Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

2012-10-22 Thread Steve KC8QVO
Thanks for the info on the batteries. I went through some of the ones I have
and the last batch I got are Sanyos (ordered online) and they say Japan on
them. I may just charge these up and see how they work, I think they are
around 2 years old (I used them in my camera and HT before).

On a side note, 

Instead of making an external battery case... I was thinking of using the
ones inside the rig. Has anyone tapped in to the wires for these and run an
external plug for a charger? Is there anything I have to be careful with? 

I have a Micro M+ solar charge controller that I use with my SLA and was
thinking of running a wire from the batter cases, through the 2m antenna
port (plug right now), and put a Power Pole on the end. The controller has
diodes in it so the current only goes one way. 

Another thought is my panel is made out of some Powerfilm panels (10 5omA
strips). Last time I was out on the trials I strapped the panel to my pack.
It wasn't in direct sunlight, but it was working while I was hiking. Now,
how about one of those gyroscope mounts that tracks the sun? That might make
my solar charging more efficient on the go HI. 

Steve, KC8QVO



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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

2012-10-22 Thread Rick Tavan
They're working well for me in light duty so far.

Rick

--
Rick Tavan
iPhone

On Oct 21, 2012, at 10:36 PM, hawley, charles j jr c-haw...@illinois.edu 
wrote:

 I am using PowerEx IMEDION AA 2400mAh. Same claims as the Eneloop and seem to 
 be as good or better if you believe the reviews.
 Anyone else try these?
 
 Chuck, KE9UW
 aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224
 
 
 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on 
 behalf of Rich [reh...@ix.netcom.com]
 Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2012 8:33 PM
 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's
 
 Steve, the advice I got, a combination of list advice and internet
 reviews, is to go with the low self-discharge NiMH made in Japan, and
 the Sanyo Eneloop seem to have many followers, with the top of that line
 the Sanyo Eneloop XX batteries.  Advice was to stay away from the
 Chinese products as too variable.
 
 I could not find XXs locally, and settled for the Batteries Plus
 Japanese NiMH batteries this week. No reference to discharge.  I may
 regret that.  Will buy a set of the XXs when I can.  Too early for reviews.
 
 Rich
 NU6T
 
 On 10/21/2012 4:34 PM, Steve KC8QVO wrote:
 I have a 3 day backpacking trip coming up next weekend and will be taking my
 KX3 along with my solar panel/charge controller.
 
 In the past I have used a 7Ah SLA with the rig (works pretty well) but it is
 heavy. I want to switch out to 8 AA's this trip to see how it works out.
 
 What recommendations on NiMh AA cells do you all have that I can source
 locally? I have bought some batteries that have been decent and some that
 are terrible over the years, the best ones I found were at Radio Shack. What
 others have you had good luck with? I'd rather stay away from Walmart and
 other convenience stores. How about Batteries Plus? I haven't ever bought
 batteries from them before (cell type, my SLA came from there).
 
 My trip takes me along the Appalachian Trail and around Sugarland Mountain
 in TN/NC. I'll be sure to get some pictures.
 
 Steve, KC8QVO
 
 
 
 --
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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

2012-10-22 Thread Steve KC8QVO
Well I put my AA batteries inside and I ran my wire out the 2m antenna port
hole. We'll see how it works. I have the batteries cycling right now - 3
cycles so tomorrow they should be good. The next step - seeing how well they
hold up. This might have to wait for the trail unfortunately. I am real
short on time between work and getting ready for my trip when I get home. 

Steve, KC8QVO



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[Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

2012-10-21 Thread Steve KC8QVO
I have a 3 day backpacking trip coming up next weekend and will be taking my
KX3 along with my solar panel/charge controller. 

In the past I have used a 7Ah SLA with the rig (works pretty well) but it is
heavy. I want to switch out to 8 AA's this trip to see how it works out. 

What recommendations on NiMh AA cells do you all have that I can source
locally? I have bought some batteries that have been decent and some that
are terrible over the years, the best ones I found were at Radio Shack. What
others have you had good luck with? I'd rather stay away from Walmart and
other convenience stores. How about Batteries Plus? I haven't ever bought
batteries from them before (cell type, my SLA came from there). 

My trip takes me along the Appalachian Trail and around Sugarland Mountain
in TN/NC. I'll be sure to get some pictures. 

