my 2 solutions:

sol one:
Lithium Ion Pack 3200mAh rechargeable - I bougth it as overstock bargain

sol two:
Ikea Alkaline AA Batteries 10 pieces 1,59 €

mediavets wrote:

Paul wrote:

my 2 solutions:

sol one: Lithium Ion Pack 3200mAh rechargeable - I bougth it as overstock bargain

sol two: Ikea Alkaline AA Batteries 10 pieces 1,59 €

Is the LiON pack an external 12v pack?
What sort of battery autonomy do you get with these two solutions?

sol one: yes, external
sol two: pricewise: el cheapo and backup if sol one runs empty

I did not yet find a universal reliable LiPo small footprint solution ...

Last edited by Paul (2009-01-27 23:07:37)

Hi all, I'm also looking for an external power source for the merlin, trawling through ebay I discovered this item 12V-3500mAh Li ion Batt, and it has a small footprint. All for £16 / €17
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-3500mAh-Lithi … 240%3A1318

Last edited by Gordon (2009-01-28 00:36:21)

bigwade wrote:

Nice !
is the 3500mAh enough ?

I don't rightly know, depends on the power drain from the Merlin and the Bluetooth etc, maybe someone can enlighten us? Maybe Paul can comment as he's using 3200Mah batts.

But it sure is a lot more than most batts and I think it about the maximum that you can get out of batts, or most packs without going to lead acid battery... looking at ordering 1 after a bit more research.

Gordon

Last edited by Gordon (2009-01-28 00:46:14)

It's a huge machine Andrew
I like Gordons link.
Size and price are oké
Paul's Ikea solution will be in the bag......

jriley wrote:

Gordon wrote:

Hi all, I'm also looking for an external power source for the merlin, trawling through ebay I discovered this item 12V-3500mAh Li ion Batt, and it has a small footprint. All for £16 / €17
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-3500mAh-Lithi … 240%3A1318

http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/kitsparts/12 … rger_1.JPG

Does the supplied cable fit in the Merlin power jack?

I don't know, but it should be fairly simple to purchase a connection or splice it to another connection. Mediavets external 12V 7Ah lead acid (gel) rechargeable battery pack is also a consideration, as it's much more than a power pack, that said I'm not sure as to the weight issue.

Gordon

Paul wrote:

I ordered one, but delay through chinese new year holidays

nice and small, ordered 2 and got the same answer.......

I've just got the dimensions for the battery pack that Gordon found on ebay:

The dimension of the battery pack is 130 x 65 x 24 mm.

Paul wrote:

I've just got the dimensions for the battery pack that Gordon found on ebay:

The dimension of the battery pack is 130 x 65 x 24 mm.

I just ordered one for myself also, lets see what it's like... taking a walk on the wild side ere

fma38 wrote:

jriley wrote:

Additionally: the manual states that the upper limit on the supply voltage is 16V.  I seem to remember someone in another thread stating that the head would run faster with higher voltage.  True? I think there are NiMH or Li batteries between 12 and 16 V that could fit in the base if you remove the battery holder.

No, speed is not related to power supply voltage. If not, it would be impossible to track stars! I works at the same speed from 7V to 16V.

I think you might overload the voltage regulator on the Tronisoft RS232-TTL module if you exceed 12V?

Last edited by mediavets (2009-02-09 11:18:05)

fma38 wrote:

"Red wire - input +6 to +9V. Higher voltages may be used but may require a heatsink on the 7805 regulator IC. "

Does anybody touched the regulator with a 12V input, and the BT module connected? Is it very hot?

Yes, it is quite hot.

What do you think about accu for modelism :
http://www.conrad.fr/packs_d_8217accus_ … 903_647983

or this type :
http://www.racingmodel.com/robitronic2.htm

What voltage et Ah is needed ?

Sorry for my bad english...