@Uija was kind enough to send me his STL files for his DIY battery handle and I just finished putting together a version that uses a more “off the shelf” bill of materials.
I’m using 1 inch PVC pipe, a “lipstick” sized usb phone charger, and a conventional usb to dc barrel plug cable, much like everyone else in here has been using, as well as the 3D printed parts and one m3 bolt and nut for the other side attachment.
So far it’s working really well! Of course the PVC leaves something to be desired, but I might upgrade to a 1” electrical conduit sometime soon to get a nicer handle material.
Thanks again to @Uija for kindly letting me adapt his files - if he’s okay with it I’d be happy to share the STL files I created here in case anyone would like to build the same. This version should work with any usb battery bank smaller than 1” in diameter, including Anker’s Powercore+ Mini. I also found a ton of generic “lipstick” or cylindrical chargers that would work.
Sure! I didn’t share mine publicly because I build my own tube, soldered some batteries to a wire that you need a special charger to charge and that doesn’t help others a lot.
If yours is accessible for others, I am very happy that the files are used!
Okay, after making some additional revisions for better friction-fit on the brackets, here’s the final STL files for anyone out there with a 3D printer!
The Thingiverse post has a complete BOM, so hopefully this winds up helping others who want a good portable battery solution.
I got rid of my crummy PVC tube and replaced it with a 3D printed one, which turned out to be a much nicer option. I uploaded the tube I printed as an STL as well, so the only off-the-shelf materials required will be a compatible phone charger and a USB to 5.5x2.1 power cable.
So far I’m really loving it - the dual purpose “stand” functionality is more useful than I thought it would be. I’ll almost certainly still buy the Elektron version when it comes out since it’ll be a much more polished product, but in the interm this works great!
Regarding Model:Cycles battery life: with a straight 5V USB cable (no conversion to a higher voltage) the current draw is 300-400mA, which means that each 1000mAh of your power bank capacity should last at least 2 hours (2.5h theoretically, but not reliably).
OS 1.13 includes a battery charge meter in the display but it’s calibrated for the Power Handle voltage, so you’ll need to rely on your power bank’s charge meter, if it has one.
Am I right in thinking that if you use the back connector, then the internal battery charge meter does not apply ?
And if that’s the case, and you therefore choose to use the side connector to take advantage of the battery meter … is that meter any use at all with a power bank ? I see the configuration options are ‘Nimh’ and ‘Alkaline’ … with a power bank is either of those going to give a useful indication of either
how much juice is left, or at least,
power is about to run out ?
If no-one knows, I guess I may have to buy the appropriate side-connector and find out.
EDIT: Okay … looks like I’ll be finding out myself
I don’t mind it being not accurate, if only it gives me a bit of a warning about impending closedown. I’ve not used the powerbank enough yet to be able to tell if that will happen. If I don’t get either a warning or an automated shutdown, its just a £5 cable I won’t use again, no biggie.
Aha … googled that which leads me to the conclusion that telling the M:C it’s using NIMH batteries might give a better result. Looks like NIMH and LI both have a clear ‘knee’ at about the same voltage.
Just thought I’d post my solution for this. I bought a 10k powerbank from anker and the USB to jack cable from amazon.de that someone mentioned but I found that it had too much wiggle and would turn off if I moved.
To fix it designed/printed this bracket that holds the jack and the powerbank in place. It works nicely!
There is little we can do with the design but to similarly give no “wiggle” room for the connectors, sounds like excellent work! May be worth finally calibrating the printer a friend gave to me
I would like to direct my inquiry to the Model:Cycles owners who are willing to utilize their device with a powerbank or USB brick.
I am interested to know which powerbank you use with the Model:Cycles and which RipCord (or MyVolts) converter you connect to it.
Additionally, I am looking for a powerbank that is small and light, and it would be greatly appreciated if you could also provide information on how long it lasts.
As I am not familiar with the concepts of amperage and wattage, I kindly inquire to prevent any erroneous purchase.
The models already run on 5v, so no need for any ripcord, just a USB to barrel converter (you can use either a centre positive 3.5 × 1.35 mm barrel or center positive 5.5 × 2.1 barrel, depending on which input you’re using.).
I just use a bog standard Anker battery pack (20,000 mAh I think) works fine, lasts hours.
