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Emergency power source
I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter
base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? |
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:09:13 -0500, "KC8WVG , Bill"
wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? Yes it will. It is a nice package for the battery, and has many other uses as well. If you do the math, you will get close to two days operation on a 5/5/90 duty cycle. However, you may wish to add something like an Anderson PowerPole connector, as the ciggy lighter outlet and plug may not be happy with the 10 Amp draw (rounding up a little for good luck). Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:09:13 -0500, "KC8WVG , Bill"
wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? Yes it will. It is a nice package for the battery, and has many other uses as well. If you do the math, you will get close to two days operation on a 5/5/90 duty cycle. However, you may wish to add something like an Anderson PowerPole connector, as the ciggy lighter outlet and plug may not be happy with the 10 Amp draw (rounding up a little for good luck). Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
KC8WVG , Bill wrote:
I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? This transceiver is being used for voice, right? Figure worst case you'll be transmitting 20 percent of the time at 45 Watts, receiving (with squelch open) 75 percent of the time, and in standby (with squelch closed) 5 percent. Standby current is 0.5 A; let's assume receive current as 1.2 A. At 45 Watts, your average transmit current will be 0.2*8, or 1.6 A. Your average receive current will be 1.2*.75, or 0.9 A. Your average standby current will be 0.5*0.05, or 0.025 A. Add them all up, and you get 2.525 Amps as an average. This is approximately 5.5 hours from your prototypical 17 AH "jump start battery", based on the most common rate for calculation AH capacity being one that discharges the battery over 20 hours and the fact that your average current draw is a little more than three times that rate. The figure of 5.5 hours does include a fudge factor as well. Best case (you're not NCS, just calling in and responding when NCS calls you), figure 10 percent transmit at 10 Watts, 10 percent receive, and 80 percent standby. Your average transmit current becomes 0.1*4, or 0.4. Your average receive current becomes 0.1*1.2, or 0.12. Your average standby current becomes 0.5*0.8, or 0.4. Average current is now 0.4 + 0.12 + 0.4, or 0.92 Amps. A straight-line approximation shows a discharge time of 18.48 hours under this load. You could reasonably expect 18 hours under this best-case scenario. disclaimer If this is a critical application you might want to consult with someone who does these calculations for profit. I just do them for fun. /disclaimer Bottom line is if you expect power to be out more than 5.5 hours and to impose heavy loads on your backup battery then you'll need either more battery or a photovoltaic system to help keep it topped up under load, while if you expect power to be out less than 18 hours and to impose only light loads on your backup battery then your 17 AH jump start battery should be adequate. HTH -- To design the perfect anti-Unix, write an operating system that thinks it knows what you're doing better than you do. And then adds injury to insult by getting it wrong. - esr |
KC8WVG , Bill wrote:
I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? This transceiver is being used for voice, right? Figure worst case you'll be transmitting 20 percent of the time at 45 Watts, receiving (with squelch open) 75 percent of the time, and in standby (with squelch closed) 5 percent. Standby current is 0.5 A; let's assume receive current as 1.2 A. At 45 Watts, your average transmit current will be 0.2*8, or 1.6 A. Your average receive current will be 1.2*.75, or 0.9 A. Your average standby current will be 0.5*0.05, or 0.025 A. Add them all up, and you get 2.525 Amps as an average. This is approximately 5.5 hours from your prototypical 17 AH "jump start battery", based on the most common rate for calculation AH capacity being one that discharges the battery over 20 hours and the fact that your average current draw is a little more than three times that rate. The figure of 5.5 hours does include a fudge factor as well. Best case (you're not NCS, just calling in and responding when NCS calls you), figure 10 percent transmit at 10 Watts, 10 percent receive, and 80 percent standby. Your average transmit current becomes 0.1*4, or 0.4. Your average receive current becomes 0.1*1.2, or 0.12. Your average standby current becomes 0.5*0.8, or 0.4. Average current is now 0.4 + 0.12 + 0.4, or 0.92 Amps. A straight-line approximation shows a discharge time of 18.48 hours under this load. You could reasonably expect 18 hours under this best-case scenario. disclaimer If this is a critical application you might want to consult with someone who does these calculations for profit. I just do them for fun. /disclaimer Bottom line is if you expect power to be out more than 5.5 hours and to impose heavy loads on your backup battery then you'll need either more battery or a photovoltaic system to help keep it topped up under load, while if you expect power to be out less than 18 hours and to impose only light loads on your backup battery then your 17 AH jump start battery should be adequate. HTH -- To design the perfect anti-Unix, write an operating system that thinks it knows what you're doing better than you do. And then adds injury to insult by getting it wrong. - esr |
KC8WVG , Bill wrote:
