[Elecraft] KX3 feature request: mAh counter

[Al Duncan]

Our club group recently bought a number of inexpensive volt/amp digital
meters on eBay to use in an APP distribution box project and we found the
same problem - the current is sensed in the negative/ground lead. So any
other ground connections from the rig end up in parallel with it.
I have batteries in my KX3 but always use a gel cell for power when portable
camping etc.; I also use a buck/boost regulator that supplies a constant
14VDC to the KX3 from the battery, since both ground and hot leads from the
battery are isolated from ground, the Watt's Up works well. Sometimes I add
three 10W solar panels and a charge controller to help keep the battery
topped up.
The Barrie WAX Group website is at:
 http://barrie-wax-group.dyndns.org/ 
73, AL - VE3RRD

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim
Brown
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2016 4:08 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 feature request: mAh counter

On Thu,1/21/2016 5:58 AM, Al Duncan wrote:
> There are a number of compact devices available that do that and more. I
use
> the miniature "Watt's Up" watt meter/power analyzer which displays battery
> voltage, current, mAh, watts and Wh.

Yes and no. All versions of this product I've seen read current in the 
NEGATIVE lead. That's fine of the unit is in series with the battery, 
but it will yield VERY WRONG data if inserted in series with equipment 
in a station.

At the Visalia DX Convention last spring, I found the Hamsource EZ Meter 
II, which reads current in the POSITIVE lead, and yields good data for 
individual equipment items in a station.

It does NOT read Ah.

73, Jim K9YC