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Author Topic: Microtrack & USB battery pack  (Read 21942 times)

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Offline hijoq

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Microtrack & USB battery pack
« on: May 28, 2007, 06:47:55 PM »
I need some help, the festivals are coming so soon.
I bought an external usb battery pack to be alble to tape many shows in a day with my Microtrack.
This is the battery pack: http://www.boxwave.com/products/batteryadapter/index.htm

So, when I plug the battery pack to the MT, the display says "charge". But then I discover that the battery dies in the same time as if the battery pack is not connected  :'(

Should I use a different cable to power the MT while taping? Please hel me, I'm a bit worried about the incoming festivals.  ???
DPA4061s + MPS6030 + Edirol R09/Tascam DR2D

Offline silentmark

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2007, 07:02:02 PM »
First off your MT internal battery must be fully charged. If you run it otherwise your external pack will die rather quickly as it cannot keep up the output. There is a thread on this ...

Second does your external pack output 5v ? If not than that could be a problem.

I use this pack with no issues at all: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855998033

I also used a wallyworld 9v lion through a voltage regulator box output to 5v and never had a problem.

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Offline blindman

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2007, 10:33:33 AM »
As silentmark said, your MT has to have a FULL charge to begin with... I made a bunch of AA chargers and never had luck with them keep up with the MT...

I ended up buying a Digital Concepts PP99 for under $20...
http://www.amazon.com/iConcepts-Digi-Power-Pack-PP99/dp/B0009EXVGC/

it is also sold under the brand name "Sakar" I think.

I had to make my own cord, the PP99 does not come with one that will fit the MT's USBmini... it is very easy though...Radio Shack sells the power plug, not the univesal adapter ones, and actual solder type... it is in the parts drawers... I will confirm, but I think it is the "M" one... then buy or take a cheap usb cord and cut of the one end... you need to solder the positive out of the PP99 to pin 1 and the ground to pin 4 of the USBmini... see the USB mini pinouts here http://pinouts.ws/usb-pinout.html

make sure to set the PP99 to 5V for the MT

Radio Shack Plug "M"
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103614&cp=&sr=1&origkw=plug+m&kw=plug+m&parentPage=search

here is mine...
http://fecundswamp.peanutonastring.com/usb/img005.jpeg.html

I made a whole bunch of the AA versions you can see here... from lame to nice 12V wooden one... http://fecundswamp.peanutonastring.com/usb/index.html
I found  the best one is the DC PP99 :) although, the wooden one looks totally bitchin'.

I bet you will be able to record for the entire day, maybe more, then charge up over night... the PP99 even has a car charger with it... and a AC charger... for $20 it is amazing.

Note... when changing your cards, unplug the charger... it is not and issue with the newer firmware, but to be safe unplug the power then change the card. I use to have trouble with the MT locking if it was on charge while changing cards... the 1.4.6 works fine, but I got in the habit just to be safe.

and I am able to switch it to 3V for the R9 and 5V for my camera... and they both use the same plug that came with the PP99.
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Offline danlynch

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2007, 11:01:20 AM »
I have used the Macally battery for ipods.  Its a re-chargeable external battery which can power the MT no matter what the battery meter levels read on the MT.  I have used it when I was concerned that the MT would not have enough power to last through a second set.  The best price is at newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855998033

The Macally is re-charged with the same usb cable that charges the MT.  It adds approximately another 6 hours to the MT.
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Offline guysonic

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2007, 11:30:33 AM »
I have made and used all the of four models shown below to charge, keep charged, and fully power MT.  At this time, both BC/BD-MT4 models available for quick delivery.



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Offline taper420

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2007, 12:58:39 PM »
I've used the energizer cell phone boosters that have a USB connection (under $20).. they take 2 AA's and work best with the lithiums. That lasts for about two shows, and reverts to internal MT battery without a hickup when it runs out. It's also pretty small.

Offline Javier Cinakowski

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2007, 01:01:00 PM »
I've used the energizer cell phone boosters that have a USB connection (under $20).. they take 2 AA's and work best with the lithiums. That lasts for about two shows, and reverts to internal MT battery without a hickup when it runs out. It's also pretty small.
WOW, that is a great idea!
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Offline coloartist

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2007, 01:24:26 PM »
I run mine Walmart 9V>Todd R Juicebox>MT.  I never charge my microtrack. It has a full charge by the time I leave a show.

