KX3 battery upgrade?
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The KX3 is my favorite of my HF radios right now. But one of my
annoyances is the internal battery limitations. I always wind up carrying an external 6_Ah or 10_Ah LiFePo4 battery into the field when I use this radio, an external charge controller, and solar panel. It's not a big problem, but it also should not be a big project to improve this situation. The KXBC3 has enough real estate to include a lithium battery charger, and even a solar charge controller in its space. The amount of battery energy that could fit in-place of the NiMH cells could approximately triple the capacity of the AA cells. So I have these questions: 1) How many of you out there might buy an upgrade which replaces the KXBC3 board with a lithium battery manager, and a associated battery pack? 2) Are there any 3rd parties already making anything like this? -- --... ...-- SteveSgt, KC6ZKT, @CM97bj73 ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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Great idea, count me in!
At first I thought “The new KXBC3a should be backward compatible to NiMH cells”. Then I realized “Who would want to go back”? Then for safety reasons make it impossible to “accidentally“ connect the LiFePo4 battery pack to a KXBC3. Paul W2PMC > On Oct 5, 2020, at 5:47 PM, Steve KC6ZKT <[hidden email]> wrote: > > The KX3 is my favorite of my HF radios right now. But one of my annoyances is the internal battery limitations. > > I always wind up carrying an external 6_Ah or 10_Ah LiFePo4 battery into the field when I use this radio, an external charge controller, and solar panel. It's not a big problem, but it also should not be a big project to improve this situation. The KXBC3 has enough real estate to include a lithium battery charger, and even a solar charge controller in its space. The amount of battery energy that could fit in-place of the NiMH cells could approximately triple the capacity of the AA cells. > > So I have these questions: > > 1) How many of you out there might buy an upgrade which replaces the KXBC3 board with a lithium battery manager, and a associated battery pack? > > 2) Are there any 3rd parties already making anything like this? > > -- > --... ...-- > SteveSgt, KC6ZKT, @CM97bj73 > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] 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] |
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In reply to this post by Steve KC6ZKT
I also always carry a LiFePo4 when I go portable with my KX3.
I'd be interested in moving a LiFePO4 battery into the case and removing the NiMH Eneloops that don't seem to provide enough voltage or last long enough. 73 Bill AE6JV On 10/5/20 at 5:47 PM, [hidden email] (Steve KC6ZKT) wrote: >1) How many of you out there might buy an upgrade which >replaces the KXBC3 board with a lithium battery manager, and a >associated battery pack? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz |"Web security is like medicine - trying to do good for 408-348-7900 |an evolved body of kludges" - Mark Miller www.pwpconsult.com | ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Steve KC6ZKT
I'd be up for that. The KX3 is my favorite radio. After I got the KX2 and
started enjoying its internal Li-ion battery pack, I realized that the KX3's internal NiMH battery charger is its worst feature. I too never use it anymore and have just switched to a small, external LifePO4 pack. Tim On Mon, Oct 5, 2020 at 2:47 PM Steve KC6ZKT <[hidden email]> wrote: > The KX3 is my favorite of my HF radios right now. But one of my > annoyances is the internal battery limitations. > > I always wind up carrying an external 6_Ah or 10_Ah LiFePo4 battery into > the field when I use this radio, an external charge controller, and > solar panel. It's not a big problem, but it also should not be a big > project to improve this situation. The KXBC3 has enough real estate to > include a lithium battery charger, and even a solar charge controller in > its space. The amount of battery energy that could fit in-place of the > NiMH cells could approximately triple the capacity of the AA cells. > > So I have these questions: > > 1) How many of you out there might buy an upgrade which replaces the > KXBC3 board with a lithium battery manager, and a associated battery pack? > > 2) Are there any 3rd parties already making anything like this? > > -- > --... ...-- > SteveSgt, KC6ZKT, @CM97bj73 > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] > -- Owner, worldwidedx.com AE6LX, Amateur Radio ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Steve KC6ZKT
I would buy it.
