Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter  (Read 18766 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline davidp158

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« on: February 16, 2012, 03:42:40 PM »
Hi y'all. New member here. I did some searching already, and found lots of related info on this BUT I'm a bit techno-challenged and hope someone will chime in to clarify things for me.

I am looking for a battery power supply and an AC adapter to power a Tascam DR-40 audio recorder, via the DR-40's Mini-B USB port. The DR-40 ships with 3 non-rechargeable AA's batteries, but I realize these won't have a long life using phantom power to power condenser mics connected to the XLR's. In some cases, I will have access to AC power, so an AC adapter would be nice. The manual suggests that the DR-40 can't be used to recharge batteries, so I'm also interested in a remote battery option that is rechargeable.

I am not sure of how to decipher the requirements for this device, nor am I confident about how power is handled via USB. FWIW, the PS-P515U product photo shows "+" and "–" polarity for the two outer USB pins. Tascam sells an AC adapter (Tascam PS-P515U SA1078-05U) but I'd like to know if there are better options to consider.

Per the PS-P515U product photo, the specs of the Tascam unit are DC 5V 1.5A 7.5W, and the DR-40 manual states the device draws 1.7 W.

BTW, I have an Apple A1357 AC / USB adapter that came with iPod Nano. Here's the specs I found for it:
Input: 100-240V ~ 0.45A (0.45A) 50-60Hz
Output: 5.1V == 2.1A
10 W

Could this be safely used with the DR-40?

Thanks in advance for any info you can offer!


Offline davidp158

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2012, 03:27:00 AM »
BUMP


Anyone have any info regarding USB / battery power supplies for the Tascam DR-40???

kirk97132

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2012, 12:33:58 PM »
Maybe I reead it wrong but it sure seems odd that the Tascam would require more power on a USB buss than the normal 500mA that computer USB can provide

Offline cybergaloot

  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4079
  • Gender: Male
  • Poohbah!
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2012, 01:03:31 PM »
I've run mine with a plain old cheap cell phone charger with no issues. I'm still looking into a suitable battery pack for field use. I want something that can run all day if needed. I was sent a link to one but don't have that handy.
--
Walter

Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. Will Rogers

this>that>the other

Offline davidp158

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2012, 01:40:52 PM »
kird - Thanks for your post. I'm not savy with USB power, so I hoped that providing the specs for the DR-40 and the PS-P515U power supply would define the requirements needed for an alternate USB power supply.

I want to run external condenser mics, which I presume will put a big strain on the batteries.

I've read about the Tekkeon battery packs, and these seem like they'd do the trick, but I'm wondering if they are overkill for the DR-40. I will be using the DR-40 when shooting video, and have a few other battery powered devices (my GH2 camera, small LED lights), so a Tekkeon unit may help to power more than just the DR-40.

Maybe I reead it wrong but it sure seems odd that the Tascam would require more power on a USB buss than the normal 500mA that computer USB can provide

Offline davidp158

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2012, 01:43:02 PM »
Do you know the name/brand of the cell phone charger you are using? Do you use it to power the DR-40 and condenser mics (that don't have internal batteries)?

I've run mine with a plain old cheap cell phone charger with no issues. I'm still looking into a suitable battery pack for field use. I want something that can run all day if needed. I was sent a link to one but don't have that handy.

Offline cybergaloot

  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4079
  • Gender: Male
  • Poohbah!
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2012, 03:05:31 PM »
Do you know the name/brand of the cell phone charger you are using? Do you use it to power the DR-40 and condenser mics (that don't have internal batteries)?

I've run mine with a plain old cheap cell phone charger with no issues. I'm still looking into a suitable battery pack for field use. I want something that can run all day if needed. I was sent a link to one but don't have that handy.

It was what I call a Generitech charger, in other words a cheapie with no real brand name. I was running it with just a line in, no mics. I should have said that. I'm as curious as you about a field power solution. I've even thought of using my old Edirol UA-5 as a pre because I have battery packs that can run that with phantom.
--
Walter

Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. Will Rogers

this>that>the other

Offline davidp158

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2012, 03:13:17 PM »
Walter,

Thanks for the reply! I'll post here if I find anything that works with the DR-40 and phantom power.

BTW, per my original post, I have an Apple charger for my iPod nano. Any clue if this will be safe to use with the DR-40 as an AC adapter/power supply?

Offline Jaypatrick

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2013, 01:34:12 PM »
David,

Did you ever find a solution?  I've got the same DR-40 and am in the same situation that you were in last year.  Thoughts?

Offline acidjack

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (37)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 5845
  • Gender: Male
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2013, 08:28:14 AM »
I've run one off a Tekkeon laptop battery with USB output with no issues.

The AAs should run that deck under P48 phantom load for 3-4hrs FWIW
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline davidp158

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2013, 12:40:10 PM »
I bought one of these rechargeable battery packs, and it works well for me:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-12V-9V-5V-Li-ion-Rechargeable-BatteryPack-CCTV-/280735463462?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item415d233826

This has outputs for 5V, 9V and 12V, so I can run my DR-40, plus up to two other items at once. It comes with 3 different cables and charger for around $40 on ebay. I haven't used it extensively, but other people report 5 to 6 hours of use when using it to power a remote LCD monitor, running off the 12V tap. I presume this would be the heaviest drain on the unit, so it should go at least that long for the DR-40. I don't know if it would be less when using the phantom power mic option with the DR-40. BTW, I tried the phantom power on the DR-40 while using this battery pack, and didn't hear any objectionable noise issues.

Have a great 2013.

Offline geequeue

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 46
  • Gender: Male
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2013, 11:31:13 PM »
Just got this USB external batt for my DR-40. Haven't yet put it through the endurance test, but with the built-in flashlight and enough juice to get through an entire festival weekend... I'm in love!

http://www.amazon.com/PowerGen-PGMPP12000-12000mAh-External-Battery/dp/B0085OB0IE
"Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten"

AT853SC-ELE--->AT8538--->Tascam DR-40 (usb bus-powered by PowerGen PGMPP12000)

https://soundcloud.com/geequeue

Offline cookwerth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2013, 08:18:52 AM »
Just got this USB external batt for my DR-40. Haven't yet put it through the endurance test, but with the built-in flashlight and enough juice to get through an entire festival weekend... I'm in love!

http://www.amazon.com/PowerGen-PGMPP12000-12000mAh-External-Battery/dp/B0085OB0IE

Ah yes I have found a similar thing - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightning-Sensation-cellphone-connectors-customized/dp/B0063AAIRG

Could you let us know how you get on with it? Thanks

Offline geequeue

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 46
  • Gender: Male
Re: Tascam DR-40 USB remote power and AC adapter
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2013, 10:18:53 PM »
Just got this USB external batt for my DR-40. Haven't yet put it through the endurance test, but with the built-in flashlight and enough juice to get through an entire festival weekend... I'm in love!

http://www.amazon.com/PowerGen-PGMPP12000-12000mAh-External-Battery/dp/B0085OB0IE

Ah yes I have found a similar thing - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightning-Sensation-cellphone-connectors-customized/dp/B0063AAIRG

Could you let us know how you get on with it? Thanks

This past weekend I managed to record about 12-14 hours and was still over 75% battery remaining. I also recharged my cellphone from it and still had 2 bars (of 4 total) left. I would say this was a stellar investment although I cannot provide a total recording time as of yet.
"Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten"

AT853SC-ELE--->AT8538--->Tascam DR-40 (usb bus-powered by PowerGen PGMPP12000)

https://soundcloud.com/geequeue

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.168 seconds with 42 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF