Topic: DR-680 battery options

[dgale]

So I have a DR-680 en route and I need some schooling on what my battery options are for this unit.  The last batteries I bought were a slew of eco-charge batteries and I know things have evolved from those days, so what are my options?  Obviously I'd prefer to save $$ if possible but want a reliable and reasonably long lasting option.  Thanks for any advice.

[guysonic]

You might think about if you're going to run Phantom Power, and just how many 'maximum' hours runtime is required to properly size external powering requirements. 

My battery posting in the Retail section is good reading if wanting most reliable remote field runtimes of over 10 hours: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=83618.0;all

Or go to my website page for more alternatives, and extensive user knowledge of the different battery chemistries: www.sonicstudios.com/batsys98.htm

[Todd R]

My 680 is still on backorder so I don't have it yet to test it out, but I'm planning on using this battery with it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330391162265

I ordered mine on 4/30, and it arrived on 5/13.  <Two weeks from China, including order processing time is pretty good.  $35 shipped for a 6500mAh 12v li-ion battery is a great deal I think.  And man is it small and light!  Compared to a 12v 6 Amp-hr SLA battery, hoo boy what a change from the old days of lead!

I have no idea if the output connector will fit the 680, but I imagine I'll have to change it out.  But so far this battery looks like it could be a winner.

[Chuck]

I'm getting more than 5 hours a piece out of my Wally World (9v) DVD batteries.

I may switch to the 12v batteries ToddR bought from HK if they work well for him.

I've looked for the exact power plug connector that's used on the DR-680. It's hard to find a right angle one. It's 5.5mm OD with the yellow tip split center pin.

I am currently using:
2.5mm x 5.5mm x 14mm RIGHT ANGLE DC Plug

Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/2-5mm-5-5mm-11-5mm-Plug-Cord/dp/B000LFVFK8



Edit: To add photo of DR-680 power plug

[Todd R]

Good to know Chuck, thanks.  So the 680 definitely uses a 5.5 o.d. / 2.5 i.d connector?  The standard configurations for a 5.5 mm outer diameter coax connector are either 2.1mm inner diameter or 2.5mm inner diameter.  The problem is on a 2.1mm inner diameter connector on the recorder side, a 2.5mm i.d. connector will fit on just fine, but it can provide an intermittent connection.

I'll have to check on the connector that comes on that battery I got.  It definitely is a 5.5mm connector, but I'm not sure if the inner is 2.1 or 2.5.

So it may well fit directly on the 680, but I might switch it out to a right angle plug like Chuck shows.  I've got those RA cable assemblies at home somewhere anyway.

[Chuck]

Good to know Chuck, thanks.  So the 680 definitely uses a 5.5 o.d. / 2.5 i.d connector?

The OD is 5.5mm. I don't know the exact ID, because of the split center. 2.5mm ID works OK for me for now though.
But, the cable I'm currently using is not ideal. I'd love to find a source for the proper split center cable in right angle.

[guysonic]

Good to know Chuck, thanks.  So the 680 definitely uses a 5.5 o.d. / 2.5 i.d connector?

The OD is 5.5mm. I don't know the exact ID, because of the split center. 2.5mm ID works OK for me for now though.
But, the cable I'm currently using is not ideal. I'd love to find a source for the proper split center cable in right angle.

I make these in custom molded right/angle, that is if same as Sony DAT D7, D8 /MR-1 deck having 4.85mm x 1.7mm/4.1 mm x 1.7mm size plugs respectively. 

My in-stock plugs look/work identical to photo except are shipped 20 Ga custom length cord to molded R/A.

[dgale]

Anyone have anymore insight on the correct plug size for the DR-680?  I agree 5.5mm OD seems correct but hard for me to visually tell the difference between 2.1mm and 2.5mm. 

[tgakidis]

I too would like to know as I would love to add this option to my power cable line.  I contacted Tascam and they din't seem to want to help saying that info is only available to authorized service agents. 

[dgale]

Man, that's a frustrating response.  Anyone know any authorized Tascam service agents we can hit up for the specs?

[Chuck]

I have been using one just like this with no problems.
5.5mm x 2.5mm

I've tried to make it break connection by twisting it & jiggling it while attached to the 680.
I can't get it to fail... so, I feel confident that it'll keep working.

