CTR350 EVDO Router runs for 3.5hrs on 4xAA batteries

Hardware · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 147

I don't know that you could blame this one on CradlePoint. The tolerances on cheap electronics aren't exactly known for accuracy.

How about you bust out your calipers and give us some measurements?

Then you'll know if they changed the size, or if the parts you purchased are just not made to spec.

Alex · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:13 am Post subject: Re: Alternative to Adaptaplug...

tvBilly · EVDO User Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 30

Just got my CTR-350 today, took a walk over to Radio Shack, picked up one of the 4-AA battery packs recommended here (enclosed case with on/off switch, 270-409), and a couple of the DC power connectors in both "L" and "N" size. The Radio Shack brand connectors, not the Adaptaplug stuff, which is overpriced for this use. The "N" size connector fits my CTR-350 perfectly, it's easy to insert, and is exactly the same size as the plug on the end of the AC supply that came with my CTR-350. The "L" connector, on the other hand, is overly long, and only fits loosely. It looks like the "L" would|might work, but the "N" fits so much better. With regard to the CTR-350 power jack maybe changing depending on when the CTR-350 was made, I ordered it YESTERDAY from the 3gstore, so it can't be very old.

I also picked up two 4-packs of the Radio Shack branded 2000mAh NiMH AA batteries (23-010 is the 4-pack). These are the kind that come "pre-charged and ready to use" and have extremely low self-discharge rates. 80% to 85% capacity after a YEAR on the shelf. These are probably Radio Shack branded Sanyo cells... I chose these batteries because a long shelf life was more important to me than maximum capacity. 2900mAh NiMH AA cells are available, but they self-discharge about 2% to 3% per DAY...

The CTR-350 is the best thing since sliced bread! Very Happy

It worked fine out of the box, and I was able to completely configure it with ease. After I got back from Radio Shack and soldered on the connector, I started running the CTR-350 on battery power. It's been running for two and a half hours now on the batteries, and they were NOT charged before being put into use, having last been charged in October of 2006 (not 2007, 2006). At least 10/06 is on the date wheel printed on the packaging. In any case, they don't have a "full" charge on them, as I just took them out of the blister pack and put them into use. I'll report back after I cycle them a few times. I'm only refreshing a web page every few minutes when I remember, and I'm on a rev A tower with a -48db signal, so I'm probably not making any heavy current demands on either the CTR-350 or the Franklin CDU-680 that's plugged into it.

[note to all who haven't already ordered from the 3gstore]
I had originally ordered a PHS300, but when I was notified it had come in yesterday, and logged back here to read more about it, I discovered the CTR-350 now had a working LAN port (the ethernet port goes both ways). At the last second, I decided that the CTR-350 and an external battery pack was the way to go for me. The great people at 3gstore found my PHS300 order at their distribution center, caught it just before it went on the FedEx truck, and changed my order for me. They even managed to find time to update the CTR-350 firmware to the latest version (1.7.3 which supports LAN mode) before getting it back on the FedEx truck. It went out immediately, and I had it in my greedy hands the next morning, about 18 hours after I got off the phone with the 3gstore to change my order. Not only is their advice the best, they're a pleasure to deal with and really care about the customer, even when the customer is slightly out of his mind. And they run this forum for all of us!

If you're thinking about anything having to do with anything the 3gstore sells, I highly recommend you talk to them, and buy from them.

Bill S

Alex · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: My Battery Experiences

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 409

relic · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject:

The New 350's have a size "O" power connector.

4 x 9000 mAH Ni-MH "D" cells will power this for longer than you can stay awake with a case of Bawls. These are available online for about US $12.00 each.

Assemble the powerpack from a 4 "D" cell Radio shack battery holder and put a type "O" connector on the tail (remember Center positive). Buy two and swap them every week.

Or add a 5V POE injector/splitter (IE a D-link DWL-P200) put the router and modem in your attic and run a single cat5 cable to it to have a permanent connection without worrying about where to get power. You'll have to change the D-Link supplied cable to a type "O" connector.

These little routers have a lot of potential.

deparson · EVDO Junkie Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 249

Go all out...

http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/cta-digital-nimh-12000mah-rechargeable-batterybr2-battery-pack-p-510.html?SP_id=&osCsid=buajoj5vlgp6tibhimn0oc24n5

and get the 12,000mAH Ds. You can never have to much power.

Frank Broughton · EVDO Newbie Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 6

tz1 · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:30 pm Post subject:

I've been using the following battery pack (I have 4 from various woot.com sales, usually 2 for $40 or so). 4000mah, so it manages to do over 3 hours (I haven't tried beyond that, It should do 5+) with my CTR-350 / UM-150 not being used too heavily. I did need to make my own adapter since there are few USB to "N" power connectors.

http://www.justdeals.com/Items/d14-x?

It charges at 8.4v, but has a USB output and can do 1500mA.

Your mileage may vary, and there may be other/better places to buy it.

I'm also getting a bigger (size and capacity) power pack, but I thought I would confirm that this works.

mhtyler · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 143

A different battery solution occured to me as I prepare for a long cross country trip. I have one of those spare car carry batteries that has jumper cables attached to it. It also has a 12 volt car connector.

As it happens when I purchased my CTR 350 I bought the compatible car cable, and I know realize that the portable car battery will likely power the CTR 350 for 12 hours or more...perhaps an entire day.

Of course its not quite as portable a solution as the petite battery packs discussed here, but the resulting battery power should be far superior.

mark
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Mostly Harmless

tz1 · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:08 am Post subject:

The jumper cable batteries are nice, but if you drain the battery, and a car needs a jump, it won't work. Since I have multiple of these (each would power the CTR350 for days), I keep one charged in the trunk, one for portable devices but with the charging plug in.

mhtyler · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 143

Well, I would use the portable car battery in case of emergency. I think the chances of having a flat etc and a power failure simultaneously are rather slim.

Here is something else. The unit can supply 12v of power while its charging, so theoretically it can be used indefinately. The short coming there is that you must remember to pack it into the car before you go.

In addition, such a unit could be purchased specifically for the CTR-350, and so no car constraints would appear.

I'm most curious to know how much power it would supply. My guess from other uses I've made during a power failure is at least 24 hours of continuous use, but I'm just guessing.

I realize it isn't as elegant a solution as the battery packs, and in my case my Muziq drains its own power while connected as a PAM device. I will change to a Mogul though as soon as the rev A comes out and the Cradlepoint folks support it.

I guess Cradlepoint will not waste time in supporting rev A phones...should they ever actually exist.

mark
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Mostly Harmless