Choosing a Battery for HAM Radio - TheSmokinApe

Choosing a Battery for HAM Radio - TheSmokinApe
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A quick video where we talk through the various options when deciding on a battery for HAM radio use.
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Thanks,
TheSmokinApe

[@b0neme]

"Texting"?

[@TheSmokinApe]

b0neme what exactly are you taking issue with? I haven’t committed the dialog of all my video to memory...

[@b0neme]

@@TheSmokinApe Hi, it was a fun, quick video. I just heard "texting" at kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJSZhHuaqbqniJI and figured you meant "transmitting"...but for all I know that's the way it's pronounced in certain parts of the country. 73!

[@TheSmokinApe]

b0neme lol, thanks for clarification 73 👍

[@0x07AF]

I love concise technical videos. This is a nice overview with good information. Great work and thanks!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@santhoshyoganand]

Very good info, cleary explained on different batteries, especially the deep cycle which I was looking for! Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@unclecow]

Finally able to watch this awesome info dude

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it UC 👍

[@DonzLockz]

Great info. I like to understand the technical side, not just being told to use one over another.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Don 👍

[@K5ATA]

Nice video... now I just need to go ahead and get my power box put together.

[@Ronbob59]

Great video. Answers all my questions about powering my new FT891. Thank you very much. New subscriber.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad it helped!

[@josempantaleon]

Very well done Ape, You did a nice job breaking down a potentially complex topic. 👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Jose, glad you liked it 👍

[@robertjohnson2586]

Great job on video! Thanks for sharing

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks! Glad you liked it 👍

[@Dap8998]

Yes this was a big help. Thank you 😃👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Dap, glad it was helpful 👍

[@robertjeffery3237]

Love this video. Thank you.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it!

[@sethjenna2561]

This is helpful, thanks!

[@TheSmokinApe]

👍

[@paulhastings3109]

Can not believe first time I have seen about batteries Neat tnxs

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it!

[@HamRadioDX]

Been looking at batteries for my portable operations - specifically LifePO4 batteries. I just purchased a 30A battery, amazing how light they are now compared to SLA... We don't have Bioenno here, or it would cost too much to get them. But after a lot of research finally got a battery suitable - Wallaby battery actually haha. Great video Ape, lots of good info in here

[@TheSmokinApe]

Lol at Wallaby! Thanks for watching Hayden 👍

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Good Info Ape !, I have 2 lithium power source boxes set up 9ah and 30ah they both do great and are pretty lite compared to the lead acid.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks man, lithium is the way to go 👍

[@andyM7XTT]

Great video ape thankyou 👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching Andy!

[@timntony]

Great Info!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad it was helpful Anthony!

[@davep6977]

I use a SLA for a different ham use, the winch for raising and lowering my towers. The winch motor draw is the same as a starter motor draw (CCA) Good presented and informative video 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked the video!

[@seanmangan2769]

Thank you so much! I'm going to get a battery for my new Icom ic-705...LiPo it is! 👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

Good choice!

[@brentjohnson6654]

Great video. I have watched before but am trying to evaluate my battery needs for my shack. Also I normally watch the ads on KZbin in the hopes you receive revenue. But KZbin gave a 1:30 ad as in 1hour, 30 minutes. Longer than your video. 🤦‍♀️ So I am looking into purchasing a power supply or building a solar generator for my ham shack. Also will plan on using the solar generator to power my CPAP as a backup for our country power. 73!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked the video 👍 and dang and and hour and half commercials. Good luck with the project 👍

[@lomgshorts3]

Plan on emergency service comms lasting a week. That is the usual time before FEMA and the power companies take to get to you to help out or get your power back on. I was involved in emergency communications with the Navy MARS and ARES or RACES through Amateur Radio. That made me learn the time you are usually without power after a Winter Storm, tornado, or Hurricane. Three days power are not enough to have dependable power for an actual emergency. Maybe buy one of the more inexpensive 2 Kw gas generators for additional power.

[@MIKEWA81]

Great Video...

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks!

[@alexalonso2093]

excellent reference video ..ty for us new to Ham radio...7 3

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@wild-radio7373]

*NICE* Thank you :) 🤜👍🤛♡♡♡

[@TheSmokinApe]

Aname Aname glad you liked it 👍

[@stridermt2k]

This is s a great explanation of battery tech. Waiting on a Lithium iron Phosphate battery for my luggable field kit as I type this. 73 de N2NLQ

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks man, glad you liked it! You got the 12A Bioenno right?