[tgakidis]

I would suggest bringing the unit, not the plug, to an electronics store and stick a few plugs in.  Chuck said he did this with radio shack and they did not have the size, although it wouldn't hurt to try them in your area as well as any "other" electronics store.  I would imagine that tascam would use the same size as the HD-P2, which is a "m" size plug from radio shack.  I have attached a size chart that may help.

[tgakidis]

I have been using one just like this with no problems.
5.5mm x 2.5mm

I've tried to make it break connection by twisting it & jiggling it while attached to the 680.
I can't get it to fail... so, I feel confident that it'll keep working.

Ok, that is a radio shack "n" plug.  That is the same size plug I use for the PP-99 battery and Mytek Stereo96 ADC.

[Chuck]

None of the Radio Shack adapta-plugs had the split in them, like the stock DR-680 plug does. That's why I said that I couldn't find it at Radio Shack.


edit to add:

I could buy a RS "n" plug and try it. (except that they're like $6-7 for just the plug) That would confirm whether the ID is 2.1mm or 2.5mm.
There may be .4mm of "slop" in my set-up. All I know is that it works fine for me.

[dgale]

So I guess the question is which is (more) correct - the "N" plug (5.5 OD x 2.5 ID) or the "M" plug (5.5 OD x 2.1 ID).  Obviously it seems like the 2.5mm size is working, although if the HD-P2 uses the "M" plug, it would seem wierd they would switch things up for the 680.  What is the significance of the split in the stock plug?  I assume the connectors are spring loaded and hence it's supposed to make a better connection?  I guess it sounds like I should take my deck in and see if a 2.1mm ID plug will work with the deck and if so, presumably it's a more reliable connection, as long as it's not too tight a fit (?)  Are the split versions of these same sizes available via online electronics distributors and is it worth the trouble to track down?

[fobstl]

The Radio Shack "M" plug fits the 680 pretty snugly. But, visually inspecting the inside diameter, it still seems that the "M" is a larger inside diameter than the plug that came with the unit. Could just be because of the split in the stock plug, not sure. Do they make plugs with smaller inside diameter than the 2.1mm that the "M" plug is?

[dgale]

So it seems like 2.1mm ID is probably the correct size if you can find the split connector, otherwise going with a standard 2.5mm plug is probably the way to go.

[darby]

Ted,
the tip you made me works on both my P2 & my 680
I ordered it that way because I am using my P2 wallwart
because the one that came with my 680 didn't work
and I'm STILL waiting for a replacement 

[tgakidis]

Thanks for confirming Mike!

[fobstl]

OK, took the deck to Radio Shack tonight. The "M" plug (5.5 OD, 2.1 ID) was definitely the closest they have. The "M" plug I have for my EAA seems to work well in testing at home. Snug fit, seems to fit very similar to the stock plug. So as far as the Rat Shack plugs I think that is probably it.

[Chuck]

OK, took the deck to Radio Shack tonight. The "M" plug (5.5 OD, 2.1 ID) was definitely the closest they have. The "M" plug I have for my EAA seems to work well in testing at home. Snug fit, seems to fit very similar to the stock plug. So as far as the Rat Shack plugs I think that is probably it.

Thank you for doing that.

[tgakidis]

OK, took the deck to Radio Shack tonight. The "M" plug (5.5 OD, 2.1 ID) was definitely the closest they have. The "M" plug I have for my EAA seems to work well in testing at home. Snug fit, seems to fit very similar to the stock plug. So as far as the Rat Shack plugs I think that is probably it.

Thank you for doing that.

[dgale]

I finally heard back from Tascam Customer Service and they provided me with the following specs for the DR-680 DC power jack:

Outside Diameter : 5.5mm   
Inside Diameter : 2.1mm 
Length: 9.5mm,
Inside pole is positive (+),
Input Voltage : +8V - +13V   
Supply current : more than 600mA

This item is not available as a separate part.

Thank you for your interest in TASCAM products.

[Chuck]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing that. That confirms that it's OK to use a 9v wally DVD battery (which is what I have been using since I got mine).

[fobstl]

Awesome Dan, thanks for getting that info. Confirms that the M plug I am using is the right size.

[tgakidis]

 

[yltfan]

Awesome Dan, thanks for getting that info. Confirms that the M plug I am using is the right size.

On the M plug, "tip" should be +, correct?

