i've had good success with a DIY 150aH LiFePo4 battery in my VW camper. the battery runs the fridge and interior lights as well as my Elecraft K2/100. i'm on the air about 12 hours total over the course of a weekend camp out and run 100 watts output. that is about 35aH thanks to the low current draw of the K2. 100aH could easily let someone run a modern rig with a large display all weekend long at 100 watts output. i picked up a 35aH LiFePo4 to use when i want to operate under the stars. everyday is field day with LiFePo4 power :)
I have two of Redodo batteries!!!! During the entire process in building my sytem, Lillian(Staff at Redodo) guide me step by step. I haven't had any issues at all with this batteries, the best customer service!!!
Thanks for the review Kevin. Another battery to look at that is higher quality for about the same price is the "Weize" brand. Will Prouse (on you tube) did a tear down of the Weize battery and found it to be the highest quality of all the lower priced 100ah batteries. It had an excellent BMS with Low Temp Cut Off that actually worked. It was very well built, had quality batteries, wiring and construction. I trust Will on his suggestions for batteries and he said this was his recommendation for the best low price 100 ah battery. Always a good idea to do research before laying out your hard earned money. I think he may have done a tear down on this one also. Might be a good thing to compare.
Yes a good battery! I hate all the sponsors in ham radio trying to get legit ham channels to promote garbage. That stupid "Scottish Titles" scam is the worst. Next is TYT and Radioddity with Bridgecom coming in third with its hard sell to get us to buy their crap. I trust Kevin to not support garbage gear. Here in Illinois using any LifePo battery without thermal protection is a disaster. I use LifePo for the snow blower and tractor and would like to backup my Ham and Computer stuff but there is not much I have found to build a UPS for Shack operations.
Good stuff, Kevin! I just pulled the trigger on one of these from your Amazon link! I've got two boxes I built with three 10Ah slabs each so I might be able to relegate those to backups. Thanks for the info! Much appreciated!
Thanks for the video! Maybe look into picking up a USB-C to fit your laptop DC Barrel jack and a 12vdc->boost charger: then you can skip the AC inverter. Might need to be cautious about the convertor that you use to avoid the dreaded HF-noise. Cheers!
How battery technology is changing, never like transporting lead acid batteries around. Thanks for the review - wait and see if these appear in the U.K. these batteries don’t like being stored in the cold so best store indoors😊 73
I was looking at the Battle Born batteries that have a heater for cold weather charging that runs off the battery itself. The price? $949. I was camping one time and the neighbors were having an entire solar and battery set up done on their RV (in the park). When I looked up the set up they were putting in 10 batteries and 8 solar panels. $20,000 total. I just sat there with my little 12v 12 ah battery running my KX3. I will keep my eye on these. The price is VERY reasonable and even with 100 watts transmitting it should last a few days before there is a need to recharge. Thanks for the video!! 73! de KE5ES
Awesome. Is it about the size of a group 27? So you could put it in one of those boxes? You’re not supposed to knock lithium batteries, and I’ve killed a few small banks by dropping them. Would you strap it down in the Jeep to protect it?
The actual battery inside is smaller, they make the surrounding case the same size as a comparable group 27 or 31 etc.. so they fit in the same box in your truck/boat etc…. And yes best to strap it down inside a battery box to avoid stuff dropping on the poles
The battery outside dimensions are 13 × 6.83 × 8.49 inches which is a little bigger than the Group 27 battery. Perhaps there are boxes that might fit, I have not yet looked but when I do, I will post an update. Thanks for asking.
That power pole hub is really neat, PowerWerx used to sell them, however I have not found them since purchasing it years ago. Thanks for checking out the video !
I have not tested for RFI and the reason is, I will not be operating when this battery is charging with an AC powered charger. With 100Ah, my plan is to run hard during the day and charge at nite while sleeping, or solar charge it during the day when camping.
What size of battery do you need to get you by on your radio operations ?
i've had good success with a DIY 150aH LiFePo4 battery in my VW camper. the battery runs the fridge and interior lights as well as my Elecraft K2/100. i'm on the air about 12 hours total over the course of a weekend camp out and run 100 watts output. that is about 35aH thanks to the low current draw of the K2. 100aH could easily let someone run a modern rig with a large display all weekend long at 100 watts output.
i picked up a 35aH LiFePo4 to use when i want to operate under the stars. everyday is field day with LiFePo4 power :)
Absolutely Steven ! I agree
I have two of Redodo batteries!!!! During the entire process in building my sytem, Lillian(Staff at Redodo) guide me step by step. I haven't had any issues at all with this batteries, the best customer service!!!
