[Elecraft] Fwd: Battery power for KX3

[Chip Stratton]

The Buddipole batteries use genuine A123 LiFePO4 (nanoPhosphate) cells,
Those are probably the best from a quality point of view, but they are
expensive. This technology can be found much cheaper elsewhere, but quality
is variable.

You should use a balance charger with these batteries just like regular
LiPos, but I have found that at the relatively low rates of discharge in
radio use (compared to RC electric plane/car use) the cells do not get far
out of balance. I have charged the one in my K2 using the radio's built-in
charging circuit for Lead acid batteries and found that the cells stay in
balance rather well. I still use the balance charger every few cycles to be
sure the cells are staying balanced.  I dont recommend it, but it works for
me.

You cannot do this with regular LiPo cells, the risk of cell damage and
fire/explosion is too great.

Chip
AE5KA