Alternative charger?

[Tony Lough]

I have built a 4*AA battery charger but am now wondering if my wind up mobile phone charger would charge my Revo Plus? It's rated output is 180mA at 8V DC

Tony Lough

[MikeMcC]

Knowing how problematical the Revo's batteries are at the best of times, I don't think I would recommend it.

The correct voltage is 6V and the additional 2V might be enough to cause damage. The 180mA might not be sufficient for the "red light" phase of the recharging.

Put it this way, I wouldn't risk it with my Revo :)

[Sneezer]

I use a Radio Shack world charger I picked up for around $20 USD. Has a plug that fits the Revo, and matches the original powersupply specs. Small, very lightweight, and the plug folds inward when not in use, so it is much easier to carry. Works pretty good so far. 110/220v capable.

[ChasenRecording]

DO NOT use a voltage higher than the 6 volt power supply. You can get a step down circuit to pump more amps and less volts but that may be complicated. The higher voltage will do either 1 of two things. 1. kill your batteries 2. blow the transistor circuit used to power the computer and charge the batteries. Not enough amps will cause similar problems.

You may also want to use 5 AA depending on the type you use. Most AA are only 1.2 volts and go even lower when they start to drain. The lower the voltage the worse it is for the batteries inside the mako and the more the transistor circuit has to work. Test the voltage with a multi-meter and find out exactly what voltage it puts out.

Adam
ChasenRecordings.com

[jansell]

I used a 4 AA battery pack charger for my Revo + whilst in Sumatra for 6 weeks where AC 240V is unreliable or unavailable and had no problem whatsoever. I get about 3 or 4 charges from a set of Duracells and at least 2 from cheapocells available in any village store. Why wind?

Not all good news though - see my posting today in "Psion and ?Symbian general discussion.

John