Topic: Sound Devices MixPre-3 and 6, Part 7

[jbell]

This one is a little more affordable!  The SD version looks more stream line.  You could use a Dtap battery with this for a more robust connection.  I've linked an example of that as well.  I also linked a Dtap cable. 

https://www.cabletechniques.com/product-page/mx-powersled-external-dc-power-adaptor-for-sound-devices-mixpre-3-6

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HCNQTX8/?coliid=I36OSWIOM5VDSC&colid=1Y1Y6TPXA6QXE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0869518CZ/?coliid=I1QA4Y9NA0KFTB&colid=1Y1Y6TPXA6QXE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Is anyone using the MX-Hirose sled? Looks pretty solid. Expensive though. Is there a battery with a more solid connection than a USB on the battery side that could be used with this sled? It would be nice to have solid connections on both ends of the power supply.

https://www.sounddevices.com/product/mx-hirose/

[justme]

To power my MP 6 Ii, I created my own by adding a a Hirose connector on a spare 4AA sled and mounted a high efficiancy Traco DC/DC converter TSR3-24150 inside to feed the internal connectors.
Unfortunately a lot of my audio equipment is down in basement storage so I can't find any photo of it.

I would guess that's what you would find if one took a peek under SD's own Hirose sled.

[ts]

Thanks guys. Right now I'm using one of the approved Ankers and a right angle usb-c cable (both ends). I run the mixpre end thru the front handle which helps quite a bit with stability and on the battery end I use a piece of gaffers tape. It works but always looking for a better solution. Not sure I want to spend $350, but it's what I'm looking for. 

[jbell]

I'm using a Max Oak K2 battery with a Hirose cable Ted built for me!  I have a Mixpre 10 II so it has a 8 AA sled.  I've never run into problems with power.  I do prefer the Hirose over the usbc on my old Mixpre 6. 

Thanks guys. Right now I'm using one of the approved Ankers and a right angle usb-c cable (both ends). I run the mixpre end thru the front handle which helps quite a bit with stability and on the battery end I use a piece of gaffers tape. It works but always looking for a better solution. Not sure I want to spend $350, but it's what I'm looking for. 

[Twenty8]

Just purchased a MixPre 6ii from Full Compass.  I had been waiting to pull the trigger, however this deck seems to be disappearing from stock again at all the usual suspects - so today was the day.

Pretty pumped.  I am also giving my DR680mkii and a set of AT3031s to a friend in OKC.  He told me he was thinking about getting into taping as I was about to upgrade.  Good timing.

Bought the MX-HIROSE sled as well.  I bought a cache of batteries here a couple years ago and 3 hirose to dc cables were in the package as a bonus.  Time to take advantage of those custom cables and keep the power more secure for my new baby.

[checht]

FWIW, I run usbc with the 4AA sled as backup.

100s of shows and no issues with the usbc, which I don't stress relief via the handle. If there ever were an issue, the AAs would kick in seamlessly.

Reliable, simple, inexpensive.

[aaronji]

^ I do the same, but use the 8 AA sled to backup the USB battery. With Eneloop Pros, I can get five or six hours from the AAs. I have actually run only the 8 AA sled for a bunch of shows, but I like the redundancy the USB provides.

[morst]

^ I do the same, but use the 8 AA sled to backup the USB battery. With Eneloop Pros, I can get five or six hours from the AAs. I have actually run only the 8 AA sled for a bunch of shows, but I like the redundancy the USB provides.

I have the 4x Sled and only get about 35 minutes off a battery load if I forget  to power up  my USB pack!
D'oh!

[rigpimp]

I have the 4x Sled and only get about 35 minutes off a battery load if I forget  to power up  my USB pack!
D'oh!

^^ Same here and this has bitten me in the ass before.  When I plug in my Anker battery even if it is on I still have to press the button on the battery to get the MP6 to register the voltage.

[checht]

Curiouser and curiouser.

Using 4 year-old Eneloop pros, mp6 w 2 schoeps on pfas and 2 vanguard v1s, my most recent tests in April returned:
4AA sled 2:03 of operation
8AA sled 4:35 of operation

Why are we seeing such a great difference?

[aaronji]

^ That's pretty much the same as I am getting. My run-times are a little longer, but that's with almost new Eneloop Pros (and capacity has increased), one pair of pretty low-draw mics, and SBD on the other two XLR channels. My guess is that the super short times with the 4 AA sled is with alkalines?

[justme]

I would guess the MixPre’s is a bit too power hungry and consumes to much current for the Eneloops which results in a voltage drop.
When used in 8-sled and current consumption is slightly more forgiving which extend the capacity a bit.
Should be possible to see if one could some AA cells with a higher ampere rating.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Using 4 year-old Eneloop pros, mp6 w 2 schoeps on pfas and 2 vanguard v1s, my most recent tests in April returned:
4AA sled 2:03 of operation
8AA sled 4:35 of operation

Why are we seeing such a great difference?

[rigpimp]

Just to clarify I was primarily stating that my 4-AA pack is for backup only. 

I have some Eneloops that are easily over 12 years old (original Sanyos) and still going strong but I also have newer Eneloops as well as some Laddas.  I get more than 35m of run time but still not a whole show's worth.  They are ONLY in there in case my Anker dies, fails, or I forget to activate it when plugging it in.

[justme]

Heres a few cells that delivers some percentage better capacity then Eneloops at 2 amps.

https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Ansmann%20AA%202850mAh%20(Silver)%20UK.html
https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/PKCell%20AA%202600mAh%20(Green-silver)%20UK.html
https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Eneloop%20AA%20HR-3UWXB%202450mAh%20(Black)%20UK.html

https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php

[checht]

Such a pimp...

I too think of the AAs as primarily a bridge to cover an outage of external power, and check the teeny battery icon on the mp every hour or so to make sure it's showing external power rather than batts.

Soo teeny, or maybe it's my old eyes 😀