Topic: MicroTrack II battery dying (Need stealthy external solution)

[jj69]

I'm a noob here, and I consider myself a casual taper.  For the past couple of yeras, I've been using a MicroTrack II with a simle Olympus T-mic with good results.  Obviously a very basic setup. 

The MTII has no more than 20 hours of actual taping time on it.  I've taped maybe 10 shows, all under 2 hours long.  Yet the internal battery is ALREADY on its way out.  It used to hold a charge for 3.5 hours.  Now it will only run for only 77 minutes.  I'm sure death is imminent.  I called M-Audio today.  They appear to have been bought out by another company, and they're support is essentially useless.  They want $75 + return shipping to replace the internal battery.  I really don't want to give them the satisfaction. 

Can someone recommend a small, external USB battery?  I'd prefer something really thin that would fit in the canvas carrying case that came with the MTII.  I'd also prefer something I can pick up locally rather than something that will take a month to arrive from China. 

Any suggestions? 

[F.O.Bean]

http://www.usbcell.com/

http://www.google.com/search?q=usb+battery&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=usb+battery&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Fz2&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=9F2STdCRHYy10QHj5ODMBw&ved=0CDcQrQQ&biw=1600&bih=711&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=f6d71ab45ffd091

[jj69]

Thanks for the links Bean.  Some of the slimline styles look perfect, but I don't think any of them would be available locally.  I really need something for a show Thursday night.  Would Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or similar retailers carry anything like this? 

[dlh]

I've had good luck with this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Tekkeon-TekCharge-Mobile-Battery-Charger/dp/B0014KLX9C
Uses Nimh or alkaline.
I've seen it at some retailers but can't remember which ones.

Dave

[F.O.Bean]

I've had good luck with this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Tekkeon-TekCharge-Mobile-Battery-Charger/dp/B0014KLX9C
Uses Nimh or alkaline.
I've seen it at some retailers but can't remember which ones.

Dave

That looks like a nice one I got one new from somebody on ts.com. It was like 5 bucks shipped

[jj69]

Here's a follow-up question.  I've been testing this unit at home, and EVERY TIME I let it record, it shuts down after 77 minutes. 

I always record at 16 bits, 44.1 kHz.  The 4GB CF card has space for 2 hours and 43 minutes.  I am just assuming the battery was the problem.  Is there anything else that might cause a MicroTrack II to shut down after 77 minutes?  I wonder if I'm missing something? 

Perhaps I should post this question in another subforum...

[12milluz]

Just a friendly notice...don't post in two forums. Things get messy that way and if this topic is not in the proper section, Brian will most likely move it. Having multiple threads usually makes things more confusing. 

[jj69]

Thanks, but I thought this was the correct section?  I'm a noob looking for advice.  If there's a better section to post this, please let me know. 

[flipp]

Do you have another card you can test the unit with? I'm wondering if there is a bad memory address in the card you've been using. If you  don't have another card, change the rate and/or bit depth you record to. If the MT-II shuts down sooner and does so at the same place on multiple tests then you have a bad card. That's the only other thing I can think of that would cause a repeatable shutdown before reaching the cards capacity.

[Brian Skalinder]

Locking this thread since it's easier to track responses and provide assistance via a single thread.  New thread is here:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=144172.0