Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Solar backpacking power advice
I did some research and calculations on this subject for an trip last summer. If I remember correctly I found that an adequate solar panel weighs about the same as an weeks worth of lifepo4. So I just brought an bigger battery. And I'm glad I did as there where no sun the entire week. La4tta Erlend 3. mai 2016 00:38 skrev "H Doug Plunkett": > Lynn, > > I haven't tried it with my KX3 but I'm an avid Appalachian Trail hiker and > have run into several hikers with solar panels on top of their backpacks > charging iPhones and weather radios as they hike. Not sure if the output is > sufficient for us hams but it's probably getting there. > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On May 2, 2016, at 2:15 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT > wrote: > > > > It's been a while since I've been backpacking, but this got me to > thinking > > > > If you're actively hiking, you can't really hang a panel on your pack > and plan on it being pointed at the sun. That means either staying put to > charge batteries, or bigger panels for faster charging, or bigger batteries > for the days you can't effectively charge, or something like that. > > > > Is solar charging in this case even practical? The bigger the panel, > the heavier the load. > > > > A quick and dirty, conservative calculation suggests that the lithiums > would be good for a couple of days of "a few hours" at 5 watts. Probably > twice that at "an hour or so." > > > > 73 -- Lynn > > > >> On 5/2/2016 9:02 AM, Walter Underwood wrote: > >> If you don’t mind non-rechargeable batteries, AA lithium primary cells > are the lightest option. They are about 0.5 ounce each, so a 3000 mAh set > weighs 4 ounces. Carrying a spare set of those will be lighter than a solar > panel. They are also 1.5 V, so you get 36 Wh from a set instead of 25 Wh > from a set of 2500 mAh NiMh cell. > >> > >> On May 2, 2016, at 7:53 AM, Joe Moffatt wrote: > >> > >> Anyhow, I am trying to figure out what to use for portable solar > rechargeable power while backpacking in the mountains. My typical trip > will be 2-3 days, a few hours a day operating primarily CW. 5 watts is > fine for CW > >> > > > > __ > > 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 > > Message delivered to hdplunk...@comcast.net > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to egrims...@gmail.com __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Solar backpacking power advice
Lynn, I haven't tried it with my KX3 but I'm an avid Appalachian Trail hiker and have run into several hikers with solar panels on top of their backpacks charging iPhones and weather radios as they hike. Not sure if the output is sufficient for us hams but it's probably getting there. Sent from my iPhone > On May 2, 2016, at 2:15 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT >wrote: > > It's been a while since I've been backpacking, but this got me to thinking > > If you're actively hiking, you can't really hang a panel on your pack and > plan on it being pointed at the sun. That means either staying put to charge > batteries, or bigger panels for faster charging, or bigger batteries for the > days you can't effectively charge, or something like that. > > Is solar charging in this case even practical? The bigger the panel, the > heavier the load. > > A quick and dirty, conservative calculation suggests that the lithiums would > be good for a couple of days of "a few hours" at 5 watts. Probably twice > that at "an hour or so." > > 73 -- Lynn > >> On 5/2/2016 9:02 AM, Walter Underwood wrote: >> If you don’t mind non-rechargeable batteries, AA lithium primary cells are >> the lightest option. They are about 0.5 ounce each, so a 3000 mAh set weighs >> 4 ounces. Carrying a spare set of those will be lighter than a solar panel. >> They are also 1.5 V, so you get 36 Wh from a set instead of 25 Wh from a set >> of 2500 mAh NiMh cell. >> >> On May 2, 2016, at 7:53 AM, Joe Moffatt wrote: >> >> Anyhow, I am trying to figure out what to use for portable solar >> rechargeable power while backpacking in the mountains. My typical trip >> will be 2-3 days, a few hours a day operating primarily CW. 5 watts is >> fine for CW >> > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to hdplunk...@comcast.net __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Solar backpacking power advice
It's been a while since I've been backpacking, but this got me to thinking If you're actively hiking, you can't really hang a panel on your pack and plan on it being pointed at the sun. That means either staying put to charge batteries, or bigger panels for faster charging, or bigger batteries for the days you can't effectively charge, or something like that. Is solar charging in this case even practical? The bigger the panel, the heavier the load. A quick and dirty, conservative calculation suggests that the lithiums would be good for a couple of days of "a few hours" at 5 watts. Probably twice that at "an hour or so." 73 -- Lynn On 5/2/2016 9:02 AM, Walter Underwood wrote: If you don’t mind non-rechargeable batteries, AA lithium primary cells are the lightest option. They are about 0.5 ounce each, so a 3000 mAh set weighs 4 ounces. Carrying a spare set of those will be lighter than a solar panel. They are also 1.5 V, so you get 36 Wh from a set instead of 25 Wh from a set of 2500 mAh NiMh cell. On May 2, 2016, at 7:53 AM, Joe Moffattwrote: Anyhow, I am trying to figure out what to use for portable solar rechargeable power while backpacking in the mountains. My typical trip will be 2-3 days, a few hours a day operating primarily CW. 5 watts is fine for CW __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Solar backpacking power advice
