New Improved Motorola PMNN4547 IP68 APX 8000H UL Battery

Higher Capacity and Improved Cold Temperature PerformanceUL TIA 4950 Battery for APX 6000

Motorola recently started shipping a new intrinsically-safe TIA 4950 battery for the APX 8000H and APX 8000HXE HAZLOC radio models. The PMNN4547 battery provides 3100 mAh capacity using Li-ion cells and has an improves cold temperature specification. It has a IP68 rating which means it can survive in six feet of water for up to four hours. It also uses IMPRES 2 technology that provides up to 60% more charging cycles as compared to a standard battery.

Requires A New Carry Holder or Leather Case for APX 6000

APX 6000 Leather Case with Fixed Belt LoopThe new battery provides 16% more capacity than the 2,650 mAh NNTN8930 UL model.  Because the PMNN4547 is about 3mm deeper, APX 6000 and SRX 2200 users will need to upgrade their carrying accessories.

The PMLN7901 plastic carry holder is required to fit the new battery. If you are using the rugged APX 6000XE with larger knobs a PMLN7902 is the correct holster. There are also new APX 6000 leather cases with fixed or swivel belt loops available in our online store.

Motorola PMNN4547 Carry Case Bulletin .pdf

Motorola UHF XPR 3500e Intrinsically-Safe Radios For Rent or Lease

UHF XPR 3500e with Remote Speaker-MicA recent addition to our managed service offerings is the Motorola UHF XPR 3500e intrinsically-safe two-way radio certified for use in hazardous atmospheres.

Hazardous locations are found in many industries including refineries, fuel storage facilities, plastics processing plants, chemical plants, and grain elevators. Contractors, subcontractors, and anyone working a HazLoc job can now rent, lease-purchase, or buy their radios.

Our rental radio packages include two Motorola UL-Approved PMNN4490 intrinsically-safe batteries, Motorola PMMN4071 UL-Approved remote speaker-microphone, and XPR 3500e hand-held radios UL-Approved to TIA-4950 for use in Hazardous Locations, Division 1, Class I, II, III, Groups C,D,E, F, G; Division 2, Class 1, Groups A,B,C,D,T3C. Tamb = -25°C to +60 °C. We include a Motorola IMPRES charger that automatically conditions the batteries for peak performance. Our rental radio is also capable of operating on a Motorola Capacity Plus trunking system if needed.

The XPR 3500e can handle up to 128 channels and includes a 2-line display for easier operation. Our optional channel announcement feature allows the user to hear the actual channel names without having to look at the display. Frequencies can be programmed with analog channels, DMR digital, or both depending on your requirements.

Increase profitability and worker safety by improving jobsite communications. Rentals are available by the week, month, and longer. For pricing and availability contact our Dover, Delaware office at 302-734-9250 M-F 8-5pm EST or use the form below.

Motorola APX XE Extreme Remote Speaker-Mics Compared

APX XE vs APX XE-500 Features

Motorola APX XE vs. APX XE500 RSM Feature Comparison

Motorola’s IMPRES XE rugged remote speaker-microphone (RSM) choices for extreme environments are designed for firefighters with APX 6000XE, APX 7000XE, and APX 8000XE P25 radios. Available in black or high visibility green, they have a strobe light, orange emergency button, and clip with D-ring.

Motorola APX XE and APX XE500 Shared Features

Both the XE and XE-500 are rated IP68 for submersibility and carry an intrinsically-safe rating to match the APX radio certification. Both have a large volume toggle switch and are 50% louder than a XTS RSM. There is a reflective label on both styles for increased visibility. The APX XE was introduced about 5 years ago and is available in green (NNTN8575A) and black (NNTN8575ABLK).

New APX XE500 Feature ImprovementsXE500 Features and Controls

The XE500 started shipping last year with additional features. It has a channel knob and larger emergency button with embedded orange lighting. Noise suppression is improved and can pickup your voice when you can’t hear yourself talking. The heat resistant cable can withstand 500 degrees for 5 minutes without harm.

The XE500 is intrinsically safe rated for UL-TIA4950 but does not have a FM certification. If your department uses intrinsically-safe APX radios, check to determine if you need FM or UL certified accessories. They are not interchangeable.

The XE500 with channel knob is available in green (PMMN4106A) or black (PMMN4106ABLK). The XE500 is now available without a channel knob in high impact green (PMMN4107) and black (PMMN4107_BLK).

Extreme temperature High Impact Green and Black RSM's

Link to Motorola APX XE500 Datasheet   Link to APX XE Datasheet

New APX IMPRES 2 Batteries and Chargers From Motorola

Improved Warranty and IP Rating

Motorola BatwingsMotorola Solutions recently started shipping IMPRES 2 batteries for the APX 6000, APX 7000, and APX 8000 series radios. The new IMPRES 2 batteries are Li-ion chemistry and are more rugged with a IP68 submersibility rating. Battery capacity ratings are larger too but Motorola changed to “typical” from APX 6000,7000.8000 Housing Sizes“minimum” that may not result in better performance. There are 3 housing sizes and all IMPRES 2 batteries include a 24 month capacity warranty when used with an IMPRES charger.IMPRES 2 Battery ChartThe PMNN4485, PMNN4486, PMNN4487, and PMNN4494 outlined in blue above are not IS (intrinsically-safe) and can be used with APX 8000, 7000, and 6000. The NNTN8930 and NNTN8921 outlined in yellow are IS (Div 1 & 2) for only APX 6000, 7000. The PMNN4504 and PMNN4505 outlined in red are designed for APX8000XE IS radios for Division 2 only.

