Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated
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Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated
 
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I've finally gotten around to updating my "batteries" page to reflect my
experiences with my new-found love, Lithium-Polymer batteries: http://www.ae5x.com/batts.htm Comments, suggestions & experiences of other outdoor QRP ops are most welcome. 73, John Harper AE5X Portable 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 |
Re: Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated
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John,
With your work and reports like this, one can't help but think the wheels at Aptos have to be turning in the LiPo direction. ;) 73, Gil NN4CW _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by John Harper AE5X
John,
On 6/10/06, John Harper <[hidden email]> wrote: > I've finally gotten around to updating my "batteries" page to reflect my > experiences with my new-found love, Lithium-Polymer batteries: > http://www.ae5x.com/batts.htm > > Comments, suggestions & experiences of other outdoor QRP ops are most > welcome. Missing from your analysis are NiMH batteries, which i believe to be a viable alternative to LiPo cells. I don't have access to a West Mt. Battery Analyzer, so I can't offer a detailed analysis. Perhaps you can add that to make your analysis more complete. One advantage NiMH batts have are lower cost, OTH I suspect they weigh a bit more. An import consideration WRT to LiPo that you fail to mention is charging requirements. LiPo has had problems with charging, sometimes catastrophic. It is VERY important to follow the manufacturers recommendations and use the proper charging equipment. -- 73, Rod N0RC _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated
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Rod,
I haven't tested NiMH batteries yet and probably won't since I don't own any and can't justify the expense in purchasing them + another charger since I already have a growing LiPo collection. However, if someone wanted to send me a NiMH or two, I'll gladly test it/them, post the results and pay for return postage - as long as they email me first and let me know. That way I don't get redundant batteries...;-) Regarding the charging of LiPos: you are correct in that a dedicated charger is needed and that the manufacturer's instructions should be followed. The links I posted at the bottom of my page were meant to address this (and the many other) aspects of LiPo batteries - I'm only interested in describing & comparing their behavior in regards to my recent QRP operation and the previously-used alkalines. Google is available to those seeking more info than could possibly be contained on a single website. Thanks and 73, John Harper AE5X Portable QRP: http://www.ae5x.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rod N0RC" <[hidden email]> To: "John Harper" <[hidden email]> Cc: "QRP-L" <[hidden email]>; "Elecraft" <[hidden email]> Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 9:55 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated > John, > > On 6/10/06, John Harper <[hidden email]> wrote: >> I've finally gotten around to updating my "batteries" page to reflect my >> experiences with my new-found love, Lithium-Polymer batteries: >> http://www.ae5x.com/batts.htm >> >> Comments, suggestions & experiences of other outdoor QRP ops are most >> welcome. > > Missing from your analysis are NiMH batteries, which i believe to be a > viable alternative to LiPo cells. I don't have access to a West Mt. > Battery Analyzer, so I can't offer a detailed analysis. Perhaps you > can add that to make your analysis more complete. One advantage NiMH > batts have are lower cost, OTH I suspect they weigh a bit more. > > An import consideration WRT to LiPo that you fail to mention is > charging requirements. LiPo has had problems with charging, sometimes > catastrophic. It is VERY important to follow the manufacturers > recommendations and use the proper charging equipment. > > -- > 73, Rod N0RC > > _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated
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I've run NiMH's (2200 or 2400 mAh) from WalMart - using a 10 AA-cell holder
from Mouser. At 5W, I start getting the low voltage 'beep' in the headphones after an hour or two of use. If I run at 1W, I figure I can get 4-6 hours (enough for a short sprint). I haven't checked out the webpage yet to see what sort of results you're asking about with regards to NiMH's. I switch to the NiMH's after I pulled my KBT2 out. My NiMH's are outboard - attached to the bottom of my K2 with velcro and have a very short lead to the back of the radio. With one of those 15 minute charges, I can be fully charged in less than an hour (10 cells, 3 charge cycles, 4 cells/charge cycle). I've seriously considered the LiPo's as an option, but initial cost keeps me with the NiMH's. I found a good site for those who want to tinker with them... http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=897 I have no financial interest in this company - I only found them while googling for LiPo's a few months ago. The only problem with the NiMH AA's ... in my house