Author Topic: Battery mod for Microtrack? (Read 8631 times)

udovdh · « **on:** February 19, 2006, 03:33:46 AM »

Hello,

Did anyone here do a Microtrack battery mod yet?
(i.e.: replace internal battery by bigger capacity?)
here you can see what to improve upon.

Please post!

udovdh · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2006, 01:15:47 AM »

Maybe start with detailled photo's of the inside of the MT? (to see what room there is)

What was the size of the original battery, BTW? (had the info, cannot find)

cpatch · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2006, 02:12:00 AM »

All mods reported here so far have been external...the battery pack is crammed into a very small space according to someone who took theirs and nobody's found a replacement that fits with higher capacity. Search the forums and you'll find the thread...it's a long one.

Craig

udovdh · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2006, 04:49:20 AM »

Small room yes, but need all info we can get.
Original size (physical and capacity).
Room in the MT case
Maybe really mod the case (remove some material to make room)?
We need to have a look at all possibilities.

udovdh · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2006, 11:25:36 AM »

I found in my info:

3.7V lithium-polymer with a capacity of about 1150mAh or more
50mm Wide
59mm Tall
4.3mm Thick

Anyone that can provide replacement of this battery or can improve on this?

udovdh · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2006, 01:22:26 AM »

here are some pics of the MT plus inside. Can be used as a start?

Chuck · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2006, 10:19:26 AM »

Dude, I think you're looking for a solution for which there is no problem.

udovdh · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2006, 10:49:57 AM »

Quote from: Chuck on February 22, 2006, 10:19:26 AM

Dude, I think you're looking for a solution for which there is no problem.

Oh?
Size does matter.

If I can avoid external batteries for some more time and/or can replace the battery myself that is a very welcome situation.

Chuck · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2006, 11:08:04 AM »

Quote from: udovdh on February 22, 2006, 10:49:57 AM

Quote from: Chuck on February 22, 2006, 10:19:26 AM
Dude, I think you're looking for a solution for which there is no problem.
Oh?
Size does matter.
If I can avoid external batteries for some more time and/or can replace the battery myself that is a very welcome situation.

Good luck with that...

udovdh · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2006, 11:57:12 AM »

Quote from: Chuck on February 22, 2006, 11:08:04 AM

Quote from: udovdh on February 22, 2006, 10:49:57 AM
Quote from: Chuck on February 22, 2006, 10:19:26 AM
Dude, I think you're looking for a solution for which there is no problem.
Oh?
Size does matter.
If I can avoid external batteries for some more time and/or can replace the battery myself that is a very welcome situation.

Good luck with that...

Thanks, it would save a few bucks compared to what M-AUdio asks to replace the battery (no, they won't send you one).

udovdh · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2006, 12:58:31 AM »

It appears that someone found replacement batteries very similar in physical size.
Now we might need some pics or howto's on how to safely open the MT. Anyone?

cpatch · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2006, 01:50:34 AM »

Why don't you just PM the person who posted the pics of the opened MT?

Craig

china_rider · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2006, 02:59:32 AM »

I now just use an external 5v battry pack. There are several cheeper AA models or a C/D sled from sonic studios that will give you from 20-50 hours depending on what model you choose. I'm tyring the AA version next weeiend so see how long I can record for. I'd prefer that as it iis sill stealthy and hopefully gives me enough power. The sonic studios slead seems like a perfecf solution for a longer battery life while stealth is not important.

SN

cybermansrev · « **Reply #13 on:** March 07, 2006, 10:58:02 PM »

Quote from: udovdh on February 24, 2006, 12:58:31 AM

It appears that someone found replacement batteries very similar in physical size.

Is there a link to these replacements? and do they have greater capacity as the ~2hour battery limit with a microdrive is a problem (I know get cf instead is an option).

tooldvn · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2006, 01:17:39 AM »

I posted some internal pics here. Batteries are 1500/1700/2000mah 5,6,7mm thick... stock is 4.3 thick. stock is 1150mah. I am not confident that these thicker batteries will fit. Notice the picture of the battery, you can see a small pcb inside the wrapping. I think this is the voltage regulator, but I'm not going to cut loose my current battery quite yet. I'm still awaiting the samples for one, I will do a dry fit when they get here, and then maybe I'll take the plunge.

