Topic: Marantz pmd660 power solutions..

[Nick's Picks]

Ok...i've had some revelations.

for one thing, and this has been observed allready by some people.
the 660 only runs on 2 batteries...thus it is taking a 3v feed (.08amp current) on the inside battery compartment.  this means that you can hot swap cells while the deck is running.

pretty cool

even cooler though, it will run, er..better said, it seems to run... w/a 6v DC feed externaly.  Marantz does not recomend, advise or endorse it, but a tech told me that it "should work".
I just took a chance and hooked up a 6v 5amp SLA to mine and it powered right up.  Now i'm going to hook up my hungry LSD2 mic and power it up and see that everything is fine and running for a long time.

[spyder9]

Ok...i've had some revelations.

for one thing, and this has been observed allready by some people.
the 660 only runs on 2 batteries...thus it is taking a 3v feed (.08amp current) on the inside battery compartment.  this means that you can hot swap cells while the deck is running.

pretty cool

even cooler though, it will run, er..better said, it seems to run... w/a 6v DC feed externaly.  Marantz does not recomend, advise or endorse it, but a tech told me that it "should work".
I just took a chance and hooked up a 6v 5amp SLA to mine and it powered right up.  Now i'm going to hook up my hungry LSD2 mic and power it up and see that everything is fine and running for a long time.

What about a Walmart 9V > Todd R Juicebox > 6V?  Lighter alternative?  No?

[Nick's Picks]

beats me.
it needs to have a 2amp current or it wont turn on.  i'm not familiar w/the juicebox , so I can't comment.
and remember.... i'm just passing on what i'm trying.  fry your deck at your own risk!


there is a fuse in there, so worst case is you fry that.

[spyder9]

Thanks.  I'll check with Todd and report back.

[Todd R]

Sorry, the Juice Box was designed specifically to provide 5v for the Microtrack and the Nomad JB3.  Though I might be able to make a special Juice Box to provide 6v, I can't easily adapt it to provide a 2A current output.  Bottom line, a Juice Box is not an option for this application.

[Nick's Picks]

fwiw...
doug did some testing, and reported back that he feels safe powering the 660 w/a fully charged 6v SLA, but would not recomend using any more voltage than 7v.

[spyder9]

Nick,

Check out the Power Runner PR2E.  Selectable voltage.  A friend used it at Snoe.down during his maiden voyage w/ the 660.  Said it worked flawlessly for the all day festival.  He had it set at 6V.  It beats lugging around lead.

http://www.laptopsforless.com/portable-dvd-battery/pr2e.htm

[Nick's Picks]

I've got one.  That very model and purchased from the same spot...  and it does not power up my 660.  is your friends an ACM ?
interesting.

[spyder9]

Yes.  He just got it last week.  Said the battery worked like a charm.  ACM does something to the powering?  I didn't read anything about that.

[Nick's Picks]

no, that that I'm aware of.  I just was curious if there were any other differences in our units as his seems to work w/that battery and mine wont even turn on.
yes, I have the tip polarity correct.

[spyder9]

Correction on the voltage.  He set it at 5V.  He said it ran forever.  I'm double checking on his mod.  I'm almost positive he said ACM.  He likes having the best.  Don't we all.    


EDIT:  confirmed ACM mod

[Nick's Picks]

huh.
i've tried mine at every voltage under 12, and it just will not turn on w/that battery.
fires right up fine on a pair of AAs or w/a 6v SLA.  but that PR2E just doesn't do it

[spyder9]

huh.
i've tried mine at every voltage under 12, and it just will not turn on w/that battery.
fires right up fine on a pair of AAs or w/a 6v SLA.  but that PR2E just doesn't do it

I'd send it back into Doug and have him check it.  Might be a Marantz manufacturing issue you have.

Or it could be the battery.  Take your pick.

[Nick's Picks]

my deck was Dougs personal deck.  who knows what he did in there.

[spyder9]

my deck was Dougs personal deck.  who knows what he did in there.