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Gear / Technical Help => Remote Power => Topic started by: chase on December 04, 2003, 11:51:19 PM

Title: minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: chase on December 04, 2003, 11:51:19 PM
so my buddy has this minime but no battery solution for it and won't shell out for the ecocharge stuff so i offered to build him a cheap SLA system.  however, since this is not my minime, i want to be extra careful conisdering some of the fire stories from Daryan ;).  

my question is what type of fuse should i put on this thing?  From the previous fuses thread i have gathered that amp hour ratings are meaningless in determining fuses.  from apogee's website it says that it's power consumption is 5.5W so....

5.5W / 12V  = 0.458A

so should i go for a 0.5A fuse or should i use a little larger amp rated fuse, say 0.75A?

also, preferably this has to be operational by saturday for denson, anyone know any other nationwide stores besides radioshack that might have 12V batteries and chargers?

thanks!
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Tim on December 05, 2003, 12:05:54 AM
Battery's plus

is it a rev c? if so it can run on 6v
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: leegeddy on December 05, 2003, 02:09:30 AM
>> however, since this is not my minime, i want to be extra careful conisdering some of >>the fire stories from Daryan ;).  

good idea!! you don't want to shell out $$ if you fry the damn thing.

>>my question is what type of fuse should i put on this thing?  From the previous fuses >>thread i have gathered that amp hour ratings are meaningless in determining fuses.  >>from apogee's website it says that it's power consumption is 5.5W so....
>>5.5W / 12V  = 0.458A
>>so should i go for a 0.5A fuse or should i use a little larger amp rated fuse, say 0.75A?

750mA sounds adequate and it gives you some room slightly above 500mA.  i recommend fast blow fuses as well.  i'm trying to convince few folks that 500mA is NOT a small amount of current!!  it's useless to stick a 5A fuse on a device that draws only about 10th of that amount.

>>also, preferably this has to be operational by saturday for denson, anyone know any other nationwide stores besides radioshack that might have 12V batteries and chargers?

you may want to go through your Yellow pages and/or internet and find some hobby stores in your area, expecially the ones that carry remote control cars boat, cars, etc.

they usually carry SLA, chargers and wiring harnesses, etc.  

double and triple check your DC plug's polarity with a Voltmeter of some sort. feeding opposite polarity voltage is never good to delicate electronics.

if you're not comfortable with soldering, use good crimping tools, decent guage wiring and heat shrinks.

good luck. it's not too difficult!!
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: chase on December 05, 2003, 03:04:03 AM
i'm not sure if it's a rev c or not, i know it was purchased about 1 year ago if that is any indication, i know he has the manual and everything, but i will have to ask him.  thanks for the advice! +T
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: DaryanLenz on December 05, 2003, 08:41:44 AM
Just don't reverse the polarity, as the protection circuit in there is pretty bad and will burn up!

D
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Tim on December 05, 2003, 09:52:15 AM
I'd guess it is Rev C is he got it last fall and not last summer. It will be obviosu when you look at the serial number what version it is
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: dmonterisi on December 05, 2003, 10:40:46 AM
and what color is the casing?
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: rustoleum on December 05, 2003, 10:51:37 AM
Just to throw another option out there:

I'm using 9.6v RC battery packs  just like many UA5 users.  I get about 3 hours out of a 1600 mah battery pack.  Much lighter than an SLA.  I believe the directions are in the archival section.

Rusty
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 05, 2003, 11:15:56 AM
It's the volt fuse rating that isn't terribly important, not amps.  As long as you're below the voltage rating, you're all set.  I think I use a 15v on mine for my 6v V3 battery setup.

Check this related post for Archival Info links (http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=25;action=display;threadid=10309).

As you'll see, per Apogee tech, the MMe draws around 800 mA peak, so I'd go with a 1A fuse, not 750 mA.

Check your local non-RS electronics stores for parts.  I actually found my 6v SLAs at Home Depot - labelled "CAUTION: for home alarm system only".  Well, sheesh...it's just an SLA, has lots of uses!
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Tim on December 05, 2003, 02:15:21 PM
my rev c was in black casing... I don't think that means shit
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Tim on December 05, 2003, 03:07:40 PM
No, I had a C and it was black. the first C's were black and not silver. Callery got himself a collector's item
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: dmonterisi on December 05, 2003, 03:12:38 PM
tha'ts what i'm saying...C's could be silver or black, but A's are all black...so if you get a silver one, it has to be a C.
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Tim on December 05, 2003, 04:30:10 PM
ahhhhhh

sorry
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Tim on December 05, 2003, 04:39:00 PM
DICK!
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: ianstone on December 05, 2003, 04:54:15 PM
i'm not sure if it's a rev c or not, i know it was purchased about 1 year ago if that is any indication, i know he has the manual and everything, but i will have to ask him.  thanks for the advice! +T

it's Louies. No, not RevC. It can only work on 12v power.
It was one of the first units shipped - he was on the waiting list from sonicsense when he got it. It's been collecting dust since then (summer 02). I used it this year at High Sierra because I was not careful with my ad2k+.
Kinda embarassing, but since we're on the subject i'll share.
Hooked my battery up backwards at steve kimock - i got there late, it was dark and i was rushed.
Although the fuse in the 2k SHOULD HAVE blown, it did  not. I had to send it in to get repaird, it was all covered on warranty cuz it SHOUDLA blown but didn't.
So i got it back, but i was forced to MME it for hi sierra.