[@stridermt2k]

@@TheSmokinApe I sure did. The thing is great

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@stridermt2k Yeah, fantastic battery for sure.

[@Ron_C]

Nice work on this video! Sounds like you did a lot of homework! I use an Ultralife UBI-2590, seems to suit my needs. (especially when I borrow them from the office..lol)

[@TheSmokinApe]

While I don’t want to claim expert status by any means, I’ve been playing with batteries and power packs for a long time. Being able to get a loaner from work is awesome! The only loaner I get is a headache 😡

[@Ron_C]

@@TheSmokinApe hahaha! I get those too! I use this to power my mobile as well, when it goes dead, I swap it with a freshly charged one. Good batteries, pricey though.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, the good stuff always cost more... no matter what the product. I hate that part.

[@Ron_C]

@@TheSmokinApe I know, right? I could prolly hook you up with a battery, the charger...not so much. Then the shipping of hazmat....

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s how they get you. You buy a battery and the next thing you know it’s a 5 year payment plan.

[@honeybadger6127]

I have a radio which runs of 12VDC or 24VDC.. would I be better off running mine on a 24VDC battery (two 12V batteries in series)?

[@billryland6199]

I will be using 3 6 AH LiFePo4 in parallel for my new FT-891 when portable. This will be good for up to 50 watts.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Bill Ryland what batteries?

[@billryland6199]

@@TheSmokinApe "Miady" model LFP6AH from Amazon. $30 each. They have a limit of 6 amps continuous discharge.

[@Nnip9]

Thank you for the informative video. I've gotten conflicting information about low voltage damaging a ham radio including the ft-891. I saw your low-voltage numbers and it doesn't seem to hurt your equipment. Does the ft-891 have a low-voltage shut-off or warning? Can low-enough voltage damage a radio including the ft-891? Thank you. 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry man, I don't have the 891 but I am sure its in the manual. Tanks for watching N!

[@DutchmanRadio]

Man I paid line 100$ for a solar charger battery combo unit and it doesn’t put out enough amps for my radio to broadcast at full power. I suppose I have an accidental DX setup, but it wasn’t on purpose. Good video sir as always, 73!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Getting the power and battery stuff right is always a chore! Glad you like the video👍

[@johnlenfr]

I think you could add something about temperatures. Lithium can't be charged under 0°C.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That's a good callout, thanks John

[@Screamingtut]

What brand of LiFePO4 do you recommend eg Dakota, Bioenno Power, etc? N6KV

[@TheSmokinApe]

I have two Bioenno and they seem to be pretty solid. I’ve never tried a Dakota but I hear good things.

[@kennethh5657]

I have two 10ah Dakota batteries and they seem pretty solid. Just one thing to Remember. lithium batteries require a higher voltage charge then SLA. Usually 14.2 volts for a SLA replacement. Most car alternators charge around 13.8-14.2 so they will generally work for lithium batteries. Otherwise you need a charger capable of charging 14.2 volts.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice add! The Bioenno batteries can be bundled with an AC wall charger to get you started.

[@twohandsandaradio]

Two Bioenno's here and VERY happy.

[@waazzzz]

Lithium Iron Phosphate, LiFePO4 High Capacity Deep Cycle Battery, Or 12v 22Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate, LiFePO4 Battery Whats which one should I use for my ft991a Its a same price range

[@TheSmokinApe]

Kaan Ucele are they both 22Ah? They are both the same chemistry... what charger will you use?

[@ronrico2620]

Is it ok to charge the battery while operating a radio? I just got an icom 5100 and wanted to hook it up for testing at home. I have an old deep cycle that has seen better days so I'm sure the capacity has decreased. So basically I would be using the battery like a capacitor.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes, depending on the charge controller

[@ronrico2620]

@@TheSmokinAperegular battery charger? I have a smart one and an old dumb one

[@tribulationprepper787]

Is a 12 volt battery compatible with a portable SW radio such as my Tecsun PL-660 which normally uses a 5 volt power supply. OR... Can a 12 volt battery be configured to deliver 5 volts. Same questions for a 6 volt battery??? OR... Will my radio self adjust to accept these higher voltages? Right now, The radio uses four 1.5 volt AA cells. Thanks

[@TheSmokinApe]

You would need a voltage converter, if you have battery operated devices your better off looking at a rechargeable battery solution.

