Topic: DVD batteries

[jbell]

I want to grab a new DVD battery and can't find the RB 270 online.  Any ideas?

[yug du nord]

Why are these becoming so hard to find??

[jbell]

good question.  Is this the same battery??

http://www.amazon.com/Lenmar-DVDU923-Universal-Battery-Portable/dp/B0011MZORU

Why are these becoming so hard to find??

[kirk97132]

I didn't check the link but I believe that one is only 2600 mAh compared to the 5400/6000 that the other dvd batteries are.  They are on E_bay but the going rate for them is now about $60. 

[darby]

it's getting to the point that the Tekkeon 3450 is a better buy

[jbell]

Agreed   

it's getting to the point that the Tekkeon 3450 is a better buy

[rastasean]

The price on the dvd batteries were affordable for about 1-2 (if that) years and now they seem to be climbing back up to the unobtainable range. maybe they are expensive because portable blueray players are coming onto the market and they will require a different battery to use. 

Agreed   

it's getting to the point that the Tekkeon 3450 is a better buy

[yltfan]

Glad I got extras from that fleabayer who was selling them for pretty cheap. What were they, $12, $15?

[Chuck]

Yeah, I've never payed more than $25 shipped for one.

[bhadella]

My next battery will be the Energizer XP8000. 

http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-XP8000-Rechargeable-Power-Netbooks/dp/B0029U2WZU

Great price for such a versatile battery.

[H₂O]

My next battery will be the Energizer XP8000. 

http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-XP8000-Rechargeable-Power-Netbooks/dp/B0029U2WZU

Great price for such a versatile battery.

The only weird thing about this battery is that the 5V output is rated at 1A max - This may cause problems (i.e. damage the battery's electronics) with units with internal recharging circuits such as the JB3 and Korg MR-1.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I've said it before, but it needs to be frequently repeated....  Consider that the voltage regulator that produces the output voltage may not be clean enough to run your gear at optimal performance.

In that regard, there is a big difference between running your rig on lead or nimh.. Those solutions are pure battery, not battery + regulator.

[rastasean]

this is also a nice option because it has the usb which would only output 5v.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/503090-REG/Tekkeon_MP3450_MP3450_myPower_ALL_Universal.html

[3mdk5]

I didn't check the link but I believe that one is only 2600 mAh compared to the 5400/6000 that the other dvd batteries are.  They are on E_bay but the going rate for them is now about $60.

Yes, that battery is only 2555mAh.  I got two for $20 and will be testing to see if they are a viable solution - perhaps as backups for festival shows?  Opening acts only at 2-opener shows?  We'll see...

[If they don't work for me, I'll sell them here at cost if anyone is interested  ]


-Matt

[Chuck]

My next battery will be the Energizer XP8000. 

http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-XP8000-Rechargeable-Power-Netbooks/dp/B0029U2WZU

Great price for such a versatile battery.

I bought one of those when Woot had them for cheap.
I use it to power a UA-5 when I need it. It's a good battery, but I wouldn't want to pay $70 for one.

[jbell]

I don't really want to move to another type of battery since both my pres have cables for DVD batteries.

[darby]

this is also a nice option because it has the usb which would only output 5v.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/503090-REG/Tekkeon_MP3450_MP3450_myPower_ALL_Universal.html

Agreed   

it's getting to the point that the Tekkeon 3450 is a better buy

I don't really want to move to another type of batter since both my pres have cables for DVD batteries.

the Tekkeon 3450 has alot of standard tips... but is expensive

[rastasean]

^^ oh, hehe, didn't see it was also posted/discussed about.

The 3450 does have a lot of tips and there are extra ones you can buy if it doesn't fit your device. It's aimed at the laptop and pda market but I see it as a major failsafe for tapers.

[stevetoney]

FWIW, my PowerRunner battery has been 100% rock solid for the many years that I've used it and it still powers stuff forever.  The PowerRunner I have is the predecessor to the Tekkeon 3450, so anyone searching ebay and finding an old used PowerRunner battery could get a good deal, although I have no idea if these come up for sale very often.

[scb]

i still have no idea how long i can run a v3 off one of these initial 5400ma 9v batteries.  has anyone run one all the way down?

i ran it 3 hours and 35 minutes last night with no AD on the V3 and it was down to 1 yellow light, but I have no idea how much more I can get out of it.  I've been running it on this battery for a few years, but have never tried anything longer than 3.5 hours on 1 battery.  for 2 set shows i usually just swap batteries at the set break

[H₂O]

V3 uses a Linear Regulator in the initial phase of it's Power Stage.  And since it is rated at about 1A in operation when Phantom is in use I theoretically you should get about 5.4 hours out of a 5400 mAhr battery - Voltage is not a significant factor.

[Chuck]

i still have no idea how long i can run a v3 off one of these initial 5400ma 9v batteries.  has anyone run one all the way down?

i ran it 3 hours and 35 minutes last night with no AD on the V3 and it was down to 1 yellow light, but I have no idea how much more I can get out of it.  I've been running it on this battery for a few years, but have never tried anything longer than 3.5 hours on 1 battery.  for 2 set shows i usually just swap batteries at the set break

It's best not to run LiON batteries to a full discharge.

