[zhix78]

Hi All,

I have a question for pico owners.

I use my portable amps and mp3 players quite a bit on the road and it's extremely annoying to run of juice for either of them. So i usually bring along a AAA USB charger to plug into my devices to make them last till I can find an AC charger.

Previously I was using a tohamawk so no problems there but now I am trying to upgrade to the pico and have a bit of a problem.

I was wondering if anyone is using a DC coaxial plug to USB converter to charge the pico and if charging will work.

So it will be Pico -> DC Coaxial to USB Converter -> AAA BAttery USB Charger


See attached photo

 

[itsborken]

I don't believe that is going to work--USB provides 5v whereas pico recharge circuitry requires 12v.

If that approach did work then pico amp could run off of usb power and its been stated by Justin that it won't. Pico dac will run off usb power but the amp requires the battery output to run.

 

[justin w.]

If the only thing that black box does is hold batteries, then if you can find AAA lithium batteries that are 3-3.6V then you could use those.

Something like this could also plug right into the Pico assuming the barrel connector is the right polarity: LiFePO4 Li-Ion pack: 12V 1350 mAh (5.5 mm x 2.1 mm Male Barrel plug, 16.2Wh, 4A rate ) - LFP-1350-4S

You'd be able to fully charge the Pico twice with that

This one would let you charge it 4-5 times but you'd have to put a connector on it: LiFePO4 Li-Ion Module: 12V 2700 mAh ( 4S2P Side by Side Flat Pack, 8A rate ) - LF-H1P2S4R1WR

 

[zhix78]

Thanks Justin .. but I am actually looking for a portable solution that can use AA or AAA or 9V batteries to charge the pico.

Would something like this work? This will supply the 12Volts required to charge the pico won't it ?




Quote:

Originally Posted by justin w. /img/forum/go_quote.gif If the only thing that black box does is hold batteries, then if you can find AAA lithium batteries that are 3-3.6V then you could use those. Something like this could also plug right into the Pico assuming the barrel connector is the right polarity: LiFePO4 Li-Ion pack: 12V 1350 mAh (5.5 mm x 2.1 mm Male Barrel plug, 16.2Wh, 4A rate ) - LFP-1350-4S You'd be able to fully charge the Pico twice with that This one would let you charge it 4-5 times but you'd have to put a connector on it: LiFePO4 Li-Ion Module: 12V 2700 mAh ( 4S2P Side by Side Flat Pack, 8A rate ) - LF-H1P2S4R1WR

 

[Almoxil]

Hello, zhix. I'm not experienced with electronics, but I guess you've mixed positive and negative poles in your draft. Take a look at this example. (blue paths are negative, and red ones are positive)

 

[zhix78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almoxil /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello, zhix. I'm not experienced with electronics, but I guess you've mixed positive and negative poles in your draft. Take a look at this example. (blue paths are negative, and red ones are positive)

Hi Almoxil,

to hit the 12 v required for charging the pico, i'm connecting the batteries in series rather then parallel.

 

[Almoxil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhix /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Almoxil, to hit the 12 v required for charging the pico, i'm connecting the batteries in series rather then parallel.

Ok, zhix. Nevermind.

 

[justin w.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhix /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks Justin .. but I am actually looking for a portable solution that can use AA or AAA or 9V batteries to charge the pico. Would something like this work? This will supply the 12Volts required to charge the pico won't it ?

I don't think it's going to work because the batteries, especially the 9V, will drop too low in voltage before you get half a charge. You'd have to use batteries that hold a more constant voltage like li-ion. If you use 8x AA of the highest capacity it would probably work

 

[synaesthetic]

three words for you

cigarette lighter adapter.

 

[ClieOS]

An external battery designed for portable DVD player might work.

 

[zhix78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by justin w. /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't think it's going to work because the batteries, especially the 9V, will drop too low in voltage before you get half a charge. You'd have to use batteries that hold a more constant voltage like li-ion. If you use 8x AA of the highest capacity it would probably work

Thanks Justin .. going to try it with 8 AAs ..

 

[zhix78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by synaesthetic /img/forum/go_quote.gif three words for you cigarette lighter adapter.

ahhh .. no access to cigartte lighter slots as well .. only AA, AAs or 9V volts

 

[zhix78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS /img/forum/go_quote.gif An external battery designed for portable DVD player might work.

Hi, any photos?

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhix /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi, any photos?

Something like this (but no limit to). Just google around.

 

[justin w.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhix /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks Justin .. going to try it with 8 AAs ..

9 AA may be better. You can exceed the voltage a little, but don't let the voltage go below 11V which will happen when the batteries drain.