I have my station computers, Maestro plus everything associated with it power backed up with a nice rack mount APC UPS.
I would also like to have the Flex 6K box on one of the backup devices I see listed in the ham radio on-line companies. There are a few, won't mention brands as they seem similar.
My goal is only have the 6K box power hold up long enough (10 seconds) until my whole house generator transfers so I am thinking the batteries would not necessarily need to be very large.
I was thinking a pair of common lead acid 7 AHr batteries in parallel like you find in the majority of UPS's would be adequate for 10 seconds.
My next question is about the "charge" function of these boxes on the market. Do they just float the batteries or is it possible they could overcharge the batteries and possibly cause harm (split the battery case or even explosion)? I will place the batteries in a protective battery box of course.
I would prefer to hear from those that are currently implementing a similar backup.
Is there anything I am missing? I want to do this right the first time.
Thanks
Clay N9IO
- 542 Posts
- 125 Reply Likes
Posted 3 years ago
- 9 Posts
- 1 Reply Like
If you get any input off line, please share. I am interested in doing something very similr to what you want to do.
Thanks and 73... Bill K3WA
- 107 Posts
- 30 Reply Likes
I ended up going the MARINE POWER route and ordering this unit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NZCRFRQ/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It is 3,000 watts, and you hook up as many batteries as you want to it. I have two car batteries. It runs the radio, computer, network equipment, GARAGE DOORS, and a few other things. It FLOATS the batteries, and even has the smarts to CYCLE the batteries every two weeks, to keep the batteries healthy. It also has an output that will start up a generator (if I had one.)
I've tested it by shutting off the mains, and letting everything run on battery power. The power stays steady at 120V under full load for six hours. During that time, I've used the garage doors several times.
The unit runs cool, and steady. When I shut off the mains, it kicks over fast enough that nothing reboots. Everything just keeps purring along happily.
I couldn't be happier with the setup!
Jim
K0UNX
Littleton, Colorado
- 538 Posts
- 56 Reply Likes
Add battery... done
Depending on battery size you may be able to run off battery for hours.. my batteries, twin 100 amp/hr plus a solar charge controller and a 100 watt panel on the roof... no power necessary
David
- 542 Posts
- 125 Reply Likes
I am inclined to make this my choice or perhaps the Astron version only because I prefer direct terminal connections as opposed to Power Poles.
Either case I cannot find a schematic on any of these units.
I would like to know if there might possibly be a way to OPEN the trickcle charge circuit and possibly place a switch in line to enable or disable the charge function?
This way I don't have to worry about over charging at all.
I have the advantage of my whole house generator with auto transfer and
only want the backup to hold the Flex unit up for 10 seconds.
Clay N9IO
- 538 Posts
- 56 Reply Likes
"The charging circuit has four selectable charging current settings, 1A, 4A, 7A, and 10A, to be chosen appropriately for the battery’s rating."
Nothing about shutting it off completely
http://www.westmountainradio.com/pdf/PG40Smanual.pdf
George Molnar, KF2T, Elmer
- 1612 Posts
- 570 Reply Likes
- 542 Posts
- 125 Reply Likes
Do you know if there might possibly be a way to OPEN the trickcle charge circuit and possibly place a switch in line to enable or disable the charge function?
- 824 Posts
- 196 Reply Likes
For about 9 years, my TS480 on my remote base had a 12V tractor battery on the 12v line from the Astron power supply. That is all you need, just like David says.
I just topped up the water in the battery as required.
Some times the easiest solution is the best and often the cheapest.
Mike va3mw
- 107 Posts
- 30 Reply Likes
- 5 Posts
- 0 Reply Likes
Nevertheless, flooded, gel, and AGM batteries do require ample ventilation and flooded cell technology needs more than the other two. They're popular with solar systems, but really need to be installed away from living spaces and vented directly to the outside. I use AGM batteries in a ventilated cabinet, but even they have proven to vent unpleasant gases when a cell has shorted or otherwise failed.
- 538 Posts
- 56 Reply Likes
Per west mountain radio's manual on the super power gate..
"The charging circuit has four selectable charging current settings, 1A, 4A, 7A, and 10A, to be chosen appropriately for the battery’s rating."
Thanks
- 5 Posts
- 0 Reply Likes
Chuck AI4WU
- 5 Posts
- 0 Reply Likes
In my go kit I use the PwrGate and 5 GelCells (12V 7AH). This setup ran my FT-897D on battery for 24 hours providing talk-in at our last Field Day.
Two caveats apply here:
1. You need to raise the voltage from the power supply to a little over 14 volts to fully charge the batteries via the PwrGate. This is explained in their documentation.
2. The PwrGate is a diode based switchover, so when running on batteries you have a Schottky diode voltage drop from the batteries to the radio. This will cause many microprocessor based radios to shut down slightly before the batteries are fully exhausted. Not an issue in most cases because its easier on the batteries anyway, but if you need them for emergency use, you may want every drop of energy.
If you're looking for plug-n-play, that is the best solution in my opinion.
In my shack, I use a home-brewed switch using an Arduino controller and Mosfet switches. This avoids the diode drop and the Arduino program shuts down the batteries at a predetermined voltage to avoid deep discharge.
73
Chuck AI4WU
- 223 Posts
- 84 Reply Likes
Greg - N8GD
- 107 Posts
- 30 Reply Likes
- 6 Posts
- 0 Reply Likes
I have a car battery installed in parallel with my power supply. I have been doing this tor 15 to 20 years. Of course, I have the power supply voltage turned to 12.8 volts or so, so it does not overcharge the battery. I check the water level 3 to 4 times a year and change out the battery every 4 or 5 years.
No need for a switching device, it all works automatically. Also adds more short term current capacity to my power supply.
Powers all my radios for hours if not days.
D Allday, KD6LAY
- 538 Posts
- 56 Reply Likes
http://www.vmaxtanks.com/
I run twin 100 amp/h batteries, they are also charged by a 100 watt solar panel and solar charge controller.. I don't need power and can operate indefinitely.. We use this setup every year for field day.
David
- 339 Posts
- 68 Reply Likes
( http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/datasheets/31AGM_Trojan_Data_Sheets.pdf)
and a 30 Amp linear power supply to drive it. Part of Howard's (KY6LA) how to create a quite station.
This is all connected to a West Mountain Radio RIGrunner 4007U. The power supply is connected to an APC 1500 UPS just to be on the extra safe side. All DC connections are power pole.
Related Categories
-
FLEX-6700 Signature Series SDR
- 2846 Conversations
- 590 Followers
-
FLEX-6500 Signature Series SDR
- 3382 Conversations
- 872 Followers
-
FLEX-6300 Signature Series SDR
- 2774 Conversations
- 798 Followers
-
Third Party Applications and Products
- 860 Conversations
- 236 Followers
Clay N9IO