Mastodawn

I'm working against a time crunch. Haven't told you all yet about #POTAThon1207, 1208, 1211 and 1212 nor the @BigWhiteRally next weekend. This kit has got to travel with me then, for what is life without it? 😀

This means I'm not completing the build before I go.

That means I'll reduce my overall goals for pre-trip to basic functionality and complete this project later this month, and after the KX3 comes back from repair in the spring I'll install the linear as the final piece.

Basic SSB/CW + onboard 15Ah battery is the new goal.

Today is all about the CW Key and Mic integration as seen in the front corners of the plate

It's also all about power stuff. First, the external routing. See drawing

Meter is switchable, meant to show the voltage only when I want. For now there's a toggle switch to turn the meter on and off, pushbutton later. It's the unlabeled switch, centre. The other switch chooses between external (blue port) and 15Ah onboard battery.

Inside the switchbox. Note DPDT switch double ganged up - this is to handle the current load but keep switch small.

You all DO carry spare fuses for each and every kit you have, correct?
RIGrunner "H" version to save on height. This is underneath the mounting plate, out of sight.

Here's the glamour shot thus far, all tested and working.

Next up: 15Ah battery pack and BMS build and integration, and some photos under the plate.

Be back later ...

The circled part in the drawing is the stuff that follows

Here's the stuff. Headway 40152 15Ah 3.2v LiFePO4 from @BatteryHookup, BMS from Amazon (the permanent BMS with BT integration is on a slow boat from China so it gets installed later)
<headscratch> just gotta mount it so it stays put LOL

BMS wired and ready to install

Powerpoles for easy disconnect (remember the plate is removable for maintenance). Metallic @Sharpie marker makes labelling easy.

But I sure don't want these babies rolling around inside the case for I am allergic to events involving spontaneous deconstruction 🤣

So that's the next problem to solve ... Stay tuned, more to come ...

Gary @N8DMT Dec 5, 2022

@VE6LK Round things hooked securely to flat surfaces >> P-Clamps

VE6LK Dec 5, 2022

I've got it figured out! But too late/tired to fabricate, so this is a tomorrow job.

Stay tuned!

Last night I was exactly here and stuck for solutions to hold down the batteries

And then, like a blinding flash late last night ⚡️💡⚡️ it came to me!

MOVE the batteries.

So simple. Use the existing standoff bolts to hold the batteries in place.

But first ... the build photos.

Because I'm fussy, I made use of the cutting board and held the cells in place with duct tape so they would not roll around as I screwed the cabling into place.

Also shown here is the plastic coated galvanized plumbing strap material that will hold them down.

And here's how it looks inside with everything connected up. Note use of Powerpoles for easy quick disconnect for future maintenance.

Wire ties where I could, velcro in other places - all to hold things neatly in place. I still have to add a FT-240-31 in series (and re-wrap the choke per a few of your suggestions) but for now this gets me out the door.

With this many powerpoles it would be super-easy to mix something up. And that's why I label everything. Dymo Rhino 3000 and @Sharpie metallic markers shown here.
PPs that go together have matching notation on each one as shown in one photo here.