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KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

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N0AZZ

KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

Ordered a KX3 today and now need some help with what batteries that I need
to order.

As in larger size, exact type, brand, number on times they can be recharged
even best place to buy them. Is an external charger/conditioner needed or
helpful to have? Have never bought rechargeable batteries before so thought
I would turn to the group for input.

The same applies to a small quality power supply to supply the KX3's power.

Thanks to all in advance for your help.

73,

Fred/N0AZZ

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Peter Lambert

Re: KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

I'd recommend the sanyo 2500maH Pro "LSD" batteries - I think they're marked
as "XXX". The 16 hour charge will ensure a full charge. For me it often
trips out as an "over temp" once or twice before the charge completes. This
is just the cells producing heat when they reach full capacity. The "LSD"
bit is Low Sell Discharge - they hold the charge longer than typical NiMH
(this works for me as the KX3 can sit around a while before I take it
"bush".

Regards,
Peter VK4JD

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Fred Smith
Sent: Friday, 4 January 2013 12:19 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

Ordered a KX3 today and now need some help with what batteries that I need
to order.

As in larger size, exact type, brand, number on times they can be recharged
even best place to buy them. Is an external charger/conditioner needed or
helpful to have? Have never bought rechargeable batteries before so thought
I would turn to the group for input.

The same applies to a small quality power supply to supply the KX3's power.

Thanks to all in advance for your help.

73,

Fred/N0AZZ

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Greg Troxel

Re: KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

In reply to this post by N0AZZ

"Fred Smith" <[hidden email]> writes:

> As in larger size, exact type, brand, number on times they can be recharged
> even best place to buy them. Is an external charger/conditioner needed or
> helpful to have? Have never bought rechargeable batteries before so thought
> I would turn to the group for input.

My advice, perhaps a little more definitive than it should be:

Do not get agitated about cost. We are talking 8 * AA, and the good
ones are only $20-30. I have had bad experiences with cheap NiMH
(Nexcell, early failure). It's not worth risking trouble from by
buying junk (see the archives for 'smoke came out of my kx3', which
seems at least possibly due to bad batteries).

Buy only name-brand batteries from one of the well-known brands, which
is at least: Maha/Powerex, Sony/Sanyo (and perhaps more). (I remember
eneloop being made by Sony, but it seems to be Sanyo now.)

Buy only Ultra-low discharge, because NiMH batteries used to have a
moderately high self-discharge rate, and then over the last 7? years
the race for higher claimed capacities led to really high
self-discharge rates, to the point where a battery was totally useless
two weeks after charging. The actual capacity you will experience
from non-ULD batteries will very likely be much less because of this,
unless you really do charge one day and use the next (always).

Do not be overly concerned about capacity, as the difference between
high and low isn't that great. Also the actual capacity you'll see
will not quite be the nominal.

If you're in the mood, get a tester, so you can measure capacity.
Otherwise you don't really know if the cells are still ok. I
recommend the Maha C9000. It takes too many button presses to
operate, but otherwise I like it.

Expect to replace them after a few years. When one in the group of 8
doesn't work so well (test them yearly, or if you notice trouble), buy
a new set for the KX3 and use the remaining good ones for random other
things.

I have some unlabeled green Sanyo-made batteries that I bought surplus
in 2001 from Hosfelt. These are mostly (13/16?) still ok, and hold a
charge for a few months. You can't buy these any more, and wouldn't
want to, but it's an interesting comment on batteries before the
capacity craze, and a postive Sanyo experience.

Specific recommendations are:

Sanyo Eneloop, nominal capacity 2000 (I tested these, and they were at
1850 mAh (200mA rate) new, and after sitting 129 days, provided 1703
mAh). That's 92%, and assuming constant-fraction loss, 79% after a
year, which meets their 75% spec.

Maha Imedion, nominal capacity 2100. I have had 8 of these for
several years, using them in pairs in GPS receivers. One has failed,
and the others are fine. I have not done the 129-day experiment, but
they really seem to hold a charge over time fine. But it seems that
now the nominal capacity is 2400.

I would be tempted to try the Eneloop XX, but they seem quite a bit
more expensive than the regular ones, for only 25% more capacity. (If
someone has them, it would be nice to post C9000 results.)

