IDX TEK Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Hey Everyone, Just want to hear your opinion on a few things: 1. What is the best position for the LED power status indicator on a NP battery? 2. If a DC power connector was available, what type and where would you like it (D-Tap or Hirose, left/right side, top, etc.)? Thanks! -Zack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nysounds Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 For me it would be Hirose, top right side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze Frias Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 For me: 1. Top side (smallest face, where the switch is located currently on he NP-L7S) 2. Hirose, and on any of the long/thin sides (left or right), bottom would also work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solid Goldberger Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 I would personally love if a battery had the meter on the small face at the end, with a dc connector on the opposite side (so that it could sit vertically in a bag with the meter exposed. Connector doesn't matter particularly, though I suppose locking would be best. While we have you on the line, one thing I like about my switronix np bats is the p-tap connector and the associated p-tap-based travel charger (which is significantly cheaper then the traditional "2-slot" charger). Looking forward to seeing where this is going! E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefilosa Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 For robustness, I strongly recommend D-Tap, and I would adapt from that. 4p Hirose is way too open for an issue, and I wouldn't want to downplay the distinct possibility of bent pin/s occurring in the heat of battle. D-Tap is secure, useful among many areas of your (IDX's) market, and there is no potential for a polar accident! MF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 I would add that while I would also prefer a Hirose connector there are a few issues with implementing one on an np1 spec battery. - A protruding connector would alter the form factor. It would no longer fit in some enclosed np1 holders or devices that directly accept NP batteries like the Deva and Fusion recorders or any future product that would use that design. A Hirose connector built in to an np1 would have to be cleverly recessed to maintain the same form factor. - The Hirose 4-pin connector we use has a current limit spec of 2 amps only. The D-tap has the advantage of being flush with the surface the battery. Not sure of the current limits. My biggest request for any future NP battery from IDX would be an increase in Watt-hour capacity, first and foremost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProSound Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Dtap connector battery meter on top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 yeah, and let us have a proper dealer for IDX in Bombay, India... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 While the Hirose sounds appealing - I think the D-tap might be a better option due to the robustness of the connector - especially if a battery is bouncing around in a bag. As I posted in the other thread my vote is meter on the top as well as power tap on the top. And if possible more watt hours!! On a side note I had some NP-1's several years back that had 5 LED's - which gave a much better indication of remaining power. Why did the batteries go to three LED's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 While the Hirose sounds appealing - I think the D-tap might be a better option due to the robustness of the connector - especially if a battery is bouncing around in a bag. As I posted in the other thread my vote is meter on the top as well as power tap on the top. And if possible more watt hours!! On a side note I had some NP-1's several years back that had 5 LED's - which gave a much better indication of remaining power. Why did the batteries go to three LED's? +1 -- Everything he said, except I'm not totally convinced I'd prefer the D-Tap on the top -- I need to consider that aspect more. But, yes, more resolution to the meter, viewable on the top end, and more watt hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 yes, more resolution to the meter Perhaps a small digital display with actual voltage vs LED's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriskellett Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 I, for one, have no interest in a meter on a battery because I am really only interested in the Voltage of it under load and all of the gear that I uses these for already have a meter that I trust on them. The 3 stage LED meter has always worked well in my experience. I am a fan of my power supplies staying simple but it does sound like there is a market for some of these other options here Zack. On a side note, Your products are fantastic, I was noticing the other day that of the 9 IDX NP-1's that I currently have in rotation, 4 of them had their first charge put on them in 2004 and still work quite well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze Frias Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 While the Hirose sounds appealing - I think the D-tap might be a better option due to the robustness of the connector - especially if a battery is bouncing around in a bag. As I posted in the other thread my vote is meter on the top as well as power tap on the top. And if possible more watt hours!! On a side note I had some NP-1's several years back that had 5 LED's - which gave a much better indication of remaining power. Why did the batteries go to three LED's? Actually, that makes sense, and I agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDX TEK Posted December 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 thanks for all the great feed back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harris K Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Just to add, agree with meter on top, connector on side, preferably towards the top of the battery. Also agree on d-tap, and five point meters would be awesome. Excited to see direct input from a company who's products I use every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Feeley Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 LEDs on top would kinda suck for me since my NP1s are usually slipped into the little holder slot beneath the mixer (Petrol bags). I don't have to check often, but now I can just unzip the back of the bag and read the power status LEDs off the side/face of the battery. Anyway, let us know what you think... BTW- are sound folks the main buyers of your NP1s these days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDX TEK Posted December 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 LEDs on top would kinda suck for me since my NP1s are usually slipped into the little holder slot beneath the mixer (Petrol bags). I don't have to check often, but now I can just unzip the back of the bag and read the power status LEDs off the side/face of the battery. Anyway, let us know what you think... BTW- are sound folks the main buyers of your NP1s these days? You guys are the reason why we still make NPs! Other applications for the NPs exist but powering audio/sound gear is by far the most popular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 I have 10 NP-L7s batteries and more chargers than I can count, so keep 'em comin'. (And several NP-L50s models of '02 vintage that have now been decommissioned.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Zack There was a thread a while back about 1/2 size np1batteries - is that still on the drawing board? Or do you guys not comment on products that reality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDX TEK Posted December 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Zack There was a thread a while back about 1/2 size np1batteries - is that still on the drawing board? Or do you guys not comment on products that reality? Hi Jack We are still looking into it. I want to get as much feedback from you guys before we make major moves. If you have any requests let me know! Thanks, Zack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mega Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Love my 10 x NPL7S batts. 2 of them go back to 2005 and still work almost as good as my newer ones. I only use the 3 LED as a quick way of seeing if the batt is charged or not along with the dummy switch I set when dead or charged but sometimes forget in the heat of the battle so the LED is great for a quick visual check. Please never stop making the NP style batt for us soundies. I much prefer the form factor than any other batt. Not fussed on more LED or D Tap power output but I guess the power output could prove useful in some set ups. Like powering a Lectro receiver planted somewhere or a transmitter planted etc. thanks IDX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Hi Jack We are still looking into it. I want to get as much feedback from you guys before we make major moves. If you have any requests let me know! Thanks, Zack How many watt hours do you thing a smaller size battery can provide? For me that would be the deciding factor as to if I would buy them or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 How many watt hours do you thing a smaller size battery can provide? For me that would be the deciding factor as to if I would buy them or not. If it's half size, then it would be half of what a full size one is. (Not being snarky here.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Dolinger Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Top side meter for me also (small side opposite the terminals). I don't need a readout of the voltage but I like a quick indicator of which batteries need a charge at the end of the day. I also like the d-tap connector on the Switronix batteries! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Something else to consider: The position of a D-Tap connector is one thing if it's in addition to a battery being used with a battery cup. It's another, if the D-Tap connector is used exclusively instead of a cup (or full length holder, for that matter). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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