++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ See also Batteries ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2001 10:20:33 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1/KAT1 in the Spartan Sprint Nice going, Bruce! I haven't tried AAA cells yet. With 8 AA's you can power the K1 for quite a while. Using 8 Radio Shack AA NiMH cells, it will run for some 30 hours receive-only, and probably for over 10 hours of 3-watt hunt/pounce (I'm still doing tests). Also, NiMH cells will stay above 10 V for nearly the entire charge, probably much longer than Alkalines, so you'd have the option of not further reducing TX output. 73, Wayne Bruce Grubbs wrote: > > I ran K1 #510, with KAT1 and KNB1, off an 8 cell AAA alkaline battery pack > in last night's sprint. With Paddlette BP paddles, that gave a station > weight of 1.88 pounds. After 30 contacts in 2 hours, the pack was down to > 9.9 volts. LED's were off, I ran 3 watts to start, then dropped to 2 watts > after about 45 minutes. I used the hunt and pounce technique and avoided > calling CQ. It sure was nice to be able to switch instantly between 40 and > 20 meters. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2001 10:40:43 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1/KAT1 in the Spartan Sprint Phil, Ordinary non-rechargeable lithium batteries can't handle high key-down current, in my experience (and based on specs); they're optimized for low current drain. Lithium-ion rechargeables are great, but very expensive, and require special packaging and monitoring to ensure safety. So my recommendation is still NiMH, whether AAA or AA. 73, Wayne Phil Wheeler wrote: > What abt Lithium AA cells? Big wt advantage and they last 100 hrs (vs. > 40 for alkalines) in my LED headlamp. Costly, but for backpacking wt is > important. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: 08 Mar 2001 09:33:57 -0800 From: Van R Brollini Subject: [Elecraft] NiMh Batteries For those who have 2 meter HT's and are using Maha Batteries and Intellicharger, here is a very neat and clean approach to reducing your weight for the K2 and having a slick battery pack for the K1. Take 10 AA NiMh in series (you can get 1.8AH batteries from Maha or 1.5AH batteries from BatteryPlus or some other place.) Use the Intellicharger to condition and charge the batteries. If they are put 5 by 5 they are smaller than the K1. Take the speaker out and use velcro to attach to the inside of the top cover. Take 10 4/3A or FAT A (18670) batteries. These need to fit inside the same battery aluminum frame that the Powersonic battery is in presently. Batteries need to be configured in a series stack of 5 x 2 on top of each other. Take the battery holder with you to BatteryPlus and instruct them to make sure all 10 are in series and fit inside the carrier. This will give you either 3.8AH or 4.2AH at approximately half the weight of the Gel Cell. Cost for the 4/3A is about $70. Panasonic makes the 18670, just have not found a place to buy them yet. The weight of the 4/3A pack is about 1 pound less. You have to disconnect the battery from the radio while charging. I use the transverter holes to run a cable to the battery and after its charged just plug it in the power jack. Van ns6n k1 #66 k2 #225 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 13:49:41 +0200 From: david.reid at philips.com Subject: [Elecraft] 'better battery pack for K2 Hi All, I was at the 'ham radio' show in friedricshafen and discovered 3.5AH 1.2V cells for use in portable computers. I bought 10 of them and have made a pack for my K2. the batteries are a bit bigger than AA size - but not as thick as a 'C' cell (18mm diameter) They work really well and are Nickel Metal Hydride (NMH) so don't have the nicad memory problems. I'm currently working on a little charger board to fit inside the K2 as well. I'll post off a photo of the installed pack to Eric and maybe he'll put it on the website. The cells are made by Sanyo model HR-4/3AU - they come with pre-fixed tag ends facing opposite directions - for easy pack-making. I also fitted a thermal fuse between two of the batteries... They are lighter than the gel-cell and still fit neatly inside the K2. full specs are available on www.sanyobatteries.com/NEWtwicell.shtml just thought you'd like to know... 72/73 de Dave PA3HBB/G0BZF / PB6X www.qsl.net/pb6x www.qsl.net/pa3hbb +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 07:02:46 -0700 From: lhlousek Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 'better battery pack for K2 These are 4/3 A cells that I have found on several battery web sites in the US. They are available in capacities up to 4000mAH and sell for $6-8 each. Not cheap but they do provide more capacity at a little lighter weight than the SLA battery. http://www.batteriesamerica.com/ http://www.batteryprice.com/ Lou W7DZN +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 10:26:02 -0400 From: Tim ORourke Subject: [Elecraft] Batteries for K1 Check out this site for 1800 Ma batteries for K1, better option than 10 cells. http://www.4cbradio.com/gp150aahc-u4.htm Tim O'Rourke KG4CHX ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 16:27:10 -0500 From: Tim ORourke Subject: [Elecraft] Batteries Batteries for Portable ops My favorite for backpack and all round use is a 10 cell "A" pack, 2700Ma one half weight ot 3000Ma C cells and 1/3 weight of gell cell. I have mine made in flat pack of 2 rows X 5 cells. Velcro to bottom of K2 or other rigs. Mine were made by http://www.batteriesamerica.com/newpage3.htm. 72 Tim O'Rourke KG4CHX +++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 15:17:13 -0800 From: lhlousek Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Batteries <> Check out the 4000 mAh 4/3A cells available at batteries america and with tabs at http://www.batteryprice.com/ They are about 0.7" longer and about 35% heavier for ~50% more capacity than A cells. At 19 oz, ten of these babies still weigh significantly less than the 2900 mAh SLA battery. At $7 ea they are considerably more expensive though. Lou W7DZN ++++++++++++++++++ To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 13:02:59 -0700 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1 build question (batteries) From: Gary L Surrency If you do use a large battery, or any high current capacity DC supply - be sure to fuse the power leads to the K1 or K2 so a short circuit inside the rig does not vaporize the PCB traces. Put the fuse as close as possible to the battery or DC supply terminals. A short inside the DC coaxial connector can instantly destroy the connector and the power cable. Gary Surrency AB7MY On Wed, 27 Feb 2002 11:13:37 EST K4IA at aol.com writes: > I like your idea but a much smaller battery will do the trick and not > be so > heavy to lug around or as expensive. I have used a 4.5 ah battery > for days > and I suspect you could go to a 2.5 ah. NiMH AA's can provide 1.5 > ah for > afternoon outings. > > Radio K4IA > Craig Buck > Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 USA > > FISTS CW CLUB # 6702 CC 788 Diamond #64 > QRPARCI # 2550 > K1 #470 K2# 2460 +++++++++++++++++++