Can a Jackery 300+ paired with KG-XS20G+ provide enough power for a GMRS Portible Base Station?

[WRYY282]

re: Power requirements for KG-XS20G+

I'm new to GMRS and purchased a KG-935G Plus. I'm contemplating adding a KG-XS20G Plus to use as a base station at multiple locations. I would have more flexibility using a portable battery setup rather than using a 30A Switching Power Supply plugged into an A/C outlet. I think the Jackery 300 Plus has enough juice to power a 20 watt mobile GMRS radio for 12 hours. It appears I could use the Jackery car port for the KG-XS20G+ for power up to 12 volts and 10 amps. Do most people use this type of set up for a portable base station? I may also use the KG-XS20G+ in my SUV occasionally plugged into the car port but will not drill any holes.

Specs on the Jackery 300+ https://www.jackery.com/products/jackery-solar-generator-300-plus

Specs on the KG-XS20G+ https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-xs20g.html

 

 

[WRQC527]

Jackerys are really neato, but you're paying $400. I use a 35 ah AGM battery with a charge controller and two Harbor Freight solar panels in the field, and it sits on a battery maintainer at home. The whole setup was less than $150. I use it to run a Yaesu FT-891 and an FTM-7250. Something to think about before you drop twice what the radio cost.

[WRYY282]

15 minutes ago, WRQC527 said:

Jackerys are really neato, but you're paying $400. I use a 35 ah AGM battery with a charge controller and two Harbor Freight solar panels in the field, and it sits on a battery maintainer at home. The whole setup was less than $150. I use it to run a Yaesu FT-891 and an FTM-7250. Something to think about before you drop twice what the radio cost.

Thanks for the info. If I end up getting the Jackery, I would be using it with other electrical devices.

 

[WRYZ927]

I'm running a UV-25×4 with a Goal Zero 200x, temporarily, it works.

Somewhat similar to you, @WRYY282, my intention is to build a "portable mobile" in an ammo can type of contraption at some point in the near future.

I'm on the steep side of the learning curve at the moment but it looks like most of these mobile units call for 13.8v. I haven't fully started my research yet, but I'm planning on logging TX wattage/voltage/time. If I'm tracking correctly, running off of a battery at around 12v should lessen output watts compared to an optimal 13.8v?

[WRYY282]

6 minutes ago, WRYZ927 said:

I'm running a UV-25×4 with a Goal Zero 200x, temporarily, it works.

Somewhat similar to you, @WRYY282, my intention is to build a "portable mobile" in an ammo can type of contraption at some point in the near future.

I'm on the steep side of the learning curve at the moment but it looks like most of these mobile units call for 13.8v. I haven't fully started my research yet, but I'm planning on logging TX wattage/voltage/time. If I'm tracking correctly, running off of a battery at around 12v should lessen output watts compared to a  optimal 13.8v?

That is what I was running across as well. I'm pretty sure 50W radios would not work, especially since they do not come with a car port. I'll keep researching. My backup is to use an A/C power supply with a long extension cord.

[WRQC527]

15 minutes ago, WRYY282 said:

32 minutes ago, WRQC527 said:

 

Thanks for the info. If I end up getting the Jackery, I would be using it with other electrical devices.

I also connect a small inverter to my battery so I can run my Verizon 5g gateway when we have power outages. 

[Sshannon]

I have a friend with a Jackery as well.  A Jackery is neat, but a poor substitute for a battery.  The car port limits current to 10 amps, which isn't enough for a 50 watt transciever.  If you crack it open and hook up an Anderson PowerPole extension, directly to the battery it would be more useful, but a battery in a battery box with Anderson PowerPoles is much more flexible:

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/wmt-58513-1403

Or this one from Gigaparts - it doesn't have PowerPoles but PowerWerx has fittings that might be useful: https://www.gigaparts.com/explorer-deluxe-battery-box.html

and the batteries to put in it:

https://www.gigaparts.com/p04power-12v-12ah-lifep04-battery.html

or 

https://www.gigaparts.com/po4power-12v-24ah-lifepo4-battery.html

Unfortunately both of those batteries are OOS right now, but if you look you should be able to find something similar elsewhere.

