Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
On Jul 20, 2010, at 9:00 PM, Wes Stewart wrote: Joe took the words right out of my mouth. Personally, I use an unnecessary boost regulator when on battery power or a PS set to at least 14V otherwise. [snip] Unfortunately, this does not apply to transmit IMD. Since the K3 (like all other solid state transmitters) has a fixed ratio broad- band transformer between the final FETs and the 50 Ohm output. As the voltage falls and current increases, the amplifier impedance changes (decreases), the final amplifier operates into an increasing mismatch and the IMD becomes worse. Keeping the voltage to the final amplifier as high as possible within its specification allows the lowest possible IMD and highest efficiency. 73, ... Joe, W4TV Interesting. I run a K3 off a couple of pseudo deep cycle 12 volt batteries with an Iota smart charger hooked up. I run mostly digital so IMD is important to me. The Iota runs between 13.1 and 13.6 volts by my K3's meter. Would the difference between that and 14 volts make a meaningful difference in the IMD ? What brand and model booster provides 14 volts? The MFJ promises 13.8. TIA 73 de Eric, KG6MZS __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
I'm using a TGE (N8XJK designed) boost regulator on my battery-powered setup. By the K3 meter (when I get time I'll verify this) the supply voltage on receive is 14.1 and on TX ~18A load, it's 13.8. I have run some preliminary tests (better to follow when time permits) of the IMD performance v. supply voltage v. output power and the results aren't unexpected, although not yet a stable as I would like. IMD goes up with power level and reduced supply voltage. No surprise. So, absent more definitive answers, I'm personally erring in the direction of theory and preliminary results and keeping the voltage as high as is reasonable and arguing against operating at 11V just because the spec says that's acceptable. BTW, about 40 years ago, I did some moonlighting for the founders of Iota. My HB analog smart charger that's now in the shack was originally built to replace a horribly noisy switcher in my travel trailer. I've since installed an Iota in the trailer. Good stuff. Wes N7WS Interesting. I run a K3 off a couple of pseudo deep cycle 12 volt batteries with an Iota smart charger hooked up. I run mostly digital so IMD is important to me. The Iota runs between 13.1 and 13.6 volts by my K3's meter. Would the difference between that and 14 volts make a meaningful difference in the IMD ? What brand and model booster provides 14 volts? The MFJ promises 13.8. TIA 73 de Eric, KG6MZS __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
What brand and model booster provides 14 volts? The MFJ promises 13.8. I know that the MFJ booster has a pot that lets you set the output voltage (I have a MFJ-4416B). I'm pretty sure that TGE does as well. Phil - AD5X __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
Interesting. I run a K3 off a couple of pseudo deep cycle 12 volt batteries with an Iota smart charger hooked up. I run mostly digital so IMD is important to me. The Iota runs between 13.1 and 13.6 volts by my K3's meter. Would the difference between that and 14 volts make a meaningful difference in the IMD ? It makes a difference when I test amplifiers at a constant power. I have not tested a K3, but I would be really amazed if it was not noticeably affected by reduced voltage. The problem is worse than an impedance mismatch. The problem is the loadline of the transistor. You can't get as much swing in the output device without getting into a non-linear part of the curve. It would take some compelling proof for me to believe reducing voltage does not hurt IM performance. In general the notion that all we need to do is let the rig draw more current to make up for low voltage is misplaced. It would also be very important to be sure the booster to stay at the voltage under full load. 73 Tom __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
If one is going to float this across a battery, need to take notice of the normal float voltage for the cell. This is a nominal 13.8 which is just a characteristic of an automotive six cell lead acid battery. There are other kinds, and this 13.8 may change to something else. If you can actually provide a stiff 13.8 that does not droop with 25 amp draw you will be able to keep a fully charged battery in line for power blips and drop-outs. But the stiff 13.8 will not return certain kinds of batteries to full charge after significant discharge, requiring current limited 14.4 for charging to full specific gravity readings. The Trojan T105 aux cells in my RV are like this, NOT the same as the battery that starts the engine. A charging system must be tailored for the kind of cells you are using. The telephone company uses low specific gravity cells that are different. These cells are sometimes available when some cells in a 24 or 48 string fail and the string is near normal replacement. They are outstanding backup batteries as that is exactly what they are designed for. You cannot treat these like car batteries. So a battery is not just a battery. Definitely need RTFM on mfr's web page for this subject. A battery manufacturer will tell you exactly how they want a particular kind of cell maintained and charged. