Ideas to disalble charger LED?

[WQWI871]

Apologies if this is the incorrect category to post.

 

I'm renovating a room for a small shack and decided to keep all of my handhelds in an area on a desk connected to the desktop chargers for convenience. I noticed that when some radios are connected to the desktop charger, there's a small LED on the charger, when the charger is not connected to a power source. I don't plan on keeping the chargers connected to a power source at all times, just the radios to the charger. Although I am considering using a surge protector with individual switches to toggle off charged radios while still keep them connected without having to unplug them or take them off the charger. But, does anyone have ideas on disabling the LED to prevent battery drain? I thought of placing a small piece of paper or plastic between the radios and the charger terminals.

[SteveC7010]

Apologies if this is the incorrect category to post.

 

I'm renovating a room for a small shack and decided to keep all of my handhelds in an area on a desk connected to the desktop chargers for convenience. I noticed that when some radios are connected to the desktop charger, there's a small LED on the charger, when the charger is not connected to a power source. I don't plan on keeping the chargers connected to a power source at all times, just the radios to the charger. Although I am considering using a surge protector with individual switches to toggle off charged radios while still keep them connected without having to unplug them or take them off the charger. But, does anyone have ideas on disabling the LED to prevent battery drain? I thought of placing a small piece of paper or plastic between the radios and the charger terminals.

 

In other words, you're just using the charger base as a stand for the radios part of the time?

[WQWI871]

Yes. Most of the time, the desktop chargers will be for simply standing the radios, and charging when needed. Not a big deal, but, sometimes It's annoying removing each radio or unplugging when it doesn't need charging or finished charging.

[PastorGary]

Some chargers have a slot for the radio that is deeper than the base of the radio, so the portable can be placed toward the front of the stand without contacting the charging tabs. Other charger stands can be rotated on your table or desk so the front of the charger is facing away from you. Place the radio in that rotated charger so the radio is facing toward you and that will also cure your issue.  If a portable needs charging, just pick up the portable, turn it so the face of the portable is facing away from you and place it in the charger. While the red/green led will not be able to be seen as well that way, it is just a matter of looking over the top of the portable to see the charging LED for status. This will only work if the charger stand will accept a radio backwards (some batteries have tabs that fit into charger slots to apply proper battery to charger contact pressure.) 

 

Modifying a charger by adding a blocking diode to prevent the LED from draining the portable, can create issues in the charging circuit.  Your piece of paper idea could, under a worst case scenario, cause a fire.   IF you must do something like that, try standard electrical tape over the contacts. Most electrical tape withstands voltage, current and heat that paper will not.  This, unfortunately, will require occasional cleaning of the contacts with rubbing alcohol and a swab to remove tape adhesive residue.

 

Best of luck with your situation.

[WQWI871]

The idea about the larger slot for the radio is good. But, unfortunately, the only chargers I have with that slot, doesn't have an LED like that. About the paper (plastic or anything I can use for a shim between the radio and contacts) I understand, but, the charger will not be receiving power. It will either be unplugged, or, plugged into a regulated breaker with no power running to the charger. One of my chargers can accept the radio backwards, that's a nice idea, too. Thank you, G.