The new Kenwood TK-3230DX is almost the same as the old TK-3230 and uses the same KNB-46L 2000 mAh lithium-ion battery pack. So naturally one would assume both radios use the same charger as well. However, the two chargers are slightly different. The original TK-3230 uses the KSC-37, and the DX uses the KSC-37S. The question is, are they interchangeable with the radios?
There were only two differences we could find between the two chargers. The old KSC37 charger draws 1.0A and the new KSC37S draws 0.8A. This slight difference does not seem to affect charging of either radio. Both output the same 1.05 amps to the radio/battery.
We also noticed the two plastic tabs between the contacts in the pocket of the KSC37 were eliminated in the KSC37S, and this change allows both radios to sit more firmly in the new charger. Other than those two minor changes, there seemed to be no indication the changes prevent the use of old and new chargers with old and new radios in a mixed fleet.
Can both chargers be used to charge the DX? If not, is there another reason, other than the slight differences mentioned above, that would prevent this, even though both radios fit in both chargers and use the same battery?
We asked officials at Kenwood these very questions. The official answer? The changes are purely cosmetic. Both the KSC-37 and KSC-37S chargers are indeed cross-compatible with the TK-3230 and TK-3230DX radios and may be used with either one.