Jerry, W1IE -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Steve KC6ZKT Sent: Monday, October 5, 2020 17:47 PM To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]> Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 battery upgrade? The KX3 is my favorite of my HF radios right now. But one of my annoyances is the internal battery limitations. I always wind up carrying an external 6_Ah or 10_Ah LiFePo4 battery into the field when I use this radio, an external charge controller, and solar panel. It's not a big problem, but it also should not be a big project to improve this situation. The KXBC3 has enough real estate to include a lithium battery charger, and even a solar charge controller in its space. The amount of battery energy that could fit in-place of the NiMH cells could approximately triple the capacity of the AA cells. So I have these questions: 1) How many of you out there might buy an upgrade which replaces the KXBC3 board with a lithium battery manager, and a associated battery pack? 2) Are there any 3rd parties already making anything like this? -- --... ...-- SteveSgt, KC6ZKT, @CM97bj73 ______________________________________________________________ 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Steve KC6ZKT
An internal lithium battery pack upgrade, which can be charged without
opening the case, would be greatly appreciated. 73 Dave -- Sent from my iPhone SE ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Jerry
Me too.
I only find the AA's useful in keeping the clock running. steve WB3LGC On 10/6/20 8:32 AM, [hidden email] wrote: > I would buy it. > > Jerry, W1IE > > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On > Behalf Of Steve KC6ZKT > Sent: Monday, October 5, 2020 17:47 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]> > Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 battery upgrade? > > The KX3 is my favorite of my HF radios right now. But one of my annoyances > is the internal battery limitations. > > I always wind up carrying an external 6_Ah or 10_Ah LiFePo4 battery into the > field when I use this radio, an external charge controller, and solar panel. > It's not a big problem, but it also should not be a big project to improve > this situation. The KXBC3 has enough real estate to include a lithium > battery charger, and even a solar charge controller in its space. The amount > of battery energy that could fit in-place of the NiMH cells could > approximately triple the capacity of the AA cells. > > So I have these questions: > > 1) How many of you out there might buy an upgrade which replaces the > KXBC3 board with a lithium battery manager, and a associated battery pack? > > 2) Are there any 3rd parties already making anything like this? > > -- > --... ...-- > SteveSgt, KC6ZKT, @CM97bj73 > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] 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] |
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In reply to this post by Steve KC6ZKT
LiFePO3 can be as heavy as KX3 and defeats the purpose of KX3 if weight is
concerned. I use 4S2P Lithium Ion. Like: https://www.batteryspace.com/li-ion-18650-battery-14-8v-5-2ah-77wh-2x4s-s-rechargeable-battery-pack-6-24.aspx Since it has 16.8V peak, I charge it via a diode for 16V. A diode internal to KX3 makes it 15.4 V max and thsi is what the internal meter in KX3 shows. This is 12% over 13.8 V. Lasts a long time. Full power up to 15W. No problem in > 5 years. Ignacy, NO9E -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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See comments/questions inline, below...
On 10/6/20 7:49 AM, Ignacy wrote: > LiFePO3 can be as heavy as KX3 and defeats the purpose of KX3 if weight is > concerned. True, but LiFePo4 are widely available, and more tolerant of careless charging. They're still better than the internal NiMH cells. > I use 4S2P Lithium Ion. Like: > https://www.batteryspace.com/li-ion-18650-battery-14-8v-5-2ah-77wh-2x4s-s-rechargeable-battery-pack-6-24.aspx > > Since it has 16.8V peak, I charge it via a diode for 16V. A diode internal > to KX3 makes it 15.4 V max and this is what the internal meter in KX3 shows. Are you saying that have you installed this battery pack in place of the AA cell holder inside the radio? Are you saying that you're using the KXBC3 to charge your lithium pack? Do you charge this battery in the field with either a solar panel or the accessory (cigarette lighter) socket in a car? > This is 12% over 13.8 V. Lasts a long time. Full power up to 15W. No problem > in > 5 years. > > Ignacy, NO9E -- --... ...-- SteveSgt, KC6ZKT, @CM97bj73 ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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Since I don't have to schlep the thing on my back like those who backpack
