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Gear / Technical Help => Remote Power => Topic started by: Cheesecadet on June 02, 2006, 10:57:59 PM

Title: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: Cheesecadet on June 02, 2006, 10:57:59 PM
Hey there...I have a couple questions:

1.)  I have heard this unit has a capacitor that allows a 3 sec. lag time so you can change batteries on the fly without loss of signal.  Is this true???

2.) Since these are known for shorting out if not attached to external power properly...I am curious...do I plug the mono plug into the unit first...then insert the battery?  I'm not sure if I am actually even asking the right question here.  I just want to be sure not to short this thing out the first time I use it.

Any help is greaty appreciated!

Thanks!

Ryan in WA
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: caymanreview on June 02, 2006, 10:59:52 PM
1. i tried this a few times and mostly it would keep one channel fine, but the other lost phantom a bit and had a dropout when i tried to change on the fly

2. the shorting problem is for when using an external battery only, you wouldnt use the "internal" ps2 batt is using an external battery pack
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: bhtoque on June 02, 2006, 11:34:34 PM
I was always able to change on the fly without issue. I used to use the ps-2 to drain off partially used batteries at festivals, because I knew I had about 1/2 hour to see the red light come on, then could swap in another battery without losing signal. Never really compared notes with other users, so per Caymanreview's comments ymmv.

I always plugged the cable in then connected the battery. Safer that way.

JAson
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: Chuck on June 03, 2006, 11:57:46 AM
I was also able to do the quick change of 9v batteries without any signal loss.
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: caymanreview on June 03, 2006, 04:15:44 PM
would it matter what type of battery you were "hot swappin"?

i was using shitty generic 9vs, that may have been the difference. if you guys were using lithium or better quality 9v's maybe the voltage was a bit higher when you swapped it out, allowing the capacitor to stay charged long enuf to allow a swap
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: Chuck on June 04, 2006, 12:48:13 PM
would it matter what type of battery you were "hot swappin"?

i was using shitty generic 9vs, that may have been the difference. if you guys were using lithium or better quality 9v's maybe the voltage was a bit higher when you swapped it out, allowing the capacitor to stay charged long enuf to allow a swap

Alkiline Duracell or Energizers worked for me
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: dgodwin on June 04, 2006, 02:04:43 PM
I always used alkaline duracells in my ps2.  In my experience the duracell 9v's worked the longest. YMMV
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: Cheesecadet on June 05, 2006, 12:22:07 AM
Yeah, I picked up some Duracell 9v batteries. 

Any idea how long they would last when powering a pair of Studio projects C-4's?

The website say the current consumption on these mics are:  <2 ma

Does anyone who understands currents and draw know how long that would equate to with 9v batteries?

Thanks again for any help!

Ryan in WA
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: balou2 on June 05, 2006, 02:53:52 AM
Yeah, I picked up some Duracell 9v batteries. 

Any idea how long they would last when powering a pair of Studio projects C-4's?

The website say the current consumption on these mics are:  <2 ma

Does anyone who understands currents and draw know how long that would equate to with 9v batteries?

Thanks again for any help!

Ryan in WA
I don't know about the C4s but I used to power the 184s ALL day at festivals, on a single battery.  I've never run out.
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: Cheesecadet on June 05, 2006, 10:36:01 AM
Hey Mike...the 184's list this as their current draw:  3.2 mA

The SP C-4's are listed as: <2 ma

Do you know which has more current draw?  Does the small ma vs. the little "m", big "A" mean anything?  Does anyone else reading this know how these numbers equate to one another???

Thanks!

  ;D
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: Chuck on June 05, 2006, 10:40:06 AM
If those specs are correct, then the C-4's draw less current.
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: Cheesecadet on June 05, 2006, 10:46:16 AM
Thanks Chuck!  quick response.  So do the little m and big A mean anything in relation to a small ma?
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: Chuck on June 05, 2006, 10:54:31 AM
mA = milliamp, a measure of current.
It's common practice to use the capital A, there is no difference between mA and ma.
Title: Re: Denecke PS-2 Questions
Post by: dnsacks on June 05, 2006, 01:52:48 PM
cheesecadet -- I strongly recommend running the c4s through the ps2 (while, say, recording your stereo) and timing how long it takes with a fresh battery for the low battery light to come on.  Due to the variations between these batteries' capacity, I'd run the test twice. 

IMHO, that's the best way to know how your gear will perform in the field, as it's no fun to have the stress of that low battery light come on in the middle of a hot jam.