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Re: Powering the Sound Devices MP-2

Subject: Re: Powering the Sound Devices MP-2
From: Walter Knapp <>
Date: Sun, 08 Dec 2002 20:04:14 -0500
DeafinONEear wrote:
> Given the versatality of the MP-2 power supply stage, I was thinking I
> would like to power mine with a 6v lantern battery, but I was wondering i=
f
> anyone would happen to know what the mA rating on one of those is. Has
> anyone used a lantern battery to power one? Does anyone know the minimum =
mA
> rating I can use for a 6V feed? The site says 50mA for a 12V, so I don't
> know how that would equate to a lower voltage.

That's one heck of a lot of overkill. The lantern battery can do a few
amps, though in most uses they are run under a amp. I think they mostly
run between 2000mAh & 5000mAh

I run mine on two 1800 mAh NIMH AA's in the internal battery
compartment. Most I've run so far would be about 5 hours powering two
phantom power mics (MKH-20's) and the led display at the half setting.
That all in a number of sessions. The batteries were not near discharged
if the charge time is any indication.

I've gotten 3 hours out of some near dead AA Nicads.

I'd say the lantern battery is a lot of weight, bulk and money for the
time you would get out of it. Rechargables make more sense. You could
get 6V 4000mAh NIMH battery pacs made with 5 C cells off ebay right now
for about the same price. Or get the pacs used for RC cars. If you need
a long run time that is. Otherwise the AA's will do it.

Note, the early MP2 design included a contact spring that would not
contact some NIMH rechargables properly. Mine was one of those, even
though it was new this year. Sound Devices upgraded it for free to the
new spring (requires sending it in for a battery compartment
replacement, the spring is riveted in). I machined some thin brass disks
to fix that before finding this out.

Walt




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