I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... If you don't already have a rig in the car, it's not too hard to set up so you can throw it in the car in such an emergency. A handheld can also serve the emergency needs...and can serve to satisfy your 2-meter Jones while walking or shopping or whatever else takes you away from the rig. The biggest problem with the portable battery station is that you don't use it...it goes flat...sulphates...and can't hold a charge when you need it. I charge mine on a regular schedule and it still goes flat... mike -- Return address is VALID. Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below. Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment Honda CB-125S $800 in PDX Yaesu FTV901R Transverter, 30pS pulser Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head... http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/ |
KC8WVG , Bill wrote:
I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... If you don't already have a rig in the car, it's not too hard to set up so you can throw it in the car in such an emergency. A handheld can also serve the emergency needs...and can serve to satisfy your 2-meter Jones while walking or shopping or whatever else takes you away from the rig. The biggest problem with the portable battery station is that you don't use it...it goes flat...sulphates...and can't hold a charge when you need it. I charge mine on a regular schedule and it still goes flat... mike -- Return address is VALID. Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below. Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment Honda CB-125S $800 in PDX Yaesu FTV901R Transverter, 30pS pulser Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head... http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/ |
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:11:22 -0800, mike wrote:
I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. As a member of the county emergency services, the problem starts when the power goes out. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. It is when the "same two guys" are the County Emergency Manager and the County Communications Officer that such a facility is necessary. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... I don't need a power outage for that.... ggg The biggest problem with the portable battery station is that you don't use it...it goes flat...sulphates...and can't hold a charge when you need it. I charge mine on a regular schedule and it still goes flat... My station power supply is a Size 31 100 AH Marine Deep Cycle Gel-Cell battery with continuous float charge (13.5 V) by dual AC supplies and suitable diode isolation. All equipment runs on 12V, and all wiring and distribution devices are UL and USCG marine approved. Gel-cells don't go flat when float-charged and the usual battery life is about 5 years. Steady-state (receive-only) draw is 5A (then again I have 3 transceivers, 6 receivers, and 4 TNCs on-line 24/7. Contrary to what an earlier poster said, such a setup will not power the station for the number of hours determined by the AH rating divided by the steady-state load (in my case 100/5 or 20 hours). After about 6 hours, the no-charge battery bus voltage will drop to about 11.3 volts at which point several 12 V devices fail to operate and go off-line. That's what standby generators are for. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon |
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:11:22 -0800, mike wrote:
I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. As a member of the county emergency services, the problem starts when the power goes out. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. It is when the "same two guys" are the County Emergency Manager and the County Communications Officer that such a facility is necessary. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... I don't need a power outage for that.... ggg The biggest problem with the portable battery station is that you don't use it...it goes flat...sulphates...and can't hold a charge when you need it. I charge mine on a regular schedule and it still goes flat... My station power supply is a Size 31 100 AH Marine Deep Cycle Gel-Cell battery with continuous float charge (13.5 V) by dual AC supplies and suitable diode isolation. All equipment runs on 12V, and all wiring and distribution devices are UL and USCG marine approved. Gel-cells don't go flat when float-charged and the usual battery life is about 5 years. Steady-state (receive-only) draw is 5A (then again I have 3 transceivers, 6 receivers, and 4 TNCs on-line 24/7. Contrary to what an earlier poster said, such a setup will not power the station for the number of hours determined by the AH rating divided by the steady-state load (in my case 100/5 or 20 hours). After about 6 hours, the no-charge battery bus voltage will drop to about 11.3 volts at which point several 12 V devices fail to operate and go off-line. That's what standby generators are for. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon |
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:11:22 -0800, mike wrote:
I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... The concern is not about talking with your buddies on 2M, but for those who are involved in various emergency communications functions, including their local Emergency Ops Center, their state's emergency operations, ARES, MARS, SATERN, Red Cross, etc. Many hams are involved with these efforts, and many times in natural (hurricanes) or not so natural (WTC) disasters have been the only reliable source of communications. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:11:22 -0800, mike wrote:
I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... The concern is not about talking with your buddies on 2M, but for those who are involved in various emergency communications functions, including their local Emergency Ops Center, their state's emergency operations, ARES, MARS, SATERN, Red Cross, etc. Many hams are involved with these efforts, and many times in natural (hurricanes) or not so natural (WTC) disasters have been the only reliable source of communications. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