to their field ops sites -- I use a dolly I keep in my van for the purpose -- I use a Talentcell 12Ah 12v battery. I connected a coaxial connector cable I got from Elecraft to it, and it powers a lot of my devices. The only issue is that it's about 1.35 kg, so it would be a significant weight to carry, say, in a backpack. That's one reason why I worked up my USB-C PD smart cable, as the PD power bank I have for it is a lot lighter. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JF56C7L/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Tue, Oct 6, 2020 at 11:40 AM Steve KC6ZKT <[hidden email]> wrote: > See comments/questions inline, below... > > On 10/6/20 7:49 AM, Ignacy wrote: > > LiFePO3 can be as heavy as KX3 and defeats the purpose of KX3 if weight > is > > concerned. > > True, but LiFePo4 are widely available, and more tolerant of careless > charging. They're still better than the internal NiMH cells. > > > I use 4S2P Lithium Ion. Like: > > > https://www.batteryspace.com/li-ion-18650-battery-14-8v-5-2ah-77wh-2x4s-s-rechargeable-battery-pack-6-24.aspx > > > > Since it has 16.8V peak, I charge it via a diode for 16V. A diode > internal > > to KX3 makes it 15.4 V max and this is what the internal meter in KX3 > shows. > > Are you saying that have you installed this battery pack in place of the > AA cell holder inside the radio? > > Are you saying that you're using the KXBC3 to charge your lithium pack? > > Do you charge this battery in the field with either a solar panel or the > accessory (cigarette lighter) socket in a car? > > > This is 12% over 13.8 V. Lasts a long time. Full power up to 15W. No > problem > > in > 5 years. > > > > Ignacy, NO9E > > -- > --... ...-- > SteveSgt, KC6ZKT, @CM97bj73 > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] > 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] |
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In reply to this post by Steve KC6ZKT
I never had a failure with Li-Ion batteries bought from batteryspace.com.
They are connected externally to KX3 and charged by an AC charger. They last so long that seldom I need to charge during a trip. I use LiFePO3 for my 100W radio. Ignacy -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Steve KC6ZKT
Hi Steve,
Yes, I would like to see this. I no longer even bother installing the internal batteries but just carry along a Bioenno pack. I have not heard of any 3rd party solutions. ---Paul AK1P On 10/5/2020 5:47 PM, Steve KC6ZKT wrote: > The KX3 is my favorite of my HF radios right now. But one of my > annoyances is the internal battery limitations. > > I always wind up carrying an external 6_Ah or 10_Ah LiFePo4 battery > into the field when I use this radio, an external charge controller, > and solar panel. It's not a big problem, but it also should not be a > big project to improve this situation. The KXBC3 has enough real > estate to include a lithium battery charger, and even a solar charge > controller in its space. The amount of battery energy that could fit > in-place of the NiMH cells could approximately triple the capacity of > the AA cells. > > So I have these questions: > > 1) How many of you out there might buy an upgrade which replaces the > KXBC3 board with a lithium battery manager, and a associated battery > pack? > > 2) Are there any 3rd parties already making anything like this? > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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I received about the same number of similar comments off-list as you've
seen on-list. (Thanks!) So at least twenty of us would eagerly buy such an upgrade to the KX3 (see my previous post, below). I suspect that the Elecraft folks don't have the bandwidth to work on such a thing right now. If we want it bad enough, we might need to take it into our own hands. If any of you out there have mad CAD skills, and are looking for a project, contact me off-list. Perhaps we can do a little feasibility study by drafting a preliminary design of a KXBC3 replacement. On 10/6/20 2:28 PM, Paul Maciel wrote: > Hi Steve, > > Yes, I would like to see this. I no longer even bother installing the > internal batteries but just carry along a Bioenno pack. > > I have not heard of any 3rd party solutions. > > ---Paul AK1P > > On 10/5/2020 5:47 PM, Steve KC6ZKT wrote: >> The KX3 is my favorite of my HF radios right now. But one of my >> annoyances is the internal battery limitations. >> >> I always wind up carrying an external 6_Ah or 10_Ah LiFePo4 battery >> into the field when I use this radio, an external charge controller, >> and solar panel. It's not a big problem, but it also should not be a >> big project to improve this situation. The KXBC3 has enough real >> estate to include a lithium battery charger, and even a solar charge >> controller in its space. The amount of battery energy that could fit >> in-place of the NiMH cells could approximately triple the capacity of >> the AA cells. >> >> So I have these questions: >> >> 1) How many of you out there might buy an upgrade which replaces the >> KXBC3 board with a lithium battery manager, and a associated battery >> pack? >> >> 2) Are there any 3rd parties already making anything like this? >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] -- --... ...-- SteveSgt, KC6ZKT, @CM97bj73 ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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