Steve, KC8QVO



--
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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

2012-10-21 Thread Rich
Steve, the advice I got, a combination of list advice and internet 
reviews, is to go with the low self-discharge NiMH made in Japan, and 
the Sanyo Eneloop seem to have many followers, with the top of that line 
the Sanyo Eneloop XX batteries.  Advice was to stay away from the 
Chinese products as too variable.

I could not find XXs locally, and settled for the Batteries Plus 
Japanese NiMH batteries this week. No reference to discharge.  I may 
regret that.  Will buy a set of the XXs when I can.  Too early for reviews.

Rich
NU6T

On 10/21/2012 4:34 PM, Steve KC8QVO wrote:
 I have a 3 day backpacking trip coming up next weekend and will be taking my
 KX3 along with my solar panel/charge controller.

 In the past I have used a 7Ah SLA with the rig (works pretty well) but it is
 heavy. I want to switch out to 8 AA's this trip to see how it works out.

 What recommendations on NiMh AA cells do you all have that I can source
 locally? I have bought some batteries that have been decent and some that
 are terrible over the years, the best ones I found were at Radio Shack. What
 others have you had good luck with? I'd rather stay away from Walmart and
 other convenience stores. How about Batteries Plus? I haven't ever bought
 batteries from them before (cell type, my SLA came from there).

 My trip takes me along the Appalachian Trail and around Sugarland Mountain
 in TN/NC. I'll be sure to get some pictures.

 Steve, KC8QVO



 --
 View this message in context: 
 http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-Batteries-rechargeable-AA-s-tp7564426.html
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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

2012-10-21 Thread Gary
I've been following the KX3 battery threads from a distance since the
beginning and would like to offer my own suggestion. Hopefully I'm not
duplicating previous info.

I have several portable transceivers with AA battery cases. My current
battery choice for most of them is the Sanyo 2700mAh AA. I have a couple
dozen in daily use and have been very satisfied with them overall. In some
radios they don't perform well but in most I've used they work very well.
I've been purchasing them from http://www.batteriesamerica.com and
charging/cycling them with a Powerex MH-C9000 charger/analyzer. If anyone
has already tried these in a KX3 please let me know how it worked out.

By the way, http://www.batteriesamerica.com has the eneloop XX batteries
as well.
73,
Gary
N6LRV

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rich
Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2012 6:33 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

Steve, the advice I got, a combination of list advice and internet 
reviews, is to go with the low self-discharge NiMH made in Japan, and 
the Sanyo Eneloop seem to have many followers, with the top of that line 
the Sanyo Eneloop XX batteries.  Advice was to stay away from the 
Chinese products as too variable.

I could not find XXs locally, and settled for the Batteries Plus 
Japanese NiMH batteries this week. No reference to discharge.  I may 
regret that.  Will buy a set of the XXs when I can.  Too early for reviews.

Rich
NU6T


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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

2012-10-21 Thread hawley, charles j jr
I am using PowerEx IMEDION AA 2400mAh. Same claims as the Eneloop and seem to 
be as good or better if you believe the reviews.
Anyone else try these?

Chuck, KE9UW
aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224


From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on 
behalf of Rich [reh...@ix.netcom.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2012 8:33 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Batteries - rechargeable AA's

Steve, the advice I got, a combination of list advice and internet
reviews, is to go with the low self-discharge NiMH made in Japan, and
the Sanyo Eneloop seem to have many followers, with the top of that line
the Sanyo Eneloop XX batteries.  Advice was to stay away from the
Chinese products as too variable.

I could not find XXs locally, and settled for the Batteries Plus
Japanese NiMH batteries this week. No reference to discharge.  I may
regret that.  Will buy a set of the XXs when I can.  Too early for reviews.

Rich
NU6T

On 10/21/2012 4:34 PM, Steve KC8QVO wrote:
 I have a 3 day backpacking trip coming up next weekend and will be taking my
 KX3 along with my solar panel/charge controller.

 In the past I have used a 7Ah SLA with the rig (works pretty well) but it is
 heavy. I want to switch out to 8 AA's this trip to see how it works out.

 What recommendations on NiMh AA cells do you all have that I can source
 locally? I have bought some batteries that have been decent and some that
 are terrible over the years, the best ones I found were at Radio Shack. What
 others have you had good luck with? I'd rather stay away from Walmart and
 other convenience stores. How about Batteries Plus? I haven't ever bought
 batteries from them before (cell type, my SLA came from there).

 My trip takes me along the Appalachian Trail and around Sugarland Mountain
 in TN/NC. I'll be sure to get some pictures.

 Steve, KC8QVO



 --
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