Gary S. wrote:
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:11:22 -0800, mike wrote: I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... The concern is not about talking with your buddies on 2M, but for those who are involved in various emergency communications functions, including their local Emergency Ops Center, their state's emergency operations, ARES, MARS, SATERN, Red Cross, etc. Many hams are involved with these efforts, and many times in natural (hurricanes) or not so natural (WTC) disasters have been the only reliable source of communications. OK, I can see the need for a handheld or mobile to go rescue someone. Seems like there would be limited need for a fixed isolated station. You can have only so many coordinators...and they usually end up in the sheriff's office on a generator. And those people know about emergency power. I used to do communication for hurricaine shelters back in the '60s. Was mostly a waste of time. I don't remember anyone ever NEEDING communication to/from a fixed shelter. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom -- Return address is VALID. Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below. Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment Honda CB-125S $800 in PDX Yaesu FTV901R Transverter, 30pS pulser Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head... http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/ |
Gary S. wrote:
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:11:22 -0800, mike wrote: I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... The concern is not about talking with your buddies on 2M, but for those who are involved in various emergency communications functions, including their local Emergency Ops Center, their state's emergency operations, ARES, MARS, SATERN, Red Cross, etc. Many hams are involved with these efforts, and many times in natural (hurricanes) or not so natural (WTC) disasters have been the only reliable source of communications. OK, I can see the need for a handheld or mobile to go rescue someone. Seems like there would be limited need for a fixed isolated station. You can have only so many coordinators...and they usually end up in the sheriff's office on a generator. And those people know about emergency power. I used to do communication for hurricaine shelters back in the '60s. Was mostly a waste of time. I don't remember anyone ever NEEDING communication to/from a fixed shelter. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom -- Return address is VALID. Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below. Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment Honda CB-125S $800 in PDX Yaesu FTV901R Transverter, 30pS pulser Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head... http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/ |
mike wrote in message ...
KC8WVG , Bill wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... Like when a hurricane breezes through town and takes all the light poles with it. In many parts of town, the lights can be out for DAYS, not hours. I done seen it firsthand in 1983 with Alicia. Luckily, it wasn't ours though. :/ Ours stayed on. But the people across the street were on a different circuit, and their's was off for a long time. The guy I work with is two blocks away, and his lights were off for a week or two. If you don't already have a rig in the car, it's not too hard to set up so you can throw it in the car in such an emergency. I have that too. In Alicia, I actually rode out the hurricane sitting in the car, not in the house. It was fun watching all the power lines short together in the wind, and then in turn, blow up the transformers that fed them. They would glow a weird greenish color. The whole sky looked like that from them constantly blowing all over the area. A handheld can also serve the emergency needs...and can serve to satisfy your 2-meter Jones while walking or shopping or whatever else takes you away from the rig. I have that too. That way I'm covered when sitting on the pot... The biggest problem with the portable battery station is that you don't use it...it goes flat...sulphates...and can't hold a charge when you need it. I charge mine on a regular schedule and it still goes flat... I have battery power in the shack at all times. Have for nearly 15 years. I have a 706 that runs off battery power all the time. Except I use big batteries. At least a full size car battery, and preferably a deep cycle. 17 AH? That wouldn't last me doodley on the 20 amp max 706...I use 100 AH plus batteries. The charger is fully automatic, so thats not a concern. One plus to my bigger batteries is I also have an inverter. So I can run a light bulb, and a TV, whatever if I want to. I've had to do this quite a few times when the lights have gone out. Sometimes, it's taken a few hours to get them back on. If I eventually had to recharge a battery during a lights out, I can either swap with the car, or I can also just take it out and plug it into the car via the radio power cable. I use anderson power connectors on everything 12v. Any connector will plug into any other. It depends on the area, but having battery power is just plain good sense in Houston Texas. You'll eventually use it. As far as emergencies, I'm covered from just about every angle you can think of...We are due another big storm. Houston is so built up, a hurricane just rips it to shreds. If we ever get a storm that is 150 mph, Houston will be totaled. I'm talking big time. Alica just about ruinated it, and it was a wimpy 105 mph job...It did roll right down main street though...Made a heapum big mess. I look at old pix of the damage and it's amazing. Trees blown down right and left. Our whole street was covered in blown down trees and tree branches. MK |
mike wrote in message ...
