Windcamp 3000mAh LiPO Battery for Yaesu FT-817 FT-818

[@donbarker6783]

Windcamp Battery is a great upgrade for the 817/818. My setup is portable zero rails to protect the radio with a portable zero 4 amp hour battery in a portable zero battery carrier attached to the rails. With that setup it last a ridiculously long time. Great radio once you get use to the menu. A nifty 817/818 manual and a nifty band plan make portable use much easier. Thanks for the great video Mike, keep them coming.

[@EdwardGriffin]

I got my FT-817ND over five years ago and quickly adopted the use of an external 12v source with it in order to get full power and avoid the long recharge times associated with the stock battery. The conversion of the power connection to Anderson Powerpole made this even better. Thanks for your video and review of the Windcamp product.

[@hamradiotube]

See, I don't care about the Anderson conversion, yet I know what you're talking about. Why does my 818 not give me more than 4.8 watts no matter what power it is getting???

[@texasfrontiersman8245]

​@K8MRD max is 16 volts. Video says you are testing at 12.2 which is low and possible explanation for less than rated output.

[@RandomWire107]

@@hamradiotube have owned 4 of these series from the original 817 non ND to the most recent 818. None developed full power with the stock power cord. I replaced it with a shorter and heavier gage cord and get around 5-6 watts though I never noticed any difference on PSK reporter.

[@texasfrontiersman8245]

@@RandomWire107 That's why folks use the powerpole adaptor.

[@1903bretep]

A very clear and useful video many thanks for the upload.

[@geod3589]

I bought a FT-817ND 10 years ago and upgrading to this battery was one of the first things I did. I also used an external battery at times.

[@WR3ND]

I use Eneloop AAs. I prefer them over lithium cells, when able.

[@l.a.2646]

This rig is so much fun and versatile, adding one of these or even just a LIfePo4 battery makes it even better! I've owned 4 of them and thought I had outgrew it , and I would order a new one. I really, really wish Yaesu would build them again with a few upgrades. I'm not parting ways with my latest FT-818nd . Great grab and go radio! By the way running a LIfePo4 around 10 amp hr. And a 25 watt solar panel is pretty much unstoppable. But this Windcamp battery is excellent backup for the main battery, if the sun isn't cooperating.

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

I'm going to get several of these to have on hand for SOTA, but I just got an awesome deal on a couple of 13.8v 32AH medical grade LifePo4 batteries from The Battery Connection. I'm planning on using these for POTA and here at home for emergencies. I also bought a bunch of A123 LifePo4 batteries to build some smaller battery packs with BMS units to be able to charge from my portable solar panels with MPPT charge controllers. Also wanting to try some 18650 cells as well. I'm into building the batteries.

[@Screamingtut]

Mike, the FT-817nd & the FT-818nd can take up to 16 VDC, From the manual: Supply Voltage: 13.8 +/-15%, Neg Gnd. Operating Voltage: 8.0-16.0 VDC, Neg Grd. So, your power output will be around 5-6 Watts @ 13.8-16.0 VDC. try it Get a Buck converter up the external battery pack up to 15 VDC. I have.

[@noimnotarobotcanubeleiveit7024]

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@kn4zaa912]

Thanks for the video Mike. I think I'm sold, now if I can find a cw filter that doesn't cost a kidney.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah good luck with that lol!

[@theheathkitshop2424]

One item that needs to be mentioned is the fact there is NO BMS internal to the battery pack. I had one without the fancy red/green led and left the charger plugged in for a couple of days, and when I came back to the 817, the battery swelled so much it pushed the battery door off the back of the radio. Needless to say, the battery was roached. Second item.... again, this is a windcamp product I purchased years and years ago. If you let the battery pack run down too far, the supplied charger couldn't charge the battery. I found I had to 'jump the battery' with a power supply to get it high enough in voltage for the AC powered charger to take over. Like I said, that's been quite a while back.

[@kurtschulmeyer1041]

I'll have to get one for my 817,which I still use. Thanks.

[@ReedAB8AS]

Hey Mike, Thanks for the review. I’ll be upgrading when the rig returns from the Yaesu repair shop. I bought this radio new from HRO in Dec 2022. 2nd time getting repairs. The internal speaker has stopped working again. Love using the rig for activating POTA. Looking forward to meeting you at Hamvention 😎

[@hamradiotube]

Dang that sucks. Nothing like getting a brand new radio and having it break on you. I hear it takes about 400 years to get things repaired from Yaesu too. It does take about 3 weeks to ship from China so you may want to order it soon.

[@larspregge6420]

Another Option is the CQHAM TB-BOX. 400mAh more and a tuner. But about twice this price.

