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Portable Power for digital and Phone operation

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Michael Chowning

Portable Power for digital and Phone operation

Being there is no better place to get advice than this reflector, I am seeking your recommendation. I have an Elecraft K3, P3, KAT500 & KPA500.

I want to operate somewhat portable with the K3, P3, monitor and laptop, buddipole on SSB and digital modes on Field day, and demonstrations on outings to community events (like festivals, etc). My options, I’m considering are:

1) Honda 2000i gasoline generator
2) Yamaha EF2000iSV2 (with propane option)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1) Deep Cell 12v 100amp battery (brand, model, control charger?)
2) Lipo battery (brand, model, control charger?)
2) appropriate solar power panels and controller charge for either of the above battery (brand, model, adapters?)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My questions:
1) Is it best to go with the generator option; and if so, which of the two choices above? Any outstanding reason for this option, and choice of the two?
2) Is it best to go with the Battery, and solar option; why? Is there reason to choose the Lipo over the Deep Cell batteries? I am concerned over the choices about battery voltages and amp’s needed to operate as stated above.

It’s noisy but the generator option seems on the surface much simpler for setup. However, from the perspective of demonstration of Amateur Radio today, the solar and battery option appears to be more demonstrative of the state of Amateur Radio today. Being 77 yrs old, I don’t want to get over my head in technology (though I love such).
Thanks for your thoughtful recommendations.
Mike, N8TTR

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KD6QZX

Re: Portable Power for digital and Phone operation

Mike for portable ops, most use a Honda Gen.

I would also recommend my replaement end panels to protect both the front and back of both the K3 and P3

www.gemsproducts.com K-Line

73 Scott AK6Q

On Friday, September 1, 2017 10:39 AM, Michael Chowning [via Elecraft] <[hidden email]> wrote:

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NAML

K3 #348 KX3 #2499

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Portable Power for digital and Phone operation

In reply to this post by Michael Chowning

While I don't this much anymore, I would consider the generator for situations where solar is not an option.
Honda 2000i ~$1100

Jinko Solar 280W Eagle - Monocrystalline PERC Solar Module - 60 Cell - Silver Frame

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Jinko Solar 280W Eagle - Monocrystalline PERC Solar Module - 60 Cell - Silv...
High-Efficient Mono Crystalline Module Intergrated with Passivated Emmiter Rear Contact (PERC) technology, 4-bus... | |

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$158.67 2X or 560 watts for <$350
Solar is more pubic friendly albeit more ground space.Will handle your power load during the day and quite a while on the battery alone.

Mel, K6KBE

From: Michael Chowning <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, September 1, 2017 10:54 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Portable Power for digital and Phone operation

Being there is no better place to get advice than this reflector, I am seeking your recommendation. I have an Elecraft K3, P3, KAT500 & KPA500.

I want to operate somewhat portable with the K3, P3, monitor and laptop, buddipole on SSB and digital modes on Field day, and demonstrations on outings to community events (like festivals, etc). My options, I’m considering are:

1) Honda 2000i gasoline generator
2) Yamaha EF2000iSV2 (with propane option)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1) Deep Cell 12v 100amp battery (brand, model, control charger?)
2) Lipo battery (brand, model, control charger?)
2) appropriate solar power panels and controller charge for either of the above battery (brand, model, adapters?)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My questions:
1) Is it best to go with the generator option; and if so, which of the two choices above? Any outstanding reason for this option, and choice of the two?
2) Is it best to go with the Battery, and solar option; why? Is there reason to choose the Lipo over the Deep Cell batteries? I am concerned over the choices about battery voltages and amp’s needed to operate as stated above.

It’s noisy but the generator option seems on the surface much simpler for setup. However, from the perspective of demonstration of Amateur Radio today, the solar and battery option appears to be more demonstrative of the state of Amateur Radio today. Being 77 yrs old, I don’t want to get over my head in technology (though I love such).
Thanks for your thoughtful recommendations.
Mike, N8TTR

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Jim Brown-10

Re: Portable Power for digital and Phone operation

In reply to this post by Michael Chowning

There's no way you're going to run a KPA500 on battery. IMO, power amps
are totally out of place on FD, which I've always seen as a "barefoot"
or QRP event.

We do county expeditions for QSO parties like 7QP and CQP, and run two
or three stations, each consisting of a K3, KPA500, KAT500, and P3/SVGA.
Each station is powered by a Honda 2000i running in Econmode. They make
some RF noise, which must be filtered with a good multi-turn ferrite
choke. Follow the guidelines for chokes on RG8-size cable
(k9yc.com/RFI-Ham.pdf), and place the choke right at the generator.
Commercial line filters do NOT work.

My neighbor W6GJB converted his 2000i to propane, and loves it. Mine is
still burning petrol.

