# Portable battery for USRPs

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/portable-battery-for-usrps/245885>\
**Category:** GNU Radio\
**Created:** [July 29, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/portable-battery-for-usrps/245885 "2013-07-29T19:47:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rafa\_F](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/958977/32.png) [@Rafa\_F](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Rafa_F)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/portable-battery-for-usrps/245885/1 "2013-07-29T19:47:39Z")

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Hi!

I have to do a few outdoor experiments with USRPs. Hence I’m looking for  
portable batteries that can be used for this purpose. After searching a  
bit, the best option that seems to me is to use 12V heavy duty lantern  
battery followed by a 12V to 110V DC to AC inverter, which can then be  
used  
for the USRP adapter. The combined assembly is still a bit heavy for me.  
Is  
there any other better (lighter) option ? Are there any batteries  
specifically designed to be used with USRPs ?

Thanks in advance.

regards,  
Aseem

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**Author:** ![aseem\_wadhwa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@aseem\_wadhwa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/aseem_wadhwa)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/portable-battery-for-usrps/245885/2 "2013-07-29T20:18:02Z")

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As indicated on the silk screening of the front panel of the USRP(s)  
they are powered by 6V DC @ 3A (Center pin is positive, outer negative).  
It’s fairly easy to find battery solutions that meet this criteria  
directly without using the AC adapter. I have built light weight Li-Ion  
solutions for USRPs also, you need to take a little more care with  
these, there nominal voltages tend to be significantly higher than 6V  
and the details of what USRP/daughter board is being used can be  
important. Stick with a lantern style battery or gel cell if you want to  
keep it simple and safe.

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**Author:** ![aseem\_wadhwa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@aseem\_wadhwa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/aseem_wadhwa)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/portable-battery-for-usrps/245885/3 "2013-07-29T20:24:28Z")

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On 07/29/2013 02:16 PM, Ian B. wrote:

> As indicated on the silk screening of the front panel of the USRP(s) they are  
> powered by 6V DC @ 3A (Center pin is positive, outer negative). It’s fairly easy  
> to find battery solutions that meet this criteria directly without using the AC  
> adapter. I have built light weight Li-Ion solutions for USRPs also, you need to  
> take a little more care with these, there nominal voltages tend to be  
> significantly higher than 6V and the details of what USRP/daughter board is being  
> used can be important. Stick with a lantern style battery or gel cell if you want  
> to keep it simple and safe.
> 
> On Jul 29, 2013, at 10:46 AM, aseem wadhwa[removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

A very quick search turned up this:

> **[Industrial version of the Portable lithium ion battery pack Battery
		Power...](https://www.powerstream.com/PST-MP3500-I.htm)**
>
> Portable battery pack, 12 volts, 5 volts, 6 volts, 7.5 volts, 9 volts, 12 volts, 14 volts 16 volts or 19 volts 44 watt-hours for laptops, digital cameras, bottle warmers.

Switchable output levels.

–  
Marcus L.  
Principal Investigator  
Shirleys Bay Radio Astronomy Consortium

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**Author:** ![aseem\_wadhwa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@aseem\_wadhwa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/aseem_wadhwa)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/portable-battery-for-usrps/245885/4 "2013-08-05T22:52:55Z")

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At work, we use a 12V motorbike lead battery with a cigarette lighter  
plug and an  
off-the-shelf dc/dc converter.  
As of late, someone has designed a small case with a switch on top,  
housing a  
cheap downconverter (linear I guess). Works for hours and hours and  
hours…