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Greetings,
After I cannibalized my 1300 Radio Pack to make my 1150 Packet + Radio Pack, I decided to recycle the old Pelican case to make a battery-only pack. It's very handy if you already have a charger but need some extra amp hours.
I was able to stuff two 18AH batteries in the case, which gives me 36AH. When I replace them with the DataSafe NPX's I use in the 1430 pack, I'll have 40AH to play with.
This pack should be able to output up to about 80 amps for short periods.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Thanks & 73,
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I took two old Power-Sonic PS-12180-NB batteries that used to be in a UPS, stacked them on top of one another and wired them in parallel. Although these are NON-flame-retardant batts, they are exactly the same size as the EnerSys DataSafe NPX ones in my 1430 Power Pack. Future versions of the 1300 pack will include the DataSafes instead of the Power-Sonics... The batteries barely fit in the case, but there was still room around them to fit two USB charging ports (left) and two DC jacks (right). See the following pictures. It doesn't have a PWRGAte, RIGRunner, or any other bells or whistles like my 1430 pack; however, it has about the same capacity at a fraction of the size -- and the cost. Unfortunately, unlike my other power packs, the 1300 Power Pack is NOT buoyant. It weighs about 30lbs... |
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Three quarter profile view... The Pelican 1300 case seems custom-made to house these two UPS batteries. |
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I installed a 12V I-XT dual USB charger ($8.50 at Knecht's) in the bottom left of the case under the USB bulkheads. As you can see, there isn't much space inside the case between the USB bulkheads and batteries. I had to buy a couple right angle USB "A" male to right angle USB "B" male cables. The low profile ARBR-0104's were the only ones that fit. |
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After I removed the two Bulgin CAT5e shielded couplers from my old 1300 Radio Pack, I had two big holes in the case. Luckily, Bulgin's PX0842 USB jacks were slightly larger than the couplers -- so, after a little Dremeling, they fit perfectly. Each jack is capable of providing 5V / 1A USB charging power. |
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The two fuse holders are jammed in tight. |
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I replaced the DC jack on the left and the antenna jack that used to be on the right with my improved DC jacks. Having two DC jacks lets me charge the battery pack while also powering a load, or power two loads. The positive and negative wires from each jack are wired to different batteries in order to equalize the charge / draw. They're individually-fused at 40 amps; both can provide approx. 80 amps. |
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The red label is great for power packs like this one that don't have a space for a callsign tag. If you want ones like this, check out Delp's Awards. |
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| Total images: 8 | Last update: 12/14/09 10:57 PM | Made with JAlbum & Chameleon | Help |