Having recently gotten into electric R/C plane, I'd like to power my KX1 with the lighter LiPo batteries that I have on hand. Each LiPo cell is 4.7 volts, therefore 3 cells = 11.1Vand 4 cells is 14.8V.
I'd prefer to use a 4-cell battery for the KX1. The manual calls for 7-14 volts for this rig. I wonder if anyone else may be using LiPos in the field (or any battery with a voltage approaching 15V) and whether or not you have noticed any harmful effects such as unwanted smoke, etc... Thanks and 72, John Harper AE5X Outdoor QRP: http://www.ae5x.com __________________________________________________________________ Switch to Netscape Internet Service. As low as $9.95 a month -- Sign up today at http://isp.netscape.com/register Netscape. Just the Net You Need. New! Netscape Toolbar for Internet Explorer Search from anywhere on the Web and block those annoying pop-ups. Download now at http://channels.netscape.com/ns/search/install.jsp _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
OK, here's my dumb question. If the KX1 says 7-14 volts and you have a
configuration that gives you 11 volts, why would you go to 14.8 VDC? Does the rig give more output power at higher voltage? I'd think the solution is to run it on 11 volts. Or maybe your preference is driven by other factors ... - Keith KD1E - -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email] Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 10:47 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] 14.8 VDC for KX1? Having recently gotten into electric R/C plane, I'd like to power my KX1 with the lighter LiPo batteries that I have on hand. Each LiPo cell is 4.7 volts, therefore 3 cells = 11.1Vand 4 cells is 14.8V. I'd prefer to use a 4-cell battery for the KX1. The manual calls for 7-14 volts for this rig. I wonder if anyone else may be using LiPos in the field (or any battery with a voltage approaching 15V) and whether or not you have noticed any harmful effects such as unwanted smoke, etc... Thanks and 72, John Harper AE5X Outdoor QRP: http://www.ae5x.com __________________________________________________________________ Switch to Netscape Internet Service. As low as $9.95 a month -- Sign up today at http://isp.netscape.com/register Netscape. Just the Net You Need. New! Netscape Toolbar for Internet Explorer Search from anywhere on the Web and block those annoying pop-ups. Download now at http://channels.netscape.com/ns/search/install.jsp _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by ae5x
i built an external LiIon battery pack for my KX1. It can be Velcroed to the top edge of the KX1. You could just use 3 cells to get 12.4V, which is more than the internal primary Lithium's normally provide. The radio has power diode inputs so it will draw current from which ever battery has the higher voltage (internal or external). i wanted more power for /pm operation so i built a LiIon battery pack with 4 Sony 18650's (1.5 AH) cells to give me 16.7 V, (do this at your own risk). Then i use 2 diodes and SPDT (center off) switch to drop the voltage down to 14V (which is the maximum rating for the KX1) and this gives full output on transmit. The voltage goes up to 15V on receive but there is apparently no damage. i switch the diodes out of the circuit as the battery voltage and my power output drops. The 'Bat LO' feature on the KX1 can be used to detect the external battery dropping below 13.0 volts by setting the 'Bat LO' to 13.0V. When the external battery drops below 13.0 volts 'Bat LO' will be displayed on the LED and the battery can be switched back up to 14 volts. The 'Bat LO' is displayed every 5 minutes and when the KX1 is switched on. So i am using the battery low feature to keep the battery voltage above 13 volts. It also tells me that my internal NiCads are fully charged at turn on. This 4 cell LiIon battery pack weighs 7 ounces. My 10 1/2 AA NiCad's weigh about the same but have 1/3 the capacity. The internal LiIon controller for these cells disconnects at 10.0V. i trickle charge my KX1 (which has internal 1/2 AA NiCad batteries) but the LiIon cells do not require any trickle charging. Paul w0rw _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by ae5x
Hi John,
What about slipping a couple of diodes in series? Switch them out after the voltage drops. Paul - ve1dy > > I'd prefer to use a 4-cell battery for the KX1. The manual calls for 7-14 volts for this rig. I wonder if anyone else may be using LiPos in the field (or any battery with a voltage approaching 15V) and whether or not you have noticed any harmful effects such as unwanted smoke, etc... > > Thanks and 72, > > John Harper AE5X > Outdoor QRP: http://www.ae5x.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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