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 Post subject: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:56 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:25 pm
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Location: Whitley Bay
What does this gadget acually run on, is it 5 volts?

Brian

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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 3:27 pm 
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Hi Brian,

The battery (Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer) will be a nominal 3.7 volts, but the charging circuit should work from (at least) 4.5 to 5.5 volts (e.g. as available from a USB port/charger).

Cheers, Alan.


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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 3:50 pm 
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Location: Whitley Bay
That is magic as usual Alan. Thank you very much. I wanted to check. As I see people paying £40 or so for something called Monkey or similar. But I have just bought one from Ebay for £3.99. 2 AA batts and it uplifts them to 5v. So, just tried it out and it works great. But would not have tried it until voltage confirmed.

Bri

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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 4:03 pm 
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Hi Brian,

The Power Monkeys also contain a Lithium battery and a circuit to step the voltage up to the "normal" 5 volts. However, the batteries generally have quite a high capacity so can considerably extend the running time of the Adventurer (or whatever). But a couple of AA cells should be fine for an "emergency".

They may also have a solar cell, but the amount of energy available from a moderately-sized cell is really quite low.

Cheers, Alan.


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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 4:17 pm 
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Location: Whitley Bay
Yep, it's just the emergency thing that I was looking for Alan. And this thing does boost to 5v. I could do with a shorter USB lead though. Any ideas?

Bri

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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 4:31 pm 
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Hi Brian,

The cable is basicallly a standard "USB type A to Mini USB type B" (as used by cameras, MP3 players, portable hard drives, etc.) so you might find a short cable, for example in a Pound shop. But I've heard that the Adventurer actually needs the type B with an "extended" body, so you might have difficulty finding anything that works reliably.

Cheers, Alan.


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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 4:35 pm 
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Location: Whitley Bay
OK. And my other thought was that if I also keep a couple of spare AA's in my rucksack I have even extra emergency cover.

Thanks again Alan.

Bri

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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 6:52 pm 
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I picked up a short usb lead OK. It does work but could be pulled out rather easily. So, comparing it with the original, I just nicked a bit of the plastic surround off the the plug and it fits nice and snug now.
Bri

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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:04 pm 
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So 3 AA battries in a holder from maplins should do it?
what ape the pinouts on the b type connector?


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 Post subject: Re: Voltage Query
PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:37 pm 
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Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:30 pm
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Hi,

Not really, 3 x Rechargeable AAs will only give about 3.6 volts and even fresh Alkalines a rather marginal 4.5 volts (which drop well below 3.6 volts before proper "end of life"). 4 x AA NiMH would be better.

Power Supply on the Mini USB type B is on the end pins (1 and 5). Can't remember which way, but the easiest/cheapest method is to buy a USB A - Mini B cable from Poundland, or similar, cut the cable and check the colours which carry 0 - 5v when the type A is plugged into a charger or PC, etc.. Then use the B end to make your charger.

Cheers, Alan.


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