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your best results. My two T105's in series charge at 45 amps or 14.4 volts for four hours. The intelligent charger for this is specially made for this RV application for this particular kind of battery, and to provide DC from park power or gen around the RV for the raft of stuff that runs off 12 volts or uses it for controls. Should note that a power pole run from my RV DC distribution panel is a perfect supply for a K3 or K2. Even when the system is up on a 14.4 touchup, or a four hour full charge cycle, the K3 and K2 are perfectly happy. These chargers are available in 45 and 65 amp max load versions, and if you want to invest in T105's or equivalent, you can go see your local golf cart dealer and be able to bridge several hours of outage and have it brought back up with a commercial charger made exactly for that. 73, Guy On Wed, Jul 21, 2010 at 2:25 PM, Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com wrote: Interesting. I run a K3 off a couple of pseudo deep cycle 12 volt batteries with an Iota smart charger hooked up. I run mostly digital so IMD is important to me. The Iota runs between 13.1 and 13.6 volts by my K3's meter. Would the difference between that and 14 volts make a meaningful difference in the IMD ? It makes a difference when I test amplifiers at a constant power. I have not tested a K3, but I would be really amazed if it was not noticeably affected by reduced voltage. The problem is worse than an impedance mismatch. The problem is the loadline of the transistor. You can't get as much swing in the output device without getting into a non-linear part of the curve. It would take some compelling proof for me to believe reducing voltage does not hurt IM performance. In general the notion that all we need to do is let the rig draw more current to make up for low voltage is misplaced. It would also be very important to be sure the booster to stay at the voltage under full load. 73 Tom __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
Steve, You can run the K3 directly from a battery, with or without a charger running, and it will deliver full power within the supply range of 11-15V. You do NOT need a booster to supply 13.8V. We had consistent agreement on this some months back in a similar thread. As voltage goes down, the K3 draws proportionally more current to deliver the watts you desire. That's the same thing the voltage booster does. It's another built-in feature of the K3. One caution that is not adequately covered in the manual is the importance of wire size. If #10 AWG wire is more than about 4 feet distance (8 feet total), its voltage drop may reach or exceed 1V. Keep it very short, or go to larger wire as you can determine from a wire size chart. Also, when choosing a battery charger or charge controller, be sure it is compatible for the type of battery, either sealed or flooded type. They require different max. set points. Most sophisticated charger systems have a setting or adjustment for the type of battery. Windy KM5Q K3 #764 That PowerGate looks nice however I was thinking about eliminating the power supply and running only off battery power. A trickle charger would charge it overnight. That would eliminate the power wasting DC supply. I was looking at the MFJ4416 battery booster to keep the supply V at 13.8 too. Steve N4LQ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
As voltage goes down, the K3 draws proportionally more current to deliver the watts you desire. That's the same thing the voltage booster does. It's another built-in feature of the K3. Unfortunately, this does not apply to transmit IMD. Since the K3 (like all other solid state transmitters) has a fixed ratio broad- band transformer between the final FETs and the 50 Ohm output. As the voltage falls and current increases, the amplifier impedance changes (decreases), the final amplifier operates into an increasing mismatch and the IMD becomes worse. Keeping the voltage to the final amplifier as high as possible within its specification allows the lowest possible IMD and highest efficiency. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 7/20/2010 1:34 PM, KM5Q wrote: Steve, You can run the K3 directly from a battery, with or without a charger running, and it will deliver full power within the supply range of 11-15V. You do NOT need a booster to supply 13.8V. We had consistent agreement on this some months back in a similar thread. As voltage goes down, the K3 draws proportionally more current to deliver the watts you desire. That's the same thing the voltage booster does. It's another built-in feature of the K3. One caution that is not adequately covered in the manual is the importance of wire size. If #10 AWG wire is more than about 4 feet distance (8 feet total), its voltage drop may reach or exceed 1V. Keep it very short, or go to larger wire as you can determine from a wire size chart. Also, when choosing a battery charger or charge controller, be sure it is compatible for the type of battery, either sealed or flooded type. They require different max. set points. Most sophisticated charger systems have a setting or adjustment for the type of battery. Windy KM5Q K3 #764 That PowerGate looks nice however I was thinking about eliminating the power supply and running only off battery power. A trickle charger would charge it overnight. That would eliminate the power wasting DC supply. I was looking at the MFJ4416 battery booster to keep the supply V at 13.8 too. Steve N4LQ __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
