Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2426
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
|
|
Hey Guys:
Just had a client/friend return from a Black Bear and Wolf hunt in Alaska. At my recommendation, he purchased a nice Fox Pro unit to take along which I was able to set up for him.
The problem came in recharging. Apparently, he had a generic Radio Shack charging unit along and instead of removing the batteries to charge them, he used the charging jack on the Fox Pro.
The result was a melt down of the unit. Apparently, the unit has no regulator built in to shut off charging if heat is generated. I've always seen the batteries removed to charge while switching to a reserve set, so this has not come up with me. There is apparently a charging unit available from Fox Pro at additional cost which prevents the problem.
In any case, for those of you carrying Fox Pros, it sounds prudent not to charge the batteries in the machine with another after market charging unit. Initial conversations between my client and Fox Pro have not been too encouraging. They have, apparently, seen this before, and they are not inclined to be too sympathetic. They want some money to fix it, how much is as yet unclear.
Word to the wise.
Thanks 
|
DanS
Crown Killer
Reged: Sep 14 2003
Posts: 2231
Loc: St. Louis, MO
|
|
Mike I'd like to go one step futher.
It's to my understanding that one should take the battery pack out of the foxpro unit whether you have the FoxPro Charger or another brands. Obviously leaving the wires connected.
--------------------
If it's not worth doing, then it's certainly not worth doing right.
|
Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2426
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
|
|
Dan:
I believe you are correct. I'm told there is a warning somewhere in their literature to leave the battery cover door open or off during charging to help dissipate heat.
I don't own one personally yet, so can't say. I'm still functioning well on a like new 512 and an MP3 unit with Power Pro I've had for quite a while. Maybe if I had the chance to call more, I'd step up. I like the Fox Pro units now, but there's always some fly in the ointment.
Ken's charging set-up is the best I've seen, but it didn't come cheap.
|
Ken (Catskin)
Universal Rabbi of the House
Reged: Nov 24 2000
Posts: 3181
Loc: Redmond, Oregon
|
|
Yeah but with the digital cameras and everything else that eats AA's now days it was worth it. I think Dan is using the same thing.
|
DanS
Crown Killer
Reged: Sep 14 2003
Posts: 2231
Loc: St. Louis, MO
|
|
Ken,
You always seem to be at least one step ahead of me with the electronic do-whacky-do's. But yea, I have an additional charger, the one you reccomended. 
--------------------
If it's not worth doing, then it's certainly not worth doing right.
|
Quapaw9300
Whirling Dervish
Reged: Mar 18 2006
Posts: 34
Loc: Marana, Arizona 85742
|
|
I've melted not one but two FX3s down and almost lost a truck when one scorched the seat and filled the truck with smoke.
The second time my replacement FX3 went into melt down and we caught it because of the smell of melting plastic.
The issue is the heat that is created as the 8 AA alkaline batteries charge. It gets very hot, hot enough to melt plastic and char seats. Batteries boil.
Both times FoxPro was very johnny on the spot with either repairs or a replacement. I was impressed. Then I started hearing about other FX3s doing the same thing.
I suspect that the company wants to avoid a recall but there is a simple solution they should at least consider. It's called a thermistor ( a temperature sensitive switch ) and it could be molded into a replacement battery case. At a predetermined temperature it would 'open' and turn off the recharging current. This is how the 2 way radio companies like GE and Motorola protect their portable radios from the same heat that occurs when their nicad batteries heat up. My cell phone has a simular feature inside it too.
I want to stress that the folks at FoxPro are very good to deal with when people have problems with their units. I hope they recognize this and do something to correct the safety issue at no cost to their followers and loyal customers.
I'm sorry for the long essay but I'll end it by saying I check my FX every 15 or 20 minutes to see if the AA batteries are too hot.
Let's get 'er fixed
|
Quapaw9300
Whirling Dervish
Reged: Mar 18 2006
Posts: 34
Loc: Marana, Arizona 85742
|
|
I offer this as an addendum to my fresh post about 2 FX3's I've melted down.
FoxPro's owners know that if the problem gets big enough the Consumer Product Safety folks might intervene and order something done. That would be very expensive and it would be unfortunate because FoxPro has a winner on it's hands that has an unfortunate little flaw.
|
disco1946
Mouse Dipper
Reged: Jul 01 2007
Posts: 654
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
|
|
Thanks for the info. I was gonna buy a charger but Now I think I will just stick with the AA alkalines. 36 for about 11 bucks at Home Depot. I change them before every hunt and have never had them go dead during a hard day of hunting.
