Cradlepoint CTR 500 battery pack options

dhenninger · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 20

I made a cable with plugs from Radio Shack

ccustine · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Strange, the battery pack at http://laptopupgrade.stores.yahoo.net/5v7libapa.html that you mention is the exact same model that I just sent back because my CTR-500 would not even start with that battery. I got a blink of the power light and then the battery would switch itself off.

I'm getting the Tekkeon tomorrow so I'll see how it goes.

thebfg · EVDO Newbie Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 4

Hmm... just tested the Tekkeon MP3450. No go with my router. Tried a custom USB cable and the Tekkeon cable. In both cases, the power light and WiFi light blink on for a second, then off, wait a bit, then on, then off, etc.

This is the same result I had with my Battery Geek battery that I was using with my CTR350. The Battery Geek battery I was using looks identical to the Bixnet battery Dwayne got working with the CTR500, so I find this odd.

Update: I was testing with an ExpressCard (EX720) inserted in the CTR500. I did some more tests with the following results:
"Bixnet" battery powering up empty CTR500, then inserting ExpressCard - Success (but not acceptable for my purposes)
"Bixnet" battery powering CTR500 with SIIG USB->EC Card adapter attached and EX720 inserted - Success
"Bixnet" battery powering CTR500 with Novatel USB->EC Card adapter attached and EX720 inserted - Failure (powers up completely, then powers off, then repeats)

Tekkeon MP3450 with USB & Tekkeon power cable & SIIG adapter attached - Success
Tekkeon MP3450 with USB & Tekkeon power cable & Novatel adapter attached - Success
Tekkeon MP3450 with USB power cable & empty CTR500, then inserting EX720 - Failure
Tekkeon MP3450 with USB power cable & empty CTR500, then inserting EX720 - Success (but not acceptable for my purposes)

Might have to switch back to my U727. Side note: I don't really care for the Tekkeon MP3450. It's very counter-intuitive if you want to hand it over to someone else to use. And the battery level indicator doesn't work unless you have the Tekkeon cable installed. Which kind of defeats the purpose of using USB to avoid unexpected or accidental voltage changes.

maverick · EVDO User Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 63

Why not get a PHS300 and not break your warranty?

PHS300 - Battery

USB Hub - 2+ USB Ports

USB - to - Ethernet adapter

Problem solved and you didn't break your warranty. Someone will probably have to contact them directly on if they have a solution for this but it should be theoretically possible.

Alex · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:54 am Post subject:

maverick · EVDO User Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 63

Which is why I mentioned someone probably has to contact them. They sell this interesting product, the PS6U1UPE, which paired up in the above way, should allow it to talk to a computer or switch just fine. I'm sure a curious tech support agent there might have tried it on his free time to see if it'd work.

cradlepoint.com/techsupport/PS6U1UPE.php