[BoxCar]

A better radio choice is the DB-25G (Radioddity DB25-G GMRS Mobile Radio | 25W | Quad Watch | UHF VHF Scann) and for portable power, a battery box with a LifeO4 battery is much better. The radio draws about 8 amps while transmitting so a 1- 16 AH battery for less than $60 is a better choice. You can put in a box, like the Apache 3800 (3800 Weatherproof Protective Case, Large, Black (harborfreight.com)) and a cigarette socket (Amazon.com: CERRXIAN 12V/24V Fixed Thread Cigarette Lighter Socket Extension Cable,20A 13AWG Waterproof Cigarette Lighter Female Socket Replacement Cable-0.3m/1ft : Automotive) sets you back about $120.00. You'll need to put connectors on the cable to connect to the battery, but the socket can be used to both power the radio as well as charge the battery. All total, including radio is around $250 without the antenna.

[WRQC527]

3 hours ago, WRYZ927 said:

most of these mobile units call for 13.8v

A lot of gear like this will show in the specifications something like "13.8 volts +/- a few percent". 

[marcspaz]

With that radio and inverter, you can run full power for 7 hours... though, the battery would be worthless when you're done. At a 50% duty cycle, you would get closer to 14 hours.  For intermittent use, sky is the limit when you have solar.

 

I have a 50 Amp hr LiFePo4 battery and 100w of solar.  I can (and have) run a 50w radio and a 100w radio, with accessories and lights for overnight, continuously.  So, im pretty sure that while the Jackery 300 is about half the rated power as my setup, with that radio, you should be fine.

[Sshannon]

18 hours ago, WRYZ927 said:

I'm on the steep side of the learning curve at the moment but it looks like most of these mobile units call for 13.8v.

A car’s electrical system puts out approximately 13.8 volts while the engine is running. The charging voltage can be somewhat higher, even up to 14+ volts. That drops to about 12.5 when the car is turned off.  Mobile radios must be able to accept all of these different voltages, but they are usually optimized for 13.8 volts.

[WRYY282]

Thanks for all your input!

I'm hesitant going with the Jackery and now leaning toward getting the DWC30WIN 30A Switching Power Supply. That will allow me to get comfortable using the radio as a base station while plugged into A/C at all three locations I need.  I'll use it in my SUV if I need to make it portable. I may revisit a portable power supply if the need arises. 

Specs on A/C power converter: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-dwc30win-wx.html

 

[Sshannon]

33 minutes ago, WRYY282 said:

Thanks for all your input!

I'm hesitant going with the Jackery and now leaning toward getting the DWC30WIN 30A Switching Power Supply. That will allow me to get comfortable using the radio as a base station while plugged into A/C at all three locations I need.  I'll use it in my SUV if I need to make it portable. I may revisit a portable power supply if the need arises. 

Specs on A/C power converter: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-dwc30win-wx.html

 

Some switch-mode power supplies may, with the addition of a few components, be used to keep a battery fully charged with the radio connected to the battery.

[WRYS709]

Before I got a 120v to 12v home power supply, I used to use my 28Ah SLA battery Duracell PowerPort 600 for both home and portable use. Much cheaper than Lithium Ion but much heavier.

I prefer the $109 mini-Mobile Radioddity DB20-G 20 watt, cigarette lighter plug, VHF/UHF radio (opens to 2 meters/70 cm Ham radio).  The City of Malibu funds Go-Boxes with them for their residents "at risk!"

With a cup-holder mount and Mag-mount antenna it comes in and out of my auto with ease.

[WRYY282]

I have more reasons for a mobile base station that is powered by a battery system, so I am back on the path looking for a battery pack system.

