[Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger

[Gwen Patton]

If you have a KX3, you can add USB-C power to it now. Check my blog at
https://www.ng3p.com and I give all particulars for running QRP rigs with
either USB-C PD power banks or, more recently, USB-A QC power banks. The
circuitry for doing it has gotten so small, it should be possible to
3d-print a small housing for a 5.5x2.1mm barrel connector to the radio, but
enclosing one of the tiny USB-C PD trigger boards for 12V. Or, if you are
good at modding radios and are willing to violate the warranty, it could
probably be mounted inside the case someplace. (I don't recommend it. I'd
do it on a kit I build, but not on a finished product I purchased unless it
was out of warranty.)

Here's a link to the tiny 12v/5A Power Delivery trigger boards I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NFKV2LD

I may look for a 3d print file for one of those powerpole adapters I've
seen people use with the KX3, and modify it to hold one of these boards.
Then you could just run a USB-C jumper cable from a PD power bank directly
to the radio. Or run it from a GaN PD AC charger. I've done it, so I know
it works.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73,
Gwen, NG3P


On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 4:51 PM Julia Tuttle <julia at juliatuttle.net> wrote:

> Gosh, if and when the KX4 is a thing, I would love to see a USB-C power +
> CAT + audio option.
>
> On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 16:49 Gwen Patton <ardrhi at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I found it annoying. I had the NiMH batteries in it, charging them up
>> periodically, until I had an issue with upgrading the firmware. The radio
>> got stuck in an error mode, and the instructions on the website for
>> dealing
>> with the problem said to pull the power cable to shut it down
>> completely...except that it doesn't work if you have the batteries in it.
>>
>> You have to open it up and take the batteries out to reset the radio when
>> it gets into that state. I didn't bother putting them back in; I can power
>> it from a PD or QC USB power bank in a blackout if I have to. (I built
>> special trigger cables to do that.)
>>
>> Those lovely Eneloop NiMH AA cells are now in my Roland Aerophone.
>>
>> 73,
>> Gwen, NG3P
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 4:10 PM Frank O'Donnell <vfo77 at inkbox.net> wrote:
>>
>> > I have a KX3 bought new in 2018 that has close to all of the available
>> > options with the exception of the KXBC3 battery charger.
>> >
>> > Until now I haven't paid much attention to this, as I've usually used
>> > the radio with a Pro Audio PSU when 110vac is available, otherwise with
>> > a Bioenno external battery. But I may be using it more in backpack
>> > situations, and am on the fence on whether I'd get much use out of a
>> > KXBC3. Obviously everyone has to make this decision for themselves based
>> > on their usage habits. Just curious, though, is anyone finding the
>> > internal charger really useful? Or not? It doesn't sound like the
>> > real-time clock is accurate enough to make it a reason to consider
>> > buying this.
>> >
>> > Thanks for any thoughts,
>> >
>> > Frank K6FOD
>> >
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