Topic: D7/ best power source

[charles]

Just bought a D7....was wonering what is best power source for this unit? What do those of you who have one use?

[dnsacks]

you can rig up all sorts of external batteries, but my personal favorite power source is to buy aa sized NIMH rechargable batteries and not bother with external batteries.

Duracell's now selling smart chargers (under 1 hour charge times) and 4 packs of 2050 mah batteries (HUGE capacity) for under $30 a set, saw these at my local kroger affiliate grocery store (King Soopers) yesterday so they're pretty universally available I suspect.


the NIMH I ran (far lower 1500 mah capacity) would EASILY run our d7 for at least 3 hours per set (more like 4+).  Simply swapping out for a fresh set whenever changing out dats will virtually assure you never have battery problems.

Good luck

[bagtagsell]

I just picked up some energize 2200mah "AA" $15 @ wally world

[deadheaded]

i have been using this set up for all purpose AA use.  prety good deal.

http://batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=587

[charles]

Howmuch running time have you been getting out of that setup deadheaded?

[dnsacks]

Howmuch running time have you been getting out of that setup deadheaded?

You should have no real problem getting around 4 hours of runtime off of a single set.  Foolproof way of running this, get an extra set of batteries and run the first set of batteries for openers/first set of headliner and the second set for the second set of the headliner.  You'd likely have plenty of power left over on the second set to x-fer/playback everything you recorded that evening.  Better (imho) to always see 3 of the 4 battery level bars lit throughout a recording than to wonder how long that last bar of power will keep powering the deck.

[Esap]

RS also makes double As that are 3000 mah. Longest lasting NIMH I've used. 2 in an M1 lasted just under 3hrs.

[charles]

I ended up going with the system Deadheaded pointed me to. Should be just what I need. I figure run two NiMH AA's (2300mAh) for first set...then switch them out with a fresh pair for the second. Hopefully that will work out. May switch again for encore just to be safe. Bought two NiCd 9v's and a charger for my AD-20 as well.

[dnsacks]

Charles:

1) I presume you mean FOUR nimh AAs per set (the d7 needs 4 batteries to run)

2) AD 20 MAY work for a set with the nicd 9v batteries, but, unlike the aa batteries, the 9v nicd (or nimh) batteries hold a fair amount LESS juice than their alkaline counterparts.  BE SURE to make a few test runs on the ad20 using the 9v nicd batteries before you go out into the field to be sure you know how long they will last powering the ad20.  If you need more run time on the ad20, the best solution is to rig up an external battery pack.

[charles]

As for the 2 AA's...yes, I meant 4. As for the AD-20...Denecke claims it will run 8-10 on a regular 9v.....so, I figure I'm good with the NiCd's for at least one set.

[dnsacks]

Gotchya --

On the ad20 -- my experience running it (and a ps2) with those batteries was unsatisfactory (primarily on the ps2 side), ended up frying the batteries in the charger and switched to an external powering solution. My advice, be sure to let the ad20 run the batteries down a few times (with mics, etc. connected) before taking it out into the field so you have a clear understanding of how long it will run off of the batteries before the red light starts blinking.  IMHO, NOTHING's worse than having to worry 'bout batteries crapping out while trying to enjoy a show.

[charles]

Will do.....do you think by limiting each 9v to no more than 2 hrs. running time that I will be in pretty good shape? When yours crapped out and burned up, were they fresh? And, how far were you into the show on that battery?

[dnsacks]

Charles:

my big problem was with using the rechargables to power hungry mics via the ps2, if alkaline batteries would power 'em for 90 minutes, the fresh nicds would only power 'em for 30.  This all was done a few years (and rigs) ago, so my memory is not super fresh on how they did with the ad20.

You should have a clear sense of their capacity after testing 'em a bit.

[charles]

Well....one difference here is that I'm using Nak cm300's....they're powered by an internal 9v....all I'm powering with the NiCd 9v is the AD-20. No PS-2 here....no need for 48vpp.