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Alphawolf · Friday 26th September 2003, 16:18

My camera I use for digiscoping has a 4.5 volt dc input port. The lithium onbard battery just sucks when it comes to duration. Why couldn't I put AA lithium batteries together in holders(in series and parallel to deliver 4.5 v.) and plug it into my camera. I figure 12 of the AA size lithiums should give me a whole bunch of time out in the field....What does anybody think?

eric s · Friday 26th September 2003, 19:09

There is quite some risk in doing this. I wouldn't do it without some serious consultations with a Electrical Engineer. I know just enough about it that I wouldn't try it myself.

You could check out this link, but (of course) I make no statements about its correctness or usefulness.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/akouzmit/Battery_Pack

Eric

GR Triever · Friday 26th September 2003, 22:12

I was thinking almost the same thing... the Toshiba PDR4300 is 5VDC input, and my thought was to take a 12V 4AH (or 7AH) gel cell battery (weight approx. 3 pounds), add a precision voltage regulator circuit to drop the output to 5V, and have enough current capacity to power the thing for a WEEK!

Toshiba tech support, on the other hand, doesn't think much about my little idea. To paraphrase, their comment was, 'we do not recommend a power supply like you describe. Any such modification will render the camera warranty null and void.'

Yes, it should work, but proceed at your own risk.

Friday 26th September 2003, 16:18	#1
Alphawolf Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 6	Homemade battery pack for field use..... My camera I use for digiscoping has a 4.5 volt dc input port. The lithium onbard battery just sucks when it comes to duration. Why couldn't I put AA lithium batteries together in holders(in series and parallel to deliver 4.5 v.) and plug it into my camera. I figure 12 of the AA size lithiums should give me a whole bunch of time out in the field....What does anybody think? __________________ Never take a sunset for granted. Stop what you are doing and enjoy it for a moment....You never know when it may be your last.

Friday 26th September 2003, 19:09	#2
eric s Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: near boston, MA. USA Posts: 152	There is quite some risk in doing this. I wouldn't do it without some serious consultations with a Electrical Engineer. I know just enough about it that I wouldn't try it myself. You could check out this link, but (of course) I make no statements about its correctness or usefulness. http://www3.sympatico.ca/akouzmit/Battery_Pack Eric __________________ I can either laugh or cry. I choose to laugh.

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Friday 26th September 2003, 22:12	#3
GR Triever Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Paducah, Kentucky Posts: 239	I was thinking almost the same thing... the Toshiba PDR4300 is 5VDC input, and my thought was to take a 12V 4AH (or 7AH) gel cell battery (weight approx. 3 pounds), add a precision voltage regulator circuit to drop the output to 5V, and have enough current capacity to power the thing for a WEEK! Toshiba tech support, on the other hand, doesn't think much about my little idea. To paraphrase, their comment was, 'we do not recommend a power supply like you describe. Any such modification will render the camera warranty null and void.' Yes, it should work, but proceed at your own risk.

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