Topic: Dummy 9V battery for Littlebox question

[bryonsos]

I'm making a dummy 9V battery for my Littlebox so I can run it off of DVD batteries. I found this thread, but it's old.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=138728.0

Rather than hollow out an old 9V like Kirk did, I'd rather build a dummy battery out of wood, and run the cable out like he did. I made one of these wooden guys to replace the D batteries for my PMD 430 ages ago, and I'd rather not send it to Jon and wait for a week or two for the DIN3. I did ask for one after I placed the original order, but it fell through the cracks and I didn't get it when he built it. Live and learn.

So, just to be clear, if I use one of these Ratshack connectors, the "A" will be mimicking the battery, so the black wire "B" should be wired to the center post (+) on the B connector that plugs into the DVD battery correct? Ted made this comment in the thread, I just want to be sure. Thanks in advance!

[kirk97132]

I am only guessing but wouldn't the red wire indicate the positive?  The DVD battery is center pin positive.  Just look at a 9V battery and see if the male or female terminal is positive, the transpose that to the battery hook up and then wire it accordingly. 

[bryonsos]

I am only guessing but wouldn't the red wire indicate the positive?  The DVD battery is center pin positive.  Just look at a 9V battery and see if the male or female terminal is positive, the transpose that to the battery hook up and then wire it accordingly.

Yes, normally, but since I used the connector that would usually receive the battery, rather than mimic a battery, it's backwards. The positive on the 9V is the little male one, which goes with the black wire on the connector. Wired that to the center (+) on the B connector. Other than I figured out I need to brush up on my soldering skills, good to go! I had to mod the battery tray pretty significantly to make the terminals stick out properly, so I'm going to buy a tray for actual 9Vs, they're only ~$3.

[kirk97132]

FWIW, the top piece on a 9 volt battery is easily removed to use in place of the ratshack adapter you have and then you'll have correct height and contact for you setup.  Just replace that connection piece with the top from a dead 9volt and you should be good to go with no modifications needed.  The reason I had gutted a battery was because it was a boring day at work and I had a dead battery.  In hindsight if I was really serious I wou;d have used a wodden block of wood and the top to the 9 volt.  Just basic solder skills you don't even need to be real clean or neat for this project. 

[bryonsos]

FWIW, the top piece on a 9 volt battery is easily removed to use in place of the ratshack adapter you have and then you'll have correct height and contact for you setup. 

At first, I thought, that could be messy, I would probably puncture a cell or something. Then, this AM I remembered that the Energizer lithium 9Vs are different than the standard ones in that they are plastic rather than foil wrapped. I took the external sticker off and found three cells that slip out easily after you pry off the connections. If you're somewhat careful, you can preserve the metal strips that are welded to the connectors. I'm not sure if it will be easier to use them to wire it up, or if it will be better to solder directly to the connectors. I'll know better tonight. The plastic casing is actually perfect for this application as you can run the wires through the battery (there are slots) and out the side at the bottom. I'll be rebuilding tonight, this will be much cleaner.

[OOK]

That black littlebox is sexy....

[ArchivalAudio]

a long time ago
I had a 9v adapter that was a dummy 9 v battery with a lead to a wall wort - I believe it was a rat shack deal
I think if you  had the like you could use the dummy and wiring and easily terminate to the DVD batt plug...

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Found this while reseraching a AA Battery Eliminator for my P2:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/315072-REG/Shure_PS9US_PS9US_Battery_Eliminator.html

Terry

[bryonsos]

Found this while reseraching a AA Battery Eliminator for my P2:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/315072-REG/Shure_PS9US_PS9US_Battery_Eliminator.html

Terry

Nice find!

[hi and lo]

Indeed, but $50?!!!

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Indeed, but $50?!!!

Yeah, no kidding!

Terry

[Gutbucket]

So, just to be clear, if I use one of these Ratshack connectors, the "A" will be mimicking the battery, so the black wire "B" should be wired to the center post (+) on the B connector that plugs into the DVD battery correct?

This is correct.  Those connectors come prewired with their indicated polarity opposite to that of the battery, since they are designed to mate with battery terminals (male>female & viceversa).  So in your non-standard application of using the connector to imitate the battery side, you need to swap the indicated polarity.

Connector used on load side (standard use), Red lead = positive
Connector used on supply side (mimicing battery), Red lead = negative