[tgakidis]

Awesome Dan, thanks for getting that info. Confirms that the M plug I am using is the right size.

On the M plug, "tip" should be +, correct?

Tip is + (positive)

[Chuck]

I finally heard back from Tascam Customer Service and they provided me with the following specs for the DR-680 DC power jack:

Outside Diameter : 5.5mm   
Inside Diameter : 2.1mm 
Length: 9.5mm,
Inside pole is positive (+),
Input Voltage : +8V - +13V   
Supply current : more than 600mA

I wonder...
Has anyone assembled, in one place, this type of data for the other popular portable pre-amps and recorders?

[tgakidis]

I finally heard back from Tascam Customer Service and they provided me with the following specs for the DR-680 DC power jack:

Outside Diameter : 5.5mm   
Inside Diameter : 2.1mm 
Length: 9.5mm,
Inside pole is positive (+),
Input Voltage : +8V - +13V   
Supply current : more than 600mA

I wonder...
Has anyone assembled, in one place, this type of data for the other popular portable pre-amps and recorders?

I have a good amount of information from equipment manuals, writen down on scraps of paper and floating around in my head.  I will make a point to post something soon......

[groovon]

My 680 is still on backorder so I don't have it yet to test it out, but I'm planning on using this battery with it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330391162265

I ordered mine on 4/30, and it arrived on 5/13.  <Two weeks from China, including order processing time is pretty good.  $35 shipped for a 6500mAh 12v li-ion battery is a great deal I think.  And man is it small and light!  Compared to a 12v 6 Amp-hr SLA battery, hoo boy what a change from the old days of lead!

I have no idea if the output connector will fit the 680, but I imagine I'll have to change it out.  But so far this battery looks like it could be a winner.

Hey Todd, how is that chinese/hooboy Lithium battery turning out? Any problems charging it fully (or blowing it up!)? What are it's dimensions, BTW? Hope you had good luck with it, you can't beat the price.

cheers!
Dave

[Gutbucket]

Just a heads up that the latest 9V DVD batteries I bought a couple years back included the a cable and the correct RA adaptor for the DR680, so no need for me to build a custom one.  Right on.

[bdasilva]

Go to ebay and search for sale #   280641111464 This is a  6800mah Li
Battery  I think this would work out of the box.  It is cheap but it IS in
Hong Kong... (puts us all on a level field) I'm going to try it....    Brian

[asobriquet]

Go to ebay and search for sale #   280641111464 This is a  6800mah Li
Battery  I think this would work out of the box.  It is cheap but it IS in
Hong Kong... (puts us all on a level field) I'm going to try it....    Brian

I bought one of these for my DR680, but didn't get to try it because it arrived DOA.  Afterwards, I decided to go with one of the 5v/9v/12v ones available on ebay and have been happy with it. The included cable, while short, has a connector that fits the dr-680.

[bobbygeeWOW]

for what its worth, when I was figuring out how to power my expanding 8-channel rig, I checked the voltage ranges of my gear and noticed that they all have 12V in common.
Conveniently I already had a 10-14-88 batterygeek that seems to runs my rig for ever
Originally I considered making a proper DIN rail for power distribution contained in a little box, but to save on size and weight I instead made a breakout cable that terminates in a standard little DC plug on the power input side.

I then took a quality little 5A 12V power supply, attached a DC socket to the output, and zip-tied it to a little high quality two-socket surge suppressor/notch filter.

This way the gear stays permanently plugged into the breakout cable and I can choose between plugging everything directly into the battery or into the little power supply/surge suppressor/notch filter when I'm using house power.

[sdog]

I know this topic is a little old, but I think this question is probably more relevant to this thread than a new one. Maybe?

The specs above from Tascam state 8V-13V for input. A lot of the simple Lithium-Ion battery packs (like the NP-1 style) are at 14.4V. Is anyone running the DR-680 off of a 14.4V Li-ion? Any ill side effects from the slightly-higher-than-rated voltage?

Thanks!

[digging90650]

Conveniently I already had a 10-14-88 batterygeek that seems to runs my rig for ever
Originally I considered making a proper DIN rail for power distribution contained in a little box, but to save on size and weight I instead made a breakout cable that terminates in a standard little DC plug on the power input side.

Just found this post that says you made your breakout cable.