[Elecraft] KX3 interal battery charger

[JP O'Connor]

Hi Erik,

I do not have enough personal experience with these to provide a
suggested guideline based on my own empirical results. Other readers of
this thread may have that knowledge or know of references.

I suspect that if one does not abuse their cells, and if the cells are all
in good shape to begin with, that removing the cells every few months
should suffice.

When I install my KXBC3 I will test and charge a set of AA cells so I have
a baseline set of stats on the cells. Then I will check them after a few
cycles of use and test/charge to see how well they stayed balanced. If
badly out of balance at that point, then frequent balancing (or selection
of a few different cells for better matching) may be needed. I suspect they
will work very well, however, with balancing needed only every few months -
subject to how often they are charged and discharged.

Sorry that I could not be of more help on this. Possibly others can weigh
in for us.

Thanks,
JP

72/73 de WF4Z



On Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 11:49 PM, Erik Basilier <ebasilier at cox.net> wrote:

> JP wrote: All battery packs, regardless of chemistry, benefit from a
> periodic balance/equalize charge.
>
>
>
> Do you have any specific recommendation on how often one needs to take out
> the NiMH batteries to balance them?
>
> The KX3 battery holders are very solid (good) but I find it difficult to
> remove the batteries, as significant force is needed. I have a set of NiMH
> in there, and my default plan is to just leave them there for as long as
> possible. I hope I can install the charger when it arrives without removing
> the batteries. And, I am running on external power whenever I can, so that
> the internal batteries won't need to be charged until the internal charger
> arrives.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
> Erik K7TV
>
>
>
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