they often get snatched up for another form of wireless ... the wireless gamecube controllers in the living room. 72/73, Daniel AA0NI Oklahoma City --- John Harper <[hidden email]> wrote: > Rod, > > I haven't tested NiMH batteries yet and probably won't since I don't own any > and can't justify the expense in purchasing them + another charger since I > already have a growing LiPo collection. However, if someone wanted to send > me a NiMH or two, I'll gladly test it/them, post the results and pay for > return postage - as long as they email me first and let me know. That way I > don't get redundant batteries...;-) > > Regarding the charging of LiPos: you are correct in that a dedicated charger > is needed and that the manufacturer's instructions should be followed. The > links I posted at the bottom of my page were meant to address this (and the > many other) aspects of LiPo batteries - I'm only interested in describing & > comparing their behavior in regards to my recent QRP operation and the > previously-used alkalines. Google is available to those seeking more info > than could possibly be contained on a single website. > > Thanks and 73, > > John Harper AE5X > Portable QRP: http://www.ae5x.com > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rod N0RC" <[hidden email]> > To: "John Harper" <[hidden email]> > Cc: "QRP-L" <[hidden email]>; "Elecraft" <[hidden email]> > Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 9:55 AM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated > > > > John, > > > > On 6/10/06, John Harper <[hidden email]> wrote: > >> I've finally gotten around to updating my "batteries" page to reflect my > >> experiences with my new-found love, Lithium-Polymer batteries: > >> http://www.ae5x.com/batts.htm > >> > >> Comments, suggestions & experiences of other outdoor QRP ops are most > >> welcome. > > > > Missing from your analysis are NiMH batteries, which i believe to be a > > viable alternative to LiPo cells. I don't have access to a West Mt. > > Battery Analyzer, so I can't offer a detailed analysis. Perhaps you > > can add that to make your analysis more complete. One advantage NiMH > > batts have are lower cost, OTH I suspect they weigh a bit more. > > > > An import consideration WRT to LiPo that you fail to mention is > > charging requirements. LiPo has had problems with charging, sometimes > > catastrophic. It is VERY important to follow the manufacturers > > recommendations and use the proper charging equipment. > > > > -- > > 73, Rod N0RC > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 |
Re: Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated
Administrator
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Dan,
I have used the same 10 cell AA holder from Mouser for about a year with the 2500mAH cells from Energizer. I also recently bought the BatterySpace 2500mAH Lipo pack from http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2335 and will be testing the both in real-world condx with my KX1. Here are a few suggestions for folks trying the NiMH AA's: 1. Use a little DeOxit on the springs and tabs and battery ends. 2. Tape around the + and - ends of the batteries to keep them in tight, and to protect against shorts; ditto for the two long edges of the battery case. 3. If you charge with a pack charger, break down the pack and test the cell voltages after it's discharged. I found I had some cells that had fallen to 0.9v but the rest were 1.2v to 1.3v even under moderate load. I've started using a Ray-o-Vac 4-cell charger that charges each cell individually, and breaking them down. This seeems to result in more even charging and makes the pack last longer per charge. I understand that there are 8-cell and 10-cell chargers that charge each battery separately, and if I hadn't invested in Lipo I probably would get one of those. The 4-cell charger was $19, so it wasn't a big cost. Leigh / WA5ZNU > I've run NiMH's (2200 or 2400 mAh) from WalMart - using a 10 AA-cell > holder > from Mouser. At 5W, I start getting the low voltage 'beep' in the > headphones > after an hour or two of use. If I run at 1W, I figure I can get 4-6 hours > (enough for a short sprint). I haven't checked out the webpage yet to see > what > sort of results you're asking about with regards to NiMH's. I switch to > the > NiMH's after I pulled my KBT2 out. My NiMH's are outboard - attached to > the > bottom of my K2 with velcro and have a very short lead to the back of the > radio. With one of those 15 minute charges, I can be fully charged in less > than > an hour (10 cells, 3 charge cycles, 4 cells/charge cycle). > > I've seriously considered the LiPo's as an option, but initial cost keeps > me > with the NiMH's. I found a good site for those who want to tinker with > them... > > http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=897 > > I have no financial interest in this company - I only found them while > googling > for LiPo's a few months ago. > > The only problem with the NiMH AA's ... in my house they often get > snatched up > for another form of wireless ... the wireless gamecube controllers in the > living room. > > 72/73, > Daniel AA0NI > Oklahoma City > > > --- John Harper <[hidden email]> wrote: > >> Rod, >> >> I haven't tested NiMH batteries yet and probably won't since