word of advice: Proceed w/ caution
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 05, 2003, 05:02:47 PM
Hooked my battery up backwards

You related to Daryan?   :P
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: DaryanLenz on December 05, 2003, 07:41:00 PM
Alright Brian, I have about had it with this burning up shit :clapping: for the coment...

D
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: ianstone on December 05, 2003, 07:57:27 PM
Hooked my battery up backwards

You related to Daryan?   :P

nope, no relation.
I'm just a stoner with bad eyesight - esp in the dark

i knew if i posted that i'd get flamed. oh well, live and learn

ian
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 05, 2003, 09:25:59 PM
Alright Brian, I have about had it with this burning up shit :clapping: for the coment...

D

I can't help it, the opening has come up sooooooo often the last few days.  :lol: All in good fun, D...if it's buggin' you, I'll back off a bit. :)
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: chase on December 05, 2003, 10:01:03 PM
good news, i found a place that sells all sorts of SLAs 2 mins from my apartment!  awesome place, every SLA you could ever need although definitely not the cheapest, oh well.  now it's time to do some soldering.  any ideas on how to make a simple fuse case for the fuse so they can be replaced easily?
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: leegeddy on December 05, 2003, 10:28:23 PM
good news, i found a place that sells all sorts of SLAs 2 mins from my apartment!  awesome place, every SLA you could ever need although definitely not the cheapest, oh well.  now it's time to do some soldering.  any ideas on how to make a simple fuse case for the fuse so they can be replaced easily?

for comparison sake, how much is a 12v 7.5ah SLA?  i bought mine from a hobby shop for $20.

i've seen these in use on a regular basis.

(http://www.littelfuse.com/Products/ProdImages/155-bayonet.jpg)

(http://www.littelfuse.com/Products/ProdImages/150.jpg)

(http://www.littelfuse.com/Products/ProdImages/155-ATO.jpg)

marc
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: DaryanLenz on December 06, 2003, 01:23:07 AM
I was just playin :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming: :flaming:

D
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 06, 2003, 01:30:48 AM
Quote from: leegeddy link=board=25;threadid=10318;start=15#msg124449 i've seen these in use on a regular basis.[quote

FWIW, the fuse boxes shown here I think are for slow-blow, non-resettable fuses.  I just wire the fast-blow, resettable radial fuses I use directly to a short wire coming off the positive terminal, and then outgoing on another wire to the battery connector.  Wrap it all up securely with electrical tape, glue it to the top of the SLA, enclose the whole darn thing in a small box, doesn't much matter - you're good to go.
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: leegeddy on December 06, 2003, 01:38:56 AM

FWIW, the fuse boxes shown here I think are for slow-blow, non-resettable fuses.  I just wire the fast-blow, resettable radial fuses I use directly to a short wire coming off the positive terminal, and then outgoing on another wire to the battery connector.  Wrap it all up securely with electrical tape, glue it to the top of the SLA, enclose the whole darn thing in a small box, doesn't much matter - you're good to go.

you can use either slow or fast blow fuses in the holders above. these hold non-resettable fuses. once it blows, you have to replace them. i prefer non-resettable ones, personally.  i'm not 100% sure, but i don't think i've seen "slow blow" ATO (very bottom pic) fuses before.

marc
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 06, 2003, 01:50:21 AM
[quote author=leegeddy link=board=25;threadid=10318;start=15#msg124537 you can use either slow or fast blow fuses in the holders above. these hold non-resettable fuses. once it blows, you have to replace them. i prefer non-resettable ones, personally.  i'm not 100% sure, but i don't think i've seen "slow blow" ATO (very bottom pic) fuses before.

marc

Quote

Yeah, I think you're right, Marc.  Thanks for the correction.   :)
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Tim on December 06, 2003, 05:01:45 AM
ouch Ian! That's rough!
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: chase on December 06, 2003, 04:25:29 PM
thanks again marc.  i called a bunch of places and cheapest place had a 7AH for $22, but it was 30 miles away so i decided to just shell out $28 for a 7.5AH at the place that was 1 mile away instead.  it's doubt i will be buying another 12V anytime soon...hopefully.
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: Tim on December 06, 2003, 07:30:53 PM
Batteries Plus? When I built my own SLA's I used to get my batts from there
Title: Re:minime homebrew battery questions
Post by: zhianosatch on December 06, 2003, 07:34:28 PM
"slow blow"

haha