"Bat Err" on KX3 - follow-up

[Edward A. Dauer]

Several replies suggested I check the voltage of the NiMH batteries as a first step.  Did so this morning, with an interesting result.   Of the eight (all are 2700 mAh Powerex NiMH 1.2 v nominal), the mean voltage was less than a half volt (0.45 VDC); the median and mode were each less than one tenth of a volt (0.06 VDC.)  The best of them was only 1.23 and 5 of them were at 0.06 VDC or a bit less.  So much for advertised shelf life.  Seems that the KX3 draws some trickle current even when turned off.

It might be they could be resuscitated with another charger, but Don Wilhelm wisely cautions against it.  With this deep a discharge, the charging current could be excessive without having a constant-current lab-type charger, which I don’t have.  Best to just replace the whole bunch.

Of course I would learn this on Easter morning, when there are none for sale anywhere nearby.

If replacing all eight doesn’t fix the error message I’ll post again with another plea for ideas.  Thanks, all, for the advice; have a great holiday weekend.

Ted, KN1CBR

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[Nr4c]

Drop in 8 “Copper Tops” and enjoy the radio today!

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Apr 1, 2018, at 1:16 PM, Dauer, Edward <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Several replies suggested I check the voltage of the NiMH batteries as a first step.  Did so this morning, with an interesting result.   Of the eight (all are 2700 mAh Powerex NiMH 1.2 v nominal), the mean voltage was less than a half volt (0.45 VDC); the median and mode were each less than one tenth of a volt (0.06 VDC.)  The best of them was only 1.23 and 5 of them were at 0.06 VDC or a bit less.  So much for advertised shelf life.  Seems that the KX3 draws some trickle current even when turned off.
>
> It might be they could be resuscitated with another charger, but Don Wilhelm wisely cautions against it.  With this deep a discharge, the charging current could be excessive without having a constant-current lab-type charger, which I don’t have.  Best to just replace the whole bunch.
>
> Of course I would learn this on Easter morning, when there are none for sale anywhere nearby.
>
> If replacing all eight doesn’t fix the error message I’ll post again with another plea for ideas.  Thanks, all, for the advice; have a great holiday weekend.
>
> Ted, KN1CBR
>
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[rich hurd WC3T]

Just don't turn the charger on.  ;)

On Sun, Apr 1, 2018 at 13:33 Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Drop in 8 “Copper Tops” and enjoy the radio today!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
> > On Apr 1, 2018, at 1:16 PM, Dauer, Edward <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > Several replies suggested I check the voltage of the NiMH batteries as a
> first step.  Did so this morning, with an interesting result.   Of the
> eight (all are 2700 mAh Powerex NiMH 1.2 v nominal), the mean voltage was
> less than a half volt (0.45 VDC); the median and mode were each less than
> one tenth of a volt (0.06 VDC.)  The best of them was only 1.23 and 5 of
> them were at 0.06 VDC or a bit less.  So much for advertised shelf life.
> Seems that the KX3 draws some trickle current even when turned off.
> >
> > It might be they could be resuscitated with another charger, but Don
> Wilhelm wisely cautions against it.  With this deep a discharge, the
> charging current could be excessive without having a constant-current
> lab-type charger, which I don’t have.  Best to just replace the whole
> bunch.
> >
> > Of course I would learn this on Easter morning, when there are none for
> sale anywhere nearby.
> >
> > If replacing all eight doesn’t fix the error message I’ll post again
> with another plea for ideas.  Thanks, all, for the advice; have a great
> holiday weekend.
> >
> > Ted, KN1CBR
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email] Ù]™\˜[  ™\  Y\È ÝYÙÙ\Ý Y  H Ú
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--
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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[Jim Brown-10]

On 4/1/2018 10:33 AM, Nr4c wrote:
> Drop in 8 “Copper Tops” and enjoy the radio today!

Yep. The KX3 is also highly compatible with external battery packs,
something as simple as six AAs in a holder that plugs into the power jack.

LiFePO4 packs sold by Bioennopower have also become quite popular. They
come in a wide range of sizes/capacities, and are much lighter weight
for the capacity they provide. For all day 100w operationat a rare
mountaintop 6M grid that is in deep shade and requires a 3 mile hike up
a 1,000 ft trail, several of us have bought 20Ah batteries, cost about
$200 and weighs 5.5#. Much smaller packs are available. A 3 Ah pack
costs $50 and weighs 13 oz.

Remember that the KX3 draws less current for the same power output when
run from a higher DC voltage, and LiFePO4 batteries provide 13-14V for
most of their discharge curve.

73, Jim K9YC

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