Topic: iRiver H120 external power options?

[mikesalvo]

are there any? Looking to pick up a backup deck. I did a quick browse in the iRiver FAQ and didn t see anything mentioned. How are iRiver users power their decks for say a weekend destival?

thanks!,
~mike

[petur]

the iriver provides about 3,7V plug power, if you need more, use a battery box or a pre-amp

[travelinbeat]

I had this exact same question a few months ago, for the exact same reason (weekend-long festival). 

I did some research and posted around and ended up buying and installing a replacement, expanded battery for the iRiver itself, as well as building a battery sled.  You seem to be asking most pointedly about external battery options, so I suppose that the most direct means to that end would be to build a battery sled.  It costs virtually nothing (well under $10, closer to $5) and you need zero familiarity with electronics (as proved by my successful attempt at building one).  I'm linking you to my first post which open inquiries about the power situation.  I'd encourage you to read all of that page + the page of posts which follows it.  From there you can choose which option best suits your needs (replacing battery / battery sled-- again, I chose both).  Let us know how it goes for you!

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,94722.msg1440007.html#msg1440007

[tgakidis]

Here is a solution that i used for my R-09HR, but it would work for the iriver aalso.  It has multi voltage settings (3V, 4.5V, 5V, 6V, 6.5V, & 8.4V Settings).  The iriver takes 5V.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,112319.msg1502000.html#msg1502000

You just need to build a cable from rat shack.

[petur]

woops.. I thought the question was about the h1x0 providing power, not providing power to the h1x0... sorry

I know the h3x0 series came (sometimes) with an external battery pack (essentially a box that holds 4 AA batteries), maybe you can find one and put another connector on it.

[travelinbeat]

woops.. I thought the question was about the h1x0 providing power, not providing power to the h1x0... sorry

I know the h3x0 series came (sometimes) with an external battery pack (essentially a box that holds 4 AA batteries), maybe you can find one and put another connector on it.

yea I've linked instructions on how to build one of these in my previous post-- I think the DIY battery sled option is the easiest, cheapest, simplest way to provide power to your iRiver.  What's more is so long as the unit itself has some charge, you can unplug the sled, change out the batteries, and keep rolling all completely seamlessly.  Personally though, I just made sure my iRiver was charged and headed into the weekend with the sled loaded with 4 fresh Lithium AA's and I had no problems whatsoever (not to say I didn't bring 4 extra LiAA's just in case!).

[rsimms3]

Unfortunately, Ratshack has stopped carrying enclosed AA sleds.  That's where I bought my original sled which had an On/Off switch, just had to add the cable.  I use a AA sled I bought from WalMart for my MTII and the one I built from Radioshack parts for my iRiver.  I would say a replacement battery would really be the best bet.  I love my iRiver. 

[sunjan]

Unfortunately, Ratshack has stopped carrying enclosed AA sleds.  That's where I bought my original sled which had an On/Off switch, just had to add the cable.  I use a AA sled I bought from WalMart for my MTII and the one I built from Radioshack parts for my iRiver.  I would say a replacement battery would really be the best bet. 

A replacement battery might not work in a festival setting, you don't want to open the unit with mud/dust/wooks around. So an external battery solution is still a worthwhile investment. If you live in the UK or don't mind overseas shipping, there is even an out-of-the-box model, with no DIY involved!


A bargain at only £6.00, incl shipping:
http://www.portablepowersupplies.co.uk/aabatterypack.htm

Or if you're on a really tight budget, the DIY guide that travelinbeat mentioned earlier pretty much covers it all:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,94722.msg1442226.html#msg1442226

[stantheman1976]

I think by replacement battery he meant buying a new battery and replacing it at home.  The internal batteries last a fairly long time when they are new and strong.

[petur]

I think by replacement battery he meant buying a new battery and replacing it at home.  The internal batteries last a fairly long time when they are new and strong.

Yes, but the problem is that li-ion batteries die of age, not use, and there's probably not many people selling *new* iriver batteries, most must have been for some time in their warehouses. I know that the CameronSino battery is dropping its capacity earlier than expected because it wasn't a freshly manufactured one.

[taylordb]

I think by replacement battery he meant buying a new battery and replacing it at home.  The internal batteries last a fairly long time when they are new and strong.

Yes, but the problem is that li-ion batteries die of age, not use, and there's probably not many people selling *new* iriver batteries, most must have been for some time in their warehouses. I know that the CameronSino battery is dropping its capacity earlier than expected because it wasn't a freshly manufactured one.

Does anyone know a brand that is known to be reliable as new (really new.....not never used and sitting in a warehouse for 10 years)

[rsimms3]

I think by replacement battery he meant buying a new battery and replacing it at home.  The internal batteries last a fairly long time when they are new and strong.

Yes, but the problem is that li-ion batteries die of age, not use, and there's probably not many people selling *new* iriver batteries, most must have been for some time in their warehouses. I know that the CameronSino battery is dropping its capacity earlier than expected because it wasn't a freshly manufactured one.

Yes, but they still make new batteries for the older iPods which is what the h120 uses, just have to change the Molex connector.

[sunjan]

If you live in the UK or don't mind overseas shipping, there is even an out-of-the-box model, with no DIY involved...

I found another vendor, based in Germany. This might work out cheaper, depending on where you live:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350140160776

[travelinbeat]

that german one is prettier imho, though assuming OP is stateside, that overseas shipping is still a killer, probably more than the unit itself.

Mike, if you're in the US and you have like a week or so, I think I may have a spare battery sled back home (I'm at school in Kansas right now, 1,400 miles from where I think the sled is).  I'll make one for you for parts + shipping, no problem.  Takes two drops of solder and 5 minutes max. 

Let me know

[bugg100]

This still deserves a +t, in my book!

that german one is prettier imho, though assuming OP is stateside, that overseas shipping is still a killer, probably more than the unit itself.

Mike, if you're in the US and you have like a week or so, I think I may have a spare battery sled back home (I'm at school in Kansas right now, 1,400 miles from where I think the sled is).  I'll make one for you for parts + shipping, no problem.  Takes two drops of solder and 5 minutes max. 

Let me know