Author Topic: Best external power for an R4 (Read 8830 times)

salmonite · « **on:** March 12, 2007, 07:34:33 PM »

Hey there,

I am new to the board and have just recieved an R4. I am wondering what would be the best option to power the r4 externally. I'm not very knowledgeable about external power, as I have just been running an AD-20 into a minidisc for the last year or so and have finally upgraded my rig. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Shawn · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2007, 07:36:40 PM »

I've been using these...

http://www.batterybarn.com/pr2310.htm

I get plenty of time running 4 mics with phantom power at 24/96. I've never had any problems. if you look around you may be able to find them cheaper. I got mine for $49.

salmonite · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2007, 07:53:03 PM »

Thanks for the help. I have been reading some of the posts on the R4, and am a little confused with the polarity issue. Will I need to reverse the polarity with a pack like this?

bgalizio · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2007, 07:56:10 PM »

Run a search for UA-5 power options. Lots of us use Lithium Ion portable DVD player batteries, but there are many solutions. The battery/cables are the same for the R-4. You'll find plenty of info on the polarity as well.

Shawn · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2007, 07:56:40 PM »

well the these particular units come with some "plug-n-play" components that allow you to build your own cable. Basically it is a cable with various tips that plug in to accomodate various different sizes of inputs. all you need to do is put the tip on backwards and it reverses the polarity.... I may be saying that incorrectly but I assure that it will work with the factory parts.

salmonite · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2007, 08:00:58 PM »

I will see what I can come up with. Thanks for all the help, this place is great.

salmonite · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2007, 11:47:01 AM »

I think I am going to go with the PR2310, I found one for 30 bucks, so it seems like the way to go. Also, does anyone know where I may find custom mic cases, or at least hard case shells? If need be I can take this question to a different place on the board, but thought i would start here. Thanks again for the help.

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2007, 11:49:58 AM »

Quote from: salmonite on March 13, 2007, 11:47:01 AM

Also, does anyone know where I may find custom mic cases, or at least hard case shells? If need be I can take this question to a different place on the board, but thought i would start here.

You'll get more responses in the Mics & Setup forum.

Shawn · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2007, 12:40:01 PM »

Quote from: salmonite on March 13, 2007, 11:47:01 AM

I think I am going to go with the PR2310, I found one for 30 bucks, so it seems like the way to go. Also, does anyone know where I may find custom mic cases, or at least hard case shells? If need be I can take this question to a different place on the board, but thought i would start here. Thanks again for the help.

where did you get one for $30? I may pick up another just so I have enough juice to run all day and night at festivals.

I should mention... be careful when ordering these batteries there are a variety of models that all look the same, but don't provide the same amount of power. One company sent me the wrong model and I didn't figure it out until I had them for a few weeks. the lower models will not even be enough power to get you through an entire show... believe me I learned the hard way.

OFOTD · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2007, 12:42:30 PM »

Sorry for joining late but here's one more vote for the Walmart DVD batteries. Work like a charm for me.

side note: I noticed in the R4 Pro manual that you can now select the voltage of external packs. Pretty cool.

salmonite · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:28:50 PM »

I found it on laptopsforless.com, and it looks to be the 2200 model. Is there a serious difference between the 2200 and 2310?

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:37:48 PM »

Quote from: salmonite on March 13, 2007, 01:28:50 PM

I found it on laptopsforless.com, and it looks to be the 2200 model. Is there a serious difference between the 2200 and 2310?

Yes. 2200 will offer less than half the run-time of the 2310. See below.

salmonite · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:47:30 PM »

Okay, I will have to cancel that order. No wonder it was so cheap. Thanks again for all the help, and quick responses.

salmonite · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:11:48 PM »

Hey shawn,

Where did you find yours for 49$? Most that I can find are in the 80-100$ region.

Shawn · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:24:25 PM »

I got mine at laptops for less, but they quit carrying the 2310.

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:27:02 PM »

Quote from: salmonite on March 13, 2007, 02:11:48 PM

Hey shawn,

Where did you find yours for 49$? Most that I can find are in the 80-100$ region.

The universal DVD li-ion batteries will run you around $49 and offer longer run-times, taboot. Many different brands, likely from the same production facitily(ies):

Initial RB-270, Lenmar DVD-U9, Memorex (sorry, forgot the model #), Ultralast UL-DVDL, and I'm sure others.

salmonite · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:54:11 PM »

Looks like I will be going with a li-ion. Thanks for all the info, y'all have been very helpful.

andyjah · « **Reply #17 on:** March 14, 2007, 04:11:40 PM »

Just got an R-4 myself .

B&H photo has the rb-270 battery for 39.99. Fast shipping too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=375503

OFOTD · « **Reply #18 on:** March 14, 2007, 04:14:24 PM »

Quote from: andyjah on March 14, 2007, 04:11:40 PM

Just got an R-4 myself .