I have never had a problem.

I have even charged other peoples Microtracks during set break.
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Offline hijoq

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2007, 06:09:33 PM »
thanks for all the tips, feels good to be back at the taperssection.
I will try with the energizer usb battery pack, wish me good luck!

 >:D
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Offline guysonic

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2007, 05:15:13 AM »
thanks for all the tips, feels good to be back at the taperssection.
I will try with the energizer usb battery pack, wish me good luck!

 >:D

These fully work ONLY with L91 Photo Lithium type they came with rated at about 2900 MA/costing about $2.50+ a cell.  Suggest taking a $hitload for having any chance of doing a full festival.
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Offline philR

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2007, 10:14:57 AM »
I have used the Macally battery for ipods.  Its a re-chargeable external battery which can power the MT no matter what the battery meter levels read on the MT.  I have used it when I was concerned that the MT would not have enough power to last through a second set.  The best price is at newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855998033

The Macally is re-charged with the same usb cable that charges the MT.  It adds approximately another 6 hours to the MT.

does this option require any special cable to go from the battery pack to the MT?
Neumann AK40 > LC3KA > KM100 > V2 > 744t

Offline danlynch

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2007, 10:48:29 AM »
I have used the Macally battery for ipods.  Its a re-chargeable external battery which can power the MT no matter what the battery meter levels read on the MT.  I have used it when I was concerned that the MT would not have enough power to last through a second set.  The best price is at newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855998033

The Macally is re-charged with the same usb cable that charges the MT.  It adds approximately another 6 hours to the MT.

does this option require any special cable to go from the battery pack to the MT?

No special cable.  Its the identical usb cable used to power both the MT and the Macally.  When the Macally is re-charging itself, the input is the small end (same size as the usb input on the MT).  When the Macally is powering the MT, the wide end is plugged into the Macally and the smaller end of the usb cable is plugged into the MT. 

Since its the same usb cable that comes with both items, I leave one permanently plugged into my hard drive to charge both items, and I leave one in the Macally case for the connection in the field.
Founder and Host of NYCTaper:  http://www.nyctaper.com

Microphones:  Schoeps CCM4Us, Sennheiser MKH-8040s, Neumann KM-150s, Neumann TLM-102s, DPA 4061s
Recorders:  Sound Devices 744t, Edirol R-44 (Oade Concert Mod), Edirol R-05
Pre-Amps, D/A's:  Apogee Mini-Me

My Recordings on Archive.org: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/danlynch

Offline philR

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2007, 10:59:14 AM »
+T, thanks for the info!
Neumann AK40 > LC3KA > KM100 > V2 > 744t

Offline tcf

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2007, 12:39:46 PM »
When I use the energizer battery pack, Alkalines are used exclusively and have had zero problems keeping the recorder on "charge" for a whole show.  While lithiums are ideal, no problems using regular alkalines.  Of course I have worried about 3volts of 2 AA's supplying 5volt power to the mt, but zero problems so far. I have seen/heard zero difference btw using the energizer and the standard 4 AA bat pack.  The only problem with the energizer pack is the usb cable that they use is incredibly short, it needs a couple of more inches.  Definitely takes up less room than the 4 AA pack.  YMMV.

TCF

Offline Javier Cinakowski

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Re: Microtrack & USB battery pack
« Reply #14 on: June 03, 2007, 10:33:36 AM »
I used the energized cell phone charger last night with 2500mah recharagbles. The first set I just let the MT internal battery do the work.  It ran down most of the way.  I plugged the energizer in for the second set and the MT was completely charged before the end of the show.  Worked out great!

Oh, for those of you worried about the size of the cable:  On the opposite size of the usb cable is a 3/32 mono plug...
Get a 3/32->1/8 adapter and then get a 1/8 extention cable. or get a 3/32 extention cable f you can find it, or make it...

Neumann KM185mp OR DPA ST2015-> Grace Design Lunatec V2-> Tascam DR-100mkIII

 

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