Modifications for the ICOM - RogerK

16-05-1999(IC-T8) Problem with the battery packAuthor: Louis Albert - lalbert@uakron.edu.MODIFICATION.NETThe T-8 has been selling like wild fire and the batteries have been breaking just as fast! The battery has a spring plastic tab thatholds the battery on the back of the transceiver. It's a good idea in that there are no tools required to remove the battery but -after flexing a few times it BREAKS! This renders the battery and the radio useless.ICOM has been replacing the batteries free but it is the same type of plastic, so they also BREAK. I have received opinions fromtwo individuals familiar with plastic. One is an engineer and the other, a tester in the lab of an independent manufacturer. Theyboth say that the fundamental design of the tab is wrong in that no mater what type of plastic is used, the tab will eventuallybreak at the flex point. They both went on to say that with the proper formulation of the plastic, the tab may possibly last the lifeof the battery. A portion of the written statement follows:"There are two problems with the design of the battery pack that effect the performance of the snap. The material appears to beeither talc or fiber filled which will increase the impact strength of the material, but will also decrease the materials flexibility.The second issue is that the snap geometry itself is flawed. A well designed snap wing should be tapered in thickness so that thestrain is evenly distributed along its length.""In the case of the ICOM battery snap the strain is concentrated at the base of the snap in the U shaped area. It can be seenthat the outer fibers of the U are strained past the materials allowable limit even under normal operation of the snap. Twosolutions are available, change the material of the battery pack, or change the geometry of the snap."As of this time ICOM has shown no willingness to redesign the batter retaining tab, nor have they given any indication that theyare going to change the type of plastic used in the manufacturing process. They have yet to acknowledge that there may be aproblem with the T-8 batteries. As of this time ICOM is replacing batteries that fail while under warranty.If you have a broken battery contact ICOM America via e-mail or phone 425-454-8155 or FAX 425-454-1509 for a replacement.This modification is read 1215 times.top of page05-06-1999(IC-T8) TX Mod for the IC-T8aImportant note: Transmitting on the 220 MHz band, will blow the TX module!!