T&T: VHF501 battery

[Albin43SDtr]

'Lo All,

In the last month or so, I have received several requests for the 
same information on rebuilding my Apelco VHF 501 battery pack. The 
archived email's address that I originally sent is below:

http://lists.samurai.com/pipermail/trawlers-and-trawlering/2004-May/075180.html

>Hi Wayne
>I need to get a new battery for my VHF501 hand held marine radio. I 
>would just like to know how succesfull was the rebuild of the old 
>NiCad to NiMH and what was the address of the company that did the 
>work for you.

I am very pleased to say that the battery pack exceeded all 
expectations. The original charger is used. Self-discharge was 
thought to be a problem for the NiMH battery, but the battery 
remained charged for over a year. (It is seldom turned on, only when 
on the boats and, unfortunately, that has been all too seldom as I 
have been just too darn busy.) The company I used is Primecell, and 
their website is:

http://primecell.com/

Again, I only recharged it about once a year, as it was lightly used, 
but worked well when needed - for both receive and transmit at full power.

No association with the company, except as a satisfied customer.


Take care and be safe.

Wayne
Celestial
Albin 43 Sundeck
Near Panama City, FL