Thomas Distributing is a good place for maha (also sells via amazon).
I've bought things from them over the years with good experiences.
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Chip Stratton

Re: KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

I have 8 of the Sanyo XX 2400 mAh cells in my KX3. Testing capacity with
the MAHA C-9000 gave me more than 2300 mAh for each of the 8 at a 500 mA
discharge rate. They seemed to cluster round 2350 mAh. This was after
performing the "break-in" cycle on the C-9000 and a 200 mA top-off charge
for a few hours and after a 20 minute rest.

Chip
AE5KA

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 1:26 PM, Greg Troxel <[hidden email]> wrote:

> "Fred Smith" <[hidden email]> writes:
>
> > As in larger size, exact type, brand, number on times they can be
> recharged
> > even best place to buy them. Is an external charger/conditioner needed or
> > helpful to have? Have never bought rechargeable batteries before so
> thought
> > I would turn to the group for input.
>
> My advice, perhaps a little more definitive than it should be:
>
> Do not get agitated about cost. We are talking 8 * AA, and the good
> ones are only $20-30. I have had bad experiences with cheap NiMH
> (Nexcell, early failure). It's not worth risking trouble from by
> buying junk (see the archives for 'smoke came out of my kx3', which
> seems at least possibly due to bad batteries).
>
> Buy only name-brand batteries from one of the well-known brands, which
> is at least: Maha/Powerex, Sony/Sanyo (and perhaps more). (I remember
> eneloop being made by Sony, but it seems to be Sanyo now.)
>
> Buy only Ultra-low discharge, because NiMH batteries used to have a
> moderately high self-discharge rate, and then over the last 7? years
> the race for higher claimed capacities led to really high
> self-discharge rates, to the point where a battery was totally useless
> two weeks after charging. The actual capacity you will experience
> from non-ULD batteries will very likely be much less because of this,
> unless you really do charge one day and use the next (always).
>
> Do not be overly concerned about capacity, as the difference between
> high and low isn't that great. Also the actual capacity you'll see
> will not quite be the nominal.
>
> If you're in the mood, get a tester, so you can measure capacity.
> Otherwise you don't really know if the cells are still ok. I
> recommend the Maha C9000. It takes too many button presses to
> operate, but otherwise I like it.
>
> Expect to replace them after a few years. When one in the group of 8
> doesn't work so well (test them yearly, or if you notice trouble), buy
> a new set for the KX3 and use the remaining good ones for random other
> things.
>
> I have some unlabeled green Sanyo-made batteries that I bought surplus
> in 2001 from Hosfelt. These are mostly (13/16?) still ok, and hold a
> charge for a few months. You can't buy these any more, and wouldn't
> want to, but it's an interesting comment on batteries before the
> capacity craze, and a postive Sanyo experience.
>
> Specific recommendations are:
>
> Sanyo Eneloop, nominal capacity 2000 (I tested these, and they were at
> 1850 mAh (200mA rate) new, and after sitting 129 days, provided 1703
> mAh). That's 92%, and assuming constant-fraction loss, 79% after a
> year, which meets their 75% spec.
>
> Maha Imedion, nominal capacity 2100. I have had 8 of these for
> several years, using them in pairs in GPS receivers. One has failed,
> and the others are fine. I have not done the 129-day experiment, but
> they really seem to hold a charge over time fine. But it seems that
> now the nominal capacity is 2400.
>
> I would be tempted to try the Eneloop XX, but they seem quite a bit
> more expensive than the regular ones, for only 25% more capacity. (If
> someone has them, it would be nice to post C9000 results.)
>
> Thomas Distributing is a good place for maha (also sells via amazon).
> I've bought things from them over the years with good experiences.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

N0AZZ

Re: KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

In reply to this post by N0AZZ

Ron I did decide on those type of batteries.

73,
Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron D'Eau Claire [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2013 10:12 PM
To: 'Fred Smith'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

Fred, if you bought the KXBC3 battery charger option with your KX3, you'll
want to buy the batteries it can charge: AA size NiMH (Nickel metal hydride)
cells with a capacity of 1900 mAh or larger.

If you are not using the KXBC3 battery charger opion, a lot of the other
fellows here can suggest various battery packs they have selected.

73 Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Fred Smith
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2013 6:19 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

Ordered a KX3 today and now need some help with what batteries that I need
to order.

As in larger size, exact type, brand, number on times they can be recharged
even best place to buy them. Is an external charger/conditioner needed or
helpful to have? Have never bought rechargeable batteries before so thought
I would turn to the group for input.

