[Elecraft] Bat Err in KX3

[Dauer, Edward]

My KX3 has been sitting idle for many months.  Turned it on today and tried to charge the battery, which I am guessing is depleted to zero, but I keep getting "Bat Err."  Yes, there is a rechargeable battery installed - it has worked just fine for years.  And yes, I did RTFM, about accessing the menu and the steps for readying the rig for charging (page 23, as I recall).  But that doesn't do it.  No matter what charge time I select, I get the same error message when I exit the menu.  "Bat Err."  Any ideas?  Could the batteries have died from having been ignored for so long?

Ted, KN1CBR