Wouxun KG-XS20G Plus current draw with a couple of surprises

[WRNU354]

The use-case for my GMRS radios is family / community communications during emergencies and special events. To that end, I selected the KG-XS20G+ for my mobile and base station solution since it can be easily powered by my cars' auxiliary DC power outlet or small portable power station or A/C powered 13.8vdc power supply.

The KG-XS20G+ big red power button connects to circuitry drawing current as long as DC power is connected to the radio. This always-on circuity detects the power button being push and then switches on the rest of the radio's internals. Also, in case DC power is removed, this power-button circuitry returns the radio to its prior on/off state once DC power is restored.

Since one of my power sources, the small portable power station, is limited in capacity I decided to measure power consumption with different radio configurations and uses.

 

DC Current draw *

Radio off - 13.5 mA

Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with nothing being received or transmitted - 195 mA

Radio in DUAL DISPLAY with nothing being received or transmitted - 266 mA

Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with Area A in scanning mode and nothing being received or transmitted - 197 mA

Radio in DUAL DISPLAY with Area A in scanning mode and nothing being received or transmitted - 266 mA

Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with Area A receiving with audio set to moderate volume - 270 mA

Radio in DUAL DISPLAY with Area A and Area B receiving with audio set to moderate volume - 345 mA

Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with Area A transmitting at 5W on Channel 1  - 1.76 A

Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with Area A transmitting at 20W on Channel 15 - 4.61 A

Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with nothing be received and FM on at moderate volume - 290 mA

Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with nothing being received and WEATHER on at moderate volume - 339 mA

* All measurements were made with a Fluke 17B+ and connected in series with the positive line of the BTECH RPS-30M 10A switching power supply to the KG-XS20G+. No other devices were connected to the supply. When DC power or the radio was turned on or off time was given to allow the DC current draw to settle. DC current values measured during receive or transmit are approximations.

 

Results I expected:

Radio OFF current draw is reasonable and likely not a factor under normal conditions.

Running with DUAL DISPLAY is a bit expensive. I'm going to avoid using DUAL DISPLAY when running on my portable power station.

Transmitting at 20W is really expensive and should be limited especially when running on my portable power station.

 

Results that surprised me:

Scanning is free. It doesn't consume more power than monitoring one channel. Scan away!

Weather radio consumes more power than listening to FM radio.  A surprise, but not a big deal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WRYZ926]

4.61 amps while transmitting on high power is not bad at all. And a 10 AH LIPO4 battery should last quite a while considering you are going to be receiving the majority of the time. Now I wouldn't get into long rag chew sessions while running on battery power. And I would have no issues using the accessory port/cigarette lighter in vehicles since those are rated at 10 amps.

[SteveShannon]

13 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

Wow amazing. So glad you did this.  Now I have more info that is totally useless and is not going to be accurate in a  real world experience.  Hot, cold, charge state, humidity….. too many variables to matter. 

It’s so nice for you to join us.  We feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful person in our midst. 

[WRNU354]

3 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

4.61 amps while transmitting on high power is not bad at all. And a 10 AH LIPO4 battery should last quite a while considering you are going to be receiving the majority of the time. Now I wouldn't get into long rag chew sessions while running on battery power. And I would have no issues using the accessory port/cigarette lighter in vehicles since those are rated at 10 amps.

I agree with you. Even with the older chemstry of my (Li-ion) portable power station, a Jackery Explorer 240 241Wh, I'm now confident I can run my KG-XS20G+ for the day with reserve capacity to re-charge a KG-935G+ battery or two. Luckily, I got the 100w solar panel option so I just need to get a couple hours into morning for the Jackery to be 100% again.

However, as you suggest, I'm going to get a more durable and safer LiFePO4 power station, but now I can take a little more time deciding.

 

Any suggestions on brand?

Thanks!

[Socalgmrs]

Wow amazing. So glad you did this.  Now I have more info that is totally useless and is not going to be accurate in a  real world experience.  Hot, cold, charge state, humidity….. too many variables to matter.