I've done this. For a 2 - 3 day trip, you'll be fine with some of the batteries that K9YC mentioned. Bioenno is/was giving a discount to the active SOTA group. In the past, on short trips I've found that if you're not going to stay put in one area, then you wont need solar at all. The LiFePO4's will be plenty. Until I started using the LiFePO4's, I used an Energizer XP8000, roll up thin film panels (2 @10Watts), and the solar charger that the Buddipole guys sell. It's what I had from days of playing out in the hills. The Energizer is slick in that it will take 19V from the panels and charge, while also providing several outputs for laptop, cell phones, radios, etc. Kinda pricey though. I stay with the 12.6V LiFePO4's. When not playing radio, can be used for other camp chores/duties like LED lighting, cell phone, camera, etc etc Have fun. 73, Todd KH2TJ Joe Moffatt wrote: Anyhow, I am trying to figure out what to use for portable solar rechargeable power while backpacking in the mountains. My typical trip will be 2-3 days, a few hours a day operating primarily CW. 5 watts is fine for CW __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Solar backpacking power advice
Probably the weight is a concern. You may use a foldable panel (e.g., 5W) and either charge internal rechargables or external Lithium.I was frustrated with foldable panels because of low output under less than perfect sun and poor reliability. The other option is to take enough Li-Ion batteries. I prefer Li-ion instead of LiFe-PO3 because of lower weight. A 11.1V (12.6V peak) 5A battery weights 300g (10oz) and should last a few days. Note that KX3 uses almost half current at 5W if supplied with > 11V. Ignacy, NO9E -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-Solar-backpacking-power-advice-tp7617037p7617044.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Solar backpacking power advice
Joe, I'm not sure how exact you need info to be, but there's been a lot of it here, some of it from me. I and others have recommended LiFePO4 batteries from Bioenno Power for this application. They had a booth at the Visalia hamfest last month. https://www.bioennopower.com/collections/12v-series-lifepo4-batteries This company is also a known good source. http://www.batteryspace.com/128vlifepo4batterypacks.aspx Both are small companies located in California, both are easy to talk to via email and land line, both are good to deal with. Both sell battery packs assembled from a Chinese factory with whom they have a direct relationship, in many sizes and shapes to fit all sorts of replacement applications. I bought a 20Ah battery and charger from Bioenno Power. 73, Jim K9YC On Mon,5/2/2016 7:53 AM, Joe Moffatt wrote: Hey guys... I tried to search through the list to find what I wanted, but I can't find exactly the info I think I need. Anyhow, I am trying to figure out what to use for portable solar rechargeable power while backpacking in the mountains. My typical trip will be 2-3 days, a few hours a day operating primarily CW. 5 watts is fine for CW Anyhow, I am curious for recommendations. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Solar backpacking power advice
If you don’t mind non-rechargeable batteries, AA lithium primary cells are the lightest option. They are about 0.5 ounce each, so a 3000 mAh set weighs 4 ounces. Carrying a spare set of those will be lighter than a solar panel. They are also 1.5 V, so you get 36 Wh from a set instead of 25 Wh from a set of 2500 mAh NiMh cell. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 2, 2016, at 7:53 AM, Joe Moffattwrote: > > Hey guys... > > I tried to search through the list to find what I wanted, but I can't find > exactly the info I think I need. > > Anyhow, I am trying to figure out what to use for portable solar rechargeable > power while backpacking in the mountains. My typical trip will be 2-3 days, > a few hours a day operating primarily CW. 5 watts is fine for CW > > Anyhow, I am curious for recommendations. > > Thanks, > > Joe > AB5OR > Tupelo, MS > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 Solar backpacking power advice
Hey guys... I tried to search through the list to find what I wanted, but I can't find exactly the info I think I need. Anyhow, I am trying to figure out what to use for portable solar rechargeable power while backpacking in the mountains. My typical trip will be 2-3 days, a few hours a day operating primarily CW. 5 watts is fine for CW Anyhow, I am curious for recommendations. Thanks, Joe AB5OR Tupelo, MS __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com