Problem with these 'juicebox' externals a lot of tapers are buying for cheap is they are inadequate for supplying the needed 350+ milliamperes needed to charge the internal MT battery, AND run the deck. Add a power hungry microdrive that draws as much as the deck, and the external 'juicebox' goes flat within minutes.
Thanks for the info, Guy. In this case, though, we're talking about what should be a fairly robust external battery solution. The JuiceBox is merely a voltage regulator and isn't providing any power directly, simply passing it along. And the external battery is a sizable 4500 or 5400 mAH li-ion battery capable of passing the required current even for microdrive + operating MT + battery charging. (I think, haven't gotten confirmation on KLowe of the model # yet.) No doubt the AA-based external battery solutions suffer when pulling double or triple duty with two or more of microdrive + MT + charging.
Thank you for the correction and detail about the Juice Box's function. Did a search and seems this is no longer available, and no specification on 5 volt regulated current output found. Seems likely to be too current limited for some applications as discussed here.
Maybe an updated version with 1 ampere output ability and USB cable for demanding MT deck applications is in order?
---WARNING!!! - start of why 'this guy' will never sell a 'juice box' product----
My business model is more geared to professional recordists who make a living using this type of equipment.
They mostly technically know no more than 'amateurs' about the equipment they're using, but depend on the gear NOT failing to meet their requirements for reliable operation while doing a project. For that reason I work to provide designed 'recording systems' of configured mic+preamps, and auxiliary deck power that will not disappoint with shortcomings.
For this reason, I hesitate to supply a partial deck powering solution like a juice box that leaves it up to the user to choose a source of battery power and unspecified compatibility with various deck configurations. Leaves the choice of battery, cable, connectors, and operating conditions too unspecified, and this will cause some users unexpected grief when they can least afford it.
There is also good reason I avoid using rechargeable batteries for high-reliability systems. Secondary batteries have limited/variable working life/capacity (typically <2 years 80% capacity service life for NiMH/lithium). Rechargeable battery running times can vary too much. Capacity of secondary cells depends on user's being knowledgeable about best storage conditions and proper charger/charging practices to best maintain cell capacity/service life. Knowing when and how to recharge a particular battery type and storage under what charge condition for extending cell service life is important if secondary cells are to be the least reliable. I feel this is asking for trouble for most recordists to effectively deal with, and the fact that most are recording 'once in a lifetime' events begs the question of how much risk of avoidable equipment failure is acceptable.
So instead I choose most reliable primary lithium and alkaline batteries to run my gear offerings. This is also the reason why my battery solutions are costly as everything possible is engineered NOT to fail in the field, and continue to work for at least 10 years of rough field service.
While there are many low cost 'kludge-it-together-yourself' external battery configurations that do work just fine, or work OK most of the time, I have no desire to make these 'partial' products, and then have to turn my back on customer's disappointment for something NOT working as expected by their own doing.
For me it's better to produce highly engineered completely configured gear, having customers be able to use these for intended purposes without failures or disappointments for far more than a few short years, and charge what it costs to produce uniquely reliable recording solutions.
I'm sure 'my philosophy' is not to every one's taste, where choosing cheapest is bestest.
This seems the way most purchase everything these days, on price alone that is.
Guy's with my business philosophy seem an endangered species with today's buying EVERYTHING BY PRICE ALONE attitudes. And I get a lot of hard knocks by tapers who ONLY consider price and NOTHING ELSE. And sure, with commodity products, ONLY difference is the price it seems, unless having a dislike for the 'lowest-price-in-town' outlet's management or something like that.
I'm not immune to the 'lowest price without value consideration' syndrome for commodity purchases, and I love to shop around, but I also make a real effort to consider build quality and thoughtful design as maybe more important over price for some things.