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Hello group! I recently bought a non- ND model Yaesu Ft817 that has the Windcamp 3000mah battery installed. I can charge the battery up to 12v but, once voltage drops down to around 10v the rig shuts off. Is this normal? Any help would be greatly appreciated. 72 Mike
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Yes, I think that's normal. I have the exact same radio and setup, but with a new Windcamp setup. I've yet to deplete it, but haven't used it much . Maybe the older windcamp battery is just tired, or you are just using it up. How long before it drops to the 10v shutoff point??
Mike WA1MAD
On Jan 25, 2025 8:43 AM, "Ducmike2 via groups.io" <Ducmike2@...> wrote: Hello group! I recently bought a non- ND model Yaesu Ft817 that has the Windcamp 3000mah battery installed. I can charge the battery up to 12v but, once voltage drops down to around 10v the rig shuts off. Is this normal? Any help would be greatly appreciated. 72 Mike
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I did a POTA activation for probably 1 hour of transmission time before it shut off. Possible a little more? Can’t remember for sure the exact time. Thanks
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I thought 11 volts was the minimum it would work at.
Zack W9SZ
Hello group! I recently bought a non- ND model Yaesu Ft817 that has the Windcamp 3000mah battery installed. I can charge the battery up to 12v but, once voltage drops down to around 10v the rig shuts off. Is this normal? Any help would be greatly appreciated. 72 Mike
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The Radio or the battery??
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The radio will work below 10v, the stock NiMh pack is 9.6v, you usually won't get full power at that voltage. There is a volt meter calibration in the service menu. I have done this, as in measure the battery with a DVM, then turn on the rig and correct what it displays. So there is a chance your battery is very low, but falsely displaying 10v.
The Radio or the battery??
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Just to add that it's best to measure the voltage at the dc connector so as to take into account any voltage drop in the power lead.
Also IIRC Yaesu recommend using 13.8v as input if calibrating the voltage parameter,? it's in the service manual I think.
Andy
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Just a thought - if the battery has an integrated BMS then it may be that that's cutting out rather than the radio.?
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Cheers,?
Ronan
MM0IVR?
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I was thinking the same thing. The Windcamp is a 3 series lithium-polymer. Cutoff being between 2.5-3.0V per cell at the lowest, and 3.0-3.5V per cell on the conservative side, could easily land you in the area of 10V total pack voltage when the BMS shuts down the output.
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-Albert
KI4ORI
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Or, it's tired. May need a new one.
Mike WA1MAD
On Sun, Jan 26, 2025, 11:25?AM Albert Marsh via <hitekgearhead= [email protected]> wrote: I was thinking the same thing. The Windcamp is a 3 series lithium-polymer. Cutoff being between 2.5-3.0V per cell at the lowest, and 3.0-3.5V per cell on the conservative side, could easily land you in the area of 10V total pack voltage when the BMS shuts down the output.
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-Albert
KI4ORI
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The Windcamp battery also works below 10v.
Or, it's tired. May need a new one.
Mike WA1MAD
On Sun, Jan 26, 2025, 11:25?AM Albert Marsh via <hitekgearhead= [email protected]> wrote: I was thinking the same thing. The Windcamp is a 3 series lithium-polymer. Cutoff being between 2.5-3.0V per cell at the lowest, and 3.0-3.5V per cell on the conservative side, could easily land you in the area of 10V total pack voltage when the BMS shuts down the output.
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-Albert
KI4ORI
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Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
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I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why.
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting??
Mike WA1MAD
On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1= [email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why.
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars".
I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting??
Mike WA1MAD
On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1= [email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why.
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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Thanks. I finally got out my QRP dummy load wattmeter, which I should have done earlier. What confused me was when the lines are full it's 2.5 watts, then steps down, 1 watt then .5 watt to no lines at 5 watts, but at 5 watts there is a square left on the display vs an L looking thing.?
Mike WA1MAD
On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:58?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1= [email protected]> wrote: Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars".
I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting??
Mike WA1MAD
On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1= [email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why.
