Topic: DIY Power for UA-5

[mmadd29]

I need all you power guru's to give me some advice....

I have about 30 AA NiHM battery that are between 2100 and 2700 Mah.....I was thinking of making a couple of sleds of 8 batteries to power my UA-5. 

Where can I find a sled that is encloused that holds 8 batteries??

Radio shack has open sleds that I have two of....I could heat shrink the batteries in, but would need to remove to recharge.  Is it possible to get a charger, RC type or so, and charge all eight batteries?

Thanks

[fozzy]

I need all you power guru's to give me some advice....

I have about 30 AA NiHM battery that are between 2100 and 2700 Mah.....I was thinking of making a couple of sleds of 8 batteries to power my UA-5. 

Where can I find a sled that is encloused that holds 8 batteries??

Radio shack has open sleds that I have two of....I could heat shrink the batteries in, but would need to remove to recharge.  Is it possible to get a charger, RC type or so, and charge all eight batteries?

Thanks

something like this?

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/2966115?

[mmadd29]

I need all you power guru's to give me some advice....

I have about 30 AA NiHM battery that are between 2100 and 2700 Mah.....I was thinking of making a couple of sleds of 8 batteries to power my UA-5. 

Where can I find a sled that is encloused that holds 8 batteries??

Radio shack has open sleds that I have two of....I could heat shrink the batteries in, but would need to remove to recharge.  Is it possible to get a charger, RC type or so, and charge all eight batteries?

Thanks

something like this?

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/2966115?

I have one like that...but I'm afraid the batteries may pop out at a show......

[Chuck]

Make a velcro strap to hold the batteries in.

This is the way to go, because individual cells will die, or not take a charge after a while. If you solder (or heat shrink) them all together and one cell dies, the whole thing will die. Get a good four or eight cell quick charger. Thomas Distributing is a good place to look.

[mmadd29]

Make a velcro strap to hold the batteries in.

This is the way to go, because individual cells will die, or not take a charge after a while. If you solder (or heat shrink) them all together and one cell dies, the whole thing will die. Get a good four or eight cell quick charger. Thomas Distributing is a good place to look.

Now I really feel stupid +T Chuck, I have about twenty velcro strips....this is such an easy solution, I over-looked it...

I have the 4 cell charger, I know other have the same, it shows charging time, voltage, and such....

[Chuck]

It's a good idea to add an in-ine fuse with an outboard battery pack. The parts for that are at Radio Shack as well.

[mmadd29]

It's a good idea to add an in-ine fuse with an outboard battery pack. The parts for that are at Radio Shack as well.

So I figure that the voltage isn't a big deal as long as it can handle 10 or so volts, the current would be the issue.....since the battery pack will be around 2.5 A, a 3 A fuse should do.......am I correct?

[Chuck]

I don't remember how much current the UA-5 draws. I'd guess around 500 mA. You want to have a fuse in there that can handle the current draw from the device, plus and transient power spikes, like turning on the device. 2 amps is a common value for this application. There is some debate over whether to go with slow blow or fast blow fuses.

Funny thing is, I am building a new power cable for my DMIC-20 and have been re-reading and learning about fuses recently. When I got the DMIC-20, the phantom power circuit was fried. There is no fuse on that unit, so I want to make sure I don't fry it after I fixed it.    

Another option is the re-setable fuses. Someone else would have to chime in for information on those. I know that a lot of people use them and like them.

[Nick's Picks]

.450mAh is its draw

[mmadd29]

.450mAh is its draw

You mean 450uA, which is what .450mA would be,  that seems low...I would think it to be 450mAh.

I made the cable, works great I'll put up pictures in the rig section of everything once I'm done.

[Nick's Picks]

i believe its stamped on the back of the unit?
any way..yea...what he said.
it is low, and that is great.  you can build a two amp hour battery for this thing and run it 4 hours.
speaking from practical experience and several years w/one of these.