K2: ext battery suggestions?

[DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL]

What are folks using in terms of an external battery for the K2?

I'm sure there are lots of options, so please include
advantages/disadvantages of each.

I've look at the archive and unless I'm doing something wrong, I don't
get a lot of hits with respect to the k2.

Thanks,
de Doug KR2Q
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[Craig Smith]

I assume you are talking about the QRP 15W K2, Doug.

I've had excellent results with a 7 AH sealed 12V AGM battery.  Mine is made
by Interstate, but there are many vendors with similar size and ratings.
Size is 6" x 3.75" x 2.5" and it weighs in at a little under 6 lbs.  Will
run K2 on receive for over 24 hours and I can easily get a day (8 hours) of
operating from it on CW.  Can also be easily charged with a 10W solar panel.
Think I paid about $22 for it a couple years ago.

Of course both smaller and larger batteries may be used depending upon if
you're carrying it and the length of your operating period.  I also have a
2.9 AH PowerSonic that weighs 2.5 lbs that I sometimes use if I won't be out
long.  Batteries Plus carries a good selection and they may have a store
near you.

73
         ... Craig  AC0DS






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[Stephen W. Kercel]

Doug:

In order to run the K2 at full power for an extended period of time I
use a 73 Amp-hour gelled electrolyte battery and a PG40S SuperPWRgate
both from West Mountain Radio. The regular station power supply
furnishes charging power.

I cannot tell you how long it will last because I've never run it
down, but I did some duty cycle calculations that showed that it
should last for most of a day of round the clock operation at 100
watts CW, and at least a week at 5 watts.

I have found as several other list members have reported, that the
voltage drop through the diodes in the PG40S does not lead to any
problems for operating the K2.

Drawbacks: 1) This is not a cheap configuration, plan to spend close
to $300 by the time you include fuses, powerpoles, battery connectors
et cetera. 2) It is not conveniently portable; the battery weighs 58 pounds.

73,

Steve Kercel
AA4AK


At 06:07 PM 6/2/2007, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote:

>What are folks using in terms of an external battery for the K2?
>
>I'm sure there are lots of options, so please include
>advantages/disadvantages of each.
>
>I've look at the archive and unless I'm doing something wrong, I don't
>get a lot of hits with respect to the k2.
>
>Thanks,
>de Doug KR2Q
>_______________________________________________
>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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[N2EY]

In a message dated 6/2/07 6:07:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [hidden email]
writes:


> What are folks using in terms of an external battery for the K2?

I have generic 7 AH and 12 AH gel cells for when I take the K2 away from AC.

I also have a zero-cost charger for them. It's an old, small UPS in a plastic
case that was tossed because its batteries were dead. I opened it up and
extended the battery wires out through a slot filed where the case halves meet. On
the far end of the wires I put Anderson Power Poles, same as on the K2 power
cable and the short cables I put on the batteries.

To charge a battery, I just hook it to the UPS and turn on the UPS. It brings
the battery up to full charge in a few hours, and then trickle charges it.

73 de Jim, N2EY



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