Modern K2 internal battery options

[PHILIP GRAITCER]

I have a K2 with the Elecraft internal battery. I think I'd like to replace the battery that's in there with one with more modern chemistry - has anyone found and installed  a LiPO or similar cell that can fit in the space of the existing gel cell battery?
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[RobertG]

I'm also interested in this question. Hope something pops up.

On 5/31/2013 19:01, PHILIP GRAITCER wrote:

> I have a K2 with the Elecraft internal battery. I think I'd like to replace the battery that's in there with one with more modern chemistry - has anyone found and installed  a LiPO or similar cell that can fit in the space of the existing gel cell battery?
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--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
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[AD6XY]

Several people have used LiPos in the K2 - I looked into it but I decided it was too risky. There is a risk of fire/explosion but with suitable protection the really big risk letting the battery go flat and ruining it. I have a LiPO pack to power the K2, but it remains external and has a low voltage warning buzzer.

Instead I bought a AA battery case, holding 8AAs as 2 rows of 4 with a PP3 type connector. You can get these everywhere. I installed it in place of the Gel Cell. It fits fine with a bit of padding. One or two slight circuit modifications later and with the case filled with cheap 2AH AA NiNH cells I had a new battery pack.

Mike

[John Oppenheimer]

Google:

lifepo4 sla replacement

John KN5L
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[Johnny Siu]

yes, LIFEpo is quite a good replacement.  K2 equipped with modern internal battery will be much lighter and good for portable operation.
 
Recently, there have been discussions about K2 Vs KX3.  In terms of size and capability, KX3 is a winner.  However, if you are going to some really remote QTH such as Dxpedition with minimal technical support, K2 will be a radio which you can repair in case of trouble. 

TNX & 73,


Johnny VR2XMC

寄件人︰ John Oppenheimer <[hidden email]>
收件人︰ [hidden email]
傳送日期︰ 2013年06月2日 (週日) 6:49 PM
主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] Modern K2 internal battery options


Google:

lifepo4 sla replacement

John KN5L
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[RobertG]

John...
I've never installed the batter option in my K2, so I'm flying blind on
this topic. I checked out the site you mentioned, and they have several
battery sizes that would seem to be appropriate for the K2. Which one
did you have in mind? Is it a direct substitute, or does one have to do
some "construction" to get it to fit? Thanks.
...robert

On 6/2/2013 10:49, John Oppenheimer wrote:

> Google:
>
> lifepo4 sla replacement
>
> John KN5L
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>

--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
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[John Oppenheimer]

Hi Robert,

My post was general in nature.

For my KX3, I use an external 3300 mAH LiFePO4 pack from:
http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo426650battery128v3300mah42wh7aratewpcb.aspx

Using the suggested 1.5A charger for above, the battery charge voltage
is 13.9V during the end of the charge cycle. The charger float voltage
is 14.2 when fully charged.

John KN5L
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[Ingo Meyer, DK3RED-2]

Hello Mike,

> Several people have used LiPos in the K2 - I looked into it but I decided it
> was too risky. There is a risk of fire/explosion but with suitable
> protection the really big risk letting the battery go flat and ruining it. I
> have a LiPO pack to power the K2, but it remains external and has a low
> voltage warning buzzer.

LiFePo4 (lithium iron phosphate) cells are saver than LiPo cells. 4 of them in a row are
usable for 12 volts transceivers. Working voltage: 3.3 volts x 4 = 13.2 volts. But a
balancer (like with LiPo cells) is necessary to prevent overchanging and uneven unloading.
Individual cylindrical in shape cells (with bolts as contacts) are avaiable from different
stores - balancers as small PCB too (all balancer with 4S are usable). But watch: Neither
the cells nor the balancer are cheap!

There are also "ready to use" accus, which contain 4 LiFePo4 cells with the necessary
electronic i.e. from Vision, see
<http://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/251470/Vision-LFP1245-12V-45Ah-LiFePO-4-Battery-Rechargeable>.
To use this batteries only a normal loader for lead batteries is necessary. Unfortunately
fits the currently available batteries not in the K2.
--
73/72 de Ingo, DK3RED - Don't forget: the fun is the power!
www.qrp4fun.de - [hidden email]
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[RobertG]

John...
Thanks for your reply. Can you recommend a place/site/article where I
can get myself broadly educated in this area so that I can interpret
info and buy intelligently? Thanks much.
...robert

On 6/2/2013 13:53, John Oppenheimer wrote:

> Hi Robert,
>
> My post was general in nature.
>
> For my KX3, I use an external 3300 mAH LiFePO4 pack from:
> http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo426650battery128v3300mah42wh7aratewpcb.aspx
>
> Using the suggested 1.5A charger for above, the battery charge voltage
> is 13.9V during the end of the charge cycle. The charger float voltage
> is 14.2 when fully charged.
>
> John KN5L
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
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