I have some small outdoor events that I would like to do (50-100 people). But there is no AC to tap into.

A gas generator would be too loud. Anyone aware of a battery pack that would safely run the L1 compact and a small mixer for a couple of hours?

Hi Gary,

We have some notes about running the Compact on battery power in the wiki.

Does that help?

Hi Gary,

I recently purchased the Black & Decker Powermate 400 and it works just fine.
It also includes, air compressor for tire inflation, work light, and jumper cables.
Very nice for under $100 at WalMart.

See also what a DJ uses here (Duracell).

quote:

Originally posted by Drumr:
I recently purchased the Black & Decker Powermate 400 and it works just fine...

I spoke to soon.
Tonight I hooked up my Samsung MP3 player to the Compact powered by the B&D using an 1/8" to 1/8" stereo plug.
It buzzes like a digital alarm clock whenever the player changes from one song to the next.
When I change song manually or when the player changes.
Also buzzes when put on *pause*, or stopping the music in any way...such as browsing for another song, etc.

Switching the MP3 player to an 1/8" TO RCA L/R cable, I get no sound at all.

Playing music thru the laptop works fine though, as does a microphone.

Probably due to the player, not the battery pack.

Hi Drumr,

Have you got another analog source with a 1/8" stereo output you can try?

quote:

Originally posted by Drumr:

quote:

Originally posted by Drumr:
I recently purchased the Black & Decker Powermate 400 and it works just fine...

I spoke to soon.
Tonight I hooked up my Samsung MP3 player to the Compact powered by the B&D using an 1/8" to 1/8" stereo plug.
It buzzes like a digital alarm clock whenever the player changes from one song to the next.
When I change song manually or when the player changes.
Also buzzes when put on *pause*, or stopping the music in any way...such as browsing for another song, etc.

Switching the MP3 player to an 1/8" TO RCA L/R cable, I get no sound at all.

Playing music thru the laptop works fine though, as does a microphone.

Probably due to the player, not the battery pack.

I agree. Sounds like the player...if not the cords.

quote:

Originally posted by ST:
Hi Drumr,

Have you got another analog source with a 1/8" stereo output you can try?

I ran the Laptop into both cables, 1/8-TO-1/8" and 1/8"-TO-RCA they are fine.
HOWEVER, the laptop is NOT connected to the battery, it's on house power.
I'll test it on the battery later.

No doubt it's the Samsung MP3 player.
My daughter recommended it.

Samsung products used to be equated to low quality, but I thought that had probably changed by now,
in light of all the good gear that's being made in the orient.

I recently bought a Samsung External Lightscribe DVD writer that lasted a month.
So for me it's two for two.
I'll probably back off on their stuff.

Edited for more info

Hey guys...you know what?
I just remembered that I've used the Samsung on at least 5 gigs lately,
twice with the Compact and there was NO problem at all.
It's only doing the buzzing with the Battery Power.

So...although it's the Samsung making the noise, it's caused by battery power.
It's hard to fault Samsung for overlooking that glitch in the software.

Bottom line...be aware and always test out any gear you will be using with the battery supply if you plan to operate on the battery power.

quote:

Originally posted by ST:
Hi Gary,

We have some notes about running the Compact on battery power in the wiki.

Does that help?

Bonjour,

Thanks for the Wiki reference. Is there similar information on the L1 Model II? I have been curious to see if we could set up in a park where AC power is not available. I saw the post by Media4u2 (07Sep09) but he uses a generator and it wouldn't work for what I would like to do.

Merci,

Hey All,

BEWARE...do NOT continue to run anything with a computer chip (ie. the L1 Compact, Mp3 player, computer, etc) with a "regular" generator.

The power from the B&D is NOT clean enough to run these products. I used to sell generators for a living, and ALWAYS warned people against using a regular generator for electronics. They are only for lights, power tools, etc.

You would need a generator like a Honda EU1000 or EU2000. They are "Inverter" generators. They switch the cycles of power from AC to DC and then back to AC...thereby eliminating the "spikes" that cause computer chips to fry, when using a regular generator.

Inverter generators are pricey, but worth it, to protect your investments. (They are also VERY quiet)

Dave - could one of those fancy $100+ surge protectors be used to 'clean' the power?

Yes and No...

The high dollar Monster Cable surge protectors could block the huge power spikes, but in doing so, they can cause your equipment to "brown out". This would be a bit embarrassing if it happened during a song.

The spikes in power caused by the stater and roter of a generator, are for more significant that those that occur with regular AC current in your house. The surge protectors are not designed to compensate for such large surges.

With $5k worth of equipment plugged into it, I would spend the extra money for a cleaner, quieter generator.

Dave

how do pure sine generators compare with inverter generators for this type of application as they seem to be a little less expensive but promise the same clean electricity?

Just a word of clarification. This thread started with a question about using battery power for the Compact. The only B&D product I can find mentioned, as suggested use, is a Battery / Inverter, mentioned by Drumr.

While the caution about generators may be valid, the Powermate 400, is not a generator.

http://www.nextag.com/portable-power/shop-html

O..