[Elecraft] Re: K1: most countries worked? solar panel recommendations?

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi Don,

Thanks for the info. 

In general I don't it's safe or adviseable to charge the K1's batteries while
they're in the unit. There are three problems: (1) they get quite hot; (2) NiMH
cells are best charged by a unit that monitors individual cells to avoid a
melt-down; (3) a constant-current charger is OK, but not ideal, unless it
includes charge curve-down detection and/or temperature monitoring. That said, a
solar panel could be rigged to field-charge NiMH cells *external* to the K1.

I'd be interested to hear about any experiments you do in solar-powering the K1. 

By the way, 2000 mA-hr NiMH cells are now available from several sources. 

73,
Wayne

Don Brown wrote:
> 
> Hi Wayne
> 
> A panel in the 3 to 5 watt range would be ideal to charge the internal
> battery pack on the K1. I have several 3.5 watt panels made for Volkswagen
> to keep the battery charged while in storage or shipment. These were on ebay
> a while back. At 170 ma they are perfect to charge a 1700-1800 ma NiMH
> battery pack and a controller is not required because solar panels are
> constant current sources and that is the ideal way to charge NiMH or NiCad
> batteries...