Mark, this is exactly what I do. The LiFePO4 has a little more weight, but the cells are robust and have the correct voltage and probably can do more charge/discharge cycles. I think the trouble with a voltage regulator is not worth the very little gain in weight. Regarding the Eneloops in the KX3 I do not know if they take over the supply if the external power supply drops under 10V, but usually there is a switch in the plug which switches off the internal battery. I'll have to check this out.
73! de Werner OE9FWV On 13 May 2013 at 5:55, Mark Goldberg wrote: > How about using a 4S LiFePO4 battery? From fully charged to 15% charge > I get from about 14 V to 12 V in RX and very little sag on transmit. > Pretty much the ideal battery for this radio in my opinion. They are > rated to go down to 10V or so, but since you don't get that much more > and you can permanently damage the batteries if you go too low, I stop > at 12V. The KX3 will run full power throughout this range, too. I use > real A123 brand cells with a balancing charger. These do not have > quite as much energy density as LiPo;, but you do not need anything > else. I also keep Eneloops in the KX3. I have not tested it but I > think it will switch over if the external battery goes below their > voltage, somewhere about 10 V. If someone could confirm that, it would > be great. Those NIMH Eneloops run below 11V for most of the discharge > cycle, so only 5 W on those but they hold a charge a long time so they > can be used in a pinch. > > 73 > > Mark > > -- Es ist schwieriger, eine vorgefasste Meinung zu zertr³mmern, als ein Atom. Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955), Physiker Email powered by Pegasus Mail free at <http://www.pmail.com> Homepage: <http://www.qsl.net/oe9fwv/> Fone +43 5522 75013 Fax +43 5522 22505 Mobile +43 664 6340014 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
