Mobile Power Supply

[SJTaylor]

I'm looking at options to buy/build a mobile power supply for powering an IPAQ and Emtac BT GPS whilst walking and camping with perhaps days between access to mains sockets.



I came across the following on Maplin but unfortunately there's no datasheet so I don't know if it will be man enough for the job. I assume, at guess, that the IPAQ needs no more than 10W. Has anyone come across this device?



Maplin

[Dave]

You could do something like that, also check out our PC-Mobile Battery Extender Review and also the battery pack Peter rigged up in his Aeroplane Review.

[MikeB]

Interesting. Not really enough information there to make a judgment as to weather there is enough juice provided to run the iPaq/Emtac. The emtac power supply produces 5V @ 1.2amp and the iPaq one produces 5V @ 2amps. I use the iPaq power supply with a y cable to power/charge both devices OK.



The only issues are what is the current provided and will 6V rather than 5V cause problems with those expensive devices.



Guess what? I am not going to offer any advice there, sorry.
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Mike Barrett

[SJTaylor]

I was thinking of building something similar to the aeroplane system with AA batteries so I can use the Socket Y cable arrangement. (Perhaps in a case to slip under the top rucksack flap with the GPS) With this I'd have thought you'd need 8 alkalines or 10 Ni-Cd to achieve the 12V or does the adapter have automatic voltage regulation? My electronics is a little rusty.

[SJTaylor]

Mike,



The solar device is switchable between 6V and 12V so therefore switching to 12V and plugging your car adaptor in should not cause a problem.



Don't worry, I'm not asking for advice, just wondering if anyone else has any experience with this type of thing.

[MikeB]

Yes that was my first thought, but what will happen is that you plug in the car adapter (which it implied was compatible) and you get the correct output.



However what will be happening is that you are introducing additional (and probably non energy efficient) links in the power chain, which may render the device usless in terms of the power provided and energy lost.



Have you checked out the PC-Mobile battery extender review that Dave highlighted. I have used this to good effect with a couple of sets of batteries.



Another option I am seriously beginning to consider is to revert to traditional hand held GPS technology to record tracks and use a YUCK --CABLE-- YUCK to connect to the PDA. I am currently looking at the Garmin Geko 101 and 201. The 101 doesnt have an serial interface, but the 201 does and the batteries will last at least 16 hours.



Another device that I am waiting to get my hands on for review is the Fortuna GPSSmart with BT and track recording. This could also be very interesting.
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Mike Barrett

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