[@skysurferboy]

I ve run my Yaesu with 14.4v v lock camera batteries. Fully charged they run at about 15.8v which is up near the max voltage for the FT817nd. I've got decent run times with these batteries as they have very good capacity. Expensive if purchased new, not really a good option but used, if you can find them with a 2 port charger they are good. Cheap v lock plate and anderson powerpole connectors on a bit of wire. I

[@wildbill1]

Great video mike. I’ve been wanting one of those 818 primarily for satellite use. Wasn’t aware of the battery issue

[@charlesstrahin-wf3un]

Great video, Mike, as usual

[@PA3DMI]

Excellent video Mike !

[@KS0JD]

A great way to remove one of the negatives to an otherwise great radio! 73

[@hamradiotube]

I'm so much in love with this radio too. It's not so much a negative with the battery as a disappointment. It still works. But the LiPO is better.

[@enigmarbs2886]

Thanks for the video👍🏻 I have all sorts of batteries for my 818... The standard battery, the cells from IKEA in an batterycase, the windcamp LiIon, and an LiFePo4 with 6.5Ah. Most time I use the windcamp because of the additional Off-switch. 73's Stefan DG4RBS

[@aj2isotadxing]

This seems like a great alternative. The ONLY thing that prevents me from getting one is I'm scared of the fire hazard nature of lipo and I've heard also heard these can puff up....

[@hamradiotube]

There's a lipo battery in your pocket.

[@aj2isotadxing]

@@hamradiotube lithium ion

[@hamradiotube]

@@aj2isotadxing they’re all a sort of lithium ion. Cell phones and computers use lipo batteries.

[@Toneblender]

Thank you for all your videos. I enjoy and appreciate them. I do agree that Yaesu missed the mark with the battery, but to change it what would that change cost in design and parts? I guess we will never know. Additionally, you do know in the FT-818, menu-11, you can change the charge time from 6-hrs, 8-hrs, & 10 hours? Still a 1900-mAH battery though. Not saying it is better than Windcamp, just an option for charging. Keep the videos coming, 73 brother.

[@hamradiotube]

Does that charge time change how fast it charges or just how long it charges though?

[@TheSpitfiregoggles]

Hi Mike, you ask about upgrades...I bought the Palm Radio Peg Legs for my 817nd as they allow the radio to still fit in the soft case, also an Inrad 300Hz CW filter which transforms the performance on CW and the SOTABEAMS in-line speech processor module which I found well worth having. 73, Simon G0CIQ

[@hamradiotube]

Hey thanks for the info. I 3d printed some feet for it that fold down. A couple people had mentioned that Sotabeams compressor too. I don't do CW but I imagine having a filter would be night and day.

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

That is a very nice upgrade to that radio. Did someone say the Miata of ham radio?

[@hamradiotube]

Lol yes, Josh said that.

[@m7trsradio]

Great video Mike. I too thought about this upgrade. In the end I put IKEA rechargeable batteries in. Think they were called something like LADDA 👍🏽 May get wind camp one day. Motters 73

[@hamradiotube]

I have still never stepped foot in an Ikea. I hear they have great meat balls.

[@m7trsradio]

@@hamradiotube Hi mate, yeah they are very nice. Just checked they are called LADDA and 2450mA AA. Still better than the 817 battery but drain as they can not be turned off. Good that I can charge them on an external battery but like you say can take 8-10 hours. 🤨

[@Duelezz]

How long do the Laddas last. I have some and never thought of using them.

[@m7trsradio]

@@Duelezz Hi mate yeah last a while. From what I have found it's better to take some out when the radio is in use as it will still draw current when the radio is turned off (speaking for the 817/818) I have made a sota activation with them. To be honest I just had them in the radio and charged as a back up if my external went flat. I did use them at home just as a rapid fire if I was chasing someone saves getting the external battery out. Just keep in mind that if left in the radio they will go flat. If leaving in the 817/818 and charging you have to disconnect the green wire of the battery tray. I used a pin to push the clip down and pulled it out, then put some tape around it. That way if you sell it you can put the wire back to factory. Motters 73

[@ac0m-glennthompson432]

There you, making me spend money. Thanks for the great videos.

[@RodMurray]

Watched this over again as I’ve just added an ATU-10 tuner to my FT-818 kit (which you also reviewed in another video!). On external power on FT8 I get 7.1W out on High, 5w on the Low3 power setting, 2.6W on the Low2 setting, and 1.1W on the Low1 setting! Based on your ATU-10 review, I wonder how accurate those numbers are? On another point, I have to switch back to my old MFJ-16010 tuner to get on the air on 6m for a once a week Net I like to join. Thinking now about adding the internal Windcamp to augment the Bioenno 3Ah that I have. The Bioenno gave me 4 hours of POTA SSB last week. Have you tested it on Receive in another video?

