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Gear / Technical Help => Remote Power => Topic started by: JiB97 on November 03, 2011, 12:14:56 AM

Title: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: JiB97 on November 03, 2011, 12:14:56 AM
Have been having trouble powering my Fostex with RC batts or AAs. Does anyone power their unit externally? Do those DVD batteries that work with a UA-5 or R4 work with the FR-2LE?
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: flipp on November 03, 2011, 11:33:12 AM
Have been having trouble powering my Fostex with RC batts or AAs. Does anyone power their unit externally? Do those DVD batteries that work with a UA-5 or R4 work with the FR-2LE?

I do. The DVD batteries work fine, as well as BatteryGeek units and Tekkeons (when they are working properly - see the tekkeon threads for some reported issues with them). I have also successfully powered the LE with a 9.6v RC battery plugged into the DC input jack.
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: JiB97 on November 03, 2011, 03:09:16 PM
Sweet. Glad to know those dvd batts work. About how long do you get running phantom at 24/48?
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: F.O.Bean on November 04, 2011, 12:18:23 AM
What exactly do you mean youre having "trouble" piowering your fr2le w/ AA's and RC Batts ??? I would think those would be more reliable than DVD Batteries which are Li-On batts. FUCK LI-ON Batts!!!!!!!!! They die out of the blue. At least w/ NIMH Batteries, you know when they're wearing down and wont last as long ;)
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: JiB97 on November 04, 2011, 12:19:46 PM
What exactly do you mean youre having "trouble" piowering your fr2le w/ AA's and RC Batts ??? I would think those would be more reliable than DVD Batteries which are Li-On batts. FUCK LI-ON Batts!!!!!!!!! They die out of the blue. At least w/ NIMH Batteries, you know when they're wearing down and wont last as long ;)

There's something wrong with my FR-2LE. Might be something with the internal wiring or the cable itself that attaches to the RC pack or the AA sled. It has rendered two RC packs useless, they wont even charge anymore, and I'm only getting like 15 mins with AAs. So, that obviously is a huge bummer and something that I want fixed. Might send the unit back to Fostex, but unsure as of yet.
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: F.O.Bean on November 04, 2011, 04:44:19 PM
What exactly do you mean youre having "trouble" piowering your fr2le w/ AA's and RC Batts ??? I would think those would be more reliable than DVD Batteries which are Li-On batts. FUCK LI-ON Batts!!!!!!!!! They die out of the blue. At least w/ NIMH Batteries, you know when they're wearing down and wont last as long ;)

There's something wrong with my FR-2LE. Might be something with the internal wiring or the cable itself that attaches to the RC pack or the AA sled. It has rendered two RC packs useless, they wont even charge anymore, and I'm only getting like 15 mins with AAs. So, that obviously is a huge bummer and something that I want fixed. Might send the unit back to Fostex, but unsure as of yet.

BUMMER man! :( I would def get that issue resolved ASAP!
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: flipp on November 04, 2011, 08:41:28 PM
Sweet. Glad to know those dvd batts work. About how long do you get running phantom at 24/48?

Longest I have recorded is a show that went ~4:15, started the recorder before the opening act and left it running. Still had two lights on the DVD batt. I have not tested it to determine runtime until total discharge.

I'm not fond of the internal connector. Not easy to get it back in it's recessed cubby-hole so I use external power exclusively when I break out the LE.
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: JiB97 on November 05, 2011, 06:46:06 PM
Sweet. Glad to know those dvd batts work. About how long do you get running phantom at 24/48?

Longest I have recorded is a show that went ~4:15, started the recorder before the opening act and left it running. Still had two lights on the DVD batt. I have not tested it to determine runtime until total discharge.

