Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
As I understand it, AGM batteries are designed for high current performance, ie good for engine starting, but for radio use I would have thought that gel batteries would be more suitable as they have a longer life, particularly in hot climates. I have no experience of either, just reading the specs. David G3UNA - Original Message - From: Jeff Cochrane jeffvk...@gmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2013 1:01 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power On Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:36:15 +1000, John's email k...@att.net wrote: I use 2 x 6V 300AH AGM batteries as the prime power source in my shack. I use a 15Amp smart charger to keep them topped up whilst mains power is available and a 200Watt solar panel is available for after cyclones (hurricanes) as we invariably lose power for a day or three after them. -- Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA East Innisfail QLD, Australia __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
I live in Florida and as a fishing guide, the 4 group 27 AGM batteries on my boat have performed perfectly now for over 4 years of almost daily use. I have almost every piece of marine electronics and radios running on the boat. Jack W4GRJ On Nov 30, 2013, at 3:17, David Cutter d.cut...@ntlworld.com wrote: As I understand it, AGM batteries are designed for high current performance, ie good for engine starting, but for radio use I would have thought that gel batteries would be more suitable as they have a longer life, particularly in hot climates. I have no experience of either, just reading the specs. David G3UNA - Original Message - From: Jeff Cochrane jeffvk...@gmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2013 1:01 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power On Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:36:15 +1000, John's email k...@att.net wrote: I use 2 x 6V 300AH AGM batteries as the prime power source in my shack. I use a 15Amp smart charger to keep them topped up whilst mains power is available and a 200Watt solar panel is available for after cyclones (hurricanes) as we invariably lose power for a day or three after them. -- Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA East Innisfail QLD, Australia __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
Hello Jack I can see your experience is good. I haven't so far uncovered what is meant by life for these batteries, perhaps it's when the energy being fed in is more than double what is taken out or something of the kind, or the time it takes to drain to a projected cut-off. I doubt that the internal resistance is measured. As an ex marine operator, standby (emergency) battery life was very important and they were replaced on a strict schedule, however good or bad they might be in use - a bit like alarm batteries and such like. I know amateur requirements are somewhat flexible shall we say : - ) David G3UNA I live in Florida and as a fishing guide, the 4 group 27 AGM batteries on my boat have performed perfectly now for over 4 years of almost daily use. I have almost every piece of marine electronics and radios running on the boat. Jack W4GRJ On Nov 30, 2013, at 3:17, David Cutter d.cut...@ntlworld.com wrote: As I understand it, AGM batteries are designed for high current performance, ie good for engine starting, but for radio use I would have thought that gel batteries would be more suitable as they have a longer life, particularly in hot climates. I have no experience of either, just reading the specs. David G3UNA On Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:36:15 +1000, John's email k...@att.net wrote: I use 2 x 6V 300AH AGM batteries as the prime power source in my shack. I use a 15Amp smart charger to keep them topped up whilst mains power is available and a 200Watt solar panel is available for after cyclones (hurricanes) as we invariably lose power for a day or three after them. -- Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
David, I believe the key to AGM longevity is to keep them on a proper charger 24/7. This is what I have done with excellent results. Jack W4GRJ On Nov 30, 2013, at 9:36, David Cutter d.cut...@ntlworld.com wrote: Hello Jack I can see your experience is good. I haven't so far uncovered what is meant by life for these batteries, perhaps it's when the energy being fed in is more than double what is taken out or something of the kind, or the time it takes to drain to a projected cut-off. I doubt that the internal resistance is measured. As an ex marine operator, standby (emergency) battery life was very important and they were replaced on a strict schedule, however good or bad they might be in use - a bit like alarm batteries and such like. I know amateur requirements are somewhat flexible shall we say : - ) David G3UNA I live in Florida and as a fishing guide, the 4 group 27 AGM batteries on my boat have performed perfectly now for over 4 years of almost daily use. I have almost every piece of marine electronics and radios running on the boat. Jack W4GRJ On Nov 30, 2013, at 3:17, David Cutter d.cut...