KC8WVG , Bill wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? I'd be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on what constitutes a 2-meter emergency during a power outage. In winter, I'm most concerned about the gas heat not working and the pipes freezing. Conversely, in summer, I worry about the freezer thawing. Being able to talk to the same two guys I talk to every day on 2-meters is NOT a priority. A power outage is a great time for a nap...maybe even with the old lady... Like when a hurricane breezes through town and takes all the light poles with it. In many parts of town, the lights can be out for DAYS, not hours. I done seen it firsthand in 1983 with Alicia. Luckily, it wasn't ours though. :/ Ours stayed on. But the people across the street were on a different circuit, and their's was off for a long time. The guy I work with is two blocks away, and his lights were off for a week or two. If you don't already have a rig in the car, it's not too hard to set up so you can throw it in the car in such an emergency. I have that too. In Alicia, I actually rode out the hurricane sitting in the car, not in the house. It was fun watching all the power lines short together in the wind, and then in turn, blow up the transformers that fed them. They would glow a weird greenish color. The whole sky looked like that from them constantly blowing all over the area. A handheld can also serve the emergency needs...and can serve to satisfy your 2-meter Jones while walking or shopping or whatever else takes you away from the rig. I have that too. That way I'm covered when sitting on the pot... The biggest problem with the portable battery station is that you don't use it...it goes flat...sulphates...and can't hold a charge when you need it. I charge mine on a regular schedule and it still goes flat... I have battery power in the shack at all times. Have for nearly 15 years. I have a 706 that runs off battery power all the time. Except I use big batteries. At least a full size car battery, and preferably a deep cycle. 17 AH? That wouldn't last me doodley on the 20 amp max 706...I use 100 AH plus batteries. The charger is fully automatic, so thats not a concern. One plus to my bigger batteries is I also have an inverter. So I can run a light bulb, and a TV, whatever if I want to. I've had to do this quite a few times when the lights have gone out. Sometimes, it's taken a few hours to get them back on. If I eventually had to recharge a battery during a lights out, I can either swap with the car, or I can also just take it out and plug it into the car via the radio power cable. I use anderson power connectors on everything 12v. Any connector will plug into any other. It depends on the area, but having battery power is just plain good sense in Houston Texas. You'll eventually use it. As far as emergencies, I'm covered from just about every angle you can think of...We are due another big storm. Houston is so built up, a hurricane just rips it to shreds. If we ever get a storm that is 150 mph, Houston will be totaled. I'm talking big time. Alica just about ruinated it, and it was a wimpy 105 mph job...It did roll right down main street though...Made a heapum big mess. I look at old pix of the damage and it's amazing. Trees blown down right and left. Our whole street was covered in blown down trees and tree branches. MK |
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:09:13 -0500, "KC8WVG , Bill"
wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? Automotive starting batteries are designed to deliver one huge slug of electrons over a short period of time. They don't do so well at delivering a low amount of power over a long time. Me, I scrounge old SLA (Sealed Lead Acid)or gel-cel mat (forget the acronym) computer UPS batteries, recharge them and test them under heavy load. If the voltage drop is 5%, I keep them or pass them on to friends; otherwise, take them to a battery dealer for the $1 (or more) core charge I get back. I don't have an automated charging system, and instead use a trickle charger from Wal-Mart said to have some degree of intelligence. It cost me $18. I charge up the batteries, test them under load and without, and log the result. I also run each on rotation for the weekly ARES nets, so I can report "operating on emergency power', which gets me off the net quickest and also encourages other hams to be self-reliant. -- John Bartley K7AAY http://celdata.cjb.net This post quad-ROT-13 encrypted; reading it violates the DMCA. Nobody but a fool goes into a federal counterrorism operation without duct tape - Richard Preston, THE COBRA EVENT. |
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:09:13 -0500, "KC8WVG , Bill"
wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? Automotive starting batteries are designed to deliver one huge slug of electrons over a short period of time. They don't do so well at delivering a low amount of power over a long time. Me, I scrounge old SLA (Sealed Lead Acid)or gel-cel mat (forget the acronym) computer UPS batteries, recharge them and test them under heavy load. If the voltage drop is 5%, I keep them or pass them on to friends; otherwise, take them to a battery dealer for the $1 (or more) core charge I get back. I don't have an automated charging system, and instead use a trickle charger from Wal-Mart said to have some degree of intelligence. It cost me $18. I charge up the batteries, test them under load and without, and log the result. I also run each on rotation for the weekly ARES nets, so I can report "operating on emergency power', which gets me off the net quickest and also encourages other hams to be self-reliant. -- John Bartley K7AAY http://celdata.cjb.net This post quad-ROT-13 encrypted; reading it violates the DMCA. Nobody but a fool goes into a federal counterrorism operation without duct tape - Richard Preston, THE COBRA EVENT. |
It depends on the area, but having battery power is just plain good sense in Houston Texas. You'll eventually use it. As far as emergencies, I'm covered from just about every angle you can think of...We are due another big storm. Houston is so built up, a hurricane just rips it to shreds. If we ever get a storm that is 150 mph, Houston will be totaled. I'm talking big time. Alica just about ruinated it, and it was a wimpy 105 mph job...It did roll right down main street though...Made a heapum big mess. I look at old pix of the damage and it's amazing. Trees blown down right and left. Our whole street was covered in blown down trees and tree branches. MK What a bunch of wussies. You ain't lived till you've been thru a hurricaine in Port Arthur. Two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico and two feet below sea level. That big battery had better be in the attic...and in a box to protect it when the roof blows off. And still, I don't think I ever handled any IMPORTANT traffic. I'll waive the public service banner if it helps keep the spectrum, but I don't believe it. I'll wager that 90% of the people with battery backup are of no value in an emergency...not cause they're not motivated or stupid...it's that there's nothing for them to do as long as they're fixed in one spot. If you want to be helpful, put your rig in your vehicle...or your boat if you live near the coast. Or put your repeater up high and put a generator on it. mike -- Return address is VALID. Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below. Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment Honda CB-125S $800 in PDX Yaesu FTV901R Transverter, 30pS pulser Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head... http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/ |
It depends on the area, but having battery power is just plain good sense in Houston Texas. You'll eventually use it. As far as emergencies, I'm covered from just about every angle you can think of...We are due another big storm. Houston is so built up, a hurricane just rips it to shreds. If we ever get a storm that is 150 mph, Houston will be totaled. I'm talking big time. Alica just about ruinated it, and it was a wimpy 105 mph job...It did roll right down main street though...Made a heapum big mess. I look at old pix of the damage and it's amazing. Trees blown down right and left. Our whole street was covered in blown down trees and tree branches. MK What a bunch of wussies. You ain't lived till you've been thru a hurricaine in Port Arthur. Two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico and two feet below sea level. That big battery had better be in the attic...and in a box to protect it when the roof blows off. And still, I don't think I ever handled any IMPORTANT traffic. I'll waive the public service banner if it helps keep the spectrum, but I don't believe it. I'll wager that 90% of the people with battery backup are of no value in an emergency...not cause they're not motivated or stupid...it's that there's nothing for them to do as long as they're fixed in one spot. If you want to be helpful, put your rig in your vehicle...or your boat if you live near the coast. Or put your repeater up high and put a generator on it. mike -- Return address is VALID. Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below. Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment Honda CB-125S $800 in PDX Yaesu FTV901R Transverter, 30pS pulser Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head... http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/ |
Bill, if you are talking about the 12v booster packs, the ones that have a
pair of jumper cable ends plus at least one cig. lighter-type outlet, these contain gel cell batteries, and work very well as emergency power supplies for your 2m radio, particularly if you operate it at the low power setting. Two years ago, when an ice storm trashed the city's utility lines in a small city near me, a ham I know there operated his 2m/70cm radio from one of these every evening for over a week. Every couple of days he would take the pack with him to work and recharge it. Then it would be good for a couple more evenings of operation. Go for it! Mark wrote in message ... On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:09:13 -0500, "KC8WVG , Bill" wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? Automotive starting batteries are designed to deliver one huge slug of electrons over a short period of time. They don't do so well at delivering a low amount of power over a long time. Me, I scrounge old SLA (Sealed Lead Acid)or gel-cel mat (forget the