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(Continued
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Best
Regards in Sound & Music Recording,
Leonard Lombardo
------------------------------------
Subject:
anyone have a/c adaptor for d-3
Reply-To:
gboss
Date:
Mon, 16 Mar 1998 17:13:37 -0500
subject says it. Anyone have a working one? Mine makes clicks on
the
analog output. I've narrowed it down to the adaptor. (BTW anyone
know
what sony would charge for a new one?
>>
AC
adapter powering an older D3 DAT is a lot easier than it seems.
All this deck needs is anywhere from 6-9 volts DC at 600 to 750
milliamps; this can be an unregulated 6 -7.5 volt with as much as
1 amp available.
The important detail is to wire the proper power plug polarity with
the inside pin being the positive.
The D3 will turn off if the voltage drops to 5.4 volt and might
be stressed with voltages above 9.5 volts. Radio Shack
or other retailers would have some adapter available in this range
for $15.00 to $20.00. The power plug could be the one on the
existing Sony Adapter or a close fitting equivalent......... although
read below for caution with non-Sony power plugs.
CAUTION: Dat decks will shut down if the power is even briefly
interrupted for a few milli-seconds as is typical with using non-exact
Sony design power plugs.
I have stock on the original Sony power plug but right/angle molded
to 3-4' length of 20 gauge Zip (4 times lower loss than the usual
24 ga. at half the physical size!) for $10.00 ........ USA prepaid
shipping included.
This $10 plug assembly will not become intermittant and shut off
the deck like typical designs available from Radio Shack and Mouser
and should be considered necessary when remote powering the deck
off AC or Batteries during live recording.
Best Regards in Sound & Music Recording,
Leonard Lombardo
========================================
From: Paul C
Subject:
D-Cell Battery Pack for the D8
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 21:34:19 -0500 (EST)
Hey everybody,
so I figuired that I'd go ahead and try to make one of those D-Cell
battery packs to power my Sony D8 rather than having to constantly
get new
AA's. Well, I ran into a problem...it seems that Radio Shack
doesn't
carry the yellow tipped DC barrel plug. I know that a few
web pages have
said the Radio Shack does in fact carry the plug, but when I went
into RS
today and asked for the part (# 270-1575). They didn't even
have that
product intheir computers. They did however have something
that may do
the job, but I'm not sure, so I'm posting to the list.
They had a coax-style DC Power Plug 4.0 x 1.7mm size with solder
terminal
(# 274-1532), which could handle the correct voltage (4.3?).
It looked
like the AC adapter plug in that it had the yellow tip, but i didn't
want
to buy it becuase I wasn't sure.
So will this plug do the job, or do I have to special order the
part from
Sony, becuase it seems that there is no part no. 270-1575 at RS.
Thanks in advance!
Paul
>>
There's
at least several DIY D7/8 external power pack designs around, but
a word of caution about going for the 4 alkaline flashlight cell
pack using the external power plug connected scheme.
The D7/8 decks cannot utilize more than 25% of the available power
from these alkaline packs... as a result, 4 D cells run the deck
for a maximum of 16 hours while IF THIS SAME PACK was INTERNALLY
CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS via a dummy battery holder,
it would run for over 45 hours with the same 4 D cells !!!
The problem with alkaline is that the voltage is continually
dropping as power is supplied and the external D7/8 power jack has
some in-series voltage loss components while the internal battery
connection does not have power voltage losses.
For D7/8 decks........ Use only 6 Volt RECHARGEABLE batteries of
NiCad, NiMH, or Lead/Acid with the external power plug connection
as these battery types keep up their voltage as they supply power.
The Sonic Studios Web Site has illustrated examples of External
DAT Powering Systems for many different models of portable DAT deck.
Several years ago, after many months of query and after large minimum
orders, Sonic Studios has stock on the EXACT original equipment
power plug for the D7/8 & SBM-1.... TCD-D100..... PCM-M1 (all
the same size) BUT, improved with lower loss power cable and a molded
right/angle plug design at $15.
YES, Do It Yourself, learning and saving at the same time, but don't
be unwisely cheap or unsafe on important components..... for example
.....if you don't use the exact power plug design intended for the
DAT Deck power jack, a single milli-second duration intermittent
from an ill-fitting power-plug connector will shut down the deck
to the ruin of a recording (this has happened to me and just about
everyone trying the alternative power plugs .... Radio Shack and
Mouser types for example); using the correct designed power plug
eliminates this likely event from occurring.
EXACT Power plug/cord assemblies for TCD-D3, DTR-80P, DAR-100 are
also stocked at only $10 each.
DIY's and others wanting a secure and safe plug assembly need look
no further than contacting Sonic Studios for quality DAT power connection
systems. For Safety: 7 Amp resetting thermal fuses are
also available for $3 and wise to include in-series on any DIY rechargeable
battery system
Best Regards in Sound & Music Recording,
Leonard Lombardo
----------------------------------------
From: "cxxxxx.com>
Subject:
M1 battery life?
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1998 00:48:09 -0400 (EDT)
I forgot to include this in my last post...
