Hardware Battery pack vs External Battery Adapter

[Arringfray]

I've been doing a lot of searching and research about extending the battery life of the 3DS, as most people on this forum have as well I'm sure. Anyway I've hit a bit of a brick wall now. I like the idea of the add on power packs and such, especally the ones that don't require the removal of the back case.

Then I found the external battery adapters:

http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-3DS-Externa...6997&sr=8-8

and got to thinking that this may be a better way to go. I mean the packs hold 4 batteries so you could go out and get say 4 rechargeable Lithium 2600mAh or larger capacity. Plus it wont add any bulk to the system. You just plug the pack in and be done with it. To me I would think this would be superior to the power packs but then I'm not a battery guru so I thought I would poll the masses. What do you guys think?


Thanks;

Geoff

 

[jrk190]

To be honest, I was just looking at some rechargable solutions. To be honest, a more cost- effective solution would be to by the external battery pack by CTA. I have looked at many, and it is the most appealing. The Nyko battery is very bulky, and I (personally) don't like Nyko products for they tend to break. Also, it looks tacky on a blue 3DS. The link is a good idea, but it could get expensive if you have to buy regular AA batteries. All in all, the best one is external battery pack by CTA.

 

[jrk190]

On another note, the best thing I think could be used is an internal battery that is the same size as the normal 3DS battery and adds no bulk or ugly back. I don't know if there any though.

 

[Arringfray]

I do agree that it could get a bit pricey, but you can get 4 rechargeable 2600mAh lithium cells for about $33 and the external battery adaptor would run about $12 so $45 in all, so not so crazy that it's not worth considering.

And it may provide a huge difference over the other power packs

 

[FAST6191]

For this I am working on the assumption the DS itself has good charge regulation circuitry onboard (granted this will probably be to match the 3ds standard chemistry so consider this if going for some different chemistries- choosing NiMH where the last was Lithium ion for instance). Looking at some devices this is not the case (they advertise overcharge protection) but that could very well be marketing fluff.

Next- you say external so does this mean just a boost charge pack as it were or something that is supposed to sit there all day every day?

I am guessing voltage conversion will happen with the external stuff (first up/regulated and then back down when back inside the DS) meaning it will not be that efficient. Bonus is if you were especially bored you could wire in two sets of batteries and have even more capacity.

First that pack is insanely expensive for what it is but I suppose that is what happens for this sort of custom stuff. Were I building a boost charger I would grab a DSi lead, slice it off (or splice in), wire in a regulator capable of handling the current and doing the required voltage and send that into the port, stick a bunch of batteries able to generate the voltage required for the regulator and go from there. Kind of similar to the mintyboost thing you might have seen.

I have not followed the 3ds custom battery world as much as I might but in general third party batteries have a bad rep when it comes to just about everything (not necessarily lack of advertised capacity but other battery features like wear rate, issues with deep discharge, weight and more).

Personally I would get a USB cable and drag that around with me- if you do find yourself so far into the sticks that you have no nearby USB access look around instead.

 

[jrk190]

I agree with the above post, but I think an External battery (Such as CTA's, that goes on the back like the cradle) is a cost- effective and simple solution, however, if you buy the external battery, there is a matter of space that is taken up. I like to put my 3DS in my pocket to carry it, rather than carry it open. The external battery though, would not allow me to do this. I am going to get a small backpack so I can carry around my 3DS, Charger, external, Styli... Stylus... Stylus'es? anyway, I do like the battery pack you have, though I'd prefer a more reliable cheap solution.

 

[Deleted User]

I've been doing a lot of searching and research about extending the battery life of the 3DS, as most people on this forum have as well I'm sure. Anyway I've hit a bit of a brick wall now. I like the idea of the add on power packs and such, especally the ones that don't require the removal of the back case.

Then I found the external battery adapters:

http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-3DS-Externa...6997&sr=8-8

and got to thinking that this may be a better way to go. I mean the packs hold 4 batteries so you could go out and get say 4 rechargeable Lithium 2600mAh or larger capacity. Plus it wont add any bulk to the system. You just plug the pack in and be done with it. To me I would think this would be superior to the power packs but then I'm not a battery guru so I thought I would poll the masses. What do you guys think?


Thanks;

Geoff

30?! lol, poundland are selling these similar items

 

[Mantis41]

I am hoping that LiION gell will hit the markets soon and hopefully add a bit more energy density to the current cells.

Edit: Probably no more density but they are flexible and can be made to any shape so the battery could effectively cover and mould to the bottom surface of the device adding little to no extra bulk.

source : http://news.softpedia.com/news/New-Polymer...es-221044.shtml

 

[ShadowSoldier]

I'm getting the Nyko Power Pak. Especially with that cradle, I'm done with dealing with having to find wires and sort through them just to charge my shit. I love the cradles. Not to mention, I like the added bulk of the pak.

 

[ferret7463]

I use an 4AA external battery pack that is also USB adaptable. The Batteries are Energizer 2600 mah rechargeable. The cool thing is with this method is if your rechargables run out of juice you can also just buy standard batteries to put in the thing if your away from the house.
I play my 3DS while it is hooked into the external charger and its best to have your brightness set to "3". Any higher and the screen blinks in brightness. It also does the same with the wall charger as well.

 

[Arringfray]

I was hoping someone out there had tried this method. Ferret7463, what kind of battery life do you get with your set-up? I'm interested in knowing if the life is better or worse then the packs.

 

[ferret7463]

I was hoping someone out there had tried this method. Ferret7463, what kind of battery life do you get with your set-up? I'm interested in knowing if the life is better or worse then the packs.

In my opinion, it's better because, you can simply replace the rechargeables when they do eventually wear down in the amount charge they can hold. The "Battery Pack" with 2600Mah Energizer rechargeable batteries, will push my 3DS while playing with the brightness setting at "3" will go for about 6 to 6 1/2 hrs before it quits giving charge to my system. After that the on board battery takes over at 100% and it will last me around 4 hrs with my DS2 flash card.

 

[Arringfray]

thanks for the info, but is that battery life with 3D on or is that in 2D mode?

 

[ferret7463]

with the 3d on and also the DS2 is harder on a battery than a normal flash card due to the extra processor.

 

[Arringfray]

Excellent, thank you Ferret7463, that was the kind of info I was after and I think I will be going that route. I mean i can get the battery adapter for $13 and pick up 8 sanyo eneloop batteries for about $20 and get much better battery performance. With 8 batteries I can be charging 4 while the other 4 are in use. Also for trips I can have all 8 charged ahead of time for added playing time.

Sure the Nyko and other packs work, but this method doesn't increase the thickness of the 3DS (unless you like it that way as some do,) and you can just replace the batteries when they eventually wear out. Plus once Lithium Ion cells come down a bit in price they will be another option to put in the adapter.

All in all a good way to increase battery life that is completely customizable and while it may not be as efficient as the packs it's definitely more convenient and lets you use whatever cells you want.

 

[5%]

So you always carry a Nintendo screw driver with you then to do this?

 

[Langin]

I advice you not to buy anything external. 'Slider Pad' or whatever it is called is coming!!! When you want a slider pad you can't make your 3DS any thicker since it won't fit. I advice you to get an USB-cable. Also there are enough car adapters as well so nothing to worry about.

 

[Pleng]

There are plenty of people who couldn't care less about Slider pads. I for one will not be paying any attention to the slider pad when it comes to choosing my extended power option.

 

[Arsic]

That's actually a good point. I'll be paying attention to the slider pad when the slider pad has the games I want to play, like MH, MGS, etc.

 

[KingVamp]

Well... Look at this.

Mugen Power