[Elecraft] FD2004: Solar K2 w/Li-Ion

[John R. Lonigro]

Dan: 

I know nothing about Li-Ion batteries, but my experience has been that, 
once Field Day is underway, overcharging is seldom an issue.  Who ever 
goes home from Field Day with overcharged batteries?  If you are talking 
about a 5 Watt solar panel, I'd wait a short while after Field Day 
starts and then hook up the panel to the slightly discharged 
battery/rig.  The radio draws about 3 Watts on receive, so you'd have a 
whopping 2 Watts left over to charge the battery.  Throw in some 
transmitting, about 12 hours of darkness/low light, and perhaps some 
rain, and you won't have to worry about overcharging the battery.  If 
you are talking about a much larger panel, get a controller, as someone 
has already suggested.

John AA0VE

I'm looking at preparing for my 2nd Field Day with my K2. This year I'd 
like to look at taking advantage of solar charging and possibly light 
weight Li-Ion batteries.