About powering the RH1 (UPDATED)

[Strungup]

I made a USB connector this morning as that I am working on My new solar panel , and am wanting to have several outputs on it .

Small circuit board , USB pod , 27 Kohm resistor on pins 2-3 , exactly 5 volts from 4 slightly over charged Eneloops ( Measured voltage 5.02 volts )

Not only did the RH1 not recognize it , But , The Battery pack started heating up immediately ( I mean Hot) , so I disconnected and did some further measurements with the USB connected , and pins 2-3 are almost directly shorted from the rh1 , and Power from pin 1 goes thru these pins ,......... so There has to be more of a separation in pins 2-3 other than just a 27 Kohm resistor .

I have a 4 AA battery pack with USB out that works very well with the RH1 , so I need to look at its circuit and see what is going on .

But , Do NOT make just a straight Battery pack for the RH1 ..........

I will keep working on it .

Update = The solution could not be more simple , USB Battery pack for the RH1

Pin 1 , from positive terminal of the Battery pack put a 1n40001 1 amp diode to pin 1 of the USB plug , ( Proper Voltage rating of course)

Pin 2 = Leave open

Pin 3 = 1 resistor to pin 4 (200 kohms)

Pin 4 = a range 2 to 10 ohms resistor to ground ( Negative terminal ) 5 % tolerance from pin 4 to the Negative terminal of the battery pack .

RH1 fired right up , "Charging" and no hesitations

2 ohms for 6 volt Batt pack = 3 amps .....

and 8 ohm resistor will = 750 ma ( the Sony Power supply is 800 ma )

so 1 diode , 2 resistors , minimum 1/4 watt I would say 8 to ohms negative being optimal and a 200 kohm from pin 3 to pin 4

Now I can get back to my Solar panel , YAY

Edited November 1, 2008 by Guitarfxr

[sfbp]

Does this apply to the suggestion made to modify a power supply designed for a similar device (GPS)? I never did try it, being somewhat cautious by nature.

[Strungup]

Not sure but read the Updated info , SOOOO friggin simple

Pin 1 = Diode

Pin 2 = Open

Pin 3 = 200 kohm resistor connected to pin 4

Pin 4 = 8 ohm resistor ( from 4 AA's will equal 750 ma )

Done : Battery pack for the RH1 using standard AA Alkalines )

The 200 K bleeds a small trace current to the RH1 charge sensor and turns it on . The 8 ohm resistor limits the current flow .

I got this from taking apart a Cell phone charger that the RH1 seemed to agree with , Inside these throw away chargers are 4 AA's , and this basic circuit ( mine only had a 2 ohm resistor which means 3 amps or full output ) I recommend 8 Ohms because that is VERY close to the SONY USB charge adapter at 800 ma's

Everyone , head to Radio shack and build a Pack !!!!!

The whole point was , I wanted to install various outputs on my new Solar panel It has a Fairly thick Aluminum frame , and I looked at it , and thought to myself ,

" Man this would be cool , A standard 12 volt Socket like a Car , a 6 volt out for most audio gear or Light or my Tape deck etc , and a USB out that would work with the RH1 "

So I started on the USB part this morning , ( I went to buy parts for it yesterday) , A few tries of this and that and the RH1 wouldn't respond , and that Batt pack got very hot , so I posted the warning , But I decided to take it a step further and destroy ( Very carefully ) one of the cheap Chargers that DID work with the RH1 . That is what I found was a Very simple easy to reproduce for anyone , circuit .

I go to a Home Center tomorrow to buy the 12 volt socket , I have already drilled and installed a Standard DC jack , Then built the USB and 6 Volt regulator to feed the small DC and the USB ( Diode drops it to 5.3 volts )

After all that I will have a VERY cool camping rig , or for Flea Markets , Craft Fairs , whatever it is a pretty powerful panel .

Bright sun

Open Circuit Voltage = 20.08 ( Measured )

Output Current = 1.53 amps ( Measured)

about 2.3 feet x 2.5 feet

Frame thickness almost 2 inches

But it is Light weight . Pix when I am done .

Edited November 1, 2008 by Guitarfxr