@ntlworld.com wrote: As I understand it, AGM batteries are designed for high current performance, ie good for engine starting, but for radio use I would have thought that gel batteries would be more suitable as they have a longer life, particularly in hot climates. I have no experience of either, just reading the specs. David G3UNA On Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:36:15 +1000, John's email k...@att.net wrote: I use 2 x 6V 300AH AGM batteries as the prime power source in my shack. I use a 15Amp smart charger to keep them topped up whilst mains power is available and a 200Watt solar panel is available for after cyclones (hurricanes) as we invariably lose power for a day or three after them. -- Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
My 2.5 centavos worth - I've been running my station (couple years with an IC-756 Pro III, and three+ years a K3/100) on three Sun-Xtender PV-1040T AGM batteries connected in parallel. They are 104 AH each, so I've got about 300+ AH to run my equipment. These three batteries are connected to a ProStar 15M charge controller, which is also hooked to a single 72-watt G.E. solar panel. These three batteries have ample power to run my K3 at full power (along with a KAT500 auto tuner) for hours on end, along with a 12v station desk lamp. The batteries are at least 6-7 years old and appear to be holding their own. I have them connected to an N8XJK boost regulator, which provides me with a full-time supply of 14 volts into a RigRunner 4008 power distribution module. In addition to the K3, I have a home-brew 80 watt, all-mode, 2 meter linear amplifier running from the same supply to give my K3's 2 meter RF a little punch. My K3 has never been connected to the power company mains - 100% solar / battery. Now , my KPA500 amplifier - that's a different story! Jim / W6JHB On Saturday, Nov 30, 2013, at Saturday, 8:29 AM, W4GRJ wrote: David, I believe the key to AGM longevity is to keep them on a proper charger 24/7. This is what I have done with excellent results. Jack W4GRJ On Nov 30, 2013, at 9:36, David Cutter d.cut...@ntlworld.com wrote: Hello Jack I can see your experience is good. I haven't so far uncovered what is meant by life for these batteries, perhaps it's when the energy being fed in is more than double what is taken out or something of the kind, or the time it takes to drain to a projected cut-off. I doubt that the internal resistance is measured. As an ex marine operator, standby (emergency) battery life was very important and they were replaced on a strict schedule, however good or bad they might be in use - a bit like alarm batteries and such like. I know amateur requirements are somewhat flexible shall we say : - ) David G3UNA I live in Florida and as a fishing guide, the 4 group 27 AGM batteries on my boat have performed perfectly now for over 4 years of almost daily use. I have almost every piece of marine electronics and radios running on the boat. Jack W4GRJ On Nov 30, 2013, at 3:17, David Cutter d.cut...@ntlworld.com wrote: As I understand it, AGM batteries are designed for high current performance, ie good for engine starting, but for radio use I would have thought that gel batteries would be more suitable as they have a longer life, particularly in hot climates. I have no experience of either, just reading the specs. David G3UNA On Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:36:15 +1000, John's email k...@att.net wrote: I use 2 x 6V 300AH AGM batteries as the prime power source in my shack. I use a 15Amp smart charger to keep them topped up whilst mains power is available and a 200Watt solar panel is available for after cyclones (hurricanes) as we invariably lose power for a day or three after them. -- Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
On Sat, 30 Nov 2013 04:12:54 -0500, W4GRJ wrote: I live in Florida and as a fishing guide, the 4 group 27 AGM batteries on my boat have performed perfectly now for over 4 years of almost daily use. I have almost every piece of marine electronics and radios running on the boat. Which has nothing to do with this application. A boat is like a car. In the shack and with solar power, they charge and never have a large current discharge put on them like a starter motor. Gary -- http://ag0n.net 3055: http://ag0n.net/irlp/3055 NodeOp Help Page: http://ag0n.net/irlp __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
