Tecsun Pl-880 power questions

[KB2GOM]

I sent the following to Kaito corporation, and while I am waiting for a reply, perhaps some of the folks here can shed some light on these questions.


"I just purchased a Tecsun pl-880, and so far I am very well pleased with it. I use it primarily for listening to shortwave and utility stations on the HF bands.

I have some questions regarding powering the PL-880.

1. It comes supplied with a 18650 Li-ion battery that is labeled 3.7V, 2000mah, 7.4Wh.

Can I use any 18650 battery to power this radio? If I use one that is labeled 5000mah, will it last longer?

2. The radio does not appear to receive signals while the battery is charging. Is that correct?

3. What do you recommend for operating the radio during an emergency when charging power may not be available? Spare charged-up batteries?

4. I have a power supply for another SW radio (a CCrane Skywave SSB) that terminates in a mini-USB plug. It is labeled output 5v, 300mA. There is a diagram that shows the end view of the plug with "+" on the left and "-" on the right. Can I use this for recharging the battery?"

 

[ka3jjz]

Why would you write to Kaito for this when this is a Tecsun product? Color me confused.

I am certain using a higher capacity battery will do as you expect - it will last longer, but on the flip side, take longer to charge. And I wouldn't be surprised if the radio doesn't work while charging - the charging circuit probably causes noise.

If no one answers here, there is a PL880 reflector on groups.io where it's more likely you will get your questions answered.

Tecsun-PL-880 groups.io Group

Tecsun PL-880 receiver discussion.

groups.io

Mike

 

[KB2GOM]

Why would you write to Kaito for this when this is a Tecsun product? Color me confused.

I am certain using a higher capacity battery will do as you expect - it will last longer, but on the flip side, take longer to charge. And I wouldn't be surprised if the radio doesn't work while charging - the charging circuit probably causes noise.

If no one answers here, there is a PL880 reflector on groups.io where it's more likely you will get your questions answered.

Tecsun-PL-880 groups.io Group

Tecsun PL-880 receiver discussion.

groups.io

Mike

The manual says on the back: "Kaito Electronics Inc." and gives an email address at Kaito. So, that's where I wrote.

 

[Gadgeteer2000]

I sent the following to Kaito corporation, and while I am waiting for a reply, perhaps some of the folks here can shed some light on these questions.


"I just purchased a Tecsun pl-880, and so far I am very well pleased with it. I use it primarily for listening to shortwave and utility stations on the HF bands.

I have some questions regarding powering the PL-880.

1. It comes supplied with a 18650 Li-ion battery that is labeled 3.7V, 2000mah, 7.4Wh.

Can I use any 18650 battery to power this radio? If I use one that is labeled 5000mah, will it last longer?

2. The radio does not appear to receive signals while the battery is charging. Is that correct?

3. What do you recommend for operating the radio during an emergency when charging power may not be available? Spare charged-up batteries?

4. I have a power supply for another SW radio (a CCrane Skywave SSB) that terminates in a mini-USB plug. It is labeled output 5v, 300mA. There is a diagram that shows the end view of the plug with "+" on the left and "-" on the right. Can I use this for recharging the battery?"

I do not have a PL880 but I am quite familiar with different batteries.
In that spirit:
1. Yes, you should be able to use higher capacity 18650 batteries. Just be careful as there are many "fake" capacities promoted (for cheap chinese sources). If you use brand name batteries, then the capacity is most of the time accurate
2. Chargers typically make (electrical) noise which interferes with reception. So it is common that while charging radio does not work
3. I have many 18650 batteries - so always have some fully charged: you could do that same (have several and rotate them)
4. I use a dedicated charger (discharger etc.) for my 18650 batteries. Would prefer not to charge inside a device as the dedicated charger typically gives better insight to the battery (and is possibly better for the longevity of the cell as well). If your radio accepts 5V charging supply via USB then the power supply you suggest should work - but please double check as + / - is typically not indicated on USB chargers.

 

[KB2GOM]

I received this reply from Kaito:


Hello,

You can use a higher mAh battery it will also take longer to charge. It is not recommended to listen to AM or SW while charging because the adaptor will generate noise. We recommend to charge the battery after every use, have spare fully charged batteries in case of a power outage and or a high capacity power bank to charge electronic devices. Most USB adaptorsshould be standard 5V unless custom and noted on the adaptor. On PG.28 of the manual under #13 Power supply you will notice the required charging specification for the radio.

 

[KB2GOM]

Still leaves me wondering if I can use the power supply for the CCrane Skywave SSB to charge the battery in the PL880.

I hate to plug it it and just try in, in case I fry something.

 

[Gadgeteer2000]

Still leaves me wondering if I can use the power supply for the CCrane Skywave SSB to charge the battery in the PL880.

I hate to plug it it and just try in, in case I fry something.

I had a quick look. It looks the CCrane needs a standard USB charger. If the PL880 has also a standard USB plug to charge in that case one can safely say that with 100% certainty it is NOT going to fry anyting. The only thing that may happen is that charging may be extremely slow or not taking place at all if the PL880 needs much more charging current than the CCrane charger is able to provide. But risk of frying is zero. I would just try it. In the worst case it will not charge - but it will not fry it for sure.

 

[KB2GOM]

I had a quick look. It looks the CCrane needs a standard USB charger. If the PL880 has also a standard USB plug to charge in that case one can safely say that with 100% certainty it is NOT going to fry anyting. The only thing that may happen is that charging may be extremely slow or not taking place at all if the PL880 needs much more charging current than the CCrane charger is able to provide. But risk of frying is zero. I would just try it. In the worst case it will not charge - but it will not fry it for sure.

You were absolutely right. I plugged in the CCrane external power supply for the Skywave SSB into the PL-880, and it registered CHARGING. I have not verified that leaving it plugged in overnight will completely charge the battery on the PL-880. I will try that soon.

Now another question: I am considering buying this -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08THFDRS...colid=JVD8DPP692WL&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it -- to use for charging the PL-880 and my Kindle when I can't get to "house" power. The specs say it is rated at 12 volts. Will that be safe to use for my stated purpose?

 

[Gadgeteer2000]

Yes, that should work well. I would say any USB power bank (avoid super cheap looking no name asian ones) would work. And that includes the one you have linked. I personally would go for a compact unit (as these power banks can become quite heavy if you want to carry them all they long - and as a result I for example often leave them home, which sort of defeats the purpose)

 

[wscranston]

You were absolutely right. I plugged in the CCrane external power supply for the Skywave SSB into the PL-880, and it registered CHARGING. I have not verified that leaving it plugged in overnight will completely charge the battery on the PL-880. I will try that soon.

Now another question: I am considering buying this -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08THFDRS...colid=JVD8DPP692WL&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it -- to use for charging the PL-880 and my Kindle when I can't get to "house" power. The specs say it is rated at 12 volts. Will that be safe to use for my stated purpose?

That battery looks very nice. It will probably run the PL-880 24 hours a day for a week.

 

[MTScannerNut]

You were absolutely right. I plugged in the CCrane external power supply for the Skywave SSB into the PL-880, and it registered CHARGING. I have not verified that leaving it plugged in overnight will completely charge the battery on the PL-880. I will try that soon.

Now another question: I am considering buying this -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08THFDRS...colid=JVD8DPP692WL&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it -- to use for charging the PL-880 and my Kindle when I can't get to "house" power. The specs say it is rated at 12 volts. Will that be safe to use for my stated purpose?

That charger looks very similar to a car battery jump-starter I bought at Costco recently. It even has USB-C outputs to run and/or charge electronic devices.