Vox DA5 question about batteries

[voided3]

Stop me if this sounds stupid, but since the DA5 takes a 12v 1000ma DC power supply, could I hypothetically wire the same style connector the adapter uses to the terminals of a small 12v motorcycle battery and run the amp off of it or would the higher amperage make things explode? The idea of buying tons of C cell batteries seems unappealing to me, and a motorcycle battery would A) last forever on one charge and B) be rechargeable. Thoughts? Thanks!

[Dan German]

...or, alternatively, you could just buy some rechargeable C cells and a charger. Less weight and cost.

[unclearty]

Sure could !

[Tdot]

Originally Posted by voided3

...a motorcycle battery would A) last forever on one charge...

I think my DA-5 is going to last forever on the original batteries, and I bought used.

[voided3]

Originally Posted by Dan German

...or, alternatively, you could just buy some rechargeable C cells and a charger. Less weight and cost.

A battery for a scooter weighs 3lbs and costs about $32 according to my research. They put out about 4 amps so that'd definitely have some long term storage potential running something that never peaks over 1 amp.

[voided3]

Apparently, after some Google sleuthing I need a deep cycle battery to do this as automotive batteries are meant to provide transient loads while deep cycles are meant for continuous loads. I found a site that has 12v 7 amp deep cycle wheelchair batteries for about $25, so that would probably work just fine.

I know for AC to DC adapters that the extra amperage doesn't matter, but does it matter for a battery?

[Post Toastie]

I have a DA5 but only use AC. That said i dont have the amp at this house but if the batteries are used isnt it 9 volts using the battery connection?
6 batteries X 1.5 volts = 9 volts.

[Dan German]

You are correct, Post Toastie. 9V worth of batteries. The OP is wondering about sending in 12V battery power instead of 12V wall wart power.

[voided3]

Yeah, the batteries would add up to 9 volts, but the AC adapter connector is for 12 volts, which is what I'd be connecting an external battery to. This makes me think that the amp won't reach its full output on 6 C cell batteries, hence the other reason for looking at a 12 volt battery supply. Does anyone that owns a DA5 notice a volume difference between batteries and AC (haven't bought batts yet to try)?

My other idea, since I notice that C and D cell batteries cost the same (at least where I checked), is to replace the battery holder with one designed for D cells (if it physically fits). If the specs I jotted down are accurate, alkaline D cells would give me about 33% more battery life, but still not solve the voltage dip one gets with the battery power unless I put in eight of them. Wedging eight D cell batteries in that tiny amp, however, would be an interesting feat of engineering, so I'd probably have to rig up an external holder for them.

So maybe getting an 8-pack of D batteries and a holder wired to the same style plug as the AC adapter is the ticket. Overkill? Probably, but the extra battery life and portable power would be good. The nice thing, too, is that when the set of eight batteries discharge, they'll get down into the 9v range anyway, which is usually what the amp would see on a full charge!

[voided3]

Hmm.... the amp running at 5 watts on C batteries gets about 18 hours according to the manual, and 6 alkaline C cells put out about 48,000mAh, while 8 alkaline D cells put out 96,000mAh, exactly twice as much. Therefore, if I build my goofy contraption, I'll hypothetically get 36 hours on a charge running the amp at full power. Awesome. I'd only need about $6 worth of stuff from Radio Shack to make it, too (sans the batteries themselves). I think I have a plan.

[Robster]

I was going to install a holder for 6 D cells in my DA5 for the extended run time but have not done it yet. If you go thru the power adapter input you can use 12volts and be fine.
I would think a SLA Sealed Lead Acid Battery like in a UPS would work fine and not be too heavy.

[Alamo]

Interesting topic, since i'm considering buying a DA-5.

are you still at it, Voided3 ?
keep it up!

[brownshoe]

I was thinking of getting a few C-sized adapter shells for AA batteries for my DA5. I always have a ton of AA's around.

[voided3]

Originally Posted by Alamo

Interesting topic, since i'm considering buying a DA-5.

are you still at it, Voided3 ?
keep it up!

I haven't made the external battery array as I realized the shipping for $4 in parts would be about $8, so I just loaded it up with C batteries. I played on the street with it this weekend and it was plenty loud with the volume a little less than half running on 5w mode. It's starting to pay for itself!

[ruger9]

I have run my DA5 on batts as well as AC, and even with fresh batts, I DO notice a tad more clean headroom with AC. But I mean a TAD. When the batts start wearing, it's much more obvious.

[voided3]

Yeah, I noticed that even on fresh batts the power LED isn't as bright (makes sense; 9v vs. 12v).