[sunjan]

I didn't check the link but I believe that one is only 2600 mAh compared to the 5400/6000 that the other dvd batteries are.  They are on E_bay but the going rate for them is now about $60.

I found a seller selling OEMs of the 5400mAh version for $34 + shipping (or $43 incl US shipping):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390246131352
Same guy also has a web shop off ebay:
http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/UL-DVDL

[Chuck]

Tech-For-Less is in Colorado Springs, and I go there all the time. It's on my way home from work.  I have an e-mail that I can send that will give you 10% off on your purchase too. If you want it, PM me your e-mail address.

[bhadella]

My next battery will be the Energizer XP8000. 

http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-XP8000-Rechargeable-Power-Netbooks/dp/B0029U2WZU

Great price for such a versatile battery.

I bought one of those when Woot had them for cheap.
I use it to power a UA-5 when I need it. It's a good battery, but I wouldn't want to pay $70 for one.

Price is pretty steep but is still better than $140 for a Tekkeon. 

[H₂O]

I bought one of those when Woot had them for cheap.
I use it to power a UA-5 when I need it. It's a good battery, but I wouldn't want to pay $70 for one.

Kids you all obviously don't remember the days when an external battery solution (beyond getting a D Size sled) cost over $100 and most gear required this to get decent run time (i.e. more than a few hours). 


Battery technology has come a long way - it sucks that these batteries can't be found that cheap anymore but paying less than $70 IMO is a pretty good deal for a new setup!

[burris]

You can't just look at the cash you lay out.  You also have to factor in cycle and calendar life.  While the initial expenditure of LiFePO4 batteries seems high ($1.42 per Watt-hour is what I just paid) they are actually cheaper than lead-acid or regular lithium batteries due to greater cycle and calendar life.  Also, safety is worth paying for.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

$7.    If I couldn't find cheap ones, I'd just adapt a sony camcorder battery or build something else.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-DVD-Battery-Rechargeable-/140481525860?pt=DVD_Players_Recorders&hash=item20b559f864

[Chuck]

$7.    If I couldn't find cheap ones, I'd just adapt a sony camcorder battery or build something else.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-DVD-Battery-Rechargeable-/140481525860?pt=DVD_Players_Recorders&hash=item20b559f864

OK, that's more like it!

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Now watch the TS bidding frenzy drive the battery up to $100

My mics may not be going up in value, but at least my batteries are.....

[jbell]

I have the first bid!  I would appreciate it if a TSer doesn't drive up the price on me. 

[sunjan]

You can't just look at the cash you lay out.  You also have to factor in cycle and calendar life.  While the initial expenditure of LiFePO4 batteries seems high ($1.42 per Watt-hour is what I just paid) they are actually cheaper than lead-acid or regular lithium batteries due to greater cycle and calendar life.  Also, safety is worth paying for.

Good point. I'd imagine that something like this would work, although you have to craft your own tip and get a separate charger:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120649414373

[Chuck]

Hmmm, I wonder if those can be paralleled? That's a lot of battery in a very small package.

[kirk97132]

I'd think parrallel woul be fine then we could up the mAh rating to something respectable.  For the money I might just try it.

[burris]

You also need a protection PCB so I wouldn't buy any battery from an RC plane/heli/car vendor unless I was prepared to disassemble the pack and rebuild it.   The plastic poly packs are also prone to damage so you would need a case or at least a bunch of shrinkwrap to finish the pack.  I prefer the cells in cans for that reason.

I'm using one each of these packs for DR-680, ST350, and AD2K.  They also have them pre-wired with a couple of different plugs.  I have smaller 6V packs for Lunatec V2 and  5-volt regulator/USB cable.

http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo426650battery128v3300mah42wh7aratewpcb.aspx

I do value my time so this time around I decided not to buy the cheapest cells from eBay and make my own packs.  It took me long enough to solder connectors to the packs, chargers, and cables.  At the same time I did this I also changed all the connectors on everything I have so the 6V packs/chargers/cables had one type and the 12V packs/chargers/cables had manother type to I can't accidentially plug the wrong battery into the wrong thing (especially charger.)  I don't plan to redo my batteries again for at least 5 years though.

[Chuck]

I'm using one each of these packs for DR-680, ST350, and AD2K.

How much runtime are you getting on the DR-680 with one of those?
Is the amp rating accurate? Being so small I'd assume the stated rating is an bit of an exaggeration.

[burris]

The manual says the DR-680 consumes 9 watts and a 12.8V/3.3aH battery has 42.24 Watt-hours of energy, so it should power the DR-680 for about 4.69 hours.

[burris]

oh yeah that jibes with your (Chuck) experiment with 2.45 aH NiMH's that lasted about 2.33 hours (2.45aH * 1.2V * 8 = 23.5 Watt-hours, you actually got about 10 watts of load.)  It will vary depending on what mics you are using since different mics consume different amounts of power, and it will be longer if you're using line input.