Joe took the words right out of my mouth. Personally, I use an unnecessary boost regulator when on battery power or a PS set to at least 14V otherwise. Of course if you want to annoy your fellow hams, go ahead and run your K3 on 11V. I don't know who the we were, but it didn't include me. Wes N7WS --- On Tue, 7/20/10, Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com wrote: As voltage goes down, the K3 draws proportionally more current to deliver the watts you desire. That's the same thing the voltage booster does. It's another built-in feature of the K3. Unfortunately, this does not apply to transmit IMD. Since the K3 (like all other solid state transmitters) has a fixed ratio broad- band transformer between the final FETs and the 50 Ohm output. As the voltage falls and current increases, the amplifier impedance changes (decreases), the final amplifier operates into an increasing mismatch and the IMD becomes worse. Keeping the voltage to the final amplifier as high as possible within its specification allows the lowest possible IMD and highest efficiency. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 7/20/2010 1:34 PM, KM5Q wrote: Steve, You can run the K3 directly from a battery, with or without a charger running, and it will deliver full power within the supply range of 11-15V. You do NOT need a booster to supply 13.8V. We had consistent agreement on this some months back in a similar thread. As voltage goes down, the K3 draws proportionally more current to deliver the watts you desire. That's the same thing the voltage booster does. It's another built-in feature of the K3. One caution that is not adequately covered in the manual is the importance of wire size. If #10 AWG wire is more than about 4 feet distance (8 feet total), its voltage drop may reach or exceed 1V. Keep it very short, or go to larger wire as you can determine from a wire size chart. Also, when choosing a battery charger or charge controller, be sure it is compatible for the type of battery, either sealed or flooded type. They require different max. set points. Most sophisticated charger systems have a setting or adjustment for the type of battery. Windy KM5Q K3 #764 That PowerGate looks nice however I was thinking about eliminating the power supply and running only off battery power. A trickle charger would charge it overnight. That would eliminate the power wasting DC supply. I was looking at the MFJ4416 battery booster to keep the supply V at 13.8 too. Steve N4LQ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
There is a mod for the Astron to set it up to float charge the battery with a little cut to the PCB trace and a 10K resistor. I have my shack setup with four 55Ah SLAs in parallel to the Astron. We ran my K3 on FD with a single 55Ah SLA and made around 80 or possibly 100+ QSOs at 100W until I realized the Solar charged 55Ah battery was connected, but the PS was not on. See the following URL for the Astron MOD details; http://www.arrl.org/attachments/view/User/50572 or the source at; https://ntc.cap.af.mil/RS_Battmod.cfm rebar On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:32:08 -0400, Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com wrote: Is anyone using full time battery power and trickle charging? Considering the high price of power supplies and the security of a full time backup system, it would seem to make sense. The K3 draws so little current on receive that it would make sense to run it this way. I would be a bit concerned about gas from the battery however. Currently I use an Astron 35m and I love it but I just bet that it consumes more power than the K3! Perhaps the battery/charger concept would be more efficient? Steve N4LQ -- 73 de N6CCH aka Rebar __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:32:08 -0400, Steve Ellington wrote: Is anyone using full time battery power and trickle charging? Sure -- since about 2004, I've run all the gear in my shack from a big 12V deep discharge battery that is float-charged by a $10 dollar no- name supply that I bought at a hamfest. Now that I'm running SO2R, I have two batteries and two chargers. Everything is wired in parallel. All the gear is quite happy. It's a big on-line 12V UPS. :) In addition to the K3s, the 12V bus runs a VHF/UHF transceiver, power amps for that rig, 12v lights in my Ten Tec antenna tuners, and an AM/FM car radio that plays the local jazz station when I'm not hamming. :) I have no isolation at all between the power supplies and the batteries, but I do have a DC Ammeter in line between one of the power supplies and its battery as a sort of sanity check. The voltmeter built into the K3s tells me that the power supplies are regulated to 14V, and don't overcharge the batteries. The only things that doesn't run on this 12V system are the computer and the power amps (which run on 240VAC). The computers are Thinkpads with good batteries. If I had to, I could run the Thinkpads from that 12V system. We live in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where it's common to lose power, sometimes for the better part of a day. This UPS system protects me from that quite well. It's also great for Field Day -- you don't go down when the generator is shut down for refueling. 73, Jim K9YC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
Is anyone using full time battery power and trickle charging? Considering the high price of power supplies and the security of a full time backup system, it would seem to make sense. The K3 draws so little current on receive that it would make sense to run it this way. I would be a bit concerned about gas from the battery however. Currently I use an Astron 35m and I love it but I just bet that it consumes more power than the K3! Perhaps the battery/charger concept would be more efficient? Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: David Guernsey mooo1...@yahoo.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 8:32 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on Order I have an Astron RS-35M as my power supply through a Rigrunner to my K3/10. Enough left to upgrade to K3/100. 73s de Dave KJ6CBS __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
I'm wondering what to use for battery power. The K3 requires 13.8v. I would like to use a typical golf cart battery and a charger but am concerned about the voltage from the charger being too high and possible switching noise. I've seen some QST articles showing DIY projects but those are rather involved. Does anyone make a charger/controller that you can just plug in and not worry about over-voltage? Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: Jack Colson jcols...@tampabay.rr.com To: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 9:52 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power I did that for many years on the W3VD beacons. The battery was in a building but very rarely visited by humans. Worked great. The Astron RS-35 is not a good choice. I was using on and even without a load the case is warm. I am now using SS-25M for my K3 and it runs cool. 73 Jack, W3TMZ - Original Message - From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com To: David Guernsey mooo1...@yahoo.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 9:32 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power Is anyone using full time battery power and trickle charging? Considering the high price of power supplies and the security of a full time backup system, it would seem to make sense. The K3 draws so little current on receive that it would make sense to run it this way. I would be a bit concerned about gas from the battery however. Currently I use an Astron 35m and I love it but I just bet that it consumes more power than the K3! Perhaps the battery/charger concept would be more efficient? Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: David Guernsey mooo1...@yahoo.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 8:32 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on Order I have an Astron RS-35M as my power supply through a Rigrunner to my K3/10. Enough left to upgrade to K3/100. 73s de Dave KJ6CBS __ 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 __ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.839 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3007 - Release Date: 07/15/10 07:09:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
Steve, Yes indeed - Look at the chargers from AA Engineering http://www.a-aengineering.com/. Depending on your battery and the loads connected to it, you may want the 5 amp Smartcharger, but if you are not transmitting a lot and do not have the subreceiver installed, the 1 amp may do for you. These are linear Smartcharger that use the UC3906 controller rather than pulse width control, and they create no detectable noise. I have one modified for 250 ma. that has been connected to my QRP K2 with internal SLA battery for years. The K2 always runs on the battery and the Smartcharger replenishes the internal battery. Works swell for me. 73, Don W3FPR Steve Ellington wrote: I'm wondering what to use for battery power. The K3 requires 13.8v. I would like to use a typical golf cart battery and a charger but am concerned about the voltage from the charger being too high and possible switching noise. I've seen some QST articles showing DIY projects but those are rather involved. Does anyone make a charger/controller that you can just plug in and not worry about over-voltage? __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
On 7/15/2010 7:32 PM, Steve Ellington wrote: Is anyone using full time battery power and trickle charging? I have two deep cycle batteries kept topped off by about 60 watts of solar panel and a FlexCharge NC25 charge controller. Usually one battery is on charge while the other is in the shack (or field) powering the K3. During Field Day operation and longer contest periods at 100 watts, 50% RX/TX, the battery voltage has never dropped below 11.5 volts from a fully charged condition. In intermittent service (2-3 hours daily) the battery easily lasts for more than a week, often two before requiring a charge. Gus Hansen KB0YH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
Strongly suggest you look at tech data for Mr. Solar, MPPT charge regulator before you do anything with batteries/chargers/solar panels. New Technology...sure does fine job on my full time live aboard boat Grandmaw susan If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA --- On Thu, 7/15/10, Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com wrote: From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power To: David Guernsey mooo1...@yahoo.com, elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 3:32 PM Is anyone using full time battery power and trickle charging? Considering the high price of power supplies and the security of a full time backup system, it would seem to make sense. The K3 draws so little current on receive that it would make sense to run it this way. I would be a bit concerned about gas from the battery however. Currently I use an Astron 35m and I love it but I just bet that it consumes more power than the K3! Perhaps the battery/charger concept would be more efficient? Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: David Guernsey mooo1...@yahoo.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 8:32 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on Order I have an Astron RS-35M as my power supply through a Rigrunner to my K3/10. Enough left to upgrade to K3/100. 73s de Dave KJ6CBS __ 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 __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
On 7/15/2010 8:03 PM, Steve Ellington wrote: I'm wondering what to use for battery power. The K3 requires 13.8v. From the K3 spec: Supply voltage 13.8V nominal (11V min, 15V max.) I routinely run the K3 on battery as note in my previous post and the voltage averages 12-12.5V and falls below 12V only during contests. The BAT MIN setting remains at the default of 11V, which was reached only once during a test with a variable voltage supply. Gus Hansen KB0YH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
