Why are the batteries internal to the KX3?

[ke9uw]

I don't like to disassemble the KX3 to take out the batteries when not using or to do battery maintenance.
I would rather have a slim case with the same rectangular outline as the KX3 that attaches to the rear panel and just plugs into the KX3 thru the external DC input.
Has anyone done that as an accessory product?

Chuck Hawley
 [hidden email]

 Amateur Radio, KE9UW
 aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles
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[Don Wilhelm]

Chuck,

How long are you "not using" the KX3?  If the time is not several weeks,
the batteries can stay in.  For battery maintenance, if you have the
KXBC3 option installed, and Low Self Discharge NiMH batteries installed,
just connect to a power source with enough voltage and do a maintenance
charge on the batteries every couple weeks.

You can always remove the batteries and use an external power source.
Of course, if you have the KXBC3 option, the RTC will not keep time with
the batteries removed.

The KX2 internal battery pack can be used external to the KX3 - just
plug it in.  Get the KXBC2 to charge the KX2 battery pack.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/16/2019 6:22 PM, hawley, charles j jr wrote:
> I don't like to disassemble the KX3 to take out the batteries when not using or to do battery maintenance.
> I would rather have a slim case with the same rectangular outline as the KX3 that attaches to the rear panel and just plugs into the KX3 thru the external DC input.
> Has anyone done that as an accessory product?
>
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[ke9uw]

Probably months. I have been charging it with the KXBC3 this week a couple times about 3 hours each time. The batteries do stay up to around 10 volts even for more than a couple months. Interesting option to use the KX2 battery. Might be a plan.

Chuck Hawley
 [hidden email]

 Amateur Radio, KE9UW
 aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles

________________________________
From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2019 6:07 PM
To: hawley, charles j jr; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Why are the batteries internal to the KX3?

Chuck,

How long are you "not using" the KX3?  If the time is not several weeks,
the batteries can stay in.  For battery maintenance, if you have the
KXBC3 option installed, and Low Self Discharge NiMH batteries installed,
just connect to a power source with enough voltage and do a maintenance
charge on the batteries every couple weeks.

You can always remove the batteries and use an external power source.
Of course, if you have the KXBC3 option, the RTC will not keep time with
the batteries removed.

The KX2 internal battery pack can be used external to the KX3 - just
plug it in.  Get the KXBC2 to charge the KX2 battery pack.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/16/2019 6:22 PM, hawley, charles j jr wrote:
> I don't like to disassemble the KX3 to take out the batteries when not using or to do battery maintenance.
> I would rather have a slim case with the same rectangular outline as the KX3 that attaches to the rear panel and just plugs into the KX3 thru the external DC input.
> Has anyone done that as an accessory product?
>
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[Tony Estep]

On Sat, Mar 16, 2019 at 6:13 PM hawley, charles j jr <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> ...Interesting option to use the KX2 battery....
>
I have some LiPo batteries (3S, 11.1V, 3200 mAH) used in electric RC
planes. I hacked off the plug from a wall-wart that fit the KX3, wired it
to a connector that mates with the battery's RC connecton. They start out
at 11.9V and last a long time in on-air use.

Tony KT0NY
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[Elecraft mailing list]

 I've seen some external battery cases made for the KX3 on eBay that looked similar to what you described.



    On Saturday, March 16, 2019, 6:52:11 PM EDT, hawley, charles j jr <[hidden email]> wrote:  
 
 I don't like to disassemble the KX3 to take out the batteries when not using or to do battery maintenance.
I would rather have a slim case with the same rectangular outline as the KX3 that attaches to the rear panel and just plugs into the KX3 thru the external DC input.
Has anyone done that as an accessory product?

Chuck Hawley
 [hidden email]

 Amateur Radio, KE9UW
 aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles
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[Gwen Patton]

Whoops, I accidentally sent this to only one person (Sorry, Harry!), so
here's the resend to the list.

They aren't designed to go on the back of the radio like you suggested, but
Talentcell makes some great 12v battery packs. I have one that's 8300 mAh
at 12v. It has two coaxial DC sockets, one for 12v and another for 9v, and
a 5v USB jack. The 12v it supplies is at 6A max. I use that one with a Y
adapter to run both the KX3 and PX3, and it works great. I have a smaller
one that I got for the K2 that supplies 3A at 12v with 6000mAh endurance.
Both can charge from their supplied DC chargers while operating. The prices
for these devices are very reasonable, and they weigh very little. They
have an 11000mAh version that I didn't buy because I didn't want to spend
the $20 more it would have cost...and wish I'd splurged that extra $20 and
gotten the larger one just for the extra battery life.

These aren't simple power banks for charging your phone. These are designed
to supply power for larger devices, and with an adapter they can power CPAP
machines. They're extremely durable, and are NOT bare battery packs such as
you'd find for R/C applications. They're in rugged plastic cases, with
power switches and LED charge level indicators.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01337QXMA/  -- the 8300mAh model I got.
Works great.

73,
Gwen, NG3P


On Sat, Mar 16, 2019 at 6:51 PM hawley, charles j jr <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> I don't like to disassemble the KX3 to take out the batteries when not
> using or to do battery maintenance.
> I would rather have a slim case with the same rectangular outline as the
> KX3 that attaches to the rear panel and just plugs into the KX3 thru the
> external DC input.
> Has anyone done that as an accessory product?
>
> Chuck Hawley
>  [hidden email]
>
>  Amateur Radio, KE9UW
>  aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

--

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http://quarktime.net
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[Brian Hunt]

There are many LiPo battery packs available on Amazon for good prices. I bought a "12v"  6000mAh which is really 11.1v and has USB charging port. It came with charger and KX2 compatible cable. It will run the KX2 for several hours at 10w. It's about the size of a paperback book (if you remember those).

73,
Brian/ K0DTJ
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[Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS]

Hi,

I guess you do not need to removing cells even if you are planning to put it on the shelf
for 2-3 months when you have NiMH inside. There should not be the leakage
risk and when you will stock it charged it should not be an issue.
Also I do not removing the cells even although I am using the KX3 powered from
PSU, just charging is OFF and they can stay inside peacefully.
...just me experience.







-----
73 - Petr, OK1RP
"Apple & Elecraft freak"
B:http://ok1rp.blogspot.com
G+:http://goo.gl/w3u2s9
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[Ignacy]

NiMH batteries inside do not leak and they are useful if KX3 is used for
something quick, e.g., identification of RFI. They are also good for backup
if an external battery is depleted.

If someone is really smart, one can try to remove the inside battery holder
and substitute 3 Li-Ion flat polymer cells in place, like:
https://www.batteryspace.com/1-2cratepolymerli-ioncellspacks.aspx

They will need some external connection for charging.
I use to have such batteries inside K2. Light, fast-charging, and never a
sign of trouble.  

Ignacy, NO9E

 

 



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