With batteries, it is easy to let the perfect get in the way of the good (as
someone once said). With external LiFePO4 batteries, you can use a roll-up
solar panel with a Genasun (or other) solar charge controller (with proper
output for this chemistry) and use the KX3 at full power. They are bulky but
light. I use a LiFePO4 external pack and the internal NiMH as a backup for my
little expeditions, and forget about the charger.
The advantage of external packs is you can mix and match chargers depending on
whether you're in a hotel room, backpacking, or at a local park for the
afternoon.
Also, the LiFePO4 pack with solar panel and charge controller gets a lot of
attention during Field Day, and is a great conversation starter for people "too
cool" for radio ("haven't you heard of the internet?"). I'm sure the PX3 will
really wow them this year. :-)
73
Eric WD6DBM
Jim Wilkie <[email protected]> wrote:
>Andt, will wait for the experts to answer, but I think the nimh charger
>vs the lopo charger would be a problem.
>
>Jim Wilkie WY4R
>
>
>On 2/11/2015 2:18 PM, Henshaw, Andy wrote:
>> Has anyone looked into hacking a replacement battery case for the KX3 that
>> featured LiFePo4 cells? I've seen external LiFePo4 packs being used, but it
>> seems like an internal solution might be workable. With a 13.2V supply
>> (four cells in series), one can run the KX3 in full-power mode. In
>> addition, the discharge curve of LiFePo4 is much better than NiMH.
>>
>> I'm asking, because I'd like to take my KX3 on some backpacking trips and it
>> just seems wasteful (of space) and slightly awkward (for setup) to have to
>> carry an external battery pack in order to get full-power.
>>
>> It appears that AA size LiFePo4 cells are available. So, wouldn't it be
>> feasible to arrange them in a 4S2P configuration that could replace the
>> existing battery holder?
>>
>> Andrew Henshaw
>>
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