[@hamradiotube]

That would depend on your watt meter I would suppose...I have no idea how calibrated mine is. But it's MFJ. Made in China so it's gotta be good. I've not done much further testing with this radio and battery yet so I can't comment. But it's way better than the stock one, I know that.

[@texasfrontiersman8245]

Do your power test at 14-15.5 volts.

[@hamradiotube]

That'd be worthless. Both batteries and 13.8V give me the same power. I'm not going up to 14 lest I fry my radio.

[@klas-erikwimanoz1dtf967]

Short simple instruction: ONLY when operating the FT-817/818 on the internal LiION battery, set the switch to ON. In ALL other situations i.e. QRT, charging or operating with an external PSU or external battery connected to the rear connector, set the switch to OFF. 73 OZ1DTF

[@pieterdutoit9642]

Hi Mike, Have you done a ic &)% batt last time test as look you ca get 3 diffrent batt , thanks, Pieter

[@kd5you1]

I have a couple of 3AH Bioenno LiFePO4 batteries, so I paired one with my FT-818 in my bug out bag. I agree with the stock battery & having to set the timer on the radio. I'm always afraid that I will overcharge the stock battery, so I don' t use it unless I have to. Thanks for the review on the Windcamp battery! I still might upgrade in the future. 73 KD5YOU

[@hamradiotube]

That's the thing. You never know how much you need to charge the battery. It's just 10 hours or 8 hours (or 6, whatever it is). It should just let you know when it's fully charged. But no. That's the way Yaesu goes. Hopefully they'll learn one of these days. P.S. I'm not holding my breath.

[@kd5you1]

@@hamradiotube Me neither, but I still like the radio. :)

[@hamradiotube]

@@kd5you1 same here man. I absolutely am in love with this radio.

[@wowsly]

i keep looking at these but my battery wire and wire from the battery to radio only has 2 wires. these have 4 wires? when i got my 817 i was told it was an early one, pre nd. i need to look into this more. if any one knows why i only have 1 red and 1 black wire please let me know

[@Davidjb37721]

Hi from KE4HPQ

[@up2somthng]

Nice overview and review! Stock battery is only 9.6V which explains the lower wattage output compared to new battery.

[@hamradiotube]

yeah but I don't have any difference in power output at hight power. No matter what it's still about 4.7 watts. Never do I get the 6 watts, or even a full 5 for that matter. Weird.

[@thewheelchairprepper8070]

THANKS AND 73

[@AD6DMDennis]

I thought you did the anderson mod on your 818?

[@hamradiotube]

Honestly I think I'm the only one who doesn't care about putting that power pole thing on the 818. I just put a PP on the cable and I'm good to go.

[@TheSpitfiregoggles]

Hi Mike, You're not the only one who hasn't got PPs on your 817/8! I did fit a 3D printed PP adapter to my 817nd but I disliked losing the ground connection and also having the adapter plugged in seemed to drain the NiMH battery even faster! I prefer the standard connector as it is the same as the power connectors on my FT-60 and FT-70 so I can use the Yaesu SDD13 car cigarette lighter power adapter for all three radios. Great video, I'm now thinking about getting a Windcamp battery for my 817nd. 73, Simon G0CIQ

[@billryland6199]

The 817/818 would be more practical if the output were at least 10 watts PEP.

[@pieterdutoit9642]

sorry some dad stuff it is IC -705 !!!,Pieter

[@hamradiotube]

Dude, Pieter, I have a 705 and I absolutely love it. But if you get the form factor of the 818 it's a different story. I get where you're coming from, I do. The 818 is like the kid the dad was disappointed in. It could have been so much more, but it let you down in so many ways.

[@KD2UDR]

Thumbs up #63

[@hamradiotube]

Just a big thank you to you, good sir!

[@carl-gunnarhillefors7612]

It's better with a Lead Acid 12,6Volt 18Ah - use Andersson poles to connect to 2Amp fuse and to the LeadAcid accumulator! OBS! DO N O T FORGET THE.FUSE CONNECTION! AS THE ACCUMULATOR MIGHT EXPLODE IF A SHORT CIRCUIT!

[@carl-gunnarhillefors7612]

NEVER CHARGE THESE TYPES WITHOUT YOU HAVEING EYESIGHT ON THE RXTX! OBS! HAVE A FIREEXTINGUISHER HANDY I YOUR SHACK OR WHERE EVER YOU CHARGE THEM!

[@carl-gunnarhillefors7612]

REMOVE THE LiNi or NiFe accumulator IF YOU DO NOT USE THE RXTX FOR ATLEAST 12 HOURS! THESE TYPES OF ACCUMULATORS B U R N FEROUSLY AND YOUR RADIO W I L L B E TOTALLY RUINED! BURNED UP!