Simple rechargable battery for PC Engine LT

[ZueriHB]

Which PC Engine needs 9V DC to operate? About all of them.

Which building toy operates with 9V DC equipment? LEGO.

The Rechargable Battery Box released for the new Power Functions train line is almost perfect for our purpose. As it's designed to output 9V at extreme conditions and is save to operate.

Also the chargers tip fits and powers the LT perfectly. But for this operation a second such tip is needed to modify a Power Functions extension cable to get the battery connected to the LT.

I did this with a little tape and it actually works!



+ No modification necessary on expensive PC Engine equipment
+ Easy to install
+ Of the shelf parts
+ charger doubles as power supply for local mains voltage
+ LEGOs integrated safety measures greatly reduces risks associated with handling LiPo batteries
+ a full charge takes about 2.5h (80% in 2h)
+ voltage characteristics are nearly constant during operation (source)
- only about 1200mAh (Didn't do any battery measurements yet.)
- Battery shuts off after 2-3h do to safety concerns (can be circumvented with having the charger connected to the battery)
- Expensive (Battery about USD 50.- - 100.-)

No I can OBEY on trains without power outlets!
Also great for use as an UPS.

[c0ldb33r]

A little ugly but neat. Is it expensive?

[esteban]

That tiny little LEGO battery lasts 2-3 hours for LT?

Awesome.

I don't have an LT, though.

DAMN.

[ZueriHB]

A little ugly but neat. Is it expensive?

Yes it is. You can find the battery for USD 50.- on BrickLink on good days, but currently they are at USD 70.- up to USD 130.-

It should be possible to get it into a Tennokoe 2 or an empty AV booster.

That tiny little LEGO battery lasts 2-3 hours for LT?

Awesome.

I don't have an LT, though.

DAMN.

You read wrong, charging needs 2.5h for a full charge, I'm currently testing how long the battery holds up. Expect less.

[Flare65]

I'm so paranoid about breaking my LT, I rarely take it out of the house and I never travel with it.  Interesting find with the battery though.

[esteban]

Whoops!

I read your post wrong! (Wishful thinking)

I predict 45* minutes on LT with battery pack.


* Random number.

[ZueriHB]

Whoops!

I read your post wrong! (Wishful thinking)

I predict 45* minutes on LT with battery pack.


* Random number.

Random number has been passed. Currently at 50min

[Tatsujin]

Whoops!

I read your post wrong! (Wishful thinking)

I predict 45* minutes on LT with battery pack.


* Random number.

Random number has been passed. Currently at 50min

Thats great. 50mins is already more than expected from that lil 1200mA accu.

I don't remember how much of ampere the LT does use in fact, when I had built my own portable sealed lead  acid accu pack bitd. But that one at least lasted for few hours, even with the CD-ROM attached

[ZueriHB]

I considered the option of using lead acid cells, but thought that most of the time, I'm just not en the mood for heavy equipment.

Update: Currently at 90min in a 50 and a 40 min session. same charge.

Update Update: I got 2 hours worth of playtime, and the battery would last more, but the voltage drops to a point where the LTs picture starts to wobble.

Conclusion: when the picture statts to wobble, close the LT, you have ample time to find a power outlet to recharge the battery.

[esteban]

I considered the option of using lead acid cells, but thought that most of the time, I'm just not en the mood for heavy equipment.

Update: Currently at 90min in a 50 and a 40 min session. same charge.

Update Update: I got 2 hours worth of playtime, and the battery would last more, but the voltage drops to a point where the LTs picture starts to wobble.

Conclusion: when the picture statts to wobble, close the LT, you have ample time to find a power outlet to recharge the battery.

Thanks for the update. I know the LEGO PowerBrick is not the cheapest option, but it is convenient and compact.

Now I have to go to the other thread and edit it (I asked about the battery life).

IMPORTANT: Have you had any accidents where you tugged the PowerBrick away from the LT and lost power? I'm just curious about real-life use on a train. Personally, I'd be afraid that I would drop the LT (I can't be trusted with nice things).

[ZueriHB]

I don't know if I understand your question correctly.

I had no problems occur with the LT or PowerBrick besides the PowerBrick getting disconnected when connected and both stored away in my bag for later use.