[Elecraft] Battery Power

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Dale, K6PJV wrote:

    The ongoing discussions regarding woes involving AC power supplies
puzzles me, because I've operated for years from 2-volt batteries and wonder
why it isn't a more common practice....If there's something I'm overlooking
in this type of operation anyone would like to address, I'd welcome the
comments.
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Hi Dale - If you're talking about conventional lead-acid batteries, there is
the issue of sulfuric acid, highly-flammable hydrogen gas that must be
ventilated properly, and lots and lots of toxic lead when the battery is
finally scrapped. 

Shoot, they didn't even allow those things 'indoors' on ships! They were in
their own ventilated locker outside the radio room. 

A lot of people today are operating from living rooms, bedrooms and other
places in homes where a lead-acid battery is less than welcome. That's what
has made gel-cells popular, but they have severe limitations of their own
compared to a normal lead-acid battery. 

Besides, a decent linear supply will provide decades of reliable service and
not produce any RFI and last at least as long as most lead-acid batteries.
The problems have started to arise with the popularity of "switching power
supplies" that are light, small, and which, by their very nature, produce a
lot of radio frequency interference. The better ones intended for use near
radio equipment are shielded and filtered, but the RFI is always there to
some degree or another.

It's all a matter of what fits the need. For a growing number of Hams the
need is for a small, lightweight, non-toxic power source that is a safe and
convenient for use inside the living area of a house. For operators like you
with a suitable shop space, a heavy-duty lead-acid battery can be a
wonderful alternative that is also independent of the power lines. 

Ron AC7AC