-dvn

udovdh · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2006, 05:57:03 AM »

Thanks for posting!
So there is voltage regulation on the recorder PCB? (woud seem strange)
We need to know what thefunction of the small battery PCB is.
Is it standard functionality? ((dis)charge controller?)
Or would we need to transplant it?

The room in the case could be made in various ways:
Either cut out the square for the battery and put a piece of plastic over it
Or slightly melt the back of the casign to make some room (only 1 or 2 milimeters are required).
Or remove some material on the inside?
Etc.

I see some coils etc where the power is connected. Can we discern voltage regulation?

udovdh · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2006, 06:08:35 AM »

Maybe someone can measure the voltage on the two wires coming from the battery? (where they hit the PCB)
If the voltage is unchanged between an `empty` and fully charged battery we have regulation on the battery.

tooldvn · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2006, 08:41:54 AM »

Quote from: udovdh on March 10, 2006, 05:57:03 AM

Thanks for posting!
So there is voltage regulation on the recorder PCB? (woud seem strange)
We need to know what thefunction of the small battery PCB is.
Is it standard functionality? ((dis)charge controller?)
Or would we need to transplant it?

The room in the case could be made in various ways:
Either cut out the square for the battery and put a piece of plastic over it
Or slightly melt the back of the casign to make some room (only 1 or 2 milimeters are required).
Or remove some material on the inside?
Etc.

I see some coils etc where the power is connected. Can we discern voltage regulation?

I think we would need to transplant the pcb.... the battery is 3.7v, so I Imagine the pcb is very similar to the small circuit boards in all the AA and AAA USB Battery chargers, converting the 3.7v to the 5v of the USB spec.

I do not think the back is thick enough to be shaving anything out of, and I personally am not going to melt my MT. I am still planning on trying the new back with rapid-prototyping from Solidworks drawing, its just gonna be a bitch doing all those small latches, really need a 3 piece mold and those are $$$.

Not sure about the coils function, I'll let some of the sparkys around here clue us in on that.

-dvn

udovdh · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2006, 10:45:07 AM »

Quote from: tooldvn on March 10, 2006, 08:41:54 AM

I think we would need to transplant the pcb.... the battery is 3.7v, so I Imagine the pcb is very similar to the small circuit boards in all the AA and AAA USB Battery chargers, converting the 3.7v to the 5v of the USB spec.

The photo with the battery-PCB does not show much detail so we do not yet know for sure what is there.
By looking at the PCB of the MT itself we could find some voltage regulators (step-up to 5V and up/down to 3.3?).
If those are there this could mean that we can feed the MT-PCB with about 3.x to 4.x volts and be OK.
Measurements like I indicated could help as well if we cannot dig out that small battery-PCB.

What is the Solidworks stuff about? If this could produce a nice,f fitting copy of the standard back with a slight `huncback` we could have a good mod! (Phantom power users? Microdrives?)

tooldvn · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2006, 11:17:37 AM »

Quote from: udovdh on March 10, 2006, 10:45:07 AM

Quote from: tooldvn on March 10, 2006, 08:41:54 AM
I think we would need to transplant the pcb.... the battery is 3.7v, so I Imagine the pcb is very similar to the small circuit boards in all the AA and AAA USB Battery chargers, converting the 3.7v to the 5v of the USB spec.
The photo with the battery-PCB does not show much detail so we do not yet know for sure what is there.
By looking at the PCB of the MT itself we could find some voltage regulators (step-up to 5V and up/down to 3.3?).
If those are there this could mean that we can feed the MT-PCB with about 3.x to 4.x volts and be OK.
Measurements like I indicated could help as well if we cannot dig out that small battery-PCB.

What is the Solidworks stuff about? If this could produce a nice,f fitting copy of the standard back with a slight `huncback` we could have a good mod! (Phantom power users? Microdrives?)

