[VHFcontesting] The digital modes and the Sept contest

[Barry Hansen]

Interesting battery discussion. Also interesting that the IC-910 seems to
take significant d.c. power.
I've recently acquired an Icom IC-9100 and I'm trying to choose the 13.8v
portable power source. Last weekend in the Sept VHF contest the rig was
set up for the first time with my SUV, and I discovered that my usual
single automotive (Sears Diehard) sealed lead-acid battery is
insufficient. This battery has worked well with an FT-897 and an IC-7100,
but the larger power drain of the IC-9100 causes the rig to reset itself
on xmit.
Is there a way to calculate how long two car batteries in parallel would
last?
I already have a small Honda generator although I don't usually bring it
along unless I'm using an amp. 
Thanks in advance, 
Barry K7BWH 
Seattle CN87us

-----Original Message-----
From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Alan Larson
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 3:42 PM
To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] The digital modes and the Sept contest

> Hi Alan.  That is useful info re the ic910.  I'm just curious what 
> type of batteries are you using.
>
> I've had considerable success running my ic7300, FT736, multiple 
> Icom706MkiiG's, an icom 735 IF radio, 300 watt amps on 50 and 144 MHz, 
> transverter, etc..  from two 12 V 100 AH Agm style batteries.

  Over the years it has varied, but typically I would have 25 - 30 amp
hours of sealed lead-acid batteries in parallel with the starting battery
of the diesel VW.  Solar would be attempting to hold that up.

> I took another 100 AH battery with a solar panel with me during the 
> June contest and used it to run an inverter that in turn powered the 
> battery chargers for the computers and also powered another charger to 
> top off the two radio batteries.  I had ample power for approx 6 to 8 
> hours of operation including some MSK144 at close to full power on 50
MHz.

  When operating from a small motor home, I have used 200 AH of battery
feeding an inverter feeding a switching power supply to run the rig.  In
the more space limited Volkswagen, a small Honda generator has proven to
be the most convenient option.  (This includes consideration of the
difficulty of getting all the items inside the Jetta.)

  For low power operation, I would still choose solar if available, but I
wanted full power from the rigs.

        Alan
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