[Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger

[Geert Jan de Groot]

> 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.

I have the KXBC3 and I like it, in that I can really take the KX3 and 
move it around like a piece of portable test equipment. Especially given 
the way the KX3 needs to be opened, it would not be nice to have to open 
the KX3 every time the batteries are flat like the KX2 does (the KX2 has 
facilities for this, the KX3 doesn't).

I suspect that a fair number of KX3 users don't use the internal 
batteries at all, use the power plug all that time. I use it too, except 
when I need to run around to measure at a different place - then the 
batteries come to right.

But, not all is good news. Measuring the current during the charge 
process, I don't understand how the KXBC3 can full charge because the 
numbers don't add up. On my 1800 mAh eneloops I should get 8+ hours if 
my KX3 is just pulling 210 mA on receive - I certainly don't get that, 
cells are new.

A second problem is that the KX3 firmware really freaks out if one 
configures the KXBC3 to be installed, and the hardware is missing. There 
is no easy recovery from that (this is on latest firmware).
(there are a few more -documented- KX3 and K3 firmware issues and I'm 
hoping that someone would dive in and address them - should not be more 
than a day of work!)

And, I've had the front panel CPU go weird on me a few times. Given that 
the KX3 doesn't completely switch off - some electrons are needed to 
make the power buttons work! - recovering from the weirdness involved 
removing one battery and disconnecting the flexfoil.
Discussion with Elecraft support is ongoing as to what is causing the 
weirdness - I have a fairly early serial number.

Also, I wonder why the KXBC3 is an option that is sold separately. The 
hardware could have been integrated on the main board and there would 
not have been a mess with additional connectors, etc..
Would you buy a laptop computer if charging its battery requires an 
additional optional module?

73,
Geert Jan PE1HZG