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Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

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Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

Has anyone operated a KX3 with the 100-watt KXPA100 using LiPO3 (or other Li chemistry) batteries. If so, what was the battery brand, number of cells or AH rating, and performance and at what power levels. I don't expect any research quality answers, just the experience and capability of the batteries.

Thanks,
73, phil, K7PEH

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Jim Brown-10

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

On 7/25/2018 9:38 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:
> Has anyone operated a KX3 with the 100-watt KXPA100 using LiPO3 (or other Li chemistry) batteries. If so, what was the battery brand, number of cells or AH rating, and performance and at what power levels.

Yes, we ran that combo while activating grids CM86 and CM79 using the
20Ah Bioenne Power LiFePO4 batteries. I own one, W6JTI owns two. One of
them got us through about 6 hours at CM79 running MSK144 and FT8, using
the strategy of not calling CQ. Instead, I was nearby acting as pilot to
Ping Jockey and the cluster system.

For nearly two years, I've been using a 100Ah Bioenne battery to run a
pair of K3s for SO2R. Bionenne caters to the ham market, and is good to
deal with.

73, Jim K9YC

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Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

Jim,

Thanks to you and the others who replied with useful information. I will probably get
one of the batteries, probably buy the Bioenne charger too.

73, phil

> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:03 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> On 7/25/2018 9:38 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:
>> Has anyone operated a KX3 with the 100-watt KXPA100 using LiPO3 (or other Li chemistry) batteries. If so, what was the battery brand, number of cells or AH rating, and performance and at what power levels.
>
> Yes, we ran that combo while activating grids CM86 and CM79 using the 20Ah Bioenne Power LiFePO4 batteries. I own one, W6JTI owns two. One of them got us through about 6 hours at CM79 running MSK144 and FT8, using the strategy of not calling CQ. Instead, I was nearby acting as pilot to Ping Jockey and the cluster system.
>
> For nearly two years, I've been using a 100Ah Bioenne battery to run a pair of K3s for SO2R. Bionenne caters to the ham market, and is good to deal with.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

Actually, I see that Bioenne Power supplies a charger along with the 20Ah battery.

> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:12 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Jim,
>
> Thanks to you and the others who replied with useful information. I will probably get
> one of the batteries, probably buy the Bioenne charger too.
>
> 73, phil
>
>> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:03 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> On 7/25/2018 9:38 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:
>>> Has anyone operated a KX3 with the 100-watt KXPA100 using LiPO3 (or other Li chemistry) batteries. If so, what was the battery brand, number of cells or AH rating, and performance and at what power levels.
>>
>> Yes, we ran that combo while activating grids CM86 and CM79 using the 20Ah Bioenne Power LiFePO4 batteries. I own one, W6JTI owns two. One of them got us through about 6 hours at CM79 running MSK144 and FT8, using the strategy of not calling CQ. Instead, I was nearby acting as pilot to Ping Jockey and the cluster system.
>>
>> For nearly two years, I've been using a 100Ah Bioenne battery to run a pair of K3s for SO2R. Bionenne caters to the ham market, and is good to deal with.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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Tox

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

I don't have the amp, but have run my kx3 off of small (8ah?) Bioenno and
100ah blackwood innovations lifepo4

On Wed, Jul 25, 2018, 11:18 AM Phil Hystad via Elecraft <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> Actually, I see that Bioenne Power supplies a charger along with the 20Ah
> battery.
>
>
> > On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:12 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > Jim,
> >
> > Thanks to you and the others who replied with useful information. I
> will probably get
> > one of the batteries, probably buy the Bioenne charger too.
> >
> > 73, phil
> >
> >> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:03 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> On 7/25/2018 9:38 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:
> >>> Has anyone operated a KX3 with the 100-watt KXPA100 using LiPO3 (or
> other Li chemistry) batteries. If so, what was the battery brand, number
> of cells or AH rating, and performance and at what power levels.
> >>
> >> Yes, we ran that combo while activating grids CM86 and CM79 using the
> 20Ah Bioenne Power LiFePO4 batteries. I own one, W6JTI owns two. One of
> them got us through about 6 hours at CM79 running MSK144 and FT8, using the
> strategy of not calling CQ. Instead, I was nearby acting as pilot to Ping
> Jockey and the cluster system.
> >>
> >> For nearly two years, I've been using a 100Ah Bioenne battery to run a
> pair of K3s for SO2R. Bionenne caters to the ham market, and is good to
> deal with.
> >>
> >> 73, Jim K9YC
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>
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> >> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Bruce,