Dave 
--------------------
I would rather have a sister who is a prostitute, than a brother who is a liberal.
|
NcWhitetail
Whirling Dervish
Reged: Jan 22 2007
Posts: 43
Loc: Lincolnton, NC
|
|
It's an unfortunate little flaw until it burns a house down.
|
DanCarey
Druid
Reged: Aug 29 2006
Posts: 174
Loc: AZ
|
|
I had heard the 110 V charger was ok as it comes from FP, but the auto 12 V adapter was a problem. I have a FP, don't get much use, but has been charged several times without a problem (heat). Never used the auto charger.
|
LBLDOG68
Apostle of Humility
Reged: Nov 05 2007
Posts: 2
Loc: ky
|
|
thanks for info on the recharging with batteries left in! I dont know if I would have done that but I know now I wont!!THANKS 
|
Wapati
Apostle of Humility
Reged: Nov 16 2007
Posts: 8
Loc: Wyoming
|
|
I have never had a problem with the 110v Foxpro charger but I could see how universal chargers could cause a problem. Foxpro absolutely recommends the battery door be open when charging and states to not charge the batteries more than 10 hrs with the Foxpro 110v charger. Mine makes them nice and warm to the touch but never hot. I have had zero luck with regular alkaline batteries the time or two I have used them. My unit eats them in no time flat. I dont use the vehicle fast charge system with mine since I carry around another set of fully charged rechargeables if the one set gets low. Rarely ever happens but good to have a backup.
|
Quapaw9300
Whirling Dervish
Reged: Mar 18 2006
Posts: 34
Loc: Marana, Arizona 85742
|
|
I just checked back on my earlier posts and I realize that I hadn't made it clear that I was using a cigarette lighter charger, not the A/C wall charger.
And I want to mention that the new FoxPro Scorpion caller has a smart charging circuit built in. I've taken to carrying two battery boxes, both nicad and both charged so that I don't have to sweat plugging it into the cigarette lighter.
Radio Shack has the black plastic battery boxes and it's just a matter of charging them at home. 
|
Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2426
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
|
|
Just heard from my client again yesterday.
Apparently FoxPro has acknowledged the problem with the excess heat on charging. They are now providing a safety feature which shuts the unit down if too much heat is present. Apparently, they will retro-fit older units with this new safety wiring if the unit is returned.
So says my source. I haven't spoken to FoxPro personally.
|
Mark P
Administrator
Reged: Jun 21 2005
Posts: 1015
Loc: Arizona
|
|
My Western Rivers is pissing me off, so I was wandering through the FoxPro site.
The FX5 with the gel external battery looks like the ticket. The battery appears to be 8Ah @ 12v. Not sure what the FX5 specs out to as far as draw, but 8Ah should be fine. If not one could boost the battery capacity with another model. That one tips the scale at 6lbs, so I don't think I'd want much more weight. I've got enough crap to carry. Whether or not an FX3 can be converted to use this I don't know,as the text was unclear if it currently supports it.
Speed charging batteries is a huge knock on overall lifespan. If the batteries are getting warm or even hot, then they're gassing. That's bad enough, but being sealed batteries the gas (hydrogen) can't escape and it starts compounding.
Best thing is a long, float charge, unless there is a controller that can do bulk charge and drop to float once the batteries are peaked.
--------------------
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
|
Ken (Catskin)
Universal Rabbi of the House
Reged: Nov 24 2000
Posts: 3181
Loc: Redmond, Oregon
|
|
RE; Fast Charging.
Thats not quite true, at least for nickel-based batteries which prefer a fast-charge. Trickle charges cause memory so they should be fast charged. It takes about an hour to recharge my Foxpro with the nickel-metal-hydride batteries. I use a real charger and not the built in junk. Battery life has not been a problem.
See http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-11.htm
|
disco1946
Mouse Dipper
Reged: Jul 01 2007
Posts: 654
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
|
|
Mark,
I have a friend who has the gel pack battery that works on the FX3 caller. He seldom uses it cause it is so heavy. You can easily get a full day calling or more on the 8 AA batteries. They actually rate it at 16 hours on full power, I don't know about that but I have never had it go dead on me on a full day or weekend hunt.
Dave
--------------------
I would rather have a sister who is a prostitute, than a brother who is a liberal.
|
Quapaw9300
Whirling Dervish
Reged: Mar 18 2006
Posts: 34
Loc: Marana, Arizona 85742
|
|
Well, here I am again talking about FoxPro and my FX3. Earlier in this same forum I've spoken out about problems I've had with my FX3. Mr. Dillon and his staff have completely satisfied me to date .
And today my FX3 came back from their shop in Lewistown PA after being serviced. They not only changed the oil and filter, the spark plug and checked it's tire pressure, they did a number of upgrades including a small device * that can help keep the FX3 from melting down in it's charging mode.
Folks, this is how FoxPro has kept it's customers and if you were ever thinking about buying an electronic then I can recommend FoxPro.
* thermistor
Jeff
|
Blueprinted
Whirling Dervish
Reged: Feb 23 2007
Posts: 36
Loc: PA
|
|
I stored my FX3 over the summer and it got damp. I phucked the caller up. I live about 1 and 1/2 hours from them. I took it in today 9/19/08. They replaced everything but the case and the speakers, upgraded it to an FX5 and I was out the door in just over an hour. They told me my unit has a thermistor in it. I bought the Nickle metal hydrid batteries and the charger. I only paid for the upgrade and batteries and got a brand new caller. Shit happens, but I think they are one of the best, customer oriented companies out there, not just e-callers.
|
Quapaw9300
Whirling Dervish
Reged: Mar 18 2006
Posts: 34
Loc: Marana, Arizona 85742
|
|
Yes they are.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
