[Elecraft] K2 - 14.2 V for internal battery?

[Francis Belliveau]

On: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 3:44 AM
"Tony Wells" <t.wells@blueyonder.co.uk>
wrote:

> ...
> Can you help? I need to charge my internal battery but can't get the PSU
> voltage up enough. I've got a "CB" EPS-1012 linear supply rated at 13.8V
> that actually delivers 13.3V. Clearly I need to bump up the voltage a bit.
> ...
Leaving a lead-acid battery discharged for a long period of time is not good
for the battery.  You do not want to allow the open circuit voltage to
remain below 12 volts for too long.

Connecting it to a 13 volt supply should not cause any damage and will at
least restore charge to it.  I don't have exact data on hand at the moment
but I do remember that if after disconnecting the charge source for 96 hours
the battery voltage is above 12.72 volts, it is reasonable well charged.  I
would suggest connecting the battery directly to your supple for a day or
two, then disconnect for a few hours.

Remember, 14.7 volts is expected to charge the battery in 16 hours or less
if everything can handle the current without damage.  Current limiting may
be required to prevent damage at that voltage.  Elecraft has that built into
the rig.  Even at 13.8 volts the supply will recharge the battery while it
is in the rig.  It will just take a very long time to complete the process.
I don't have all the data on hand so I can't say that you will get a full
charge that way, but better than leaving it discharged.

Fran