I read on-line Amazon question on the battery asking about simultaneously drawing from the battery while charger plugged in. The answer, from Bioenno themselves, was that this should not be done. The charger and using the battery should not be done simultaneously.

Is your battery different in that you can charge it while using it?

73, phil

> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:36 AM, Bruce W2SE <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I use KX3 at home barefoot too (SOTA Chaser, mostly QRP). BLF1206 with charger plugged in. I had to loop the KX3 DC power cord through a medium sized Type 31 ferrite snap-on core to kill the noise from the Bioenno charger. With this DIY choke in place, I can't detect any difference between charger plugged in and unplugged (eg battery only).
>
> On 25-Jul-18 14:15, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:
>> Actually, I see that Bioenne Power supplies a charger along with the 20Ah battery.
>>
>>
>>> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:12 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft <[hidden email]> <mailto:[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Jim,
>>>
>>> Thanks to you and the others who replied with useful information. I will probably get
>>> one of the batteries, probably buy the Bioenne charger too.
>>>
>>> 73, phil
>>>
>>>> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:03 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> <mailto:[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> On 7/25/2018 9:38 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>> Has anyone operated a KX3 with the 100-watt KXPA100 using LiPO3 (or other Li chemistry) batteries. If so, what was the battery brand, number of cells or AH rating, and performance and at what power levels.
>>>> Yes, we ran that combo while activating grids CM86 and CM79 using the 20Ah Bioenne Power LiFePO4 batteries. I own one, W6JTI owns two. One of them got us through about 6 hours at CM79 running MSK144 and FT8, using the strategy of not calling CQ. Instead, I was nearby acting as pilot to Ping Jockey and the cluster system.
>>>>
>>>> For nearly two years, I've been using a 100Ah Bioenne battery to run a pair of K3s for SO2R. Bionenne caters to the ham market, and is good to deal with.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>>>
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
>>>> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>>>>
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>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
>>>> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
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>

Jim Brown-10

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

On 7/25/2018 11:15 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
> Actually, I see that Bioenne Power supplies a charger along with the 20Ah battery.

Hi Phil,

Note that all forms of Li batteries MUST be charged using a charger
designed for their specific chemistry. I'm using a Genasun MPPT charge
regulator for LiFePO4 batteries to regulate charge current from a spare
computer power supply.

73, Jim K9YC

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k6dgw

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Li-xxx batteries are not really supportive of float charging. It's real
common for LiFePO4 and LiPoly packs to have a charging connector
separate from the discharge leads to the radio, which the charger uses
to equalize the charge on each cell. I have 2 LiFePO4 4 Ah packs and a
charger that operates from 12 V. I use one while charging the other
with the charger powered by a 25 W solar panel. I've discharged and
re-charged them enough times now that I feel justified in claiming that
there are no brown electrons left in them and that I'm eligible for the
"green power bonus" if there is one.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW #142
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 7/25/2018 11:39 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:

