<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div>Nathan<br><br></div><div>I have tried to standardise on 12V powered gear as it really makes it simple for field work. <br>SLA batteries and chargers are pretty cheap and readily available.<br><br></div><div>Like you, I also found trying to work from 5V battery packs with step up to 12V to be problematic.<br></div><div><br></div>Thanks for the link, that is a nice board for a solar powered system. It would be good to find one that does the load cut off at low battery as well.<br><br></div>The unusual sized power connector on the XO is a bit of a problem to find replacement parts, but they are around.<br></div><div>It is the small centre conductor version (? 1.7mm) that seems hard to find.<br><br></div>I have also found that with age the connectors on the chargers don't make good contact as the V shaped centre contact spreads apart. But they can be pushed/bent back into the middle of the connector to extend their life.<br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 12:01 PM, <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:nathanr333@charter.net" target="_blank">nathanr333@charter.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div>Terry,<br><br>Again, thanks for suggestions.<br><br>I do have the 3 A version (slightly lower cost) of this board. It also permits charger input instead of solar. OLPC chargers ( 12 V and 13.5 V) would not work since module is only voltage bucking device and lead/acid 12 V batteries are about 14.3 V at full charge. (In my solar application, this board feeds a Li battery charging/protection board for 14 V output).<br><br>I have used a 5 V to 12 V boost board enough to know that XO-1 requires almost 1 amp to start and about 3/4 amp to run. The 5 V had to supply the board at least 2.5 amp at start. This beyond the output of maximum of 2.1 amp of most 5 V "power banks".<br><br>A hard part is getting the XO compatible connectors needed. :(<br> <br><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/BQ24650-5A-MPPT-Solar-Panel-Lithium-Lead-acid-Battery-Charging-Controller-Board-/171753976645?hash=item27fd55b345:g:H9QAAOSwMmBVuyYI" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.com/itm/BQ24650-5A-MPPT-Solar-Panel-Lithium-Lead-acid-Battery-Charging-Controller-Board-/171753976645?hash=item27fd55b345:g:H9QAAOSwMmBVuyYI</a><span class=""><br><br>Nathan<br><br><div></div><p>-----------------------------------------</p>From: "T Gillett" <u></u><br>To: "Community Support Volunteers -- who help respond to help AT <a href="http://laptop.org" target="_blank">laptop.org</a>"<br>Cc: <br></span>Sent: Tue, 26 Jan 2016 08:47:12 +1000<span class=""><br>Subject: Re: [support-gang] External "power bank" for XO's ?<br><br>
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Ahhh I see we have additional requirements to meet...<br>
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Travel and shipping requirements for small, non-spillable batteries (<100 Watt Hours) are not that onerous. <br>
If they are properly installed within a piece of equipment that is prevented from being accidentally switched on, then you have met the rules and won't attract undue attention.<br>
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Lithium based batteries do require additional care and can attract extra attention however, simply due to their chemistry and the possibility of burning.<br>
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I imagine you don't want to modify the XO so that it retains its qualification for travel and shipping. The goal is just to have an additional source of power plugged in via the charging socket - correct?<br>
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In this case you need a nominal 12V supply for the XO.<br>
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A 12V battery mounted in a suitable enclosure with a switched, fused and pluggable output cable, combined with a matching plug pack charger would fit the bill. Such a thing is fairly easy to assemble, and you can probably do so for under $30 all up with a common 4AH SLA battery and a 1.25A charger. Of course you can use other battery types as well.<br>
There are also commercial products like this, but perhaps not in as small a size as you are looking for.<br>
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But if you must re-use the original XO charger, then it is going to be a little more complicated because you can't directly charge a 12V battery from a 12V supply. If you include a step up DC-DC converter with adjustable voltage and current then you can use that as a simple charger within the enclosure. Or use a more elaborate charge circuit.<br>
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1.25 A SLA Charger $8<br>
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<a href="http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-Volt-1250mA-Sealed-Lead-Acid-Rechargeable-Battery-Charger-SLA-Computer-AU-/190615897043" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-Volt-1250mA-Sealed-Lead-Acid-Rechargeable-Battery-Charger-SLA-Computer-AU-/190615897043</a><br>
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4AH SLA Battery $14<br>
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<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Casil-Genuine-CA1240-12V-4Ah-SLA-Alarm-Battery-Brand-New-2016-/291575671757" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Casil-Genuine-CA1240-12V-4Ah-SLA-Alarm-Battery-Brand-New-2016-/291575671757</a><br>
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DC-DC Converter $3<br>
<a href="http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Boost-Buck-Voltage-LM2577S-LM2596S-DC-DC-Step-Up-Down-Power-Converter-Module-/191149033807" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Boost-Buck-Voltage-LM2577S-LM2596S-DC-DC-Step-Up-Down-Power-Converter-Module-/191149033807</a><br>
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On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 4:42 AM, <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:nathanr333@charter.net" target="_blank">nathanr333@charter.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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Terry,<br>
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Thanks for suggestion.<br>
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Since XO LiFePo4 batteries are no longer manufactured, I am looking for a means of battery power when current batteries reach short run times near end of usefull life. The targeted features sought are: fit in a small brief bag with XO, can be carried on airplane, can be mailed with an XO, cost similar to XO battery and use XO charger. The devices mentioned met some of the features: about the size of my hand, similar or greater run time, cost equal or slightly higher than XO battery, certified for transport and mailing, and in some cases could use XO charger. <br>
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They do cost 2X of a sealed (gel) lead/acid battery with charger.<br>
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Posted earlier that I have been able to rebuild an XO battery using 4 of 18650 cells and a slight modification of the battery case. However, these would not be qualified (certified) for transport or mailing. <br>
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Hence, looking around for what might be available and continue to be available.<br>
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Nathan<br>
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