As I mentioned, I taped Juliana Hatfield last night. Before
I
got in the building, I inserted brand-new Duracell AA alkaline
batteries (two) into the M1. I double-checked that they were
new using their handy indicator on the batteries.
I taped the show and myself talking to Juliana afterwards, which
ran for 30 minutes exactly (and I do mean exactly!) Afterwards,
I rewound and played back the first two minutes of the tape at the
little café in the record store. I rewound again, and
on the way
home I listened again and rewound afterwards. I was using
the
headphone jack, labeled "Remote".
That was a total of 30 minutes of recording, 32 of playback, and
62 of rewinding. The batteries were completely dead after
that!
They were brand new when I put them in the unit about 1.5 hours
before I started recording.
Now, I have tried more recording with two other AA alkalines, this
time Energizers, with the same result. It's even worse with
the
Nimh batteries Sony provided with the unit. Fully-charged,
they
lasted for 30 minutes of recording, 30 of rewinding, and only ten
of playback.
The M1's manual says it will last for two hours of playback or 90
minutes of recording with alkalines, and longer with the Nimh ones.
What's the problem here? Is it me? Is it the batteries?
Is it
the unit? I hope it's not the latter. If anyone has
any ideas,
please let me know.
Also, what sort of battery packs are available to use instead of
the two AA batteries? The M1 takes a 4.5v adapter. Would
it work
to use several C or D batteries to power the unit instead, and
make a battery pack that plugs into the 4.5v jack? I need
to use
something other than AA ones, because at regular 80 to 90 minute
shows, it won't make it through the whole show.
Thanks in advance...
Chris
>>
While
this issue has been at least partially discussed before, it may
be good to rehash this issue of D100 or M1 powering from batteries.
First, the NiMH batteries from Sony can give over 3.5 hours of recording
time. However, Sony's manual doesn't give exactly the correct
instructions about how to keep these batteries in good health and
how to charge them to full capacity.
The procedure when first using these NiMH batteries is NOT TO PUT
THEM ON THE CHARGER, BUT TO PUT THEM IN THE DECK AND RUN DOWN UNTIL
THE DECK STOPS; THEN PLACE THEM IN THE CHARGER FOR AT LEAST
5 HOURS. This will allow the charger to start with a fully
discharged battery, charge up to allow the 'Green' light to show
'ALMOST FULL CHARGE,' THEN ALLOW FULL CHARGE with a trickle charge.
To keep the NiMH cells healthy, mostly run these down before recharging.
This will avoid the chargers ability to overcharge an already semi-charged
cell. NiMH cells have no memory, can be stored charge or discharged
without liability, but cannot be safely charged without 1st running
down and must be left on the charger 2-5 hours after the green light
shows to get a full charge.
Never allow the charger power or battery contacts to be interrupted
as to start a new charging cycle .......... this will damage these
NiMH cells immediately by overcharging.
Regular Alkaline AA cells will not support D100 or M1 running time
exceeding 1.5 hours.......... but, Eveready L91 Photo lithium cells
will allow at least 5 hours of recording.
Walmart now carries these in their Photo-department ....... Package
of 2 @ $529.
For those who desire more dependable, economical, and longer running
times, Sonic Studios BC-1 uses just 4 C regular Alkaline cells for
powering these decks up to 25 hours. (See http://www.sonicstudios.com/batsys98.htm
)
Best Regards in Sound & Music Recording,
Leonard Lombardo
---------------------------------------
<<
Subj: Battery Questions
Date: 11/23/00 10:54:39 PM Pacific Standard Time
From:
vX@ucsd.edu (vXXv)
To: GuySonic@aol.com
Hi Leonard,
I've been playing with my M1 and the battery pack you sent me. I
also recently discovered the battery discussion page and am I confused!
I thought I'd ask you a couple of questions based on the behavior
I've been experiencing recently.
It's true that the batteries that came with the M1 are Sony NiMH
AA batteries. Why do you mention that the M1s only can run on the
NiMH batteries? Why not alkaline AAs in the M1?
I
had a set of four Radio Shack 23-524 C-cells and I got only an hour
or so of use out of them when trying to understand the workings
of the whole system. I had charged them once, I think in a Radio
Shack 23-334 Universal Ni-Cd/Ni-MH 14-18 hr charger. I must presume
that the batteries somehow became damaged and that's why their quick
demise?
Or,
is
it that frequent transport action and going in and out of Record
mode drained them quicker than usual?
About the only thing I know about batteies is that it's not somuch
the voltage that's important, though it is important in and of itself,
but the current bearing capability of the battery is more important.
I'm a little more than confused at this moment as to how to proceed
with the battery situation. I have, right now, a whole passel of
Alkaline AAs and would like to continue to use them inthe M1 but
am unclear why I (think I) can't. I can live with passels of Duracell
C batteries, and would do just that, but I had thought that (especially)
the new NiMHs would be a boon. I gues I don't understand how to
treat them. And, I don't suppose I could find out if the set of
rechargable Cs are damaged or not - or how to determine their overall
health.