Steve, If you use a station power supply as both a power source and charger, you'll want to investigate methods for isolating the battery from the power supply/charging source. I've been using a West Mountain Super PowerGate device with an Optima Blue, gelled 80A marine battery. http://www.westmountainradio.com/SuperPWRgate.htm The PowerGate is an instant-switching device and can be configured to work with gelled, AGM or lead-acid batteries. It uses three ports: (1) battery; (2) power supply; and (3) common output, each using an Anderson Powerpole connector. The output of my PowerGate is connected to a 12-port RigRunner power manifold for distribution to all the +12V shack equipment. Paul, W9AC - Original Message - From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 10:03 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power I'm wondering what to use for battery power. The K3 requires 13.8v. I would like to use a typical golf cart battery and a charger but am concerned about the voltage from the charger being too high and possible switching noise. I've seen some QST articles showing DIY projects but those are rather involved. Does anyone make a charger/controller that you can just plug in and not worry about over-voltage? Steve N4LQ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
That PowerGate looks nice however I was thinking about eliminating the power supply and running only off battery power. A trickle charger would charge it overnight. That would eliminate the power wasting DC supply. I was looking at the MFJ4416 battery booster to keep the supply V at 13.8 too. Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: Paul Christensen w...@arrl.net To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 10:50 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power Steve, If you use a station power supply as both a power source and charger, you'll want to investigate methods for isolating the battery from the power supply/charging source. I've been using a West Mountain Super PowerGate device with an Optima Blue, gelled 80A marine battery. http://www.westmountainradio.com/SuperPWRgate.htm The PowerGate is an instant-switching device and can be configured to work with gelled, AGM or lead-acid batteries. It uses three ports: (1) battery; (2) power supply; and (3) common output, each using an Anderson Powerpole connector. The output of my PowerGate is connected to a 12-port RigRunner power manifold for distribution to all the +12V shack equipment. Paul, W9AC - Original Message - From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 10:03 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power I'm wondering what to use for battery power. The K3 requires 13.8v. I would like to use a typical golf cart battery and a charger but am concerned about the voltage from the charger being too high and possible switching noise. I've seen some QST articles showing DIY projects but those are rather involved. Does anyone make a charger/controller that you can just plug in and not worry about over-voltage? Steve N4LQ __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 battery power
I'm sure that I've mentioned this before, probably more than once. I have an UPS/emergency power supply consisting of a East Penn (Deka) 95 AH AGM battery on continuous charge via a homemade smart charger. The charger was constructed using an Astron 35M supply, gutted of the regulator board, retaining the series pass transistors, transformer, rectifier and filter capacitor. The control board is an AA Engineering piece. I originally built this to run my travel trailer, replacing a switching mode supply that made radio and TV reception (pre-digital) impossible. I have since brought it into the shack. Outgassing is not an issue with the AGM battery. In addition I use an in-line boost regulator at all times. Clearly this is not cheaper than an Astron supply since one is used, but it will run the K3 while on mains power without discharging the battery whatsoever. So I retain full capacity in the event of a power failure. Backup to this is a Honda EU2000 outside the shack. This is also my Field Day setup. Clearly, this is not what you had in mind, but my position is that the battery should be babied for long life. Others may consider them throwaway items, that can be routinely replaced. This isn't a bad approach monetarily speaking, but a failure while calling P5 will make one wonder about this approach. Wes N7WS --- On Thu, 7/15/10, Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com wrote: From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com Is anyone using full time battery power and trickle charging? Considering the high price of power supplies and the security of a full time backup system, it would seem to make sense. The K3 draws so little current on receive that it would make sense to run it this way. I would be a bit concerned about gas from the battery however. Currently I use an Astron 35m and I love it but I just bet that it consumes more power than the K3! Perhaps the battery/charger concept would be more efficient? Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: David Guernsey mooo1...@yahoo.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 8:32 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on Order I have an Astron RS-35M as my power supply through a Rigrunner to my K3/10. Enough left to upgrade to K3/100. 73s de Dave KJ6CBS __ 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
