Just bought the VEC438 and am trying to program it. But I can't get the power to stay on long enough for the ALERT message to come on. I did put the battery pack in and charged it for over 10 hours. The light stays on untill I shut it off.
Works great when it works, good reception, alerts work for county codes. Was terrible, terrible to program, never seen anything so bad. Took one back because I couldn't charge it, but bought another because of the $15 sale price. Everything I own charges on the left side, but this one charges on the right. I was trying to charge it in the headphone jack! With the second one, the radio went out in the middle of Gustav, but the flashlight worked if I hand-cranked it. Took it to the local Vector/Black and Decker/DeWalt service center and was sent a new one in about a week. I'm hoping it will keep working. It is really great for $15, but I wouldn't fool with it if cost any more than that. One thing, I keep seeing that it has a cellphone charging jack, but mine didn't come with any adapters. I have some universal charge adapters and I am wondering what would happen if put one in the DC jack . It is either that or the headphone jack; there aren't any other holes.
Posted on Sep 24, 2008
I myself own this product and have the SAME problem. Try charging it IN the cradle with the power on. Its good for the batteries! (And truly, Black & Decker a terrible company) But... I have a few suggestions for S.A.M.E. code problems: Extend the telescoping antenna for one to give it good reception and a station with a strong signal, allow 48 hours and make sure to experiment with different codes. If I may make a correction? It's not an "AM/FM/Weather Radio", this model (VEC438) respectively; is an FM/Weather Radio! And NOTHING else.
Posted on Feb 15, 2008
Home Depot recalled all of them for this reason. Great radio, just use reachable batteries instead of the charger stand. The stand and OEM battery is the problem. I kept mine and use rechargeable's instead.
Posted on Jul 01, 2007
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Posted on Jan 02, 2017
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I had same problem of rechargeable batteries not taking a charge in cradle. I am currently trying to charge batteries out side of the handheld. Wondering if connection between handheld & cradle is not good.
Vector Stormtracker Series 438/ Batteries wont charge
Wonder if the company ever heard of Quality Assurance?
Oh, never mind just noticed it was made in China.
Guess that answers my question!!
Not only is power staying on a problem, but the radio won't alarm to SAME codes. Have a Midland wx radio in another room & works like a champ. Didn't hear about the recall, but figures. When I went to www.vectormfg.com, was rerouted to Black & Decker site. Guess they like buying 'problems'.
I got one too. I am trying to use it tonight because of severe storms.I can't believe it won't hold a charge!Even in the charge stand I don't get any alerts.So much for piece of mind during bad midwest weather!!!!!!
Yes same problem twice sent it back and yes the batteries don't charge and it doesn't alert to SAME warnings. What a piece of junk!
Well my brother seems to have the same problem with his. I prefer Midland. Never had a problem with those. And I've seen problems before with other products with a charger base. In my brother's case, the rechargeable battery pack gets so hot one can't actually touch the product. In this case I'd assume a bad battery pack. But maybe it's the base. I checked the CPSC site, there hasn't been any recalls for this item. Perhaps someone can point me where you heard this.
Not only does the power not stay on, but when it comes on for a couple of seconds it shows fm 991.?? mhz. The flashlight seems to work ok.
Will not charge after being plugged in all night!!
Got my on sale at Home Depot, now know what it was on sale. doesn't work. Charged it twice and it only held the charge for about an hour. Hard to program. Searches all over for an FM signal, can't program that. Plan to return it and get a good AM/FM with the WB.
Battery wont hold a charge. the crank charging works fine but wont hold one from the wall outlet.
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