Hey everyone,
I'm slowing working my way into open taping. I just got a UA-5 but have no means to power it. I've got a show in a week and a half and I'm looking for a battery pack that I can get before then. Nothing fancy, just something that isn't TOO expensive and works well. Any advice would be great. Thanks.
I'd hit up wall mart or and electronics store and look for a DVD battery 7.2 or 9v will work fine. Use an adaptaplug "M" for the UA5 side and remember Negative tip and positive ring. A SLA may be a little cheaper but once you add in a charger it is probably going to be a wash
Battery:
Endurance Universal Battery for Portable DVD Players (9v) (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2146432&cp)
Cable:
Adaptaplug B (Battery end) (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062424)
Female-to-Female Adaptaplug Cable (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049698)
Adaptaplug M (UA-5 end) (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062435)
Total:
$97.00 USD (Before taxes, shipping)
It's more expensive than a wal-mart li-ion battery but with those being harder to find these days it might be your only option if you're on a deadline. I use this to power my UA-5 and have not yet tested it in the field. I have, however, ran my UA-5 on the battery for three hours (as a test) with no problems.
I was able to get the 'walmart' battery at compusa for $40 or $49.
Quote from: Freelunch on January 15, 2006, 03:06:15 PM
I was able to get the 'walmart' battery at compusa for $40 or $49.
$49 at my nearest CompUSA. Seems the new dvd battery my local wallyworlds are carrying is 3000mah and is only good for about half the time the Initial/Memorex/Old style wallyworld battery would give you. The reduced capacity/time and the fact that it looks like a hockey puck with a dome make me want to slap it with a stick.
Quote from: mojomonkee on January 15, 2006, 03:01:54 PM
Battery:
Endurance Universal Battery for Portable DVD Players (9v) (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2146432&cp)
Cable:
Adaptaplug B (Battery end) (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062424)
Female-to-Female Adaptaplug Cable (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049698)
Adaptaplug M (UA-5 end) (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062435)
Total:
$97.00 USD (Before taxes, shipping)
It's more expensive than a wal-mart li-ion battery but with those being harder to find these days it might be your only option if you're on a deadline. I use this to power my UA-5 and have not yet tested it in the field. I have, however, ran my UA-5 on the battery for three hours (as a test) with no problems.
Wow. Thanks a lot for those links.
Cheaper version:
1300 mAh SLA (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103438&cp=2032056) ($15)
Adaptaplug 6 ft. extension (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049698&cp=&kw=adaptaplug+extension&parentPage=search) ($7)
Adapta Plug B (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062424&cp=&kw=adaptaplug+b&parentPage=search) ($5)
10 pk quick connects (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104018&cp=2032058.2032231.2032283&parentPage=family) ($2)
The UA5 will run off 12V's.
Cut the 6 ft cable to the length that works for you (I cut mine in 1/2 so I could make a backup cable), then crimp those female connectors onto the stripped end of the cable. Next insert the Adaptaplug M into the cable (make sure the polarity is correct). Finally hook the connectors to the battery. I would test the polarity of the adaptaplug just to make sure you hooked everything up correctly.
That should do it. At least thats what I've done. $29 total. And you can get it all at your friendly Rat Shack.
EDIT: Forgot the charger. Oops. Maybe it will be a bit more that $29. I think my charger cost more than the entire thing. Around $35. I got mine at the local hardware store. You could also buy a 12V smart charger from a motorcycle dealer. I've never seen one at Rat Shack.
MIKE B
I'd keep an eye on ebay for the DVD battery, that link above to the one at Radio Shack is very expensive.
After some quick searching I found this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Li-ion-Battery-for-Portable-DVD-Player-6hrs_W0QQitemZ5856439739QQcategoryZ15055QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Li-ion-Battery-for-Portable-DVD-Player-6hrs_W0QQitemZ5856439739QQcategoryZ15055QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Lots more on there, try and find one with a buy it now since you're in a rush.
Same kind of question as the OP, but... I'm really looking for a one time use kind of setup, i have a li-ion battery and some cables and such coming from ToddR, but it won't make it in time for Derek Trucks Sunday..
BAsically i can use all that ratshack stuff, are there cheaper battery options?
*update*
Put together a pretty cheap set up, we'll see how it works. Just a 1600 mAh 9.6V RC battery, a couple adapters and the adaptaplug. All told, it was ~30-40$ and the battery is rechargable so it can serve as a back up in the future when better power options run out.
Quote from: wsphansam on January 20, 2006, 03:23:12 AM
After some quick searching I found this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Li-ion-Battery-for-Portable-DVD-Player-6hrs_W0QQitemZ5856439739QQcategoryZ15055QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Li-ion-Battery-for-Portable-DVD-Player-6hrs_W0QQitemZ5856439739QQcategoryZ15055QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Lots more on there, try and find one with a buy it now since you're in a rush.
