[Elecraft] Li-ion batteries for KX1 ??

[Chip Stratton]

Phil -

Someone has blogged using these cells in their KX1, if you search you should
be able to find it.

My solution has involved using LiFePO4 batteries, which are safer than the
more common LiPoly technology. Two 700 mAh 6.6 volt batteries (two 3.3v
cells in each battery) wired in series fit well within the volume occupied
otherwise by the AA battery holders. Putting the KX1 in automatic repeating
CQ mode, they give a good three hours of continuous transmitting before they
need to be recharged. A plus is that these are lighter than AA cells with
their holders, and the batteries were pretty cheap, a negative is that you
should use a balance charger to recharge them, and availability is variable.
A Cellpro Multi4 will fully recharge the pack at a 3.8 amp rate in about 25
minutes.

If this solution interests you, I posted specifics about the batteries to
the listserve last month. If you have other questions feel free to email me.

Chip

On Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 4:40 PM, Phil Hystad <phystad at mac.com> wrote:

> I have two questions regarding batteries used with KX1 in the internal
> battery pack.
>
> 1...has anyone used the 3.6 volt AA sized Li-ion battery in the KX1.  I am
> thinking of a bank of six comprised of two strings in parallel.  Each string
> is three 3.6 volt batteries in series.  This gives approximately 11.4 volts
> or a little more (peak voltage of these cells are 4.2 volts).  I presume
> that the battery pack might need to be reconfigured.
>
> 2...is there a consensus on the best, cost optimum versus performance, type
> of battery for the KX1?  That is, alkaline versus, lithium (1.5 volt AA)
> versus anything else?
>
> Currently I used a smallish sealed lead acid battery.  But it is a little
> bulky.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
> Sent from my iPad
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>