EDT

[#3]

What about a "Battery Eliminator" such as this one...

UV-5R Battery Eliminator

You can find them at other stores on-line. I have no experience with the company I linked to.

Posted: 12/23/2013 12:48:01 PM EDT

[#4]

Putting the full 14.1 volts into the Baofeng charging base will smoke the regulator inside.

The base and cable you showed is fine,

OP, you can also use this cable:

http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=109406

It regulates down to 10 volts, which won't damage the Baofeng charge base.

Posted: 12/23/2013 12:52:01 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Putting the full 14.1 volts into the Baofeng charging base will smoke the regulator inside.

The base and cable you showed is fine,

OP, you can also use this cable:

http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=109406

It regulates down to 10 volts, which won't damage the Baofeng charge base.

View Quote

And that is what I was referencing earlier...just couldn't find it. Thanks for the link!!

So that's the way to go if you want to charge the Baofengs in the car? Will it work on the UV-B5 as well?

-Emt1581

Posted: 12/23/2013 12:56:30 PM EDT

[#6]

I bought mine thru these guys
http://threeoldcrows.com/shop/magento/ham-radio-equipment/accessories/12-24-volt-car-charger-cable-for-bapofeng-radios-10v-500ma-output.html

Also got a couple of audio cables for the UV-5R type, built an adapter for UV-5R to SignaLink. Company seems to work well and tell up front if merchandise is in stock.

Posted: 12/23/2013 2:40:43 PM EDT

[#7]

Three Old Crows gets two thumbs up from the UV-5R yahoo group members.

Regarding the UV-B5 charge base, I have no idea. Don't have a B5 to check.

Posted: 12/23/2013 2:42:11 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Three Old Crows gets two thumbs up from the UV-5R yahoo group members.

Regarding the UV-B5 charge base, I have no idea. Don't have a B5 to check.

View Quote

Yup, I've read good things about them.

Maybe I'll order one for the 5R, try it on the B5 and report back.

-Emt1581

Posted: 12/23/2013 2:46:39 PM EDT

[#9]

Here's the one I got. $5.49 shipped with Amazon Prime.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B54F16I/ref=pe_385040_30332190_pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_2

Posted: 12/23/2013 4:46:19 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Will it work on the UV-B5 as well?

View Quote

It sure looks like it would.

Note that there have been at least 2 different chargers shipped with the B5 - One accepts 10 VDC from a wall wart (the wall wart has 2.1 mm barrel plug, center pin positive), and the other has a 120VAC line cord permanently attached to it.

Posted: 12/23/2013 4:55:59 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
It sure looks like it would.

Note that there have been at least 2 different chargers shipped with the B5 - One accepts 10 VDC from a wall wart (the wall wart has 2.1 mm barrel plug, center pin positive), and the other has a 120VAC line cord permanently attached to it.

View Quote

I've got a whole basket filled with various adapters (AC and DC) that I've acquired in my tenure. I'm thinking I should check out the ratings on them and see if any of those fit/work.

Thanks

-Emt1581

Posted: 12/23/2013 5:24:20 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've got a whole basket filled with various adapters (AC and DC) that I've acquired in my tenure. I'm thinking I should check out the ratings on them and see if any of those fit/work.

View Quote

The original wall wart is rated at 500 mA, so you shouldn't need any more current than that.

Posted: 12/23/2013 8:09:27 PM EDT

[#13]

Thanks gentlemen. I knew someone here would know.

Posted: 12/24/2013 6:28:45 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Here's the one I got. $5.49 shipped with Amazon Prime.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B54F16I/ref=pe_385040_30332190_pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_2

View Quote

Several reviewers say that it is unregulated - Just supplies the charger base with the 12-14 volts present at the lighter socket.

Posted: 12/24/2013 6:53:14 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

Several reviewers say that it is unregulated - Just supplies the charger base with the 12-14 volts present at the lighter socket.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Here's the one I got. $5.49 shipped with Amazon Prime.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B54F16I/ref=pe_385040_30332190_pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_2

Several reviewers say that it is unregulated - Just supplies the charger base with the 12-14 volts present at the lighter socket.

Eeek! I haven't tried it yet but I'll be sure to put the meter on it now.

ETA: Yep, over 14V full truck voltage!

Posted: 1/13/2014 7:18:51 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Putting the full 14.1 volts into the Baofeng charging base will smoke the regulator inside.

The base and cable you showed is fine,

OP, you can also use this cable:

http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=109406

It regulates down to 10 volts, which won't damage the Baofeng charge base.

View Quote

UPDATE: The one I ordered arrived today, and I can now confirm that it also works perfectly with the UV-B5 and UV-B6 drop-in battery chargers that require 10 VDC. The DC output of mine measures exactly 10 volts.

Posted: 1/13/2014 11:41:25 PM EDT

[#17]

Thanks Ski. I need to get one too.

Posted: 1/14/2014 4:49:51 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Putting the full 14.1 volts into the Baofeng charging base will smoke the regulator inside.

View Quote

maybe in early versions. I've got my base unit hooked up to my power-pole system in my truck and haven't smoked it yet with 14.5V when the truck is running. It doesn't charge the radio when it's at those voltages but the magic smoke is still safe inside.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is there a decent car charger for Baofeng UV-5R radios?

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