Thanks for the review Kevin. Another battery to look at that is higher quality for about the same price is the "Weize" brand. Will Prouse (on you tube) did a tear down of the Weize battery and found it to be the highest quality of all the lower priced 100ah batteries. It had an excellent BMS with Low Temp Cut Off that actually worked. It was very well built, had quality batteries, wiring and construction. I trust Will on his suggestions for batteries and he said this was his recommendation for the best low price 100 ah battery. Always a good idea to do research before laying out your hard earned money. I think he may have done a tear down on this one also. Might be a good thing to compare.
Yes a good battery! I hate all the sponsors in ham radio trying to get legit ham channels to promote garbage. That stupid "Scottish Titles" scam is the worst. Next is TYT and Radioddity with Bridgecom coming in third with its hard sell to get us to buy their crap.
I trust Kevin to not support garbage gear. Here in Illinois using any LifePo battery without thermal protection is a disaster. I use LifePo for the snow blower and tractor and would like to backup my Ham and Computer stuff but there is not much I have found to build a UPS for Shack operations.
LiFePO4 is very nice but make sure you learn how they work, charge and make sure you have big enough wire... it makes it really good.
Good stuff, Kevin! I just pulled the trigger on one of these from your Amazon link! I've got two boxes I built with three 10Ah slabs each so I might be able to relegate those to backups. Thanks for the info! Much appreciated!
Thanks for the video!
Maybe look into picking up a USB-C to fit your laptop DC Barrel jack and a 12vdc->boost charger: then you can skip the AC inverter.
Might need to be cautious about the convertor that you use to avoid the dreaded HF-noise.
Cheers!
Great video Would be ideal if you use DC to DC converter 12v to 19volt instead of inverter your using for laptop lot lower Amps.
How battery technology is changing, never like transporting lead acid batteries around. Thanks for the review - wait and see if these appear in the U.K. these batteries don’t like being stored in the cold so best store indoors😊 73
I was looking at the Battle Born batteries that have a heater for cold weather charging that runs off the battery itself. The price? $949. I was camping one time and the neighbors were having an entire solar and battery set up done on their RV (in the park). When I looked up the set up they were putting in 10 batteries and 8 solar panels. $20,000 total. I just sat there with my little 12v 12 ah battery running my KX3. I will keep my eye on these. The price is VERY reasonable and even with 100 watts transmitting it should last a few days before there is a need to recharge. Thanks for the video!! 73! de KE5ES
I understand what you mean, I too have sat and watched the same thing. Thanks for watching ! 73
Great review. Thank you!
I also have an 857 … though I power it with a much smaller battery.
The 857 can be a useful radio
Great video, I'm interested in a 100amp battery. I appreciate your explanation on it!
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome. Is it about the size of a group 27? So you could put it in one of those boxes?
You’re not supposed to knock lithium batteries, and I’ve killed a few small banks by dropping them. Would you strap it down in the Jeep to protect it?
The actual battery inside is smaller, they make the surrounding case the same size as a comparable group 27 or 31 etc.. so they fit in the same box in your truck/boat etc…. And yes best to strap it down inside a battery box to avoid stuff dropping on the poles
The battery outside dimensions are 13 × 6.83 × 8.49 inches which is a little bigger than the Group 27 battery.
Perhaps there are boxes that might fit, I have not yet looked but when I do, I will post an update. Thanks for asking.
yes !
What's that 4 way power pole adapter you have? I need something like that. Great video.
That power pole hub is really neat, PowerWerx used to sell them, however I have not found them since purchasing it years ago.
Thanks for checking out the video !
How’s the charger for rfi? I bought one on Amazon(not redodo) and it spewed an enormous amount of rfi
I have not tested for RFI and the reason is, I will not be operating when this battery is charging with an AC powered charger. With 100Ah, my plan is to run hard during the day and charge at nite while sleeping, or solar charge it during the day when camping.
@@hamradiowithkevin thanks. If you ever do try it, hopefully it's not too bad. The one I had tried was wiping out 40m to 2m
Battery box!
It's cheaper to buy from their site, I bought 2 of the 12 volt 200A from website before and they gave me 3% off a pair.
What about using this in the shack instead of a power supply?
Eventually you will need to charge it up again, but yes it would make a nice shack power supply
Good information. Thanks for introducing this battery to me. 73 de K0WHW @Bill-HRT