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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: nobdy1977 on May 30, 2015, 04:42:11 PM

Title: Homebrew 80,000mA festival battery pack
Post by: nobdy1977 on May 30, 2015, 04:42:11 PM
I have been meaning to post this up for a while.  When I put this together it cost me about $105, pricing and availability may have changed since then but I think it was still a good value.  I rolled over 17 hours at Lockin last year with 2 channels of phantom power on a DR-680, then came home and taped a few more shows before deciding I should probably charge up everything, just because.

I'm using eight 10,000mA rechargeable D-cells in a battery box.  The charger I'm using is slow, but it can be run off of a cigarette lighter and it can be used for other cells (I've put rechargeable AA's in my deck now and use the same charger).  One other nice thing about doing it this way, there is a good chance I can pick-up regular Duracells at a festival campground if need be.  The hardest part is checking the polarity of the plug before making the final connections (does it work, no, then swap the wires)

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7739/17658002983_db1916d1ab_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sUnT6i)

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7762/18092405789_ffab4a14d3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/tyLiUR)


Here is a parts list for anyone interested:

Combo: TN190 Universal LCD Battery Charger + 8 Premium D 10000mAh NiMH Rechargeable Batteries
http://amzn.com/B007J413E2  (http://amzn.com/B007J413E2)

Car Plug Adaptor for BC1HU, TN190, Tenergy RCR123A Chargers
http://amzn.com/B001AM0HU0  (http://amzn.com/B001AM0HU0)

SEOH D Cell Eight Battery Holder With Wire
http://amzn.com/B00KI28UPW  (http://amzn.com/B00KI28UPW)

Philmore Right Angle DC Power Plug w/ 6' Cable - 2.1mm I.D. 5.5mm O.D. : TC210
http://amzn.com/B00BY8LA0G  (http://amzn.com/B00BY8LA0G)

Consumables
  Electrical tape
  Solder (not required)
  Techflex (not required)
Title: Re: Homebrew 80,000mA festival battery pack
Post by: Cobiwan on May 30, 2015, 05:18:22 PM
Very cool! Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Homebrew 80,000mA festival battery pack
Post by: jerryfreak on June 01, 2015, 01:53:04 AM
LOOKOUT HIGH SIERRA!
Title: Re: Homebrew 80,000mA festival battery pack
Post by: Brian Skalinder on June 01, 2015, 02:02:51 AM
Good stuff.  I made one of these back in my DAT days.  Almost exactly the same setup.  Worked great, provided plenty long run-time in those days (even more, now, as devices have become more efficient).  And I did, in fact, run into at least one situation (probably more) in which it was handy to chuck off the shelf D batteries into the sled.  Very useful feature.

If memory serves, though, I think you have a 10,000 mAH battery.  If wired in series -- which I think you've done -- we sum the voltage and not the capacity (9.6V / 10,000 mAH).  If wired in parallel, we sum the capacity and not the the voltage (1.2V / 80,000mAH)
Title: Re: Homebrew 80,000mA festival battery pack
Post by: Hypnocracy on June 02, 2015, 08:52:17 AM
I HAD two Battery Geek 100wh 12v's...one died...If I continue to run the Portico (It sucked down a 60wh Tekkeon over 3 sets)...This eBay DIY LiPo is calling my name....12v x 12ah = 144wh with charger...$190..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12v-12ah-pack-kits-4-pcs-high-quality-38140s-headway-cell-charger-and-BMS-/201360011088?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee1fdef50

But...something tells me I'd be better off with a 153wh Bixnet BP160

http://www.bixpower.com/Bat-BP160-p/bat-bp160.htm
Title: Re: Homebrew 80,000mA festival battery pack
Post by: pdxdanmusic on June 02, 2015, 09:16:23 AM
I also use Bixnet and I like this one because it is just 12 and 5 volt.

http://www.bixnet.com/mp10012v.html (http://www.bixnet.com/mp10012v.html)
Title: Re: Homebrew 80,000mA festival battery pack
Post by: H₂O on June 02, 2015, 02:58:00 PM
http://www.all-battery.com/TenergyLi-Ion18650_14.8V13000mAhBatteryPackPCBandConnector-31047-02.aspx (http://www.all-battery.com/TenergyLi-Ion18650_14.8V13000mAhBatteryPackPCBandConnector-31047-02.aspx)


$138 + 20 = 158


use promo code: THANKS for free shipping


Is what I have been eyeing for my hs-p82


14.8v x 13Ah = 192.4Wh


bixnet is only 153Wh and costs $50 more


FAA has a Wh limit on flying batteries (which I think is 150Wh or so) - so I don't think you can fly with this battery though

The home-brew pack above is 10Ah x 8 x 1.2V = 96Wh

Note that NiMH batteries have memory effects and don't hold up to nearly as many charge cycles as Lithium batteries.  I would definitely suggest towards a Lithium solution versus NiMH - such as 18650 solutions or LiFePo4 cell solutions

Title: Re: Homebrew 80,000mA festival battery pack
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 02, 2015, 10:37:45 AM
http://www.all-battery.com/TenergyLi-Ion18650_14.8V13000mAhBatteryPackPCBandConnector-31047-02.aspx (http://www.all-battery.com/TenergyLi-Ion18650_14.8V13000mAhBatteryPackPCBandConnector-31047-02.aspx)


$138 + 20 = 158


use promo code: THANKS for free shipping


Is what I have been eyeing for my hs-p82


14.8v x 13Ah = 192.4Wh


bixnet is only 153Wh and costs $50 more


FAA has a Wh limit on flying batteries (which I think is 150Wh or so) - so I don't think you can fly with this battery though

The home-brew pack above is 10Ah x 8 x 1.2V = 96Wh

Note that NiMH batteries have memory effects and don't hold up to nearly as many charge cycles as Lithium batteries.  I would definitely suggest towards a Lithium solution versus NiMH - such as 18650 solutions or LiFePo4 cell solutions



I thought that NI-CD [Nickel Cadmium] had a memory effect, but NIMH [Nickel Metal-Hydride] does NOT have memory effect? I have been keeping up on battery research since I started taping and I could've sworn that's what everyone used to say! NI-CD = Memory Effect, NI-MH = No Memory Effect 8) That's why every older landline cordless phone had NI-CD batteries, because after 6 months you'd have to go buy another one :P Nowadays, they're finally switching over to NI-MH. They were only 10 years too late haha ;D

And I know that Li-On batteries dont have a memory effect, but I swear mine always lasted longer when I cycled them about 4-5 times before their first use. After that I could charge them half-full or whatever, and they seemed to last longer than the ones I didnt cycle!

I don't know about you, but EVERY Lithium rechargeable battery I've EVER owned, has usually died on me out of the blue within 6-12 months MAX :( So I will stick with the NIMH rechargeables and can rely on my batteries actually working when I really need them, versus having a dead Li-On at the worst time possible ever lol :)

But hey, different strokes for different folks ;D I need a festie battery for my vms02ib. I think I'm just going with 9v NIMH battery packs from eBay, like I've done in the past! A 2,200mah NIMH pack on ebay is only $20, and a decent charger, only $15. So for about $40, id have a vms setup! I HATE taking apart the vms before I start taping for the day at festies. Id MUCH rather just plug in the special Schoeps DC connector for the vms boxes instead of opening up the vms once a day! And my 70D runs forever on USB batteries!

I love your idea OP 8) Haven't seen a homemade setup like that in awhile. Glad to see them still around! I like the rechargeable D batteries. I could use those in lanterns too lol 8) Wonder how many festies I could do with 80,000mah batteries on my preamps/decks