I recently bought this exact battery to run my UA-5 (as was suggested by a couple of people)...I charged the battery, attached the proper adapter and plugged it in...yet I get no power to the UA-5? When I use the wallwart that came with the UA-5 it powers on just fine. But with the battery I get nothing? I know the adapter doesn't fit as snug a fit as the wallwart...could that be the problem? I am getting frustrated trying to figure this out. Could it be a bad battery (even though it is brand new and it took a charge?) Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-Shawn
Quote from: TheWildKindness on February 08, 2006, 09:20:56 PM
Quote from: wsphansam on January 20, 2006, 03:23:12 AM
After some quick searching I found this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Li-ion-Battery-for-Portable-DVD-Player-6hrs_W0QQitemZ5856439739QQcategoryZ15055QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Li-ion-Battery-for-Portable-DVD-Player-6hrs_W0QQitemZ5856439739QQcategoryZ15055QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Lots more on there, try and find one with a buy it now since you're in a rush.
I recently bought this exact battery to run my UA-5 (as was suggested by a couple of people)...I charged the battery, attached the proper adapter and plugged it in...yet I get no power to the UA-5? When I use the wallwart that came with the UA-5 it powers on just fine. But with the battery I get nothing? I know the adapter doesn't fit as snug a fit as the wallwart...could that be the problem? I am getting frustrated trying to figure this out. Could it be a bad battery (even though it is brand new and it took a charge?) Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-Shawn
Do you have the polarity right for the UA5? I believe it's tip negative. Also, if you have a multimeter (everyone should) check the voltage.
Quote from: TheWildKindness on February 08, 2006, 09:20:56 PM
Quote from: wsphansam on January 20, 2006, 03:23:12 AM
After some quick searching I found this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Li-ion-Battery-for-Portable-DVD-Player-6hrs_W0QQitemZ5856439739QQcategoryZ15055QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Li-ion-Battery-for-Portable-DVD-Player-6hrs_W0QQitemZ5856439739QQcategoryZ15055QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Lots more on there, try and find one with a buy it now since you're in a rush.
I recently bought this exact battery to run my UA-5 (as was suggested by a couple of people)...I charged the battery, attached the proper adapter and plugged it in...yet I get no power to the UA-5? When I use the wallwart that came with the UA-5 it powers on just fine. But with the battery I get nothing? I know the adapter doesn't fit as snug a fit as the wallwart...could that be the problem? I am getting frustrated trying to figure this out. Could it be a bad battery (even though it is brand new and it took a charge?) Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-Shawn
Quote
Do you have the polarity right for the UA5? I believe it's tip negative. Also, if you have a multimeter (everyone should) check the voltage.
Sorry...not sure I understand. I don't know much about electronics. How about polarity for dummies? And having tried to power the UA-5 with the wrong polarity...have I caused possible damage ?
If it's powering up with the Wall Wart then you are probably still fine. A Multimeter is one of those gizmos that will tell you voltage, continuity and such. You can pick up a cheap one for $10-20 at radio shack and it will work fine for basic stuff like this. Another place I might suggest is a Batteries Plus. We have one here and the people are always super helpful, and will probably give you a hand testing voltages and such if you buy the battery there. Their prices are usually pretty good as well. Finally, I'd doubel check on the 12V SLA. I thought the UA-5 had probelms with voltages that high, but that is pureley on memory and I certainly don't know for sure. I always ran mine with the 9v WalMart battery and had great luck.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103174&cp=&fbn=Price%2F%2410.00+-+%2449.99&fbc=1&fr=StorePrice%2FRSK%2F00001000%2F00004999&kw=multimeter&parentPage=search
Quote from: phanophish on February 09, 2006, 12:04:15 PM
If it's powering up with the Wall Wart then you are probebly still fine. A Multimeter is one of those gizmos that will tell you voltage, continuity and such. You can pick up a cheap one for $10-20 at radio shack and it will work fine for basic stuff like this. Another place I might suggest is a Batteries Plus. We have one here and the people are always super helpful, and will probably give you a hand testing voltages and such if you buy the battery there. Their prices are usually pretty good as well. Finally, I'd doubel check on the 12V SLA. I thought the UA-5 had probelms with voltages that high, but that is pureley on memory and I certainly don't know for sure. I always ran mine with the 9v WalMart battery and had great luck.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103174&cp=&fbn=Price%2F%2410.00+-+%2449.99&fbc=1&fr=StorePrice%2FRSK%2F00001000%2F00004999&kw=multimeter&parentPage=search
Thanks for the help/suggestions. I actually bought the battery that you suggested which is a 9v...I believe it's the same one you said you use. I appreciate all the help on this board...it's a great community to belong to and of course, very helpful.
Thanks again to everyone. +T's all around!