re:Questions on battery, pots, chargers, and paddles

[ne1rd]

Colleagues,

I got some great advice from the list from my four questions
posted a couple of days ago...

I had asked what to do about the dead potentiometer and the
response was: MAIL ELECRAFT! I did. They responded immediately
that they would send me a replacement pot immediately at no
charge. These folks are GREAT!

For the rest, here goes. Thank you again everybody for the
great ideas, advice, and guidance. It is very much
appreciated. (If I missed anybody, please accept my apology!)

Don W3FPR: Thank you very much for the helpful advice
this time (and last time). I've indeed visited your
web site. Very nice. I need to think about this a bit
more. (I also need to follow up on the last thing you
helped me with: the 12uH inductor.)

=-=-=

Lonnie NY2LJ: You had observed that the battery is
pretty snug in there with the bracket. I must agree.
I just got it installed last night. Thanks for the
encouragement. I will be shipping it with the battery
mounted inside. (I'll also turn it OFF as you suggest!)
Other folks commented how well the Pelican case works
so I've got few worries about it now.

=-=-=

WA5ZNU Leigh: Your idea of a DPDT switch is a great one!
I'll likely follow up with you upon my return from KH6.
Ken (N4SO) had another interesting idea (below).

=-=-=

Ken N4SO: Thanks for the notes on the charger. I've not
decided what to do for this problem long-term. I think,
at least for now, I'll wait and solve the problem after
returning from KH6. This does look interesting, though:

"The PCR12-500A is a self contained charger designed to auto-
matically maintain a 12 volt Sealed Lead Acid battery having
a maximum bulk charge of 500 mA or greater. The Power Sonic
PS-1229A is an example of the type of battery this charger
is designed to work with."
Ref:   Bob Lewis, AA4PB, An Automatic Sealed Lead-Acid Battery
Charger, QST May 2001, p. 43-47.

"The advantage of the PCR12-500A over most other automatic chargers
is that it can reliably work under varying load conditions and
can therefore be left connected to the battery at all times.

=-=-=

Michael  VE3WMB: Thanks for the advice on the paddles and for the note
on
the Pelican case. It is going to be fun filling it! I still might get
the
paddles but use them at home. I'll check the budget this evening. :-)

-- Scott (NE1RD)... K2 #4649

B. Scott Andersen    | "Magic is real, unless declared integer."
[hidden email]   | -- The collected sayings of Wiz Zumwalt
Acton, Massachusetts | Ham: NE1RD, QRP ARCI#11588, FP#-910

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Stuart Rohre]

Scott, never ship electronics with a battery installed unless you disconnect
one lead from the battery so that there is not way it can energize in
shipment.  DO NOT RELY
ON ANY!! SWITCH!  We have shipped equipment all over the world and seen it
accidentally turn itself on through vibration or switches that short, or
take a blow and get broken.  You can never predict what a unit may endure in
shipping.

It only takes a moment to remove the covers of the K2 and reconnect a
battery lead.
Safety first!
-Stuart
K5KVH


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[ne1rd]

Stuart:

You are absolutely right. I've already had one "interesting"
battery incident (not with the K2 or the K2 battery) and
that was more than enough for one lifetime!

Thanks for the note. I'll get that battery disconnected
and the terminals insulated before the trip.

-- Scott (NE1RD)

On Jan 14, 2005, at 2:57 PM, Stuart Rohre wrote:

> Scott, never ship electronics with a battery installed unless you
> disconnect
> one lead from the battery so that there is not way it can energize in
> shipment.  DO NOT RELY
> ON ANY!! SWITCH!  We have shipped equipment all over the world and
> seen it
> accidentally turn itself on through vibration or switches that short,
> or
> take a blow and get broken.  You can never predict what a unit may
> endure in
> shipping.
>
> It only takes a moment to remove the covers of the K2 and reconnect a
> battery lead.
> Safety first!
> -Stuart
> K5KVH

B. Scott Andersen    | "Magic is real, unless declared integer."
[hidden email]   | -- The collected sayings of Wiz Zumwalt
Acton, Massachusetts | Ham: NE1RD, QRP ARCI#11588, FP#-910

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com