Category Archives: Alternative Power

Icom IC-7300 Power Consumption During POTA Activations

Posted on December 5, 2023 by robert

Over time, my POTA activation kit has grown smaller, due in no small part to a reduction in battery size.  I’ve transitioned from a 60AH, to 30AH, and finally a 15AH Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery.  Understanding the power requirements … Continue reading →

Posted in Activation, Alternative Power, Battery, LiFePO4, POTA | 3 Comments

Standby Power Draw for a few rigs

Posted on August 4, 2022 by robert

In testing the linear vs. switching power supply consumption I determined the following standby power draws: Astron RS-35M: 25 watts/hour; 600 watts a day Powerwerx SS-30DV: 5 watts/hour: 120 watts a day Kenwood TM-D710G: 15 watts/hour: 360 watts a day … Continue reading →

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A Ham has no end of things to do…

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Bob Beatty

With much of the world self-isolating during the COVID outbreak, some folks are understandably getting cabin fever.  My family and I try to reduce that as much as we can by getting outside in the fresh air on sunny days … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power, COVID-19, EU2000i | Leave a comment

Second Charge Doesn’t Fix Zippy – Capacity 77%/3.2 AH

Posted on August 28, 2014 by robert

A second charge cycle didn’t have much of an impact on the Zippy battery.  It showed a capacity of 76.7%, which is still considered failing (< 80% of rated capacity).  I carefully monitored the charge process, and couldn’t help but … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power | 4 Comments

Zippy Charge #1 After 18 Month Storage – 3 AH (73%)

Posted on August 27, 2014 by robert

After testing the remaining capacity following 18 months of storage, The Zippy battery was recharged, remained idle overnight, then retested under a 2.1 Amp load.  The capacity was up to 72.5% (3.0 AH), which is considered “failed” (less than 80% … Continue reading →

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Zippy Battery Capacity Test After Eighteen Months of Storage

Posted on August 26, 2014 by robert

I had an opportunity to let my 4.2 AH Zippy battery sit unused after I last charged it on February 26 of 2013 — that was eighteen months ago. I had noted in earlier testing that the Zippy self-discharge seemed to … Continue reading →

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Capacity Test Results for Bioenno 30AH 12V LiFePO4

Posted on May 5, 2014 by robert

I finally had a chance to run a test on my Bioenno Power FL4S10PHCC 30 AH, 12 V, LiFePO4 battery this weekend.  I would normally do my testing at a C/2 rate, or 15 Amps in this case, but that exceeds … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power | 15 Comments

Update on 3 Year Old LiFePO4 Battery

Posted on May 3, 2014 by robert

Executive summary – Even a properly maintained (periodically charged) LiFePO4 battery should be undergo a charge/discharge/charge cycle to maximize performance after long periods of idle time. I’ve had a few entries concerning my original LiFePO4 battery, a 9.6AH  K2-Energy pack … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power | 6 Comments

Update on 60AH LiFePO4 Battery

Posted on April 28, 2014 by robert

About a year ago, I assembled a 60 AH 12V LiFePO4 battery to run the GOTA station during field day.  The battery was stored fully charged after field day then recharged on December 14.  I just took it out of storage … Continue reading →

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Astron RS-35M “Phantom Power”

Posted on November 3, 2013 by robert

I had just uncovered (literally) my current adapter for my Fluke meter (a female to male cord with banana plugs in the hot lead), and decided to check to see how much power my Astron RS-35M linear power supply was … Continue reading →

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