DIGITAKT 2 w BATTERY PACK

[beatbully]

DIGITAKT II

Hey guys the fact that the Digitakt II does not run on a battery is mind boggling. Can I use the Digitakt II with a portable battery pack? If so, what cables would I need and which pack would you suggest?

Would be super nice to use this anywhere even with no power available.

[Ryan]

@beatbully

Hey guys the fact that the Digitakt II does not run on a battery is mind boggling

Not to distract from the point of the post, but “mind boggling” might be a little over the top

[Augenadler]

Search forum before posting.

Welcome to the forum!

There is a long thread about internal and external batteries for Elektron Boxes.
In fact, it runs fine on batteries. So does the DT1, ST, DN and OT1/2.

[PearTreeCraft]

Digitakt : External battery / Power pack options?

I’m excited about the Digitakt and was thinking it would be nice to figure out a good portable power source for it. I already have a nice battery powered monitor that can power my midi devices through USB and some other battery powered gear. It would be neat if something would work well with the Digitakt. I guess it’s maybe hard to know without knowing the wattage of the unit? Anyone try this with any other elektron gear? I mostly just use stuff at home but I always like the option.

[beatbully]

Why is that? Would love to hear why you think its over the top.

So many samplers and modern drum machines today have the option of being powered by DC current, Internal battery and or interchangeable options. You don’t want to feel restricted to a power supply, ideas can come at anytime.

No?

[jw]

Digitakt modified with internal battery

Hi there, long time absent of the forum, but my DTII just got mobile. Opened up an old Thinkpad Battery I had lying around for years… took some cycles to get it going again, but now it is powering the DTII for like 8h when charged to 12,1V, even way longer when going to 12,6V. It is 3S2P, just had so solder the wires to the BMS and was good to go in under 30 mins total. The device feels pretty beefy now, with 220g extra. [20240531_104818] [20240530_170807] [20240531_105520]

looks like there enough room in the chassis for an internal battery.

[Ryan]

Well, my mind wasn’t boggled because:

1. The Digitakt OG didn’t have a battery
2. No other Elektrons have a battery

[wowzer]

A battery might be too risky for elektron

[RytmMASCHINE]

3. Any gear can be DIY battery powered. That’s no rocket science but requires the appropriate caution.

[PearTreeCraft]

I don’t like internal batteries because they eventually stop taking a charge. I have a few devices that have dead internal batteries and replacements are not available. I use usb battery packs with PD protocol and appropriate cables for all of my music gear now.

[beatbully]

Thanks for reply. This is actually what I have been looking for. What pack and cables do you use and or recommend to not cause any damage to the device?

All I want to do is be able to plug my Digitakt II to a portable battery pack for use on the plane, train, coffee shop etc.

[beatbully]

True, coming from an Elektron OG and past user. If this is your first Elektron device like myself, it would be mind boggling. The first MPC’s did not run on batteries until the live came out. Point is there is a first time for everything. I think they should look into the battery to be in the race.

Either way, I still like it, just not as portable as I would like thats all.

[BigJ]

Would you mind telling what brand and type you use?
I bought a USB-C to 12v adaptor cable. But am a bit puzzled by the battery pack with PD written on it.

Question: does ANY battery pack with usb-C out and PD work or does it need to be 100W at minimum to be able to deliver the 12 volts?

It is my understanding of PD that the pack ‘senses’ the cable for which voltage it outputs and PD is the only indication that it IS positively able to deliver the 12v. Am I correct?

I base on reading this: The Basics of USB-C and USB Power Delivery - ASME

Just for fun: if I follow the data from the manual a typical Digitakt 2 uses 7Watts at 12V, in combination with a batterypack holding 10000mAh would give me theoretical time of use of 17 whopping hours(!). (according : Convert mAh (milliamp hours) to Time in Hours). Sweet!

[PearTreeCraft]

Yes, I posted in the thread I linked here. I use this battery…
https://a.co/d/0dS6qjQ9
and the Adafuit 12v PD cable…
USB Type C 3.1 PD to 5.5mm Barrel Jack Cable - 12V 5A Output [1.2m long with E-Mark] : ID 5450 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits
Others here use this battery…
https://a.co/d/0bd6YBUS
and the Birdcord…
Birdcord PD ➔ 12V (USB PD Voltage Converter) | Songbird FX

[crimsonfancy]

I use the mentioned blue Baseus one. It offers passthrough charging too where this other one that I also own doesn’t seem to have a similar passthrough charge function.

Edit: and probably why the second, 100w one is hugely discounted right now. $59.99 with coupon at AMZN. I paid $99.99 in Oct.2022

[captain8]

might have asked you already but , how many hours did you get out of them?

[crimsonfancy]

I havent used the second flat black one yet but for the blue one I figure at least four hours I can count on if it’s full and fresh. Probably more but never need more time. The blue one is easier to pack and carry too imo. It’s kinda heavy but I can count on it. I’ve purchased three since 2022 because I’ve given a couple away.

[captain8]

yeah I got the black 65 and that thing is heavy enough to protect my digitakt with it … I’d like something alot lighter

[Augenadler]

A nice thing would be internal mounting brackets and a XT60 connector for easy DIY inatallation of a 1S pack for those in need. Will suggest.
A preinstalled battery is wasted money for most users I think.

[Augenadler]

PD just enables the device to tell what voltage it accepts, the possible options are (iirc) 5, 9 12 and 19V.