Am I overvolting my gear? (BDS)

[bmfsnd]

I recently switched to a Remote Audio BDS system with an NP1 battery.

My Tascam HDP2 has a power reading option in the menu, and it reads 16.85V at first use of the day. The display rolls and blurs. This doesn't occur on AA batteries.

Is this normal? Coming from a computer hardware background, this sounds very high.

Thanks!

[Max Hirtenstein]

I don't know about the HDP2, but if it's anything like my DR-680, it can't handle much more than 12V. There are many reports of problems with over-volting the 680 on the Taperssection forum. This is one of the reasons I bought a Hawk-Woods distro, as it has regulated 12V outputs.

[Rob Stalder]

Matt.

You could use a DC to DC converter between the NP1 and the BDS. You could also use a DC voltage regulator, however they dissipate heat as the difference in the input to output voltage - ie wasting current.

I know its another country - but hey this is 2012 - ETE in New Zealand make a great little unit - see here - cheap & well made.

http://www.ete.co.nz/Products/DC-DC-Converters

Look at the Non isolated step down (918.00.00) DC-DC45 - 3 Amps - in a little box with flying leads to attach to whatever plugs you want.

You may notice that the input DC voltage is from 5 to 60 volts and the output can be set at the factory between 1.2 and 30 volts.

My suggestion is you contact them by email or phone and explain your problem. You could settle on an output voltage of say 13.8 or 14.2 volts and never worry about that 16.85 volts again.

Perhaps you could even mail them the connectors you need and they could attach them to the flying leads.

I have dealt with them a few times - their knowledge, service and product quality are excellent.

RS

[bmfsnd]

Thanks,

But does anyone else have this issue? If its not the HDP2 I'm worried about, it would be the current 302 and any future gear I would plug into the Remote Audio BDS kit.

[Jon Gilbert]

I used to use my HD-P2 with an unregulated Hawk Woods system which peaked at 14.something volts, that never gave me any problems, the 302 I think is suitable for use at up to 18V? Someone will correct me in the likely event I'm wrong.

By the way, your computer hardware background counts for fuck all here

[Max Hirtenstein]

yeah the 302 is 5-18VDC so you're OK on that front. again, it's too much for the Tascam.

[Philip Perkins]

That initial voltage is too hot for the HDP2, 14.something is about as much as you want to send it. I ran mine for years w/ NiMH batts that came off the charger north of 14v (and then dropped very fast) and was always fine.

phil p

[jozzafunk]

I run my HD-P2 regularly starting about 16v and have yet to have an issue

[studiomprd]

" But does anyone else have this issue? "

OK, YES, lots of folks have the issue,

but read the replies...

[Tom Duffy]

The TASCAM HD-P2 will take almost anything you throw at it. 16V is absolutely no problem, the power input is good to around 24V.

The TASCAM DR-680 is much more picky. Above 14V you may burn out a capacitor (or more) in the power input circuitry. The DR-680 power input was designed for the 12V power brick, not as a general purpose DC input.

Tom

TASCAM.

[bmfsnd]

Tom, thank you so much for the clarification.

Best,

Matt

[Philip Perkins]

I had display strangeness too when using above 16vdc w/ HDP2, and was advised by Tascam (back when the machine first came out) to not hit it that hard. Was there a change to the power circuit, or was I misinformed? And what about what happens to the display on higher voltages?

phil p

[Rob Stalder]

Maybe the display has its own seperate stepdown dc to dc converter and it alone is having a problem.

RS

[Tom Duffy]

The power input circuit is rated to over 16V no problem, something else must be happening to the LCD screen, I will check the schematics when I can access them (currently moving offices).

[studiomprd]

Hi, Tom...

I've sent you a PM...