The USAlert NiMH Rechargeable Batteries are the primary
power source for both the WatchDog and WatchDog LT Voice Pagers. Three individual
“AAA” sized NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries, rated at 1100
mA/hr, come standard with the WatchDog pagers. The NiMH battery type is designed
to be used in small electronic devices that are used frequently and require a
strong energy source. Replacement battery pricing is for a pack of three "AAA" cells.
Battery life may be reduced after 12-18 months of use as any rechargeable battery won’t
last forever. To maintain optimum pager performance, replace batteries at regular
intervals with new ones having the same 1100 mA/hr capacity. Inferior or lower capacity
batteries have been found to create a number of performance issues. Normal charging
should take approximately 2 hours and you can charge a spare set of batteries in the
charger while also charging the pager.
On fully recharged batteries, the WatchDog LT pager with the latest firmware will
operate in Selective Call mode (or standby mode) for 48 hours or 6 days at 8 hours
per day, based on the industry standard of (5) thirty second calls per 8 hour
day. When listening to a channel in Monitor mode, battery life is 39 hours based
on a 10% carrier active / 90% carrier inactive duty cycle. When in Scan mode, battery
life can range from 46 hours in Selective Call Scan to 31 hours in 2 Channel Scan, again
all based on the 10 / 90% duty cycle. Battery life will obviously vary, depending heavily
upon the activity of the monitored channel(s).