Topic: Simple battery pack for MT 24/96

[gorlando]

I have gone through several topics addressing external battery extenders for the MT 24/96 and I have seen different approaches, all of them involving a voltage regulator of some sort.
I am wondering if a simple device consisting of just 4 AA alkaline cells in series connected directly to the USB port of the MT would do the work.
This battery pack will supply initially 6 volts instead of 5, but is it a real problem? I think these electronic devices should have a certain tolerance in their voltage rating. This would ensure a very simple battery pack, with a voltage that will drop, as the batteries discharge, to the bare minimum acceptable to run the MT, which should be a bit less of the 3.7 volts of the internal Lipo battery.
Did anyone try this simple solution?l

[guysonic]

I have gone through several topics addressing external battery extenders for the MT 24/96 and I have seen different approaches, all of them involving a voltage regulator of some sort.
I am wondering if a simple device consisting of just 4 AA alkaline cells in series connected directly to the USB port of the MT would do the work.
This battery pack will supply initially 6 volts instead of 5, but is it a real problem? I think these electronic devices should have a certain tolerance in their voltage rating. This would ensure a very simple battery pack, with a voltage that will drop, as the batteries discharge, to the bare minimum acceptable to run the MT, which should be a bit less of the 3.7 volts of the internal Lipo battery.
Did anyone try this simple solution?l

USB volts is specified 4.7 to 5.2 volts.  Microtrack seems to shut down external charging/running at ~4.6 volts.  No way to tell how much voltage stresses the deck, but I have placed a short time 6 volts and no smoke, but how much more volts and for how long before breaking?

[gorlando]

There are no easy things, isn't it?
So a voltage regulator is needed.
I have seen on the site of National there are IC's with a reduced voltage drop, around 0.6 Volts. T

[guysonic]

There are no easy things, isn't it?
So a voltage regulator is needed.
I have seen on the site of National there are IC's with a reduced voltage drop, around 0.6 Volts. T

Sometimes things fit together easily, but not this time as Alkaline cells start at ~1.5 volts but 'ski-slope' drop down to 0.8 volts to deliver full cell capacity.  So alkaline cell pack voltage drips too soon for getting needed power capacity to run Microtrack for a few hours more.  Using NiMH cells instead with 5 volt pack starting voltage does not need dropping regulator, but again voltage will quickly drop as capacity is delivered and NiMH cell has delivered less than half capacity when cell voltage of pack has droped below the deck's 4.6 volt cutoff point. So not enough hours gained from NiMH cells that need to run down to 1.05 volts to deliver full capacity.

I have developed a new 4 cell powering sled that uses C or D alkaline cells to put out EXACTLY 5 volts for at least 15 or 35 hours of powering Microtrack.  This scheme uses military type specified 1 ampere output switching power supply that will run down to (2.6 volts = way below) end of alkaline sled cell capacity voltage rating of 3.2 volts.   So ALL THE CAPACITY of alkaline batteries can be used up.

Photos of the new BC-MT4 and BD-MT4 USBl power sleds should be posted this week at: www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm

[willndmb]

i have run my mt on the internal battery and a 4aa pack with no problems at all a few times for 3+hr shows
in fact i used the same 4aa for 3 shows just recharging the internal

to play it safe you can drain the 4aa before hooking to the mt

[jmz93]

Does anybody make a small battery with the mini-USB connector already attached?  I have something to tape in two week's time that will be five hours. I don't need a big cumbersome pack for 30 hours, just something to get an extra hour or two beyond the Microtrack's internal battery.  Maybe some external battery meant for an iPod or other mp3 player?

[willndmb]

Does anybody make a small battery with the mini-USB connector already attached?  I have something to tape in two week's time that will be five hours. I don't need a big cumbersome pack for 30 hours, just something to get an extra hour or two beyond the Microtrack's internal battery.  Maybe some external battery meant for an iPod or other mp3 player?

yes there is
someone posted about an energizer "cell phone" battery that works

most of the 4aa packs are pretty small, just slightly bigger then the 4aa themself

bam http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/102/C8313/

[Nick's Picks]

there are tons of 5v usb battery packs out there on the web.  from AA based to LiON.
Radioshack has a slick one for $30.

you can build one for peanuts.  the voltage regulator is a piece of cake.  iv'e built a few of these.  you can plug in an existing feed from a 9v or 12v and still maintain that starting voltage and use a 2nd feed w/the VR on it for 5v.  I made a custom cable for mine that did exactly this.  9v for my UA5, and 5v for the MT...both from one battery.  Plenty of power.  Pleeeennnntyyyy

just google for "ipod battery pack", and you'll hit paydirt.

[jsfrank]

I have one of the 4AA usb battery packs, but it is a little flimsy and I am worried about the internal connectors breaking. Here is what a guy at mAudio told my friend to buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7906821&type=product&id=1149206660741

I am going to pick one up. I llike that it only uses two so it will pay for itself eventually. I'll then keep the old one in my bag as an extra.

As far as AA's, make sure to get them from Costo. They are shrink-wrapped into 4 packs and the cost works out to $1 per 4 pack.

[guysonic]

I have one of the 4AA usb battery packs, but it is a little flimsy and I am worried about the internal connectors breaking. Here is what a guy at mAudio told my friend to buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7906821&type=product&id=1149206660741

I am going to pick one up. I llike that it only uses two so it will pay for itself eventually. I'll then keep the old one in my bag as an extra.

As far as AA's, make sure to get them from Costo. They are shrink-wrapped into 4 packs and the cost works out to $1 per 4 pack.

The Energizer device is designed to run on L91 photo lithium cells at cost of nearly $2 per cell!!!  Two of these are included.

These keep up their 1.7-1.4 output voltage until nearly exhausted.  Using cheap alkaline cells may not work very long, but please post your results using both types of cells.

[manleyf]

I think Guy's super sleds look like the ultimate powering solution for the MT, but for stealth size and cost considerations, I recently picked up one of these:

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2970

...but have not tested it yet.

I recorded a show last night with and ran only internal battery, to a 4gb CF card, 1/4" Line level with NO phantom power.  I had enough power for the show.

Are there any recording run times posted showing the 1/4", NO Phantom power > CF on the MT?

I'm also wondering if anyones has any MT run times for the inexpensive 4-AA-USB battery pack from BatterySpace?

I'll do some testing and post if no one else has yet.

[willndmb]

i don't have that aa pack but i have one like it
with the internal charged
i recorded 3, 3 hr shows with the same set of aa

should have also told you i run a microdrive so it uses more power then a cf card

[eclark]

ive got 6 AAs hooked up in series and my UA5 has been running for 2.5 hours now with no problems. they say that regular AAs have an equivalent mA to about 2000 (they are rated differnetly) so do the math and youll figure out how long its gonna run for. (i was at radioshack today for like an hour talking to the guy, lol)

[manleyf]

i don't have that aa pack but i have one like it
with the internal charged
i recorded 3, 3 hr shows with the same set of aa

Alkaline?

Do you happen to have a record time for internal only > CF (no-microdrive), with 1/4" no gain, line level, no phantom power?

Also, anyone know if and when the battery does die, is the MT smart enough to save the file before shitting out?

[willndmb]

i don't have that aa pack but i have one like it
with the internal charged
i recorded 3, 3 hr shows with the same set of aa

Alkaline?

Do you happen to have a record time for internal only > CF (no-microdrive), with 1/4" no gain, line level, no phantom power?

Also, anyone know if and when the battery does die, is the MT smart enough to save the file before shitting out?

yes alkaline
no sorry, i don't have a cf card
however with 1/4 and microdrive the internal will last me about 1.5 hrs