KX1 - 1.6 volt NiZN AA Batteries

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KX1 - 1.6 volt NiZN AA Batteries

K8QI
I just found out about these rechargable 1.6 volt Nickel Zinc AA batteries from PowerGenix.   http://www.powergenix.com/?q=products   
The charger and batteries are available from Amazon.com      Has anyone tried these out in a KX1?   Seriously thinking about giving them a try.   K8QI
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Re: KX1 - 1.6 volt NiZN AA Batteries

N0OKS
A look at wikipedia says the volumetric energy density of NiZn batteries is lower than NiMH batteries. This was confirmed at a web site for strobe users. They are more like NiCd batteries in this respect. You MUST use a specifically designed charger. No using what ever is available.

Wikipedia says NiZn batteries have an open circuit voltage of 1.8 volts and a nominal voltage of 1.65 volts. The numbers for NiMH batteries are nominal, 1.4-1.45 volts and ten percent discharge to 80 percent discharge of 1.25 volts.

My question is, how many NiMH batteries can you put in series before you get in trouble running a K3 or such. It looks like ten NiMH in series is going to be OK. Do you design with the nominal, no load voltage in mind? How many NiZn batteries could you put in series and not worry?

Mark, NØOKS
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Re: KX1 - 1.6 volt NiZN AA Batteries

Don Wilhelm-4
Mark,

The discussion is about the KX1, and not a battery powered K2 or K3.

You want higher terminal voltage cells in the KX1 internal battery pack
because there is space for only 6 batteries.  6 times 1.25 volts is only
7.5 volts while 6 times 1.65 volts is 9.9 volts - a significant difference.
That is why the higher voltage Lithium (non-rechargable) batteries work
so well in the KX1.

Yes, if using an external battery pack, 10 NiMH batteries is desirable,
11 would be usable too.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/3/2011 9:43 PM, Mark Kachel wrote:
> A look at wikipedia says the volumetric energy density of NiZn batteries is lower than NiMH batteries. This was confirmed at a web site for strobe users. They are more like NiCd batteries in this respect. You MUST use a specifically designed charger. No using what ever is available.
>
> Wikipedia says NiZn batteries have an open circuit voltage of 1.8 volts and a nominal voltage of 1.65 volts. The numbers for NiMH batteries are nominal, 1.4-1.45 volts and ten percent discharge to 80 percent discharge of 1.25 volts.
>
> My question is, how many NiMH batteries can you put in series before you get in trouble running a K3 or such. It looks like ten NiMH in series is going to be OK. Do you design with the nominal, no load voltage in mind? How many NiZn batteries could you put in series and not worry?
>
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Re: KX1 - 1.6 volt NiZN AA Batteries

Chip Stratton
I've used the NiZn cells in the KX1 battery pack, and they do provide better
power output.

My biggest problem with them is with the charging options. Its hard to
determine the state of charge of a given cell just by measuring its open
cell voltage, and the charger doesn't seem to want to "top off" cells that
aren't nearly depleted. This makes them more difficult to use in my opinion.

I've gone to using a couple of 6.6v LiFePO4 700 mAh packs wired in series.
They fit into the KX1 just fine and provide ample power output for the
period of time I will usually spend using the KX1 portable. The disadvantage
of these are the lower total capacity of course, and the need for a balance
charger and proper connectors to best charge them up.

Chip
AE5KA
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Re: KX1 - 1.6 volt NiZN AA Batteries

K8QI
Chip -- Thanks for the info.   I noticed on Amazon that there are 2chargers available, a 1hour and a 3-5 hour charger.  Wondering which charger you are using?    73.  Barry K8QI