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Gear / Technical Help => Remote Power => Topic started by: jadedphan on July 23, 2016, 12:27:53 PM

Title: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: jadedphan on July 23, 2016, 12:27:53 PM
Greetings all....

With the upcoming Lock'N festival approaching, as well as (finally) making plans to hit the phish gigs at Dick's this year, I thought it would be fun to break out the ole taping rig.  To be honest, I haven't gotten out with it much lately, and recently pulled a nice tape of Claypool/Lennon, and sorta got the bug again (especially with the upcoming shows I'm seeing).

My battery situation is in desperate need of an upgrade, and I've sorta been out of the taping scene for so long, I feel like a camel with its head buried in the sand: as all kinds of new technology with batteries come flying by, I'm caught up in other things, and haven't stayed current in what is out there.

I am wanting to run a Schoeps vms 5u, mytek 192 (at around the 9v range), and a marantz pmd 661 without having to use any AA's if possible.  I am used to carrying several batteries packages anyway, but I'd love some advice on a battery or two or three that will take up as little room in the bag as possible, but will provide power for as long as possible.  From what I'm reading, it sounds like I might could put together a power rig that would only require changing the batteries for each component once or twice, and will be able to make it through the whole day of music.

I would appreciate any suggestions (especially those from personal use) about specific battery combos/model numbers that people have moved on to.....I've still got 3 old dvd li-on batteries i'm running the vms on, and am using 3 "monolith" generic 12volt batteries (unknown mAh), and have, gasp, been buying AA's for the marantz each time I use it.

I've tried doing some reading here on the site, but feel my head swimming, and would really just appreciate some straight out model numbers/suggestions (I've been told in the past...."oh just replace such and such with a Tekkon," but am never given the tekkon model number that people are referring to, then get home, and feel swamped with options and unsurities.

Feel free to just email me privately, or post here....as I said, I'd like to get a battery rig that I can count on getting it done with at Lock'n (figuring I'll have to maybe have 2 complete rigs, to swap out depending on charge time requirements....these monoliths I have for the mytek BARELY get full after an 8 hour re-charge.....there's gotta be a better way).

Lay it on me gurus, and thanks!
-bry

durhambrian@hotmail.com
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: DigiGal on July 23, 2016, 12:54:12 PM
I recently switched from a external Tekkeon MP3450 dual voltage battery to two separate external batteries.

I'm using a 6 Ah Li-ion 5V 2A USB battery to power the PMD661 and a 14.4V 5.1 Ah NP-1 style Li-ion battery to power my MixPre-D. I have 2 of each and as a backup run eneloop low self discharge "aa" rechargables internally which can allow for external battery swaps if needed.
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: caymanreview on July 23, 2016, 03:30:23 PM
i also just switched out some of my tekkeons (3450 and several 3300's) for newer batteries. i went with the naztech pb15000.

just a few months ago they were 100$ but recently they have been in the 50$ range. i scored one of mine for 40 shipped
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: DigiGal on July 23, 2016, 04:42:05 PM
^ That Naztech only has a 200 mA on the 5V USB output, that's 0.2 A.

The PMD661 power requirement is 5V at 1.4A
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: caymanreview on July 23, 2016, 04:59:54 PM
i did not know that, ive never used the usb out
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: goodcooker on July 23, 2016, 07:42:41 PM

A Dual voltage battery like this one could power two devices at once.

https://www.amazon.com/XTPower-MP-10000-External-10000mAh-included/dp/B00935L44E/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1469316701&sr=1-5&keywords=12+volt+battery+pack (https://www.amazon.com/XTPower-MP-10000-External-10000mAh-included/dp/B00935L44E/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1469316701&sr=1-5&keywords=12+volt+battery+pack)

Just an example, there's tons of options out there.

If your DVD batts can hold up enough to power your VMS then you could use one of these to power your 661 from the 5V USB and the Mytek from the 12V DC output. The 661 on digital in doesn't sip much gas so you should be able to go all day on two of these even with the somewhat low mAh rating.

I use a similar battery (cheap Chinese knockoff, same capacity) to run my Tascam DR60d and it goes for 8+ hours recording 4 channels backlight always on.
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: jadedphan on July 24, 2016, 12:10:45 PM
Hey gang,

Thanks so much for the input.  I'm waiting to hear back fro one other buddy I feel like really knows this shit, but am thinking about ordering this combo.....think i'd be able to get enough juice to tape 12 hr's worht of festival, if I can still power the vms all day off of three or 4 of my old dvd batteries?  I'm just not good with mAh/hour conversations and all of the though/info needed to make really good, informed power decisions....

Here's what I think I'm going to go with:

https://www.amazon.com/XTPower-MP-10000-External-10000mAh-included/dp/B00935L44E/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1469316701&sr=1-5&keywords=12+volt+battery+pack
x 1
and:
https://www.amazon.com/XTPower-MP-10000-External-10000mAh-included/dp/B00935L44E/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1469316701&sr=1-5&keywords=12+volt+battery+pack
x1

and maybe for the fun of it pick up one of these as well, although i'm not certain about this third unit:
https://www.amazon.com/XTPower-MP-10000-External-10000mAh-included/dp/B00935L44E/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1469316701&sr=1-5&keywords=12+volt+battery+pack
x 1

Thanks for all of the input guys!