> Bruce,
>
> I read on-line Amazon question on the battery asking about simultaneously drawing from the battery while charger plugged in. The answer, from Bioenno themselves, was that this should not be done. The charger and using the battery should not be done simultaneously.
>
> Is your battery different in that you can charge it while using it?
>
> 73, phil
>
>
>> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:36 AM, Bruce W2SE <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I use KX3 at home barefoot too (SOTA Chaser, mostly QRP). BLF1206 with charger plugged in. I had to loop the KX3 DC power cord through a medium sized Type 31 ferrite snap-on core to kill the noise from the Bioenno charger. With this DIY choke in place, I can't detect any difference between charger plugged in and unplugged (eg battery only).
>>
>> On 25-Jul-18 14:15, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:
>>> Actually, I see that Bioenne Power supplies a charger along with the 20Ah battery.
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:12 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft <[hidden email]> <mailto:[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Jim,
>>>>
>>>> Thanks to you and the others who replied with useful information. I will probably get
>>>> one of the batteries, probably buy the Bioenne charger too.
>>>>
>>>> 73, phil
>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 25, 2018, at 11:03 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> <mailto:[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> On 7/25/2018 9:38 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>>> Has anyone operated a KX3 with the 100-watt KXPA100 using LiPO3 (or other Li chemistry) batteries. If so, what was the battery brand, number of cells or AH rating, and performance and at what power levels.
>>>>> Yes, we ran that combo while activating grids CM86 and CM79 using the 20Ah Bioenne Power LiFePO4 batteries. I own one, W6JTI owns two. One of them got us through about 6 hours at CM79 running MSK144 and FT8, using the strategy of not calling CQ. Instead, I was nearby acting as pilot to Ping Jockey and the cluster system.
>>>>>
>>>>> For nearly two years, I've been using a 100Ah Bioenne battery to run a pair of K3s for SO2R. Bionenne caters to the ham market, and is good to deal with.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>>>>
>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
>>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
>>>>> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>>>>>
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>>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
>>>>> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
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K7TV

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I have the 20Ah Bioenno battery and am very pleased with it. I did have some issues with the company, but the way they resolved the issues makes me want to recommend them. The first issue was, I wanted a light battery to power a 100W radio, and first ordered a 15 Ah model, based on the website description that it could supply 30A continuous. When the battery arrived, its label indicated a much smaller continuous output capability. Bioenno acknowledged that the website was wrong, and arranged for me to trade up to the 20 Ah model. They said I could try the 15 Ah battery in actual operation before deciding to send it back. I did, and it did no do well at 100W rf out. Once I was set up with the 20 Ah model, I left it on the special charger for weeks between uses. The charger automatically stops charging at full charge, which is indicated by a red/green LED. However, one day I noticed the LED was dark. The charger had died. Bioenno quickly replaced it at no cost. I asked them if
it would be better to unplug the charger from the AC when not needed, and they said yes. Bottom line: Their customer service is so good, it reminds me of Elecraft.

73,
Erik K7TV

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Richard Day

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

Here’s an excellent explanation of LiPo batteries that I read last night.
Take a look and become knowledgeable about them.
https://rogershobbycenter.com/lipoguide/

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, Erik Basilier <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have the 20Ah Bioenno battery and am very pleased with it. I did have
> some issues with the company, but the way they resolved the issues makes me
> want to recommend them. The first issue was, I wanted a light battery to
> power a 100W radio, and first ordered a 15 Ah model, based on the website
> description that it could supply 30A continuous. When the battery arrived,
> its label indicated a much smaller continuous output capability. Bioenno
> acknowledged that the website was wrong, and arranged for me to trade up to
> the 20 Ah model. They said I could try the 15 Ah battery in actual
> operation before deciding to send it back. I did, and it did no do well at
> 100W rf out. Once I was set up with the 20 Ah model, I left it on the
> special charger for weeks between uses. The charger automatically stops
> charging at full charge, which is indicated by a red/green LED. However,
> one day I noticed the LED was dark. The charger had died. Bioenno quickly
> replaced it at no cost. I asked them if
> it would be better to unplug the charger from the AC when not needed, and
> they said yes. Bottom line: Their customer service is so good, it reminds
> me of Elecraft.
>
> 73,
> Erik K7TV
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

--

* Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO & PPO) Medicare Supplement plans*

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Ignacy

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I use Bioenno 2 x 6Ah with a 100W rig. During CW contests in S&P in break-in
mode they last > 3 hours.
No problems.
The advantage of 2 x 6A is that they can be taken on the airplane without a
permission.
Ignacy, NO9E

--
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Clay Autery-2

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

In reply to this post by K7TV

Bioenno folks are awesome, too. Not as cool as Elecraft, but close.