 

[Sshannon]

37 minutes ago, WRYY282 said:

I have more reasons for a mobile base station that is powered by a battery system, so I am back on the path looking for a battery pack system.

 

Although it’s not my preference, my friend with a Jackery 500 really likes his. He uses it with a 100 watt ham transceiver which draws 23 amps on xmit. 
They are convenient. 

[WRYY282]

In the simplest form, is it possible to connect a 12V 10 Ah battery directly to the radio? Do you need something in-between the battery and radio?

Would something like https://www.amazon.com/12-Volt-Rechargeable-Lithium-Battery/dp/B00JK06CK8?ref_=ast_sto_dp

provide full power to a KG-XS20G+ https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-xs20g.html ?

Sorry about my ignorance, but I would like to get full power out of the radio without damaging it. What is the general formula to use?

Are these type of boxes advantages? https://www.ebay.com/itm/203198203515?hash=item2f4f8e867b:g:BI4AAOSwLppdQbsV

[BoxCar]

The 10 AH LiFePo4 battery will run the radio for several hours with 80% of the time listening. It could stretch up to 24 hours depending on how much time is spent transmitting. A better choice for a battery is this one from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/XZNY-LiFePO4-Rechargeable-Suitable-Emergency/dp/B09QPX38GG/ref=sr_1_12?crid=PZ83AN1KXVYM&keywords=16ah%2Bbattery&qid=1697761072&s=electronics&sprefix=16ah%2Celectronics%2C145&sr=1-12&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&th=1. It has twice the capacity at about 2/3rds the cost of the Dakota battery you chose. The Woxun radio you like is out of stock and a better choice (IMO) is the Radioddity DB-25G with slightly more power but many more empty channels to store repeater configurations in. The complete radio package from Amazon is $210 including antenna and mag mount. Add a lithium charger https://www.expertpower.us/products/epc125-5a and you are set. The only thing missing are the connectors for the battery to the radio. You'll need 2 1/4 inch quick disconnect spade connectors crimped to the radio's power cable.

[WRYY282]

8 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

The 10 AH LiFePo4 battery will run the radio for several hours with 80% of the time listening. It could stretch up to 24 hours depending on how much time is spent transmitting. A better choice for a battery is this one from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/XZNY-LiFePO4-Rechargeable-Suitable-Emergency/dp/B09QPX38GG/ref=sr_1_12?crid=PZ83AN1KXVYM&keywords=16ah%2Bbattery&qid=1697761072&s=electronics&sprefix=16ah%2Celectronics%2C145&sr=1-12&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&th=1. It has twice the capacity at about 2/3rds the cost of the Dakota battery you chose. The Woxun radio you like is out of stock and a better choice (IMO) is the Radioddity DB-25G with slightly more power but many more empty channels to store repeater configurations in. The complete radio package from Amazon is $210 including antenna and mag mount. Add a lithium charger https://www.expertpower.us/products/epc125-5a and you are set. The only thing missing are the connectors for the battery to the radio. You'll need 2 1/4 inch quick disconnect spade connectors crimped to the radio's power cable.

Battery, charger and connectors look like the way to go! I'll probably head in that direction. Hoping I don't need to add fuses or other components to protect the radio. I'll have to check one smart charger I have at another location to see if it would work. Thanks for simplifying the required power requirements.

I have a pair of KG-935G+ handhelds and the KG-XS20G uses the same menus and operates similarly, so my preference would be to wait for the Wouxun to come back in stock.

[marcspaz]

4 hours ago, WRYY282 said:

In the simplest form, is it possible to connect a 12V 10 Ah battery directly to the radio? Do you need something in-between the battery and radio?

 

Yes, you can go directly to the battery with nothing in-between... though I do recommend a fuse on the ground and hot leads. I have a circuit breaker on mine so I don't have to replace fuses in the field. 

[BoxCar]

10 hours ago, WRYY282 said:

Hoping I don't need to add fuses or other components to protect the radio.

The radio's power leads are fused so use those leads. Just put connectors on the end of the leads.