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KX3 battery problems

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Robin Kiszka

KX3 battery problems

Hi,

Some time ago I purchased a KX3.
It is fitted with the battery pack and I have always used rechargeable AA
cells.

I have the following situation...

The radio turns on but after 2 seconds shuts down.
I have checked all cells and they are good 1.18 V.
The radio works fine when standard non-rechargeable cells are used.
The radio also works fine when using a PSU.
I have ensured the menu allows a minimum battery level of 8V, but it makes
no difference. The radio still shuts down.
When I kept the BAND- and AUTO TUNE buttons pressed, I get a blank display
with MC LTU on it ?

What can I do to remedy this problem and ensure that I can use the
rechargeable cells?

Thanks
Robin
OZ6AM

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Bob N3MNT

Re: KX3 battery problems

1.18 V is pretty low. You may have a bad cell and as soon as it sees a load
it drops. Try removing all cells and charging on a good external charger.

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k6dgw

Re: KX3 battery problems

In reply to this post by Robin Kiszka

Monitor the battery voltage when turning the radio on. I suspect your
rechargeable cells have reached "the end of Old" and the voltage is
falling below the shut-down voltage as soon as the load is applied.
Measuring the no-load voltage won't always identify bad cells.

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County
On 12/27/2018 1:40 PM, Robin Kiszka wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Some time ago I purchased a KX3.
> It is fitted with the battery pack and I have always used rechargeable AA
> cells.
>
> I have the following situation...
>
> The radio turns on but after 2 seconds shuts down.
> I have checked all cells and they are good 1.18 V.
> The radio works fine when standard non-rechargeable cells are used.
> The radio also works fine when using a PSU.
> I have ensured the menu allows a minimum battery level of 8V, but it makes
> no difference. The radio still shuts down.
> When I kept the BAND- and AUTO TUNE buttons pressed, I get a blank display
> with MC LTU on it ?
>
> What can I do to remedy this problem and ensure that I can use the
> rechargeable cells?
>
> Thanks
> Robin
> OZ6AM
>

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Bill K9YEQ

Re: KX3 battery problems

In reply to this post by Robin Kiszka

That level is not good. If you were able to test all cells and they are all the same, the pack is bad. If only one cell, you either need to dispose properly and buy a new one, or if you can find a vendor who will remove and reconnect a good cell. That is the way to go. BatteryPlus cannot do locally, I tried with another battery situation.
If you run a LiPo pack down too low, kiss it goodbye. Great way for the sales team to make $'s.

My advice: Use the correct charger, don't run the pack too low and recharge as required. If you try to extend operation on LiPo's you are going to damage the battery or the pack. I do RC... know the drill. I never ever ask more of the battery to avoid my high power packs to go below specs. Matter of fact, I am very conservative. When you have 2 packs at over $100 a piece, that is stupid. I monitor, check and recharge, even before necessary.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

https://wrj-tech.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Robin Kiszka
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2018 3:40 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 battery problems

Hi,

Some time ago I purchased a KX3.
It is fitted with the battery pack and I have always used rechargeable AA cells.

I have the following situation...

The radio turns on but after 2 seconds shuts down.
I have checked all cells and they are good 1.18 V.
The radio works fine when standard non-rechargeable cells are used.
The radio also works fine when using a PSU.
I have ensured the menu allows a minimum battery level of 8V, but it makes no difference. The radio still shuts down.
When I kept the BAND- and AUTO TUNE buttons pressed, I get a blank display with MC LTU on it ?

What can I do to remedy this problem and ensure that I can use the rechargeable cells?

Thanks
Robin
OZ6AM

--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
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Don Wilhelm

Re: KX3 battery problems

In reply to this post by Robin Kiszka

Robin,

Can I assume those rechargable batteries are NiMH type? While they are
good, they do have a lifetime that is expressed in number of recharge
cycles. Personal experience has shown that the life of such batteries
is in the vicinity of 3 to 4 years.

It is often that the no-load voltage of a battery is OK, but as soon as
you draw any current, it goes "belly up". You can monitor the voltage
of the pack with the KX3 alternate VFO B display. Try to see the
voltage after the KX3 shuts off.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/27/2018 4:40 PM, Robin Kiszka wrote:

Gwen Patton

Re: KX3 battery problems

If they are NiMH cells, did you set the minimum voltage in the menu to
8.5v? That might be what's shutting it off.

Still might be a good idea to buy new cells.