I don't own >> any >> and can't justify the expense in purchasing them + another charger since >> I >> already have a growing LiPo collection. However, if someone wanted to >> send >> me a NiMH or two, I'll gladly test it/them, post the results and pay for >> return postage - as long as they email me first and let me know. That >> way I >> don't get redundant batteries...;-) >> >> Regarding the charging of LiPos: you are correct in that a dedicated >> charger >> is needed and that the manufacturer's instructions should be followed. >> The >> links I posted at the bottom of my page were meant to address this (and >> the >> many other) aspects of LiPo batteries - I'm only interested in >> describing & >> comparing their behavior in regards to my recent QRP operation and the >> previously-used alkalines. Google is available to those seeking more >> info >> than could possibly be contained on a single website. >> >> Thanks and 73, >> >> John Harper AE5X >> Portable QRP: http://www.ae5x.com >> >> >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Rod N0RC" <[hidden email]> >> To: "John Harper" <[hidden email]> >> Cc: "QRP-L" <[hidden email]>; "Elecraft" >> <[hidden email]> >> Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 9:55 AM >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated >> >> >> > John, >> > >> > On 6/10/06, John Harper <[hidden email]> wrote: >> >> I've finally gotten around to updating my "batteries" page to reflect >> my >> >> experiences with my new-found love, Lithium-Polymer batteries: >> >> http://www.ae5x.com/batts.htm >> >> >> >> Comments, suggestions & experiences of other outdoor QRP ops are most >> >> welcome. >> > >> > Missing from your analysis are NiMH batteries, which i believe to be a >> > viable alternative to LiPo cells. I don't have access to a West Mt. >> > Battery Analyzer, so I can't offer a detailed analysis. Perhaps you >> > can add that to make your analysis more complete. One advantage NiMH >> > batts have are lower cost, OTH I suspect they weigh a bit more. >> > >> > An import consideration WRT to LiPo that you fail to mention is >> > charging requirements. LiPo has had problems with charging, sometimes >> > catastrophic. It is VERY important to follow the manufacturers >> > recommendations and use the proper charging equipment. >> > >> > -- >> > 73, Rod N0RC >> > >> > >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated
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HI
In addition to my experimenting with solar power and SLA batteries I have also done some playing around with NiMH batteries. There are several manufacturers making 2700 mAHr AA cells and 700-800 mAHr AAA cells. I use many sets of these batteries for digital camera equipment and I have tried several brands. I have found the Maha Powerex AA cells to be reliable and conservatively rated. I have 30-40 of them and have never had one fail in several years of use although I have had several batteries from other makers fail or refuse to take a charge. I also have several chargers including the Maha MH-C801 8 cell fast charger, the Maha MH-C401FS and the La Crosse BC-900. All of these chargers charge each cell separately rather than several in series. They are all microprocessor controlled and will charge the high capacity AA cells in about an hour. A 10 cell NiMH pack can be charged with a solar panel without a controller. As long as the panel supplies around 1/10 C you can leave the batteries on charge almost indefinitely. For the 2700 mAHr batteries this is 270 ma so a 5 watt panel with a 350 mA maximum output could be left connected all day without worry of damaging the battery pack. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leigh L Klotz, Jr." <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Cc: <[hidden email]> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 12:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Battery use with QRP rigs - page updated > Dan, > I have used the same 10 cell AA holder from Mouser for about a year with > the 2500mAH cells from Energizer. I also recently bought the BatterySpace > 2500mAH Lipo pack from > http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2335 and > will be testing the both in real-world condx with my KX1. > > Here are a few suggestions for folks trying the NiMH AA's: > 1. Use a little DeOxit on the springs and tabs and battery ends. > 2. Tape around the + and - ends of the batteries to keep them in tight, > and to protect against shorts; ditto for the two long edges of the battery > case. > 3. If you charge with a pack charger, break down the pack and test the > cell voltages after it's discharged. I found I had some cells that had > fallen to 0.9v but the rest were 1.2v to 1.3v even under moderate load. > I've started using a Ray-o-Vac 4-cell charger that charges each cell > individually, and breaking them down. This seeems to result in more even > charging and makes the pack last longer per charge. I understand that > there are 8-cell and 10-cell chargers that charge each battery separately, > and if I hadn't invested in Lipo I probably would get one of those. The > 4-cell charger was $19, so it wasn't a big cost. 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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