Yeah, its not the best, but I was not going to peel back the yellow cellophane/tape in this first run. I really think that this board does all the voltage reg... why else would it be there?

Also keep in mind that these pics are 1280x1024, so I would download them to your home pc and not let them be constrained by the size of your browser window. (not that this helps on the small battery pcb)

Solidworks... this is a common 3D CAD modeling program used by engineers. check it out: http://www.solidworks.com/

My goal is to 3D model a new bottom plate. I suppose I could just give it a hump, but if I'm making the bottom deeper anyway, then I should put more battery in there... what does everyone else think?

Anwyay, once that is complete, you send off your 3D model to any number of rapid prototyping houses, like this place. You upload your drawing, then they give you quotes to the various prototyping processes they can use to make it. Some technologies are very fragile, while others are robust enough to be used in beta/pilot builds. Once it's proven, then you could send it off to someone (sometimes the same company) and they will make a small production run for you and lower your piece price costs...

-dvn

udovdh · « **Reply #20 on:** March 11, 2006, 09:08:11 AM »

I think before you do the 3D remodel thing you should check out the voltage at the MT PCB under various conditions to be sure if we'd have to transplant the small PCB on the battery or not. (what is the extra space if we cannot use it?)
Then we can look into the transplant if necessary or proceed to the remodel of the MT back.

If someone knows how to get spare back sides of MT's. (defective ones? M-Audio?)
I could try the other routes.

(i.e.: remove material an/or slightly melt the back using a metal block formed like the battery)

patch77s · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2006, 05:41:58 PM »

Quote from: china_rider on February 27, 2006, 02:59:32 AM

I now just use an external 5v battry pack. There are several cheeper AA models or a C/D sled from sonic studios that will give you from 20-50 hours depending on what model you choose. I'm tyring the AA version next weeiend so see how long I can record for.

just curious how the AA version worked out for you? what kind did you use?

also - what happens if you unplug the USB cable while it's recording - will it keep recording while switching to the internal battery? or what if you're using the internal battery and recording and then decide to plug in a USB power pack? does it just keep on recording?

steve

udovdh · « **Reply #22 on:** March 14, 2006, 04:51:08 AM »

Quote from: patch77s on March 13, 2006, 05:41:58 PM

Quote from: china_rider on February 27, 2006, 02:59:32 AM
I now just use an external 5v battry pack. There are several cheeper AA models or a C/D sled from sonic studios that will give you from 20-50 hours depending on what model you choose. I'm tyring the AA version next weeiend so see how long I can record for.

just curious how the AA version worked out for you? what kind did you use?

also - what happens if you unplug the USB cable while it's recording - will it keep recording while switching to the internal battery? or what if you're using the internal battery and recording and then decide to plug in a USB power pack? does it just keep on recording?

Mods are modifications to a unit. Do you think that hooking up a few batteries outside the unit applies?
Or did someone implement battery that can be exchanged?

patch77s · « **Reply #23 on:** March 14, 2006, 09:31:51 AM »

Quote from: udovdh on March 14, 2006, 04:51:08 AM

Mods are modifications to a unit. Do you think that hooking up a few batteries outside the unit applies?
Or did someone implement battery that can be exchanged?

i was replying to china_rider - go back and read his message - reply #12.

steve

udovdh · « **Reply #24 on:** March 14, 2006, 10:01:50 AM »

Quote from: patch77s on March 14, 2006, 09:31:51 AM

i was replying to china_rider - go back and read his message - reply #12.

We are looking for ways to extend the MT's internal battery. Please have a look at the pictures posted or help find a resource for suitable Li-Ion batteries.

udovdh · « **Reply #25 on:** March 17, 2006, 02:11:18 PM »

Any updates on the internal battery mod?
Microtrack backsides? (from M-Audio)
Rebuilt backsides with a bump?
Batteries?

udovdh · « **Reply #26 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:09:06 AM »

If we're gonna 'hack' we could try to fit in an ipod replacement battery? 2200 mAH, measures 85 x 55 x 5 mm.
Coudl anyone here have a look at the internals how possible this is?