73, Jim K9YC

On 9/1/2017 10:37 AM, Michael Chowning wrote:

> Being there is no better place to get advice than this reflector, I am seeking your recommendation. I have an Elecraft K3, P3, KAT500 & KPA500.
>
> I want to operate somewhat portable with the K3, P3, monitor and laptop, buddipole on SSB and digital modes on Field day, and demonstrations on outings to community events (like festivals, etc). My options, I’m considering are:
>
> 1) Honda 2000i gasoline generator
> 2) Yamaha EF2000iSV2 (with propane option)
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> 1) Deep Cell 12v 100amp battery (brand, model, control charger?)
> 2) Lipo battery (brand, model, control charger?)
> 2) appropriate solar power panels and controller charge for either of the above battery (brand, model, adapters?)
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> My questions:
> 1) Is it best to go with the generator option; and if so, which of the two choices above? Any outstanding reason for this option, and choice of the two?
> 2) Is it best to go with the Battery, and solar option; why? Is there reason to choose the Lipo over the Deep Cell batteries? I am concerned over the choices about battery voltages and amp’s needed to operate as stated above.
>
> It’s noisy but the generator option seems on the surface much simpler for setup. However, from the perspective of demonstration of Amateur Radio today, the solar and battery option appears to be more demonstrative of the state of Amateur Radio today. Being 77 yrs old, I don’t want to get over my head in technology (though I love such).
> Thanks for your thoughtful recommendations.
> Mike, N8TTR
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Mark Goldberg

Re: Portable Power for digital and Phone operation

In reply to this post by Michael Chowning

On Fri, Sep 1, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Michael Chowning <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Being there is no better place to get advice than this reflector, I am
> seeking your recommendation. I have an Elecraft K3, P3, KAT500 & KPA500.
>
> I want to operate somewhat portable with the K3, P3, monitor and laptop,
> buddipole on SSB and digital modes on Field day, and demonstrations on
> outings to community events (like festivals, etc). My options, I’m
> considering are:
>
> 1) Honda 2000i gasoline generator
> 2) Yamaha EF2000iSV2 (with propane option)
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>

I don't use generators for field day as we are in the woods and don't want
any noise. The inverter generators are quiet though. I have been threatened
that my RV generator will suffer from "Lead Poisoning" if it is run in the
woods. It is very loud.

> 1) Deep Cell 12v 100amp battery (brand, model, control charger?)
> 2) Lipo battery (brand, model, control charger?)
> 2) appropriate solar power panels and controller charge for either of the
> above battery (brand, model, adapters?)
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++
>

I use a solar system with deep cycle lead acid batteries, recently
installed in my RV, but it was standalone. A description with specific
models may be found on:

https://sites.google.com/site/marksrvmods/

The RV has a large inverter for 115V. I previously used a large inverter
standalone. Both are Xantrex, a good brand. They make some RF hash, but
they are tamable with Ferrite cores. Some inverters are very noisy.

200W of solar panels and two 75 Amp Hour batteries will run a 100W ham
station for field day late into the night. I have 4 batteries and 400W of
solar panels to run the RV too. I am really keen on the flexible solar
panels I use. They are very light and efficient. They have gotten lots of
attention whenever I set them out. They may not be the best for a permanent
installation, but for quick setup and teardown they are ideal.

Note that MPPT solar charge controllers are the most efficient but usually
make lots of RF hash. I use a Morningstar PWM controller that has a bang
bang option, that will either be on or off, no RF hash from switching. It
does reduce the actual output of the 400W panels to 300W though.

Lipo batteries do not produce the right voltage for radios. 4 Cells is too
much, 3 cells is too little. LiFePO4 batteries do and they are safer. A 4
cell pack runs from about 14.4 V down to 12 V at 90% discharge, which is
ideal for remote operation. They still take special charging, sometimes
built in to the batteries, but they are very expensive.

I have a 20 Amp Hour from batteryspace,com that I use for long QRP, and I
have a separate special charger. They also have ones with built in charging
/ balancing circuits, but they cost more.

I have two small 4s1p LiFePO4 packs from buddyrc.com for remote QRP, but
they don't seem to sell them any more.

bioennopower.com has lots of options with built in charging circuits that
make it a little easier and they get good reviews. I could not afford to
have the big boys be LiFePO4 though and have not bought from them. A few
hundred Amp Hours of LiFePO4 will be in the thousands of dollars.

For all these batteries, it is a good idea to monitor them and stop using
them when they get down to about 12V. LifePO4 especially can be permanently
damaged if discharged too low.

Good luck in whatever you choose. As you can see, there are many options
with no "best" option for all circumstances.

73,

Mark
W7MLG
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Jim Brown-10

Re: Portable Power for digital and Phone operation

In reply to this post by Michael Chowning

Mike,

In addition to the response I wrote earlier and others you have
received, you should study the list archives. There have been many
thoughtful and detailed posts on this topic in the last six months. I've
made several myself.

73, Jim K9YC

On 9/1/2017 10:37 AM, Michael Chowning wrote:
> My questions:
> 1) Is it best to go with the generator option; and if so, which of the two choices above? Any outstanding reason for this option, and choice of the two?
> 2) Is it best to go with the Battery, and solar option; why? Is there reason to choose the Lipo over the Deep Cell batteries? I am concerned over the choices about battery voltages and amp’s needed to operate as stated above.

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