Gwen NG3P

On Thu, Dec 27, 2018, 6:54 PM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email] wrote:

> Robin,
>
> Can I assume those rechargable batteries are NiMH type? While they are
> good, they do have a lifetime that is expressed in number of recharge
> cycles. Personal experience has shown that the life of such batteries
> is in the vicinity of 3 to 4 years.
>
> It is often that the no-load voltage of a battery is OK, but as soon as
> you draw any current, it goes "belly up". You can monitor the voltage
> of the pack with the KX3 alternate VFO B display. Try to see the
> voltage after the KX3 shuts off.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/27/2018 4:40 PM, Robin Kiszka wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > Some time ago I purchased a KX3.
> > It is fitted with the battery pack and I have always used rechargeable AA
> > cells.
> >
> > I have the following situation...
> >
> > The radio turns on but after 2 seconds shuts down.
> > I have checked all cells and they are good 1.18 V.
> > The radio works fine when standard non-rechargeable cells are used.
> > The radio also works fine when using a PSU.
> > I have ensured the menu allows a minimum battery level of 8V, but it
> makes
> > no difference. The radio still shuts down.
> > When I kept the BAND- and AUTO TUNE buttons pressed, I get a blank
> display
> > with MC LTU on it ?
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

k2ud

Re: KX3 battery problems

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm

I am finding the same with my Eneloop NiMH batteries. It seems they are showing diminished performance after three years in my KX3. This could be a good thing as I can replace them with a higher A/hr set of batteries. Until then I will run them into the ground.

72

Howard Kraus, K2UD
---- Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Robin,
>
> Can I assume those rechargable batteries are NiMH type? While they are
> good, they do have a lifetime that is expressed in number of recharge
> cycles. Personal experience has shown that the life of such batteries
> is in the vicinity of 3 to 4 years.
>
> It is often that the no-load voltage of a battery is OK, but as soon as
> you draw any current, it goes "belly up". You can monitor the voltage
> of the pack with the KX3 alternate VFO B display. Try to see the
> voltage after the KX3 shuts off.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/27/2018 4:40 PM, Robin Kiszka wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > Some time ago I purchased a KX3.
> > It is fitted with the battery pack and I have always used rechargeable AA
> > cells.
> >
> > I have the following situation...
> >
> > The radio turns on but after 2 seconds shuts down.
> > I have checked all cells and they are good 1.18 V.
> > The radio works fine when standard non-rechargeable cells are used.
> > The radio also works fine when using a PSU.
> > I have ensured the menu allows a minimum battery level of 8V, but it makes
> > no difference. The radio still shuts down.
> > When I kept the BAND- and AUTO TUNE buttons pressed, I get a blank display
> > with MC LTU on it ?
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Gwen Patton

Re: KX3 battery problems

Good to know about Eneloops -- they're what I've got in my own KX3. I'll
keep track of how long I have 'em in the radio and replace 'em around 3
years.

But I use a Talentcell LiPo pack that gives 5, 9, and 12v. It's
lightweight, comes with a charger, and was intended to charge items that
take more power than a phone. It gives 6A at 12v with 8300 mAh. I keep it
external to the radio of course. I use a smaller one (12v at 3A)for my old
K2 since the old SLA battery died. I'm tempted to get their top-level
12v/11000mAh/6A pack for some longer endurance. The 8300mAh and 11000mAh
packs also have 5v USB and 9v coaxial plugs, while the 6000mAh is only
12v/3A coaxial. The prices are all very reasonable, and the packs are
compact and have tough plastic cases with power switches and LED
indicators. With a Y-cable, I can plug in both the KX3 and the PX3, AND
have the charger plugged in to keep the battery topped off if the drain
isn't too severe. The switching wall wart chargers are even fairly quiet RF
wise, as far as I've been able to tell.

I DO have the NiMH pack for the KX3, and a couple of sets of Eneloops for
it, but I keep them charged up for emergencies.

6000mAh Talentcell for K2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MF70BPU/ --
$30
8300mAh Talentcell for KX3/PX3:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01337QXMA/ -- $50
11000mAh Talentcell: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016BJCRUO/ -- $65

On Thu, Dec 27, 2018 at 8:32 PM <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I am finding the same with my Eneloop NiMH batteries. It seems they are
> showing diminished performance after three years in my KX3. This could be
> a good thing as I can replace them with a higher A/hr set of batteries.
> Until then I will run them into the ground.
>
> 72
>
> Howard Kraus, K2UD
>
>

Robin Kiszka

Re: KX3 battery problems

In reply to this post by Robin Kiszka

Hi,

Just a follow-up.

Put in a new set of NiMh cells and all seems OK. Use of NiMh seems to be a
discussion issue, but over here in Denmark we have a limited range at
reasonable prices. We don't have all the brands and types as in USA.

At least it is working. Thanks to all for their input. Still battling to see
topics after mid-2017 in the KX3 board, not only my own but everyones.

73
Robin
OZ6ABM

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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-3

Re: KX3 battery problems

The big secret is to buy "pre-charged" NiMH batteries.

Normal NiMH batteries will self-discharge in a fairly short period.

Low-self-discharge batteries will hold a charge for a long time, and can
be sold as "pre-charged" so the consumer can buy the rechargeable
batteries they want and not have to buy "temporary" alkalines.

Eneloops are considered to be the best, certainly the most well known.

73 -- Lynn

On 12/28/2018 8:21 AM, Robin Kiszka wrote:
> Put in a new set of NiMh cells and all seems OK. Use of NiMh seems to be a
> discussion issue, but over here in Denmark we have a limited range at
> reasonable prices. We don't have all the brands and types as in USA.
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