Small, Cheap 12v Li-ion Battery for QRP Radios

The 3000mAh TalentCell lithium-ion battery provides a 12v DC jack that can be used to power QRP radios in the field (or shack). It comes with a charger and a cable that can be used by most QRP radios. AND IT'S ONLY $25!

Note: There is a general lack of truth about the true voltage of these three-cell battery packs. And the performance varies, based on the quality of the Li-ion cells used to build the pack. The Li-ion internal battery I purchased from Elecraft for my KX2 has 3 Li-ion cells, just like the battery shown in the video. It has a TENERGY-brand sticker and the label says, "Li-ion 10.8V 2600mAh". These batteries all have an initial voltage that are close to 12v but they quickly (minutes) settle down to 11v. These cells are typically the Li-ion 18650 cells that are 3.7v each. So, it's a stretch to market them as a three-cell 12v battery pack! But, it's still good enough for my trail-friendly QRP radios. The 8AA NMH battery pack I've been using for my MTR-5B has lower voltage than this $25 Li-ion battery, was a PITA to charge, and weighs 60%+ more. So, this Li-ion battery pack isn't perfect but I still think it's a good solution for anyone who wants to power a trail-friendly QRP rig. - Cliff

If you have a radio like a Mountain Topper or Yaesu FT-817, you'll need an adapter because those radios use a 4.0 x 1.7 DC jack...

[mikekrieger]

I purchased this to power my QRP Labs QCX QRP xcvr. and it works nicely. Thanks for the tip.

[garymiller]

Wow! What a concise, professional, video. Excellent advice, especially for this ham who has two left hands when trying to build small circuits in DIY battery systems. Thanks!

[OnTerraFirma]

I have been running my QCX off of one of these for a few months. Couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw these. Killer price for all of the features.

[kemt]

Yes! These things are great. I've had one for a few years - still going strong. I have the larger, 6Ah version that worked well for my FT-817. I still use it when I need longer run time for my small QRP rigs. 73, Rex KE6MT

[waarradio]

Thanks for passing this along. Went ahead and ordered one to use with my MTR5B. Looks like it's about the perfect size to match the radio and will be less cumbersome than dealing with a rechargeable AA case or keeping spare 9v batteries around in case one dies.

[de_wtam]

Thanks for the video Cliff! If you're up for it, my wife and I are hosting the Parks on the Air forum. I know you love getting out to parks and doing radio, and if any of the parks you visit are state or national parks (or forests, or preserves), you might already have logs we'd take! Anyway, it's at Hamvention, Friday morning at 9:15am at forum room 5. 73 de w8tam

[tommycheshire]

I have just found you and subscribed. You are a blessing to what I am a rookie in. N4KBM

[BlessedLaymanNC]

I've been looking at several of these batteries. I have the FT-818ND which draws a maximum of 2.7A which means I cannot use high power (6w) with most of these similar battery packs. Some of these packs are only rated for 1w, but there are some that are rated for more.

For the money, they are a great deal! But, just make sure when you are buying one, that it will operate your radio, or if you buy one, make sure your radio power is limited to keep from drawing too much current from one of these packs.

[Ronbob]

Hey, Cliff... Thanks for the heads-up. I bought one. And welcome to LICW. Ron

[JennyEverywhere]

I've got a couple of the higher-power Talentcells. I had one out to the park on Wednesday to do some QRP operating! I swear by the things. I got hefty one with 6a max output that'll run BOTH my KX3 and PX3 at the same time on a Y adapter.

That splitter has another feature. One end on the radio, one on the battery -- and the CHARGER on the socket! It'll charge while it's in use! (That's in the manual.)

[daviddietrich]

Thanks for the info, Cliff! I have been a ham since 2003, mostly CW, 60/40 QRP/100 W respectively. I've been mostly off the air due to some family issues for the better part of 7 years, but I have committed to getting back into the hobby this year. I'll be mostly field QRP CW. I've been a subscriber since 2017 I think. ANYway, I like the idea of this battery as I just ordered a Mtr4b V2 Mountain Topper last week and am looking at a battery pack that would play nice with the radio's circuitry and finals. I'm gonna have to give these batteries a looksee. I have a 12V 18Ah gel cell, but I am leery of using it after reading the manual as it provides about 13.2V at a full charge... That works well for ALL my other radios (FT-891 included), but not the Mountain Topper. So, thank you. DE KC9EHQ

[skatethebluesaway]

I've just taken a look at that battery on Amazon UK, where it's being sold for the equivalent of US$64. (Even allowing for the three year interval since thisvideo was posted, that's quite a price difference!). What would concern me in using it for QRP operation is this bit in the description: "Voltage range of the 12V output port is 12.6-9V, it is not constant, compatible with most 12 volt devices". I think that I'd be concerned that the voltage might drop below the cut-off point for some transceivers.

[Roanokekidstech]

I should be there at Hamvention. I hope that I will see you around

[KenSchumacher]

When you describe the splitter cable, you mention 1 male and 2 female connectors. That's backward. There is one female and two male connectors. See the description on the Amazon product page which says the same thing. Thanks for the tip. This does look like a really good deal.

[yanickch]

Thanks Cliff, that will be perfect for my QCX and uBitx out in the field...

Yanick
73, de VE2YCF

[ValenteEspinosa]

I wonder if those Lion produce noise due the bucket converter they all have to regulate constant voltage output

[vaamorais]

Greeting from UK.
Great video and very useful info.
Came across that pack last week on Amazon UK.
Is it RF quiet? That was my only concern.
Thanks for sharing.

[donsilva]

I laughed so hard when that tuxedo popped up on you ! Nice find btw, and thanks for sharing.

[crooner]

No blanket RFI interference? That's great. I tried a cellphone power bank on my 4.5V DC radio and it was unusable!

[dogfishheadcase]

Thank you so much for your videos. Newbie here, and I appreciate the breakdowns on anything and everything. The devil is in the details, and I appreciate the break downs on "how to". Be it, do you run a ground with QRP? How? How much? etc. I've been considering getting a Bioeno for my HB-1B. Over the weekend I used my HB-1B and when the internal battery started to go, I started using an external power source that I borrowed; Audew Portable Inverter/ Portable Battery Generator. I found this created too much electrical noise in the transceiver. I suppose it's due to the internal fan etc. Is there any noise concern with the unit mentioned in your video? 73