> WHAT excellent battery backup provisions? It's a simple > changeover circuit, and the Kenwood internal trickle > charger is a joke.
Actually it works pretty well for what it is and claims to be... a battery trickle charger. > >with a Wal-Mart marine battery. > You'll be sorry. A marine battery is a just a starting > battery - a variation on an automotive battery. You want > a true deep cycle battery (think "golf cart"). At typical x-times the cost of a standard auto battery... I buy auto batteries and replace them after a few years of operation working well or not. Much more cost effective for the budget minded operator... and much better than having no battery backup and the dollar value is very good. > So the battery lasts half as long (powering both repeaters) > and takes twice as long to recharge (being charged by one). An added low voltage disconnect is a great idea. Even a single battery for short term back up is better than none. In a generator backed location it's often more than enough. There would be no reason he couldn't enable both repeater trickle charge circuits but the addition of a proper size single diode and resistor will help more quickly bring the battery back up to near full charge. > Float the battery across a good high quality after-market > charger that is designed to keep a standby battery alive, > and maximize the life. Look at those sold for RVs and for > standby generators. > > Warning - a GOOD charger will not be cheap. > > Then run the repeaters as 12v loads. Don't even hook up > the AC power to them. Run the controller off the battery > as well. Works as described but does cost much more money. If you already have a typical dc power supply there's no reason you can't use it with the internal Kenwood circuit. If rapid recharge of a drained battery is a major concern... add a properly sized series diode and resistor and get on with enjoying the new equipment. cheers, s.
