For Emergency Operations, (when using an HT) it is highly recommended that you carry two fully charged rechargeable battery packs and an extra AA battery case and batteries.

The rechargeable batteries will power your HT for at least the first full day of operations and the AA's will allow you to continue to operate if you can’t recharge your battery pack. It’s also important in cold weather to keep batteries warm, and not exposed on your belt.

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As an alternate or primary power source, use 12-volt, 2 Ahr or higher Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) or Gel Cell batteries.
- They fit in a coat pocket, run an HT all day or power a 2 meter mini-amp for 3 hours at a typical duty cycle. Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) or Gel Cell batteries have many advantages. They will allow you to:

· Operate when other forms of power are not available

· Operate longer than with Ni-MH, NiCad or Alkaline batteries; 1–3 Ahr batteries are still small enough to be hand carried.

· Operate mobile, portable or fixed at a higher output power

· Operate at a lower cost; Gel Cells and SLA’s are less expensive than Ni-MH, NiCads or Alkalines.

· Operate with fully charged batteries at all times; It’s possible to keep these batteries on a "smart" charger continuously.

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Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) batteries are used to power medical diagnostic instruments, alarm systems and Un-interruptible Power Supplies (UPS) just to name a few.

Depending on the criticality of the application, some organizations replace their batteries on a regularly scheduled basis well before they are worn out and require disposal as hazardous waste.

NOTE TO EC's
EC’s should write or call local hospitals, explaining how batteries they discard are useful for emergency communications activity.
- It may be possible to obtain a quantity free for the asking, with no more trouble than
a) signing a hand receipt to satisfy the environmental officer and
b) writing a thank you letter to the hospital administrator.

Remember, a hospital’s "donation" to your ARES group eliminates their disposal cost.

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Besides hospitals, and alarm companies, batteries are also available locally at reasonable prices.

For example, new 12V, 7Ahr batteries for around $26.

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If you decide to use Sealed Lead-Acid or Gel Cell batteries, you'll need a battery charger. 12 V Battery Chargers are available from various sources:

· A & A Engineering also offers a "Smart Charger" for Gel Cells and Lead-Acid batteries.

You can also use so-called "Wall Warts", but the general consensus is that your batteries won't last as long on these inexpensive chargers.

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Thanks for listening

Source:
www.clackamasares.org/index.php/j-pole-a...14-members/resources