Fw: K2 Battery charging Problem

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Subject: K2 Battery charging Problem
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:39:30 GMT

Recently purchased and installed a new 2.9 amp battery in my K2. It arrived and I measured the voltage at 10.6 instead of being fully charged to 12V according to the book. As measured with the K2 internal voltmeter the readings were  V 10.6 and current 0.32. That current reading is nowhere near the 200 to 250 ma indicated in the book.

The K2 is working properly and output at 10.6V gives me about 10 watts; however, I have not been able to increase the voltage while hooked to an external 12V power supply set at 14.0 V for  12 hours. There is no change in either the voltage or current readings and I believe I have a defunct battery. I dread the thought of shipping it back to California (it cost me $14.95 for the UPS shipping) so thought someone may have some ideas about my problem.

Thanks and 73,   Rich  K8III

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[Bruce Beford-2]

Hi, Rich.
Based on your description of the situation, it does sound like the battery
is NG. Probably a shorted cell.

As for the current drain, my "fully loaded" QRP K2 with DSP draws 320-360
mA, according to the internal display. Honestly, I have not actually
measured it with an external ammeter. Depending on what you have for options
in the K2, it could conceivably draw this much.

I would contact the vendor about the battery. They -may- be willing to
replace it in good faith, without you returning the bad one. It's certainly
worth asking.

73,
Bruce, N1RX


> Recently purchased and installed a new 2.9 amp battery in my K2. It
arrived and I measured the voltage at 10.6 instead of being fully charged to
12V according to the book. As measured with the K2 internal voltmeter the
readings were  V 10.6 and current 0.32. That current reading is nowhere near
the 200 to 250 ma indicated in the book.

The K2 is working properly and output at 10.6V gives me about 10 watts;
however, I have not been able to increase the voltage while hooked to an
external 12V power supply set at 14.0 V for  12 hours. There is no change in
either the voltage or current readings and I believe I have a defunct
battery. I dread the thought of shipping it back to California (it cost me
$14.95 for the UPS shipping) so thought someone may have some ideas about my
problem.

Thanks and 73,   Rich  K8III


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[Don Wilhelm-4]

David,

Check to be certain the resistor in the positive battery lead is
intact.  Remove the connector from the RF board and the connector from
the battery terminal.  Read the resistance between the red wire at the
connector and the  terminal that connects to the battery.  You should
find a low resistance - note what it is, then switch the DMM leads and
measure again.  You should find 6.2 ohms with the leads in one direction
and in the other direction, you may measure less than 6.2 ohms depending
on your meter and the exact forward voltage of the diode.
If you find a high reading in one direction, the 6.2 ohm 2 watt resistor
in the battery option wire (under the heat shrink) has opened - if that
is the case, the battery will not be charged from the K2 power supply
connection.

If the resistance is correct in both directions, then you may conclude
that you have a defective battery.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/15/2011 8:17 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded Message ----------
> From: "[hidden email]"<[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: K2 Battery charging Problem
> Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:39:30 GMT
>
> Recently purchased and installed a new 2.9 amp battery in my K2. It arrived and I measured the voltage at 10.6 instead of being fully charged to 12V according to the book. As measured with the K2 internal voltmeter the readings were  V 10.6 and current 0.32. That current reading is nowhere near the 200 to 250 ma indicated in the book.
>
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