B&H photo has the rb-270 battery for 39.99. Fast shipping too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=375503

Great deal on a great battery!

salmonite · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2007, 07:07:20 PM »

Went with one of the rb-270's and an Ultralast UL-DVDL for good measure. I am reading some of the UA-5 and R4 polarity threads and hopefully get all the info I need from previous posts. If not I will shoot some questions out. Thanks again for all the help.

sleepypedro · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2007, 06:17:28 PM »

Quote from: salmonite on March 14, 2007, 07:07:20 PM

Went with one of the rb-270's and an Ultralast UL-DVDL for good measure. I am reading some of the UA-5 and R4 polarity threads and hopefully get all the info I need from previous posts. If not I will shoot some questions out. Thanks again for all the help.

it bears repeating anywhere so it's easy to find:

parts needed:
radioshack power cable
adaptaplug B
adaptaplug M
------------------
under $15

adaptaplug M connects to radioshack power cable so that the Tip is '-'. this is the r4 side.

adaptaplug B connects to radioshack power cable so that the Tip is '+'. this is the battery side.

that's all.

andyjah · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2007, 07:24:13 PM »

The cable that comes with the RB-270 battery will also accept the "M" adaptaplug .

salmonite · « **Reply #22 on:** March 21, 2007, 03:11:20 PM »

Everything is up and running and ready to go. Off to Drew emmitt tommorow, and speakeasy this weekend. Thanks to everyone who helped me out.

tfs8271 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2007, 11:25:47 PM »

I'm in NY Monday to Wednesday. Looking to go to B&H to buy a RB-270 without shipping. I just purchased the universal unit to use with my R4 and my PMD660. Can't have too much power when the summer comes.

dgodwin · « **Reply #24 on:** March 30, 2007, 04:25:18 PM »

Quote from: sleepypedro on March 19, 2007, 06:17:28 PM

Quote from: salmonite on March 14, 2007, 07:07:20 PM
Went with one of the rb-270's and an Ultralast UL-DVDL for good measure. I am reading some of the UA-5 and R4 polarity threads and hopefully get all the info I need from previous posts. If not I will shoot some questions out. Thanks again for all the help.

it bears repeating anywhere so it's easy to find:

parts needed:
radioshack power cable
adaptaplug B
adaptaplug M
------------------
under $15

adaptaplug M connects to radioshack power cable so that the Tip is '-'. this is the r4 side.

adaptaplug B connects to radioshack power cable so that the Tip is '+'. this is the battery side.

that's all.

Thanks. This was the exact info I was looking for. I was 95% sure that's what it was, but I wanted to be sure +T

gtalife · « **Reply #25 on:** September 18, 2007, 01:27:01 PM »

Might have to use remote power with my R-4 this week, can anyone give me an aprox time the rb-270 battery lasts with running to 48V mics, with line in on the other 2 channels, thnks.

NOLAfishwater · « **Reply #26 on:** September 18, 2007, 01:35:45 PM »

Quote from: tfs8271 on March 23, 2007, 11:25:47 PM

I'm in NY Monday to Wednesday. Looking to go to B&H to buy a RB-270 without shipping. I just purchased the universal unit to use with my R4 and my PMD660. Can't have too much power when the summer comes.

which universal did you end up buying?

tfs8271 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 18, 2007, 05:08:17 PM »

Quote from: NOLAfishwater on September 18, 2007, 01:35:45 PM

Quote from: tfs8271 on March 23, 2007, 11:25:47 PM
I'm in NY Monday to Wednesday. Looking to go to B&H to buy a RB-270 without shipping. I just purchased the universal unit to use with my R4 and my PMD660. Can't have too much power when the summer comes.

which universal did you end up buying?

Been using the RB-270 for the R4........... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/375503-REG/Initial_RB270_RB_270_Universal_Rechargeable_Battery.html

I haven't tried this on the R4 yet but it works great with my PMD660....... http://www.batterybarn.com/pr2310.htm

Both work great and I have had no problem except in playback with the 660...I accidently flipped the voltage to 4Volts, better than to 12 Volts.

gtalife · « **Reply #28 on:** October 20, 2007, 06:21:59 PM »

Finally had the chance to run the R-4 with the rb-270 power pack. Ran it with 4 C4's, got 6 hrs of juice from a full charge.

joel · « **Reply #29 on:** February 23, 2008, 03:43:16 PM »

Quote from: andyjah on March 14, 2007, 04:11:40 PM

Just got an R-4 myself .

B&H photo has the rb-270 battery for 39.99. Fast shipping too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=375503

Awesome thanks for the tip! B&H has their web store down til tonight...ordering one ASAP once it comes back up! +T