[Elecraft] [K2] LiFePO4 replacement for internal SLA battery in K2

[Jim Brown]

On Sat,9/12/2015 8:37 AM, inventor61 . wrote:
> I had strongly considered the LiPo type secondary-cell power packaging option and rejected it.

There are mfrs of well protected LiFePO4 battery packs. Two I found are 
Battery Space and Bioenno Power. Both make packs in a wide variety of 
shapes to fit in the space available in existing products. They include 
the circuitry inside the pack required to equalize charge and avoid 
unsafe conditions. These batteries are not cheap, but you'll appreciate 
the increased energy density.

If you're concerned about fitting the battery inside the radio, buy a 
battery and use it outboard. I bought a 20Ah battery from Bioenno Power. 
It came with two connectors, one a concentric connector for charging, 
the other a Power Pole. I'm past the backpacking stage, but I bought the 
battery to support a 6M grid trip to CM79 by a younger ham. He really 
appreciated the reduced weight.

Both of these companies sell 12V LiFePO4 batteries range from 3Ah to 125Ah.

73, Jim K9YC