Wireless Land Line Phone Sets

[billt]

I finally figured something out I'll share with you guys if you haven't caught on to it yet. I been going through home phones usually every 3 years or so. They just don't seem to last. I'm talking about the wireless sets that have one wireless handset with a main console, (which usually contains an answering machine), and plugs into a phone jack and a 110 outlet. Then there are several satellite wireless handsets that just plug into a 110 volt wall outlet, that you can place throughout the house.

All of mine never seem to last more than a few years before problems start. Poor reception, cutting in and out, ect. This latest Panasonic set I bought about a year ago is no exception. We both really like it a lot, and it has some really nice features. With that said the same crap started happening. Cutting out, beeping, generally poor performance.

I noticed all the handsets take 2, AAA NiMH Rechargable Batteries, that they all come equipped with, and are included with the unit. I decided to replace them all and see what happened. The first thing I noticed is the El Cheapo batteries that came with the phones are only 550 MAH. I found some replacement Duracell AAA rechargables that are 800 MAH. So I bought enough of them to replace all the batteries in all of the handsets. They're only about $2 bucks each. Each phone takes 2 so I bought 3, 4 packs which gave me 2 extra.

That cured it! These batteries are guaranteed for 5 years under constant use, plus they've got more power in store. I didn't even know they came in different milliamp hour ratings. I thought that a AAA was an AAA. I don't get why these manufacturers make a nice, well engineered product, then deliver it to the consumer with short life, $h!tty batteries? It makes no sense. Some people don't even know these things are in fact replaceable. They could charge a few lousy bucks more for the unit and give you really good batteries with it, and it would make for much better performance.

From now on I'm just going to buy better batteries from the get go, and toss the crappy ones they ship with the product. Just thought I'd pass it along. Everyone usually has these things in their home, and if you do you'll be doing yourself a favor to just replace all of the batteries in them before they start giving way and causing trouble and aggravation. 

[Solus]

When replacing rechargeable batteries, always choose a Lithium-Ion replacement if available.

The Lithium-Ions have no "memory" like traditional batteries that will loose charge capacity if placed in the cradle without being fully discharged.

Also, LI batteries can't be overcharged if left in the charger indefinitely.

They will also discharge at a steady rate until completely discharged..no weakening and fading of power as the discharge.  I guess this can be a con as they would tend to stop working suddenly...but that is offset by the very long shelf life of a charged battery...keep a replacement handy if you have to use it for prolonged time without charging.

The LI is very handy in those lanterns you plug into the wall outlet and leave them there and they turn on when they sense the power has been interrupted.  They come on with a fully charged battery, stay on till the power comes back up and then recharge and remain fully charged until needed again.

I look for them as standard in any rechargeable device, particularly those with out replacement batteries.

[billt]

These are the replacement AAA's I bought. They have them in AA as well. Even though they say they come "Fully Charged", mine took about 4 hours before the "Fully Charged" light came on.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/26120755?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227018687027&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40343039072&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78303668432&veh=sem

[Big Frank]

If you have land lines at least one of them should be corded as the cordless ones won't work in a power outage. At least the kind I have don't.

[Rastus]

I found out about the dang batteries some years ago.  I settled for somewhat less in mah and started having problems soon afterward.  I traded up over the original mah and no problem "forever". 

Careful about mixing the batteries though...nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, etc. have varying charging requirements so stick with manufacturer's recommendation on type.  Having more mah...keeps them from selling more phones.

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

What are these "land lines' of which you speaketh?   Some ancient, arcane technology (possibly alien?)?



 

[billt]

What are these "land lines' of which you speaketh?   Some ancient, arcane technology (possibly alien?)?

To be honest, I hate using a cell phone. I have one, but only use it for emergencies. There is no one I need to talk to that bad. To me texting is a far more backward step than land lines. Let's face it, Western Union discontinued telegrams because the land line telephone made them obsolete. Fast forward to today and you have these idiots driving down the freeway at 70 MPH texting away, looking everywhere except where they are going, and endangering everyone around them in the process. When they could simply call the person and talk to them! How stupid is that? You call this progress?

All this has done is alienate people, and establish less personal contact. For Christ's sake you've got women falling into fountains at the mall because they're looking at a keyboard, instead of where they're walking. If this is "advanced technology" you can have it.

If I get a blown radiator hose, and require AAA to help me out, a cell phone is fine. But I'm not walking around, or else driving like drunk zombie, clicking away on a keyboard so small, one of my fingers can hit 3 keys at once. This is technology all right......Reverse technology.

[tombogan03884]

Funny thing is that when you REALLY need AAA on the side of the road, you're usually in East Bunghole with no service .

[billt]

Funny thing is that when you REALLY need AAA on the side of the road, you're usually in East Bunghole with no service .

Very true. A year or so ago I went up to Prescott to J&G Sales to pick up a couple of AK's they had in stock at the time. (Yugo Underfolders). I took the cell phone with me so I could call my wife when I started back. I could not get a connection until I was about 25 minutes from home. Granted it was a discount phone. If you have Verizon the service is usually pretty good. But you'll pay far more for it.

I can't see getting rid of land line phones for just a cell. At least not yet. When everywhere is covered, then perhaps. But that's not happening anytime soon.

[les snyder]

during the 2004 hurricane power outage, the cell service went down about the third day of the 9 day power outage... I still had POTS (plain old telephone service) via land line for the entire 9 days.... if you have never looked, your exterior communication box should have a plug in for a phone... maybe even your neighbors