The same applies to a small quality power supply to supply the KX3's power.

Thanks to all in advance for your help.

73,

Fred/N0AZZ

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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N0AZZ

Re: KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

In reply to this post by Chip Stratton

Hi Chip

I looked at those very close at the Thomas site but they were running a
special on a package of charger/batteries/holders with either the C-9000 or
the better C-810D for only $13 more. I bought the 810D with it came 8 free
maha AA Imedion 2400 Ah batteries for $5x and another (16) package of 2700
Ah batteries also.

Decided to run several other things in the shack on them also, thanks to all
who helped.

Fred/N0AZZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Chip Stratton
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 9:08 AM
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 What Batteries/Quality Power Supply to Choose?

I have 8 of the Sanyo XX 2400 mAh cells in my KX3. Testing capacity with the
MAHA C-9000 gave me more than 2300 mAh for each of the 8 at a 500 mA
discharge rate. They seemed to cluster round 2350 mAh. This was after
performing the "break-in" cycle on the C-9000 and a 200 mA top-off charge
for a few hours and after a 20 minute rest.

Chip
AE5KA

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 1:26 PM, Greg Troxel <[hidden email]> wrote:

> "Fred Smith" <[hidden email]> writes:
>
> > As in larger size, exact type, brand, number on times they can be
> recharged
> > even best place to buy them. Is an external charger/conditioner
> > needed or helpful to have? Have never bought rechargeable batteries
> > before so
> thought
> > I would turn to the group for input.
>
> My advice, perhaps a little more definitive than it should be:
>
> Do not get agitated about cost. We are talking 8 * AA, and the good
> ones are only $20-30. I have had bad experiences with cheap NiMH
> (Nexcell, early failure). It's not worth risking trouble from by
> buying junk (see the archives for 'smoke came out of my kx3', which
> seems at least possibly due to bad batteries).
>
> Buy only name-brand batteries from one of the well-known brands, which
> is at least: Maha/Powerex, Sony/Sanyo (and perhaps more). (I remember
> eneloop being made by Sony, but it seems to be Sanyo now.)
>
> Buy only Ultra-low discharge, because NiMH batteries used to have a
> moderately high self-discharge rate, and then over the last 7? years
> the race for higher claimed capacities led to really high
> self-discharge rates, to the point where a battery was totally useless
> two weeks after charging. The actual capacity you will experience
> from non-ULD batteries will very likely be much less because of this,
> unless you really do charge one day and use the next (always).
>
> Do not be overly concerned about capacity, as the difference between
> high and low isn't that great. Also the actual capacity you'll see
> will not quite be the nominal.
>
> If you're in the mood, get a tester, so you can measure capacity.
> Otherwise you don't really know if the cells are still ok. I
> recommend the Maha C9000. It takes too many button presses to
> operate, but otherwise I like it.
>
> Expect to replace them after a few years. When one in the group of 8
> doesn't work so well (test them yearly, or if you notice trouble), buy
> a new set for the KX3 and use the remaining good ones for random other
> things.
>
> I have some unlabeled green Sanyo-made batteries that I bought surplus
> in 2001 from Hosfelt. These are mostly (13/16?) still ok, and hold a
> charge for a few months. You can't buy these any more, and wouldn't
> want to, but it's an interesting comment on batteries before the
> capacity craze, and a postive Sanyo experience.
>
> Specific recommendations are:
>
> Sanyo Eneloop, nominal capacity 2000 (I tested these, and they were at
> 1850 mAh (200mA rate) new, and after sitting 129 days, provided 1703
> mAh). That's 92%, and assuming constant-fraction loss, 79% after a
> year, which meets their 75% spec.
>
> Maha Imedion, nominal capacity 2100. I have had 8 of these for
> several years, using them in pairs in GPS receivers. One has failed,
> and the others are fine. I have not done the 129-day experiment, but
> they really seem to hold a charge over time fine. But it seems that
> now the nominal capacity is 2400.
>
> I would be tempted to try the Eneloop XX, but they seem quite a bit
> more expensive than the regular ones, for only 25% more capacity. (If
> someone has them, it would be nice to post C9000 results.)
>
> Thomas Distributing is a good place for maha (also sells via amazon).
> I've bought things from them over the years with good experiences.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

______________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________
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