[bookport] Re: bookport improvements
- From: "Aman Singer" <aman@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 24 Dec 2004 10:09:25 -0500
Hi, Keith and all others looking for a plug-in power source for the BP.
I received the battery eliminator from QCAvionix. It works very well
indeed for the BP (I'm not going to use it too often, as it impairs the
portability of the BP, which is one of the best things about the unit), but
this is inherent in plugging the BP in. The eliminator is particularly
useful for those times when one needs to do large USB transfers. I just
finished transferring 500 files, filling up around 2 gigabytes, and don't
know how well I could have done this, which took several hours, with
standard batteries.
I'll put forward two caveats, if I may. First, setting the voltage
on the eliminator is not accessible. You set the number of cells the unit is
intended to replace by twisting a knob inset into the eliminator's box. Note
that you're setting number of cells, not number of volts. I nearly made that
error, as I had set the unit to three, thinking that I was setting the
number of volts (two AA alkaline batteries give three volts, at their best).
I was luckily undeceived before actually plugging the eliminator into
anything. In any case, you have to use a screw driver or some other object
with a flat head to do the adjusting and, though the knob does click,
there's no way of knowing which position you're at. It's best to get someone
to have a look, as there's a risk of giving the device you're powering the
wrong voltage. Further, I don't know if using the battery eliminator causes
damage to the BP. I've used it twice for hours at a stretch and have found
nothing wrong with the machine, and it seems quite happy to go back to
batteries, so can only say it works here, and can't guarantee it working
with repeated use, or working at all.
Again, thanks to Keith for mentioning this product. Though I'm not
going to use it for the BP particularly, it will be very useful for other
things, and for the BP on occasion.
Aman
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Keith Watson
Sent: December 15, 2004 5:48 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] Re: bookport improvements
Great, glad to hear that Radio Shack has such a converter. You
wouldn't happen to have a part number on this would you?
Keith
On 05:27 PM, Aman Singer wrote:
> Hi, Keith.
> Let me thank you publicly for this idea. I have contacted the
> manufacturer of this device, QCAvionix
> http://www.qcavionix.com
> and have purchased the device (not for the BP, though I daresay it
> would work for that, but for another device I have which requires constant
> battery power. I've also bought, from Radio shack, a 110 V to 12 V AC to
DC
> converter with a cigarette lighter jack. Therefore, I can plug the battery
> eliminator into that adaptor, and that adaptor into the wall, and I should
> have permanent power. You might consider doing this, instead of connecting
> the battery straight to a transformer.
> Thanks again.
> Aman
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf Of Keith Watson
> Sent: December 13, 2004 2:50 PM
> To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [bookport] Re: bookport improvements
>
> I was thinking about it this morning and wrote a note about it,
> and after spending a bit of time looking on the web and talking
> with some of the double e's around here I have found the
> following possible solution for powering the bookport from 110
> while my batteries are charging, or while I am laying in bed.
> This solution unmodified is also a great idea for powering the
> unit while on a road trip, if you can get the front seat that is.
> So here it is.
>
> http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/2707 has a device
> that will run devices requireing up to 4 double a's from a
> cigarette lighter. Basically it's 3 straight through "shorting"
> batteries and one battery that is cabled to some electronics
> which let you step the voltage up or down between 3 and 12 volts.
> Alone this is nice for car travel. What my electrical buddies
> suggested was to purchase a 3V transformer and they would solder
> up the wired battery for me. Thus I now have a 3 volt battery
> eliminator. An off the shelf option would be much more
> preferable, but in the meantime it's worth a discussion topic.
>
> Keith
>
> On 11:56 PM, Aman Singer wrote:
> > Hi.
> > I don't like the idea of any sort of proprietary battery pack, if I
> > may say so. I think the use of standard batteries is one of the best
> > features of the BP and, with chargers being relatively cheap now, I'll
be
> > glad to risk the battery contacts removing and reinserting batteries
> rather
> > than having a charging circuit in the unit if that circuit requires a
> > special battery. Further, I think a charging circuit, even if it were
> merely
> > connected with the outside through terminals, would increase the weight
> and
> > complexity of the unit, which I don't think is desirable for something
> that
> > we can do ourselves relatively easily.
> > Aman
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> > On Behalf Of Richard Fiorello
> > Sent: December 12, 2004 2:47 PM
> > To: bookport
> > Subject: [bookport] bookport improvements
> >
> > HI;
> > I too like the concept of rechargeable batteries. Physical changes to
the
>
> > unit are more of a long term idea than software updates but I would like
> to
> > recharge the batteries while they are in the machine. If a plug is to
> > bulky, perhaps a set of terminals for a drop in charger. Anyone have
any
> > thoughts as to affordable chargers? Many unrelated units I own come
with
> > their own battery pack and charger.
> > Rich
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> Keith Watson
> kwatson@xxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Among the major impediments to discovery are not the ignorant
> but those with illusions of knowledge. - B. Alan Wallace
>
>
--
Keith Watson
kwatson@xxxxxxxxxxx
Among the major impediments to discovery are not the ignorant
but those with illusions of knowledge. - B. Alan Wallace
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