acronym) computer UPS batteries, recharge them and test them under heavy load. If the voltage drop is 5%, I keep them or pass them on to friends; otherwise, take them to a battery dealer for the $1 (or more) core charge I get back. I don't have an automated charging system, and instead use a trickle charger from Wal-Mart said to have some degree of intelligence. It cost me $18. I charge up the batteries, test them under load and without, and log the result. I also run each on rotation for the weekly ARES nets, so I can report "operating on emergency power', which gets me off the net quickest and also encourages other hams to be self-reliant. -- John Bartley K7AAY http://celdata.cjb.net This post quad-ROT-13 encrypted; reading it violates the DMCA. Nobody but a fool goes into a federal counterrorism operation without duct tape - Richard Preston, THE COBRA EVENT. |
Bill, if you are talking about the 12v booster packs, the ones that have a
pair of jumper cable ends plus at least one cig. lighter-type outlet, these contain gel cell batteries, and work very well as emergency power supplies for your 2m radio, particularly if you operate it at the low power setting. Two years ago, when an ice storm trashed the city's utility lines in a small city near me, a ham I know there operated his 2m/70cm radio from one of these every evening for over a week. Every couple of days he would take the pack with him to work and recharge it. Then it would be good for a couple more evenings of operation. Go for it! Mark wrote in message ... On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:09:13 -0500, "KC8WVG , Bill" wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? Automotive starting batteries are designed to deliver one huge slug of electrons over a short period of time. They don't do so well at delivering a low amount of power over a long time. Me, I scrounge old SLA (Sealed Lead Acid)or gel-cel mat (forget the acronym) computer UPS batteries, recharge them and test them under heavy load. If the voltage drop is 5%, I keep them or pass them on to friends; otherwise, take them to a battery dealer for the $1 (or more) core charge I get back. I don't have an automated charging system, and instead use a trickle charger from Wal-Mart said to have some degree of intelligence. It cost me $18. I charge up the batteries, test them under load and without, and log the result. I also run each on rotation for the weekly ARES nets, so I can report "operating on emergency power', which gets me off the net quickest and also encourages other hams to be self-reliant. -- John Bartley K7AAY http://celdata.cjb.net This post quad-ROT-13 encrypted; reading it violates the DMCA. Nobody but a fool goes into a federal counterrorism operation without duct tape - Richard Preston, THE COBRA EVENT. |
Hi,
http://va-ares.org/ Virginia RACES has a wealth of information on their web site for operation during emergencies. Check the reference library section. Info also includes battery operations and EMCOM training information that you can download and learn all at no cost to you ! As for the other operator who claimed his emcom work at a shelter was a waste of time, well, that is a good thing because there were no emergencies at that location. If a person at the shelter require medical care, he could have passed this on to the net control or other station. I agree, most of us are not trained or need to update our skills. The above link has this information and it is good reading. In 1996 we had the bad storm hit us hard here in Raleigh NC and I admit I was not prepared. Had no idea that storm would hit us as we are three hours from the coast. Boy, was I wrong ! We had no power for 9 days and I live within the city ! Others out in the country had no power for weeks. Be safe and enjoy the information. carol "KC8WVG , Bill" wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? |
Hi,
http://va-ares.org/ Virginia RACES has a wealth of information on their web site for operation during emergencies. Check the reference library section. Info also includes battery operations and EMCOM training information that you can download and learn all at no cost to you ! As for the other operator who claimed his emcom work at a shelter was a waste of time, well, that is a good thing because there were no emergencies at that location. If a person at the shelter require medical care, he could have passed this on to the net control or other station. I agree, most of us are not trained or need to update our skills. The above link has this information and it is good reading. In 1996 we had the bad storm hit us hard here in Raleigh NC and I admit I was not prepared. Had no idea that storm would hit us as we are three hours from the coast. Boy, was I wrong ! We had no power for 9 days and I live within the city ! Others out in the country had no power for weeks. Be safe and enjoy the information. carol "KC8WVG , Bill" wrote: I'm trying to locate an emergemcy source of power to operate my 2meter base rig in the event of a power outage. My HTX-242 manual states the current drain of the transmitter as 8A @ 45W and 4A @ 10W. Would a 17aH jump start battery work? Or is there something better, yet not to costly? |
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