[Elecraft] KX1 K1 K2 Battery Notes Part Deux--Nanophosphate

[eric norris]

Dear Gang:

I've made some more tests, this time using Lithium-Ion Nanophosphate (A123) 
packs from Buddipole.  All were done on 20 meters.  All voltages are no-load.  I 

do not own a precision wattmeter, but a Diamond SX-20C, OHR WM-2, and an 
Elecraft W2 using the QRP sensor were all in agreement. Here are my results:

KX1:

I used a four cell 4S1P pack (four cells in series) from Buddipole, rated at 
13.2v nominal, 2.3 Ah.  I set up my KX1 to call CQ into a dummy load for three 
hours, using the KX1 memory I usually use which includes a 10-second listening 
period after each CQ.  I left the display on, audio on through headphones but 
sidetone reduced.  My KX1 has the 30-meter board and ATU.

Start of test:  Voltage 13.2.  Power out: 4.3W
End of test:   Voltage 12.9   Power out: 4.0W

At the end of the test the KX1 was barely warm over the PA transistor.  My 
Cellpro 10S charger on the "fuel gauge" setting said the pack was at 48% 
capacity.  My guess is this pack would power the KX1 for 12-20 hours minimum 
under real-world conditions, but you can draw your own conclusions.  


K2:

I used an eight cell 4S2P (four cells in series, two sets in parallel) pack from 

Buddipole, rated at 13.2 v nominal, 4.6 Ah. My K2/10 has every option available 
in the solar system, including KDSP2.  I set it up for maximum energy use, that 
is all LEDs on, backlight on, receiver performance set to optimum, speaker on.  
The sidetone was turned down to avoid domestic dischord.  
This test ran for three hours.

Start of test:  Voltage 13.2.  Power out:  10 watts  Amperage draw on TX:  2.36A 

End of test:  Voltage 12.66 Power out: 10 watts.  Amperage draw on tx: 2.51A

K2 PA section was warm.  Charger reported pack capacity at 9%


FT-817 Bonus Test

I used an eight-cell, 5Ah C-sized NiMH pack.  NiMH cells are nominally 1.2V per 
cell, so this is a 9.6V pack.  The pack was made from two spring-loaded 
four-cell packs bought from Frys, glued together back-to-back with aquarium 
sealant.  They seem to have little knobs and holes that make them fit together 
fairly well this way, except for the wires that run behind the packs.   The 
batteries are Tenergy brand, available from Battery Superstore or Amazon for 
about $32 for eight.    


Other folks have tested the FT-817 with battery packs of various 
voltages.  There is no advantage to using a 12-volt pack according to these 
tests.

I put my FT-817 into battery hog mode:  LCD on, rear antenna connector, receiver 

unsquelched, internal speaker, 5W, internal battery disconnected.

Start of test:  Voltage: 10.84v  Current: forgot to measure
End of test:   Voltage:    9.0    8 volts and change under load

The test ran for four hours with the FT-817 calling CQ controlled by an external 

keyer, and the radio was still putting out 5 watts at the end.  The Triton 
charger I use for NiMH packs does not provide percentage of capacity information 

like the Cellpro 10s does, but I believe this pack was near depletion.

Conclusion:

So far I really like the A123 batteries, but I don't have much experience with 
them yet.  They are supposed to hold their charge in storage much better than 
NiMH.  

As the K2 test shows, they hold their voltage well when discharged.  They 
are very lightweight.   At Pacificon when I hoisted the 6.7 Ah pack Buddipole 
had 

at their booth I accused them of using a dummy pack with nothing in it.     

The Triton charger is excellent for NiMH batteries IMHO.  It offers three safety 

settings: 1) total charge time; 2) total charge input; 3) battery temperature.  
This last one requires an accessory probe that I have not found at local hobby 
shops.  I have the original Triton, I think the current one is the Triton II.

The CellPro 10s is only for Lithium chemistries including the A123 cells.  It is 

available from Buddipole, and made by revolectrix  www.revolectrix.com  It has a 

balancing harness that allows you to charge the individual cells, or the cells 
in parallel within the pack without the other cells in series.  It can charge 
two packs simulaneously.  


The A123 cells, aside from being lightweight for portable QRP use, will handle
beaucoup discharge rates--up to 70A per cell. 
For more information on the A123 cells go to  www.buddipole.com, or 
www.fmadirect.com has a white paper on their tests of the cells.    


I have no relationship with anybody mentioned in this message. 

72,

Eric WD6DBM