Thanks
for any help you can send my way,
Vladimir
>>
Hello Vladimir,
Do
not use alkaline batteries inside the M1 as the 1.55 volt battery
voltage of alkaline drops immediately as soon as they are used and
continues to drop to nearly half at .8 volts where they are technically
dead.
NiMH
do not drop voltage until nearly exhausted.
Photo
Lithium Eveready L91 AA batteries are OK to use as they keep their
voltage up like NiMH.
Your
rechargeable C cells seem damaged or just not charged; using rechargeables
cannot damage them only under or overcharging them can do permanent
damage.
I
suggest you stick to using regular Alkaline C cells in the BC-1
system as a new set will give a solid 25 hours of deck running time
with plenty of low battery warning.
Read
these two references for additional help: http://www.sonicstudios.com/batsys98.htm#battery
tips
http://www.sonicstudios.com/d100rev.htm
I
hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving.
Regards in Sound & Music Recording,
Leonard (& Debbie) Lombardo
----------------------------------------
Subj:
Re: M1 battery issue
Date: 11/15/01
To: txx@hotmail.com
CC: DAT-heads@datheads.phish.net
In
a message dated 11/14/01 5:37:02 AM Pacific Standard Time, txxxxxx@hotmail.com
writes:
<<
Subj: M1 battery issue
Date: 11/14/01 5:37:02 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: txxxxx@hotmail.com (Txxxx)
To: GuySonic@aol.com
My take on the battery issue would be to get yourself a rechargable
with two
different breakout cables. This will save both money and space
(i.e. trash)
over the long haul. I had used batteries for a while in both my
D8 and my
M1. Eventually I built D cell battery packs and finally moved
on to the
Ecocharge solution. I guess my ecological voice inside my head
finally got
heard!
I'm sure that if you were to grab a portable rechargable battery
system from
one of the dealers out there (my favorite is Frank at Cascade
Media) then
they would be happy to supply you with both 6v and a 4.5v breakout
cables to
run either of your decks.
Hope this helps!
Ty
>>
Hello
Ty,
I
fully appreciate you sharing your perspectives about the need
for practical portable power with an eye to having an environmentally
kind disposal.
It
may be good to remember that both the D8 and M1 decks may be safely
powered by 6 volt disposable OR rechargeable type batteries THAT
ARE NOT ALSO CONNECTED TO THE CHARGER AND THE DECK at the SAME
TIME where the voltage can exceed 6.5 volts that can stress the
deck's internal switching power supply. While it's not a bad ideal,
there is NO NEED to reduce to the 4.5 voltage for deck reliability
reasons.
I
do agree with you that Lead/Acid batteries of all types are one
of the most reliable rechargeable battery types, and are particularly
easiest to maintain for having up to 10 service years. But remember,
the eventual disposal of toxic battery types needs very careful
environmental consideration; consumer/commercial grade L/A batteries
last about 6 years with the best use/maintenance and then need
to be set aside for toxic disposal procedures. For their beneficial
merits, Sonic Studios has (for the past 10 years) offered commercial/aerospace
grade L/A systems (longest lasting
for up to 10 service years) as an alternative for portable equipment
powering; these systems are shown on page. http://www.sonicstudios.com/batsys98.htm
However,
the size, weight, and need for recharging of ANY rechargeable
type battery is often not the best choice for needing exceptional
reliability/lo-weight, very long running times (5-25 times that
of L/A) and easy trekking to remote worldwide locations where
battery recharging power and/or where charger size/weight is not
practical.
For
maximum ease, reliability, and long-term environmental reasons,
I suggest considering using the now universally available toxic
free (NO Mercury) DISPOSABLE C/D size Alkaline Lithium disposable
type cells.
While
Lithium and NiMH 'rechargeable' are disposable with few environmental
concerns, they have a short service/shelf life of only 1-3 years.
BOTTOM
LINE: Alkaline C/D cell portable powering
systems (as Sonic Studios has offered for over 9 years) have
the longest running hours (up to 60 hours), can be stored for
over 3 years, and are a TINY FRACTION of the weight of most rechargeable
packs (exception: lithium is lighter), and are much more reliable
than ANY rechargeable battery system; Alkaline cells are (finally)
kind to the ecology (with having no toxic mercury) when needing
to be replaced.
Best Regards in Sound & Music Recording,
Leonard (& Debbie) Lombardo, Owners
----------------------------
Sonic Studios "17 Years of Making Audio
History with DSM Stereo Microphones"
Featuring Patented Headworn or HRTF Baffled Gear for Field &
Studio 3-D Ambient Sound/Music Recording
---------------------------------
Informative Web Site: WWW.SONICSTUDIOS.COM
Microphone, Headphone, MD/DAT Portable Deck equipment reviews+Tips+MP3
sound files
USA FREE: 1-877-347-6642 1-(541)459-8839 TEL/ 42FAX
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A better wish: "A bit of technical knowledge coupled to a
great deal of fearless God-given wisdom serves us best"
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