See the Lithium-Ion Batteries for the ‘All New zBitx’

I had posted about the All New zBitx 5 watts QRP All Band, All Mode Radio designed by VU2ESE some time back. Radio amateurs globally have started receiving the first batch of shipments. There has been a lot of buzz about the radio in the BITX mailing group and often there was a discussion about the two standard 18650 batteries needed for powering zBITX according to the manufacturer’s web page. Yesterday I bought a pair of the 18650 batteries from a local shop and here they are. They are 3.7 V Li-Ion rechargeable batteries. Rated capacity is 3000 mAh.

The usual cautions for Li-Ion battery has been printed on this one as well: Do not dispose in fire or heat; Do not puncture, damage or disassemble; Do not mix with different types of model batteries. VU2ESE has mentioned that he has been using flat top 18615 batteries.

I procured this battery box for the batteries from the local vendor as I can use it for my other projects as well. Interestingly the output wires are single core, suitable for connecting to solderless breadboards. I have been using solderless breadboards for small projects as that avoids inhaling of ‘solder smoke’!

The local vendor gave me this 9V, 1A charger for charging the two 18650 batteries. It has a standard power output plug. Now if I want to use it, I will have to wire a power socket for the battery box. But I forgot to buy that and I will have to visit the vendor once again! Another option is to look at my ‘junk store’ and trace out some old device in which a socket is there which can be recycled.