Elecraft KXBC3 - Manual (Page 4)

4
The KXBC3 charges at 200 mA throughout the charging time set, suggesting that 2000 mAH cells would be
charged in 10 hours (referred in battery literature as a C/10 rate). However, the charging process is not 100%
efficient, so additional charging time must be added, typically 20%. So a fully depleted 2000 mAH battery
would require about 12 hours to reach full capacity.
The charging time must be adjusted for batteries of different capacity as follows:
Charging Time (hours) = 1.2 X (cell mAH rating) / 200
For example, to charge fully depleted 2500 mAH cells: 1.2 X 2500 / 200 = 15 hours (Set charger for 16 hours)
Protective Circuits
In addition to monitoring the requested charging time, the charging system monitors the battery temperature,
battery voltage and the power supply voltage. An error message will appear when you are in the
BAT CHG
menu or when the battery is charging in Power-Off Pending Mode (pg 3) if any of the following conditions
exist:
Error Message Description
NOT 0-40C Battery temperature too high or too low. If this occurs when trying to start a charging cycle,
tap any switch to clear the message. If this occurs during a charging cycle, the charging
cycle will resume automatically when the condition is corrected.
LO SPPLY The external power supply voltage is too low for charging the internal battery. If this occurs
when trying to start a charging cycle, tap any switch to clear the message. If this occurs
during a charging cycle, the charging cycle will resume automatically when the condition is
corrected.
BAT ERR Battery missing or battery voltage out of range due to a fully charged pack or a defective or
missing cell. With the KX3 on, tap any switch to clear the message. The charging cycle is
terminated (does not restart automatically when the condition is corrected).
SYS FLT KXBC3 system fault. With the KX3 on, tap any switch to clear the message. The charging
cycle is terminated (does not restart automatically when the condition is corrected).
Changing Battery Types
If you wish to replace the NiMH batteries with a different type, first turn the charger off;
1. Hold
M E N U
to enter the menu and turn the
OFS/VFO B
knob to select
BAT CHG
.
2. Turn the
VFO A
knob to select
CHG OFF.
Leave the charger off until such time as you replace the battery with NiMH cells.