[@tribulationprepper787]

@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for the info on the voltage converter. I believe I found the right device on Amazon. www.amazon.com/Extractme-Converter-Regulator-Step-Down-Adapter/dp/B081NCXB2M/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=DC+12V+to+USB+5V+3A+Converter&qid=1606661571&sr=8-3 I am not sure of exactly what you meant by "rechargeable battery solution". If you are referring to something like an Anker Power Core 15600, I have one. It charges phone and drone batteries pretty well. Problem with it is that it shuts down when connected to my (battery-less) MLA-30 Active Loop Antenna. It seemed to me that using a "brainless" 12 volt battery could solve that problem along with providing a considerably longer run time than the Anker for both the PLL-660 and the MLA-30. Is my thinking tight? Thanks again

[@richard-fy2mu]

Calculated my AH for ft857d. However I use it qrp 25 watts max. would this translate from 24ah at full power less than half? Also rigs call foe 13.8 will 12 v cause more current drain? New to low power portable as new apartment forcing me into parks camping!

[@TheSmokinApe]

You need to factor rx and tx time. Also the battery type... 13.8 bs 12 won’t be too big if and issue on draw, your radio can operate at lower voltage than 13.8 👍

[@richard-fy2mu]

@@TheSmokinApe I did recalc get about 15ah at qrp. Looking at one but thought dropping to 12v a bad thing?

[@TheSmokinApe]

What battery are you looking at?

[@richard-fy2mu]

@@TheSmokinApe I calculated about 20AH safe. I am looking at local batteries for Gell Cell deep cycle near here. If you have a recommendation let me know. I am not even running full power or other devices only ft857d at 25/10/8. Manuel lists 2A rx and 22a tx at full power. Meter shows not above max of10a at 25 watts. Hope I did not flunk algebra using formulas and appreciate your kind help.

[@TheSmokinApe]

No particular recommendation, get the video was helpful 👍

[@jaysonscaccia3188]

So basically all these batteries will work right? It's about efficiency? I just spent some coin on radio and antenna want to go cheaper for portable at least for now. So make sure I get a deep cycle at least?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes, at least a deep cycle 👍

[@jaysonscaccia3188]

@@TheSmokinApe thanks man

[@craigszwed]

Do you know anyone who's done scientific comparison between the Talentcell and Bioenno 12V 12AH LiFePO4 batteries?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Craig Szwed I don’t, sorry bro 👍

[@tanmaysamajder3358]

Is it possible to start a CB radio with 12V AGM motorbike battery?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes

[@timbookedtwo2375]

I just found this video. Good job. On topic missing from your discussion is the amount of current that a battery can deliver. I run a pure solar/battery-powered shack. My main batttery at this time is a 12Ah LiFePO4 battery. I was wondering why I could never get my radio to transmit with 100w. The best I could get was 50 to 75 watts. At 100w output the radio (FT-891) wants to draw about 26amps. At first I thought, well, my battery has only 12amps, and so 20 amps was not possible. I wrote the battery manufacturer about this. He responded that the "C" value was only "1" and could not deliver the 26 amps my radio needed. Long story short, I am looking for a battery, or batteries, that can deliver the amps my radio needs. Do you have any suggestions? Especially what parameters/specs to look for. I live in Europe, so I don't expect a make/model recommendation. Thanks again for an otherwise comprehensive video. SV0SGS

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked the video, thanks for watching.

[@izzetmuroz]

​@@TheSmokinApe you haven't answered the question .😮

[@lomgshorts3]

"Texting" or transmitting?

[@TheSmokinApe]

TXing or transmitting

[@richarde735]

was that TX or T-Rex?

[@TheSmokinApe]

TX

[@Fox250R]

What about a battery for a ham radio in a car?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Like a second battery in the car's electrical system or a portable battery?

[@Fox250R]

@@TheSmokinApe neither just a battery for my truck to run a ham radio at the right voltage.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@Fox250R gotcha. Bioenno seems to be the choice for most hams but they are a little expensive. Two others that I have been using are Ampere Time and Redodo, I have some videos on them. Did you have an idea what side you are looking for? How many watts is your radio?

[@Fox250R]

@@TheSmokinApe thank you for the reply, around 200watts

[@jamesbondinspector]

Texting 🤣

[@TheSmokinApe]

Right 👍

[@indianna5649]

Waffle on too much. Just get to the point

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked the video 👍