We have been told the NNTN7038, PMNN4403, NNTN7034, NNTN7036, NNTN7037, NNTN7037, and NNTN7573 will be cancelled.

New APX IMPRES 2 Chargers Include USB Charging Ports

APX IMPRES 2 AC ChargerMotorola has introduced new IMPRES 2 chargers for the new APX batteries. The NNTN8860 single unit AC charger is more energy efficient and includes two USB charging ports. There is a switch to disable the condition/calibration features when needed. We have a NNTN8860 charger bundled with the PMNN4486 3,400 mAh battery at a lower price. The PMNN4486 has 33% more capacity without extending the length and is the preferred choice by our local customers.

There is also a multi-unit NNTN8844 charger that has six APX radio NNTN8844 and 6 PMNN4486 IMPRES 2 Bundle for APXpockets and six more USB charging ports. Each pocket also has a display for reading battery data. We also offer this charger with six PMNN4486 batteries in a discounted price bundle.

This charger is designed for long term battery storage and has a switch for maintaining batteries at 50% and 75% capacity levels. The first pocket provides additional battery data including IMPRES vs. non- IMPRES charge cycles, potential, rated, and initial capacity.

Motorola IMPRES Battery Tips and Charger Indicator Lights

Proper IMPRES Battery Care Starts With Initialization

Motorola IMPRES ChargerA Motorola IMPRES battery must be initialized by an IMPRES charger the first time it is charged. This process is indicated by a STEADY YELLOW light on the charger indicator (the same as if the battery were reconditioning). The process is automatic, includes an initial reconditioning of the battery, and begins charging upon completion of this process.

This process requires approximately 12 hours depending on the capacity. Do not remove the battery from the charger until the STEADY GREEN light is on.

IMPRES Indicator Light Chart with Explanations

Motorola IMPRES Charger Light Indicators

IMPRES Automatic Battery Conditioning

Motorola IMPRES Adaptive Chargers, when used in conjunction with a Motorola IMPRES battery, have the ability to determine the appropriate time to recondition the battery. When an IMPRES battery is properly inserted into the charger, the charger determines if it is appropriate to recondition the battery. If the battery needs reconditioning, the charger automatically indicates a STEADY YELLOW.

This process may take up to 12 hours to complete, depending upon the state of charge and capacity rating of the battery when it is inserted. It is important to note, for this process to be effective, the IMPRES battery must be allowed to complete the recondition/recharge process. Leave the battery in the charger until the charger indicates a STEADY GREEN. At the completion of the recondition cycle, the charger automatically recharges the IMPRES battery.

How to Terminate the IMPRES Conditioning Process

At any time during the reconditioning process of a Motorola IMPRES battery (STEADY YELLOW indication), reconditioning may be terminated by removing and reinserting the battery back into the charger within 5 seconds. This causes the charger to terminate the reconditioning process and begin the charging process. The charger indicator changes to a STEADY RED. The charger will attempt to recondition the battery at the next battery insertion.

Manually Initiating the IMPRES Reconditioning Process

Within 2-1/2 minutes of the initial insertion of an IMPRES battery (STEADY RED indication), remove and reinsert the battery within 5 seconds to manually force reconditioning to occur. The charger indicator changes from a STEADY RED to a STEADY YELLOW. This forces the charger to recondition and automatically recharge the battery. This is a useful feature to have when IMPRES batteries have been in storage for several months or longer. Two or three manual recondition cycles may be required to rejuvenate the batteries, due to long term storage conditions.

Battery Technology – Lithium Ion vs. Lithium Polymer

2-Way Radio Batteries What is different between Li-ion and Li-Polymer Batteries?

We have received several inquiries about the newest battery technology, Li-Po, that is now available for 2-way radios. Historically, NiMH was an improvement as compared to NiCD and Li-ion has many advantages over NiMH. The assumption that Li-Po is now the best battery for your radio is more marketing than anything else.

Li-Po or Lithium Polymer battery cells still use the same chemical material as Li-ion but the difference is the way they are packaged. Li-ion batteries use a thick-walled, rigid aluminum case for the cells and Li-Po utilizes a new thinner foil aluminum case. Bottom line is the difference is all in the cell construction.

Both Li-ion and Li-Po are Recommended But Check the Specs

Li-Po battery manufactures must add a more rugged case to meet the mission-critical specs required for two-way radio specifications. When comparing Li-ion and Li-Po batteries the following should be considered:

  • Battery capacity measured in mAh – The higher the mAh number the longer your battery will work before needing a recharge. When comparing specs be careful when you see the words “typical” or “average” and not “minimum” or “rated”. Our experience is there can be a big difference in actual results.
  • IMPRES or Advanced Charging Technology – “Smart battery” automatic conditioning improves performance and keeps them in service longer.
  • Drop Specification – Dropping the radio is probably the most common reason why batteries fail. Most Motorola mission-critical batteries are rated at 36 drops from 5 feet to a concrete floor.
  • IP (Ingress Protection) Rating – Higher IP numbers are better and signify the ruggedness of the battery. The first number references solids and the second number signifies liquid protection. The highest solid number is “6” (dust tight) and the highest liquid is “8” (submersibility beyond 1 meter).
  • Overvoltage protection circuit – Better batteries have 2 levels, some have 1, and lower cost batteries may not include have protection at all.
  • Temperature Range – Extreme cold affects Lithium battery performance and the spec should be investigated if your environment is outside “normal”.
  • Intrinsically-Safe Rating – FM Approval is important if you use your radio in hazardous, combustible atmospheres where an electrical spark could cause an explosion.