I'm not fond of the internal connector. Not easy to get it back in it's recessed cubby-hole so I use external power exclusively when I break out the LE.

ya i hear ya on the cable being kind of finicky. i've gone through 3 of those rc batts that wont even charge anymore.  one of the batts died after only three appearances in the field.

 think maybe the cable could have a short in it that is affecting the batteries being plugged into it? i'm not very astute electrically speaking, so i'm not even sure if that is possible.  just a thought.
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: willndmb on November 06, 2011, 08:56:11 AM
are you leaving the rc plugged in at home?
you should never leave rc batteries plugged into anything
they drain even when not in use, they will not charge now because they drained to low
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: dnuggs on November 06, 2011, 08:40:44 PM
The #1 reason I changed the tamiya plug to a deans plug. The tamiya plugs are trash and the connector wires get loose.
I noticed the r/c battery packs were not lasting as long as they should have been. I was using 4200 r/c battery packs that should have been running for at least 8 hours. I had one entire unit get fried because of this connector issue. Luckily it was still under warranty and got a replacement from fostex.

Deans plugs are used in r/c car racing mostly. They are a smaller plug in connector which allows the battery pack and
connector fit in the compartment much much easier. You can close the battery cover with no probs. They were simple to solder on and a very cheap upgrade. I definitely recommend doing a connector swap. No problems ever since I did. ;D
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: F.O.Bean on November 07, 2011, 12:18:03 AM
I would DEF do what dnuggs said ;D
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: tgakidis on November 08, 2011, 02:26:57 PM
What's the DC tip size for the FR2-LE?
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: flipp on November 08, 2011, 05:54:35 PM
Measurements from the tip on the AC adapter
.215x.110x.375 aka 7/32x7/64x3/8
using my handy monkeypeter conversion chart closest is
5.5x2.8x9.5

not near my adaptaplug tips so can't give you which size it is according to the adapataplug size chart (http://support.radioshack.com/support_tutorials/batteries/pwrgde-2H.htm) it takes tip "O"

center is positive
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: Hypnocracy on November 08, 2011, 10:19:21 PM
are you leaving the rc plugged in at home?
you should never leave rc batteries plugged into anything
they drain even when not in use, they will not charge now because they drained to low

:facepalm

Wish I had known that Two RC Batteries ago...eh...I like the Tekkeon's so much I doubt I go back...
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: JiB97 on November 09, 2011, 06:51:45 PM
are you leaving the rc plugged in at home?
you should never leave rc batteries plugged into anything
they drain even when not in use, they will not charge now because they drained to low

:facepalm

Wish I had known that Two RC Batteries ago...eh...I like the Tekkeon's so much I doubt I go back...

i did also, my bad.

i like the idea about changing to that dean connector.  the tamiya always seems to go loose after only a few uses.
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: willndmb on November 09, 2011, 08:45:55 PM
are you leaving the rc plugged in at home?
you should never leave rc batteries plugged into anything
they drain even when not in use, they will not charge now because they drained to low

:facepalm

Wish I had known that Two RC Batteries ago...eh...I like the Tekkeon's so much I doubt I go back...

i did also, my bad.

i like the idea about changing to that dean connector.  the tamiya always seems to go loose after only a few uses.
well the good news is that there prob isn't anything wrong with your rc plug, the batteries died and can't be recharged but if you had a new one and unplugged it you should be fine
i learned the hard way too
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: dnuggs on November 10, 2011, 01:48:37 AM
*Tamiya to deans plug connector swap*

Link for the deans plugs I used- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Deans-Ultra-T-Plug-Connector-Fits-Lipo-Battery-1-set-/220888605440?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item336dfca300 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Deans-Ultra-T-Plug-Connector-Fits-Lipo-Battery-1-set-/220888605440?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item336dfca300)


Some pics of the finished connector swap:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/Dnuggs/100_0880.jpg)

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/Dnuggs/100_0881.jpg)

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/Dnuggs/100_0882.jpg)

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/Dnuggs/100_0883.jpg)

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/Dnuggs/100_0887.jpg)

The battery cover fits with no probs ;D
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/Dnuggs/100_0886.jpg)
Title: Re: External power solution for FR-2LE
Post by: F.O.Bean on November 10, 2011, 11:24:41 PM
Awesome man :)