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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Despite many postings to this list and its yahoo predecessor correcting people, people continue to make incorrect postings about power output and how the 817 displays it. Below is a re-posting on this issue courtesy of Mike KD5KC. Key takeaway is that the display behaviour varies with the voltage. ? ? Matt VK1MA ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BATTERY POWER !!!!! ? Here is how to read the FT-817 power display. ? To control the power levels, press the function (F) button for <1 second, [Pg 12, item 8], then rotate the SELECT knob [Pg 12, item 13] to display menu item 9 [ PWR MTR xxx ] on Pg 15.? (xxx will equal pwr for POWER level, alc for ALC level, swr for SWR display or mod for FM deviation level).? Press button A to control the power level, button B to select the meter display [Pg 12, item 9].? Press the PWR button (button A) 4 times or more to step through the display. ? With an input voltage or battery voltage GREATER THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____) No bars displayed = 5.0 watts. ? ? With an input voltage or battery voltage LESS THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____)-(L_lll) (BLINKING) Three BLINKING bars displayed = 5.0 watts. *note1. ? This information is in the FT-817ND manual, on page 28.? It just isn't written very well. ? *note1:? The blinking display is a warning that you are using the 5-watt level while on battery power, and with the stock YAESU battery, your time on the air will be limited.? Using a larger external battery, or one of the larger capacity internal batteries will increase your air-time considerably. ? The reality is that it has nothing to do with battery or power supply.? It is simply sensing the voltage applied to the radio.? Any voltage below about 11.5v will show a blinking display.? Any voltage above about 11.5v will show a steady display.? It has nothing to do with what the power source really is. ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Mike Davis via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, 1 February 2025 1:52 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ft817] Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?? Thanks. I finally got out my QRP dummy load wattmeter, which I should have done earlier. What confused me was when the lines are full it's 2.5 watts, then steps down, 1 watt then .5 watt to no lines at 5 watts, but at 5 watts there is a square left on the display vs an L looking thing.? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:58?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars". ? I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting?? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why. ? Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.? I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
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Does the L become a square if on auto shutoff? A buddy said it does. I’ll check that soon.? Mike Davis WA1MAD
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On Jan 31, 2025, at 9:34?PM, VK1MA Matt via groups.io <doormatt@...> wrote:
? Despite many postings to this list and its yahoo predecessor correcting people, people continue to make incorrect postings about power output and how the 817 displays it. Below is a re-posting on this issue courtesy of Mike KD5KC. Key takeaway is that the display behaviour varies with the voltage. ? ? Matt VK1MA ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BATTERY POWER !!!!! ? Here is how to read the FT-817 power display. ? To control the power levels, press the function (F) button for <1 second, [Pg 12, item 8], then rotate the SELECT knob [Pg 12, item 13] to display menu item 9 [ PWR MTR xxx ] on Pg 15.? (xxx will equal pwr for POWER level, alc for ALC level, swr for SWR display or mod for FM deviation level).? Press button A to control the power level, button B to select the meter display [Pg 12, item 9].? Press the PWR button (button A) 4 times or more to step through the display. ? With an input voltage or battery voltage GREATER THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____) No bars displayed = 5.0 watts. ? ? With an input voltage or battery voltage LESS THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____)-(L_lll) (BLINKING) Three BLINKING bars displayed = 5.0 watts. *note1. ? This information is in the FT-817ND manual, on page 28.? It just isn't written very well. ? *note1:? The blinking display is a warning that you are using the 5-watt level while on battery power, and with the stock YAESU battery, your time on the air will be limited.? Using a larger external battery, or one of the larger capacity internal batteries will increase your air-time considerably. ? The reality is that it has nothing to do with battery or power supply.? It is simply sensing the voltage applied to the radio.? Any voltage below about 11.5v will show a blinking display.? Any voltage above about 11.5v will show a steady display.? It has nothing to do with what the power source really is. ? ? ? Thanks. I finally got out my QRP dummy load wattmeter, which I should have done earlier. What confused me was when the lines are full it's 2.5 watts, then steps down, 1 watt then .5 watt to no lines at 5 watts, but at 5 watts there is a square left on the display vs an L looking thing.? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:58?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars". ? I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting?? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why. ? Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.? I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
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I just checked the display and yes there is a squarish icon which may actually be a clock that shows just to the left of the L. I guess with my eyesight, I thought it was an square, in place of the L, but on highest power the L disappears. Thanks Mike Davis WA1MAD
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On Feb 2, 2025, at 8:26?AM, Mike Davis via groups.io <maddmd818@...> wrote:
? Does the L become a square if on auto shutoff? A buddy said it does. I’ll check that soon.? Mike Davis WA1MAD On Jan 31, 2025, at 9:34?PM, VK1MA Matt via groups.io <doormatt@...> wrote:
? Despite many postings to this list and its yahoo predecessor correcting people, people continue to make incorrect postings about power output and how the 817 displays it. Below is a re-posting on this issue courtesy of Mike KD5KC. Key takeaway is that the display behaviour varies with the voltage. ? ? Matt VK1MA ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BATTERY POWER !!!!! ? Here is how to read the FT-817 power display. ? To control the power levels, press the function (F) button for <1 second, [Pg 12, item 8], then rotate the SELECT knob [Pg 12, item 13] to display menu item 9 [ PWR MTR xxx ] on Pg 15.? (xxx will equal pwr for POWER level, alc for ALC level, swr for SWR display or mod for FM deviation level).? Press button A to control the power level, button B to select the meter display [Pg 12, item 9].? Press the PWR button (button A) 4 times or more to step through the display. ? With an input voltage or battery voltage GREATER THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____) No bars displayed = 5.0 watts. ? ? With an input voltage or battery voltage LESS THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____)-(L_lll) (BLINKING) Three BLINKING bars displayed = 5.0 watts. *note1. ? This information is in the FT-817ND manual, on page 28.? It just isn't written very well. ? *note1:? The blinking display is a warning that you are using the 5-watt level while on battery power, and with the stock YAESU battery, your time on the air will be limited.? Using a larger external battery, or one of the larger capacity internal batteries will increase your air-time considerably. ? The reality is that it has nothing to do with battery or power supply.? It is simply sensing the voltage applied to the radio.? Any voltage below about 11.5v will show a blinking display.? Any voltage above about 11.5v will show a steady display.? It has nothing to do with what the power source really is. ? ? ? Thanks. I finally got out my QRP dummy load wattmeter, which I should have done earlier. What confused me was when the lines are full it's 2.5 watts, then steps down, 1 watt then .5 watt to no lines at 5 watts, but at 5 watts there is a square left on the display vs an L looking thing.? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:58?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars". ? I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting?? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why. ? Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.? I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
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Mike S.
Michael Davis
Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF
M0RON