Garyyou are incorrect, because you have no idea what the duty cycle is on my boat. Between the 1000 watt sonar, Radar, Multi Function Display's, vhf and hf radios, my AGM's are tested a lot more than the usual amateur station. As an electrical engineer, I have a pretty good idea of the various applications using batteries as E/I source and the associated mathematics. Jack W4GRJ On Nov 30, 2013, at 12:49, AG0N-3055 mcduf...@ag0n.net wrote: On Sat, 30 Nov 2013 04:12:54 -0500, W4GRJ wrote: I live in Florida and as a fishing guide, the 4 group 27 AGM batteries on my boat have performed perfectly now for over 4 years of almost daily use. I have almost every piece of marine electronics and radios running on the boat. Which has nothing to do with this application. A boat is like a car. In the shack and with solar power, they charge and never have a large current discharge put on them like a starter motor. Gary -- http://ag0n.net 3055: http://ag0n.net/irlp/3055 NodeOp Help Page: http://ag0n.net/irlp __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
I'm very interested in your complete setup on the boat. I'm Not an engineer nor a whiz in the math department but do use some of the items discussed and always looking for ways to improve my merger station. Thanks for your input on this topic. 73, Fred/N0AZZ K3 Ser # 6730--KX3 # 5210--K2/100 # 6470-KAT100 P3/SVGA--KAT500--W2 Amps Elecraft KPA500 HF/6m--Alpha's 9500 HF--87A HF--Mirage B-5030-G 300+w--(2) B-5016-G's 165w 2m -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of W4GRJ Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2013 2:08 PM To: mcduf...@garymcduffie.com Cc: elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power Garyyou are incorrect, because you have no idea what the duty cycle is on my boat. Between the 1000 watt sonar, Radar, Multi Function Display's, vhf and hf radios, my AGM's are tested a lot more than the usual amateur station. As an electrical engineer, I have a pretty good idea of the various applications using batteries as E/I source and the associated mathematics. Jack W4GRJ On Nov 30, 2013, at 12:49, AG0N-3055 mcduf...@ag0n.net wrote: On Sat, 30 Nov 2013 04:12:54 -0500, W4GRJ wrote: I live in Florida and as a fishing guide, the 4 group 27 AGM batteries on my boat have performed perfectly now for over 4 years of almost daily use. I have almost every piece of marine electronics and radios running on the boat. Which has nothing to do with this application. A boat is like a car. In the shack and with solar power, they charge and never have a large current discharge put on them like a starter motor. Gary -- http://ag0n.net 3055: http://ag0n.net/irlp/3055 NodeOp Help Page: http://ag0n.net/irlp __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3426 / Virus Database: 3629/6877 - Release Date: 11/29/13 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
On 11/30/2013 9:49 AM, AG0N-3055 wrote: A boat is like a car. Depends a lot on the boat. Check out KC2IOV/MM. Four solar panels (high, angled at the stern) keep her batteries charged enough to run a 100W ICOM marine radio and all the lighting and instruments on her 38-foot sail boat. She just finished a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the earth, entirely on sail power alone. I worked her several times on 40M SSB from the South Indian Ocean. 73, Jim K9YC. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
On Sat, 30 Nov 2013 15:08:27 -0500, W4GRJ wrote: Garyyou are incorrect, because you have no idea what the duty cycle is on my boat. You're right. I have no idea what you do or how you do it with your boat. I was under the (apparently mistaken) assumption that we were talking about running a ham station at home. This assumption includes constant charging with no heavy discharge cycles (assuming a transceiver as the load). Anyway, I bow to higher knowledge. Gary __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
Rather than lithium ion I'd use AGM batteries. I had four of them in my motor home for about 8 years when I was on the road fulltime. They cost about twice as much as a flooded lead acid but are safe enough to ship by air etc. they last a long time, and are perfect for a green solution. I charged mine with 350 watts do solar panels on my RV and could boondocked for several weeks without running my Genset. AGMs make a great addition to a shack. They can live inside your house without worry and you have none of the problems associated with lithium ion. My k3 ran just fine off of my solar panels, AGMs and inverter when I was on the road. John KE4D Sent from my iPad __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Batteries and solar power
On Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:36:15 +1000, John's email k...@att.net wrote: I use 2 x 6V 300AH AGM batteries as the prime power source in my shack. I use a 15Amp smart charger to keep them topped up whilst mains power is available and a 200Watt solar panel is available for after cyclones (hurricanes) as we invariably lose power for a day or three after them. -- Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA East Innisfail QLD, Australia __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
