Anyone used a portable USB charger to power audio recorder like Tascam 60D?

A

analogs

Well-known member
I am considering buying one of these portable USB mobile charger (refer to link) to power my Tascam 60d so it can last longer when phantom power is on.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12000mAh-LC..._Phone_PDA_Batteries&var=&hash=item27d9f20291

The Tascam has the mini usb port which can be used for external power as well as being a normal usb so I am worried whether it needs special wiring for it to work or if these types of unit will work with it?

I wanted to see if anyone has done this before and what are their thoughts?

Thanks
 
Tascam states it uses 5.4 Watts (max) I assume that's PP mics, ect.
The eBay USB device states Output 1: DC 5V- 1A ~ Output 2: DC 5V- 2.1A
Convert watts to amps and you'll have an answer.
Hint: Output 2 should be sufficient w/ PP mics, Output 1 is close. (if the Tascam and eBay specs are accurate)
FWIW. Run times may not be all that long.. and unlike internal battery pwr., there likely would not be a LOW BATTERY warning/display or soft shutdown, which is typical of Tascam recorders. (saving a recording in progress prior to shut down)
 
Thanks Rick for the reply.

These devices use 18650 batteries which can get you 10,000 mAh and over of power depending on the batteries you purchase, hence why I am considering them. As you know if you have good batteries on the Tascam, you get about 2 hours on PP which can actually be cut short if you turn it on and off regularly or if your batteries are not the best quality and even shorter when you have two mics with phantom power on.

The other options I am considering is buying a seperate portable phantom power unit.

These are the only option from what I can see, even the Tascam BP6AA power pack would not register the battery level either from my understanding.
 
Rick,

How does it usually work when you have your external battery pack connected to your 60D. Does the 60D use its internal battery first then the external pack or does it use the external pack first then the internal batteries?

Does it go from the internal or external power automatically once one of the power supplies dies or do you have to do something or a pop up question appears asking you if you would like to go to the other power supply?

Can you change batteries while the other battery supply is running and the 60d is recording or do you have to stop the 60D?

Thanks.
 
Don't have a 60D. I have a 680 which wants 12 volts via a DC coax connector. (aside from the internal AA batteries)
That said, I can pull the external pack and it will auto-switch to the internal batt.s w/o issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top