Unsolicited Suggestion Warning: Put a switch inline on the AC power
cord to the charger.... Personally, I am going to replace the cord with
a longer cord with an inline toggle switch.

Or get the West Mountain box designed to power the radio and use Bioenno
batteries as backup/alt.

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 25-Jul-18 21:58, Erik Basilier wrote:

> I have the 20Ah Bioenno battery and am very pleased with it. I did have some issues with the company, but the way they resolved the issues makes me want to recommend them. The first issue was, I wanted a light battery to power a 100W radio, and first ordered a 15 Ah model, based on the website description that it could supply 30A continuous. When the battery arrived, its label indicated a much smaller continuous output capability. Bioenno acknowledged that the website was wrong, and arranged for me to trade up to the 20 Ah model. They said I could try the 15 Ah battery in actual operation before deciding to send it back. I did, and it did no do well at 100W rf out. Once I was set up with the 20 Ah model, I left it on the special charger for weeks between uses. The charger automatically stops charging at full charge, which is indicated by a red/green LED. However, one day I noticed the LED was dark. The charger had died. Bioenno quickly replaced it at no cost. I asked them if
> it would be better to unplug the charger from the AC when not needed, and they said yes. Bottom line: Their customer service is so good, it reminds me of Elecraft.
>
> 73,
> Erik K7TV
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Operating KX3/KXPA100 on LiPO3 batteries??

Clay:

> On Jul 26, 2018, at 11:42 AM, Clay Autery <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Bioenno folks are awesome, too. Not as cool as Elecraft, but close.
>
> Unsolicited Suggestion Warning: Put a switch inline on the AC power cord to the charger.... Personally, I am going to replace the cord with a longer cord with an inline toggle switch.
>
> Or get the West Mountain box designed to power the radio and use Bioenno batteries as backup/alt.

I presume you mean the West Mountain “Epic PWRgate”?

This device is designed to use LiPO4 batteries as a power backup for a fixed station operation where 120VAC/power supply (presumably 13.8 VDC) is present to recharge the LiPO4 while providing power to the station equipment. It isn’t clear to me whether the prior posts concern a fixed station use of the LiPO4 or a mobile or portable operation.

I’ve suggested to the West Mountain Radio folks (at this year’s Hamcation and Hamvention) that a device that can recharge/manage LiPO4 batteries while mobile would that could power equipment when the vehicle’s engine is off and recharge the LiPO4 while the engine is running would be very helpful as it would keep equipment running during fuel or rest stops, preventing shutdown while also protecting the car’s battery from excessive discharge when operating for more extensive periods with the engine off. An alternator doesn’t provide the stable power that a 120 VAC power supply does and I was advised not to use the Epic PWRgate while mobile. Whether such a device will eventually be developed remains to be seen. Being able to use LiPO4 would significantly extend the amount of time that power could be supplied to mobile electronics as well as reduce the weight of the battery making it easier to install and secure. It would also be useful for portable operation where the LiPO4 battery could be recharged by the car’s alternator while in transit to the next portable operating site for use outside the vehicle (such as a KX2 or KX3 portable setup) or while parked using installed equipment.

In the meantime, I’m using a 12VDC 7AH AGM with West Mountain Radio’s “ISOpwr” to manage power to my mobile electronics, including USB Hubs to power various USB devices as well as mobile rigs. Keeping the USB devices powered during engine shutdowns for refueling is critical as it eliminates the need to reboot the laptop mounted in the car that is connected to a GPS receiver, 8 iMICS, and several RTS-3 USB-to-Serial adapters. If any of these devices lose power from their respective hub due to engine shutdown, it requires a reboot of the laptop to re-establish connection and restart of the various applications that utilize these devices to get everything going again.

73,

Barry, WD4ASW

> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> (318) 518-1389
>

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