-bry
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: jbell on July 24, 2016, 01:32:26 PM
The VMS doesn't use a lot of power if you are using the KCY input!!  a Naztech pb15000 would get you 12 hours easily!!  There are also some cheap Tekkeon MP3300 on ebay. 
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: H₂O on July 24, 2016, 01:32:48 PM
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=176961.0

Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: thunderbolt on July 24, 2016, 05:03:25 PM
^ That Naztech only has a 200 mA on the 5V USB output, that's 0.2 A.

The PMD661 power requirement is 5V at 1.4A

I have powered a 661 with the Naztech, and it worked, but weird that it did given this info.
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: dnsacks on July 25, 2016, 11:49:21 AM
how does the 661 work with internal nimh rechargables?  I've been REALLY impressed with the power/capacity of maha NiMh aa batteries, a pair will run my m10 for well over 12 hours!

Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: jazzgtrl4 on July 25, 2016, 06:16:00 PM
^ That Naztech only has a 200 mA on the 5V USB output, that's 0.2 A.

The PMD661 power requirement is 5V at 1.4A

Wait, i just powered my pmd661 with the naztech USB, for 3 shows.....no issues at all.
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: DigiGal on July 25, 2016, 10:22:12 PM
^ That Naztech only has a 200 mA on the 5V USB output, that's 0.2 A.

The PMD661 power requirement is 5V at 1.4A

Wait, i just powered my pmd661 with the naztech USB, for 3 shows.....no issues at all.

Check the label on the bottom of your PMD661, mine says 5V 1.4A.

Amazon's Naztech PB15000 is listing "USB Out: 5V, 200mA (MAX)".
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: thunderbolt on July 27, 2016, 12:11:30 PM
Is there a risk of damage by underpowering?  I know that's been an issue with some decks, like the DR-680.
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: DigiGal on July 27, 2016, 01:16:53 PM
Is there a risk of damage by underpowering?  I know that's been an issue with some decks, like the DR-680.

Well, I personally wouldn't risk it; remember Marantz Professional does not officially endorse the use of an external battery.
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: dnsacks on July 27, 2016, 06:53:55 PM
FWIW (and because I was curious) --some googling suggests the PMD will run 5-6 hours (+) on internal NiMH aa batteries if not using phantom power.
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 28, 2016, 12:55:20 AM
how does the 661 work with internal nimh rechargables?  I've been REALLY impressed with the power/capacity of maha NiMh aa batteries, a pair will run my m10 for well over 12 hours!



My 2,300mah Energizer NIMH AAs would power my old M10's for around 18-20 hours, which was PERFECT for ONE M10 and day of recording at a big festie! Man, I do miss my old and lil M10's. A pair of lithium AAs would probably power the M10 for over 30 hours. INSANE!

Anyway, to the OP, I realize that you said you don't want to use ANY AAs, but I would power the VMS5u with some AAs internally, and then run a SINGLE battery like the ones linked by others above, to power the Mytek & 661 combo ;) That would probably be the easiest and most stress free way to go if you'll be recording for a long time! Ive never run a VMS5u, but I realize that it takes 6xAAs. My VMS02IB takes 8xAAs, and it gets like 18 hours with some of my fully charged 2,300mah Energizer AAs, so I'm guessing that the VMS5u gets like 12 hours at least with some AAs internally! That should be long enough for you! :)

So yeah, run some AAs inside of the VMS5u, and a 12v/5v combo USB style battery and that way, you'll only have to deal with ONE external battery! I also highly recommend the 9.6v NIMH RC  batts for your VMS5u, if it has the same voltage range as my 02IB does, and If you have a nice charger for them! I have a Tenergy TB6B Charger[$50], which charges ANYTHING[Lithium/SLA/NIMH/NICD/etc] and is the only charger I REALLY need, even though I have dedicated AA/AAA and Vape battery chargers too! Love it and it has a real-time readout about the battery being maintained :) I am not crazy about the Tamiya connectors though that come stock on most RC batts, but I am eventually going to upgrade those crappy Tamiya connectors with some SOLID locking connectors like Mini-XLRs, which is pretty easy to do if you're handy at all with a soldering iron 8)
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: DigiGal on July 28, 2016, 11:32:20 AM
FWIW (and because I was curious) --some googling suggests the PMD will run 5-6 hours (+) on internal NiMH aa batteries if not using phantom power.

There were several run time tests right here in the forum; look in the "New Marantz PMD661" threads which are currently on PT:3, there's also a "Team PMD661" thread.  ;)

Of Note: the PMD661 has a menu setting to toggle between Alkaline or Ni-MH for accuracy of the "battery remaining" indicator and "low battery" warning.
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: thunderbolt on July 28, 2016, 04:06:43 PM
I forgot I had this battery, too.  It does work, and has two USB outs: one that is 1A and one that is 2.1A, assuming they're truthful....
$13 on EBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/20000mAh-UltraThin-Dual-USB-Portable-Power-Bank-External-Battery-Backup-Charger-/321922201939?var=&hash=item4af40ef953
Title: Re: Time for a new battery rig, would appreciate some input
Post by: goodcooker on July 31, 2016, 09:45:05 PM
Is there a risk of damage by underpowering?  I know that's been an issue with some decks, like the DR-680.

Well, I personally wouldn't risk it; remember Marantz Professional does not officially endorse the use of an external battery.

Just anecdotal evidence but I ran my Marantz 670 for years with 9V into the 12V input no problem. I would def try to find a battery that could supply at least close to the listed current draw.