[HCARC] Batteries To Run Solar Powered Station For Field DAy

[Gary and Arlene Johnson]

For anyone interested in running their radio station on "Green Power" (no I am not a green fanatic), Costco has Deep Cycle GolfCart batteries for sale which appear to be made by Interstate battery Co. (batteries are white with a green top) that are 6 volt, 220 amp hour batteries and allow for over 700 deep discharges.  The batteries are $79 each with a $2.00 Texas battery charge (whatever that is) and a $9.00 core charge, but they will accept a normal car battery back as a core.  Wired in series these batteries give 12 volts with 220 amp hours of storage and will run a station for a long time without needing charging.  I have a 45 watt solar panel and charge controller from Harbor Freight that I will use to keep these charged and will use the whole setup at the next Field Day for the "Green Power Station".  Your radio's power requirements on transmit will determine whether the radio will need a battery booster or not for use with the Batteries.  The Icom 7410 I was going to get wants 13.8 volts period for running 100 watts.  The Elecraft K3 I have decided on as my radio to buy, is happy with a range of power from 11-13.8 volts, thus making a battery booster not required.

Gary Johnson
N5"BAA"