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1-10 of 13 messages
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Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by K1RDD on March 16, 2003
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I recently saw a set up that included a gel cell battery in a made to fit waist carrier, connected to an adapter that fit in place of the HT battery. Is this a commercial set, or was it likely pieced together? Either way, where might I find the set, or components (my HT is a TH-F6A)?
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by N6AJR on March 17, 2003
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roll your own, look at camera pouches, and adapt your own plugs.. easy 73 tom N6AJR
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by KE6PKJ on March 17, 2003
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If you decide to "roll your own", just remember to use the proper voltage regulator and heat sink if the input voltage to your H.T. is anything other than the standard 6 or 12 volt gell cells.
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by VA3PKH on March 17, 2003
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Hi
It was probably the W&W Associates Powerpac+.
They used to advertise in QST.
We don't get QST in Canada anymore so not sure if they still run the ad.
Their website does not have any info on it that I can find.
http://www.wwassociates.com/
Phone 800-221-0732
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by KD7KGX on March 17, 2003
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The Powerport Store, http://www.powerportstore.com, has these, as well as other accessories.
You can also roll your own if you are willing to do the work and want to save a little money.
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by WA9SVD on March 17, 2003
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You can adapt a suitable camera "bag," but remember, you need easy access to the battery for charging! And be sure to use a charger (or charging method) made for gel cells, or your battery won't last long. (Or worse.)
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by K1RDD on March 17, 2003
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I've looked on all the usual web sites, including PowerPort, and can not find a carrier specifically the size of the gel cell. I'm less concerned with the wiring, as I can use the DC cigarette lighter adapter from the TH-F6A. All I'd need to do would be to build a female end to attach to the battery.
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by KD5QLK on March 17, 2003
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K1RDD on March 17, 2003 Said:
>I've looked on all the usual web sites, including
>PowerPort, and can not find a carrier specifically the
>size of the gel cell. I'm less concerned with the
>wiring, as I can use the DC cigarette lighter adapter
>from the TH-F6A. All I'd need to do would be to build a
>female end to attach to the battery.
Issues you should think about:
The TH-F6A takes somewhere around 7 volts at the battery, so you do need some kind of voltage regulator. Which isnt in of itself all that bad, as you can regulate a 12v gel cell down to 7-ish and it should last even longer than if going through the external 12v connector. Note, however, that the Th-F6A gives you different power outputs at the three selectable levels based on where the power is coming in and what kind of battery you tell it is attached.
I actually have thought about doing something similar to this, but for a different reason - I find that my TH-F6A gets WARM when transmitting, and I know that it has a thermal power output cutback - this could be disasterous at the wrong time, so I thought of making a heatsink/fan combo to go on the back, and feed it the voltage it wants regulated from whatever source I'm using (i.e. car, gel-cell, ps.)
I used my Th-F6A recently on an all-day hike, using a 12V4.5AH gel cell in a fanny pack. I found the battery to be heavier than I wanted it to be, but I had no problem operating all day long.
There is another good reason to hack a faux-battery. The TH-F6A has an internal battery saver feature. When enabled, it shuts off the receiver for a specified period of time, from a fraction of a second to a few seconds, thereby helping substantially on battery life. This feature is disabled if power is coming in through the external port, but if you had regulated power coming in through the "battery" contacts off a gel-cell, you could last a LONG time - but again, you may have an issue with max power output based on what the radio thinks it has for power.
The way I'm thinking of boosting time available is getting two matched 12v gel cells, charge them both to 12, then use a voltage regulator that drops the voltage to 14.2 or so, and put the batteries in SERIES, getting 24ish at peak and dropping the batteries to around 7 before it konks out. Not sure if I can do this or if it will hurt tha batteries, any thoughts? And yes I have a VR that can handle the amps and max voltage.
I think I saw your question on the yahoo group for this radio, and still havent found the adapter you mention. But it may be possible to make the AA battery one work as I describe.
And you thought this was an easy question...
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by RAD1OMAN on March 18, 2003
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My favorite battery carrier is a good old GI surplus M-16 magazine pouch -- the 20 round magazine. One pouch will hold one 12v 4Ah battery. The pouches are cheaper than the fancy camera battery cases, worldpack cases, whatever.
Just solder a power cord to the battery tabs or use the slip on connectors, clip the ammo pouch turned battery case on your belt or pistol belt with the ALICE clips and off you go! I use old coiled mic cables between the battery and the radio for flexability.
Check out www.cheaperthandirt.com or your favorite army surplus house - unless you someone already in the army.
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RE: Gel Cell Waist Carrier
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by WA9SVD on March 18, 2003
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Dropping 12 Volt gel cells to 7 volts will destroy them in short order. A 12 Volt cell shouldn't be discharged below 10 V. (and even that's a dangerously low voltage!) without damage and shortened life span.
And the batteries have to be recharged properly! The cells usually have a maximum charge current rating at a specific voltage, and a specific "float" voltage where after proper charge, the voltage needs to drop to so that the charge current falls to virtually zero, but the battery is maintained at charge.
As an example, I have several Panasonic 12V/2.2 Amp/Hour batteriesthat I use for my handhelds and TNC when operating portable. The ratings are:
Constant Voltage Charge: 14.6 - 15.0 Volts
Standby use: (i.e. float) 13.6 - 13.8 Volts
Initial current: 0.88 amperes.
So that means that the charger used MUST limit the initial charge current to 880 mA or less, as well as keep the charge voltage under 15.0 Volts. But once the battery is fully charged, the charger voltage MUST be reduced to 13.6 to 13.8 volts to prevent damage due to overcharge.
As well as providing or a connection to charge the battery, it's also VERY prudent to include a fuse (rated at about twice the H-T maximum draw) connected directly to the battery to prevent meltdown should a short occur. Remember, even a small gel cell can provide a LOT of current in the event of a "Murphyoid" event.
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