Powering DAB radios on the boat , solution ?

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jakeroyd

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My faithfull tranny bit the dust on the boat this year so i looked to replace it.
Having found out that the battery life of DAB radios is close to pathetic i decided to investigate using my one from home but with various ideas to power it.

I have a Sony XDR-S55DAB which is great but it lasts about 2 hrs on 4 x AA's

My first idea was this.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uniross-Cha...8460612&sr=8-1&keywords=uniross+1-2hr+charger


However , so far the batteries last even shorter , maybe 1.5hrs. I think 1.2v rechargeables soon drop down to whatever level the radio decides it's not having it anymore.
They do charge back up very quickly and may extend their time when the batteries have cycled a few more times.

Then my second idea was this.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-P...t+With+Output+Via+A+Polarity+Reversible+2+Pin

This should do the trick. My radio needs 6v @ 800ma (4.8w) which this little box can provide.
Ony downside is the tips they supply don't fit every radio. I will adapt mine from a tip salvaged off something else.

Yes , i know for the price of the 2 i could have bought a cheap VHF radio.

My Sony also has a VHf mode , will have to see if operating in this mode it lasts longer.

I can always use the rechargeables in my GPS sets , where they won't last too long either but way better than 2hrs.

Both units plug into a 12v lighter socket.

No connection etc................
 
I admire your efforts.

But it seems to me the last place for any power hungry bit of kit is aboard a boat. A DAB isn't a radio in the original sense of the word, it's a computer and that's why it's hungry.

Now.... my old FM Roberts does six months on one of those big, square 9V batteries.
 
I had a DAB which worked off three AAs (no duration) or USB power via a 12v cig socket.
I bodged it to work off a 3.7(?)v LIon cell and then a tiny SLA 6v which seemed good but fried it. Ho hum..
I only use DAB for R4 Extra so managed with the tablet on 'Tune-in Radio' all summer.
 
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Thanks for the info.
I wonder if i should have just bought a cheap conventional FM radio , my old one ran all summer on 3 x AAA's

I do have a FM radio on my smartphone as well , so I can also use this if all else fails.
 
Some of the " Pure" range of Dabs are very low on juice my Elite One stereo draws 2.4 watts and can run off 12v with their own adapter also Ipod in and line out features but they are not the cheapest. There is an option to fit a rechargeable pack inside but that is also a bit pricey, a good option is to buy used off Ebay as these things either work or they dont.
 
I run my little roberts dab off 12volts always have because the mains adapter output is 12v ;-). for years it sat in my van connected direct into the dc of the van its pefect on the boat as small and easy to place safely oh yes forgot to say it is the gemini 49 model. there are two on ebay at the mo
 
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Why on earth would you want a DAB radio? Its an outdated 1980 format which all other countries other than the dear old UK have dumped in favour of DAB 2.

Get a car radio/cd/mp3 player - problem solved
 
The first unit I bought will charge AA nimh's from 12v

Update.
The second link detailing the 12v converter I have now tested with my Sony Dab.
spliced the correct connector on it.
works fine and uses very little current.
Another cigarette lighter connection though.
Ive now got 3 sockets on the boat all are in use much of the time.
 
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