[Elecraft] AA NiMh inside K2

Sun Nov 23 16:40:01 2003

Hi

Try:

http://www.mahapowerex.com/

for the battery holders and 2200 mHr batteries. They also sell several =
chargers including the 777+ and the c401 my favorite 4 cell charger.=20

The 3.5 watt solar panels that come with Volkswagens will charge a 10-12 =
cell pack without needing a controller. Just connect to the pack and put =
the panel in the sun. It will charge at 170 mA, a little low for a full =
charge in a day but could keep a set topped off.=20

A 5 watt panel will supply about 300-350 mA and would charge a 2200 mA =
pack in about 8-10 hours. These cells are rated to withstand a charge =
rate at 1/10 of their capacity indefinitely so there is no risk of =
damaging the pack at this current rate as it would be unlikely you would =
get a full 8 hours of maximum power out from the solar panel. You should =
be able to connect the solar panel directly to the batteries through a =
fuse and a reverse current blocking diode by mounting a connector on the =
back of the K2 or K1 for the panel. The batteries will charge and the =
panel will operate the radio in the day using the batteries to regulate =
the voltage. Just do not try to connect the panel to the K2 or K1 power =
jack because these panels can output up to 25 volts without a battery or =
controller to limit the voltage. The blocking diode in the K2 or K1 will =
disconnect the battery if the supply voltage exceeds the battery voltage =
and you could supply too much voltage to the radio. With the panel =
connected directly to the battery the battery will keep the supply =
correct unless a battery comes out of the holder. It would be a good =
idea to install a 14-15 volt zener across the battery holder to clamp =
the voltage to 14-15 volts to protect the radio from excessive voltage =
from the panel.

Don Brown
KD5NDB

  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Sandy W5TVW=20
  To: Phil Wheeler ; Alan WB6ZQZ=20
  Cc: [email protected]=20
  Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 12:13 PM
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] AA NiMh inside K2

  Does any manufacturer of battery holder make a 10 cell one for "AA"'s? =
 Or even two 5
  cell ones!  Or possibly does anyone make a 10 cell battery box?  An =
all plastic one
  with a
  sliding lid would be nice!
  73,
  Sandy W5TVW
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: "Phil Wheeler" <[email protected]>
  To: "Alan WB6ZQZ" <[email protected]>
  Cc: <[email protected]>
  Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 11:40 AM
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] AA NiMh inside K2

  |
  |
  | Alan WB6ZQZ wrote:
  |
  | > I'm considering installing 10 each 2200 mah AA NiMh batteries into =
my
  | > K2 (instead of an SLA internal battery). I wonder if anyone else =
has
  | > done this, and how well it worked. I would expect good performance =
on
  | > reception and low power transmitting, but perhaps some difficulty =
on
  | > higher power (10 watt) operations. Any experience??
  |
  |
  | I use an external 10-cell AA NiMH pack with my K1 at 5 watts with =
good
  | success.  Current cells are 1600 mAh (I've had them for four or so
  | years) but the 2200 mAh replacements are on order.
  |
  | I plan to use this (and internal Li cells) mostly with the KX1 I'm =
now
  | building.
  |
  | The two issues for use inside a K2 would seem to be:
  |
  | o Packaging:  Seems like plenty of room if you can find the right =
holder
  | and attach it securely
  |
  | o Charging: May have to remove it from the radio or add a charging =
port
  | and use something like a Maha C-777 charger.  This I've not given =
any
  | thought to since I don't have any interest in using a battery in my =
K2
  | (which is now configured as a K2/100 and has no room for a =
battery!).
  |
  | 73, Phil
  |
  |
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