[Elecraft] Bat Err in KX3

[Mark Petiford]

 Re:  "Could the batteries have died from having been ignored for so long?"

Although I have never experienced this with quality Low Self Discharge (LSD) NiMH cells, it may have happened.  I have experienced this with non-LSD NiMH cells, and they just aren't worth the time and effort to use.

I suggest you remove the cells and check the voltage across each one individually using a voltmeter.  Any cell that has dropped below 1 volt has most likely been damaged and should not be reused.  If any of the cells are below 1 volt, it may be best to replace all 8 cells and save yourself later frustration.

Using old cells intermixed with new cells isn't really good practice since their capacities will differ. That results in reverse charging of the old cells as the set of cells is depleted, causing quick failure of the remaining old cells.  It just isn't worth messing with.

Just as a data point, I just now powered my KX3 up after it had been tucked away in my backpack for over a year since they were last recharged.  The voltage as indicated by the KX3 display was 9.9 volts, which is about 1.2 volts per cell, the nominal voltage for NiMH cells.  They are Eneloop 2000 cells and are over 5 years old.  I suspect that their capacity has decreased and their voltage will drop quickly when I transmit.   Probably time for me to get a fresh set of Eneloops.

Mark
KE6BB   

 On Saturday, March 31, 2018, 4:38:36 PM PDT, Dauer, Edward <edauer at law.du.edu> wrote:  
 
 My KX3 has been sitting idle for many months...