[ICOM] Powering Icom rigs

[D C Macdonald]

Buck, you  (and others) might wish to consider solar
for keeping your deep-cycle batteries fully charged.
Systems are available at RV and marine outlets such
as Camping World, West Marine, Boat/US, and Boaters
World stores.  There are many other solar power info
sites you could surely find with Google and other
search engines.


73  ---  Mac, K2GKK/5



----Original Message Follows----
From: "Buck" <na4fm-list at towncorp.net>
Reply-To: ICOM Reflector <icom at mailman.qth.net>
To: "'ICOM Reflector'" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: RE: [ICOM] Powering Icom rigs
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 13:25:53 -0400

Mort,
Thanks for the information.  I have bookmarked it and will review it more
thoroughly when I get time.

I don't believe I have to worry about the 37 AH drop in the battery.  The
problem with deep cycle is their voltage level in relationship to amateur
equipment.  My radio will only operate on voltages above 11.7 volts so once
the battery reaches that level, the radio will turn off and cease to
operate.

I live in Golf Cart territory.  EZ-Go and Club Car are both manufactured
here so I did consider getting Golf Cart Batteries.  I found that new ones
are too expensive for my budget right now so I purchased the Deep Cycle
Marine battery to see how that would work.  I wanted a new battery rather
than a used one.  This battery is guaranteed full replacement for 12 months
with prorated replacement over the next two years.  Over this time I plan on
purchasing other batteries that may be setup in parallel or to be used for
other power backup in case of emergency.  I eventually want to have a setup
that will keep my radio and necessities operational for one continuous week.
I need to do this in a most economical method as well.  It may be I just
need a good deep cycle battery or two and a small gas generator.

Thanks again for the information.  That's why I posted this, to get more and
better information than I already have.

Buck
NA4FM

-----Original Message-----
From: Mort Arditti [mailto:marditti at dslextreme.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 11:38 AM
To: ICOM Reflector
Subject: Re: [ICOM] Powering Icom rigs

Buck,

You have described an interesting and clever system.
Please allow me to throw in some comments based on experience with
Deep Cycle batteries in general. My experience with these batteries
comes mainly from having used them on my boat and 'house battery'.
1. When discharging these batteries, try not to discharge below 50%, or in
your case draw a maximum of 37.5 AH. If the battery is discharged deeper
than 50% it will shorten it's life.
2. Instead of using one 12 battery, I had better results with two 6 V deep
cycle golf cart batteries in series. These are very rugged and in my
experience
had longer life and higher capacity. The cost for the two batteries will be
higher than the one you have.
3. In intermittent usage such as yours, the batteries will slowly sulfating
which
will increase the internal resistance. This is not a problem in low current
loads, but may be a factor when you draw 20 A or more. You may want to
search the internet on the subject of de-desulfating. Try the following
site:
www.shaka.com/~kalepa/desulf.htm.

I hope this helps.
Good luck,

73,

Mort, KB6BSN